Great music for a great cause in audiophile vinyl and digital formats.
Warren Haynes Presents:The Benefit Concert Volume 20 – Evil Teen Records/Mascot Label Group 4-LP double vinyl transparent colors set PRD77171; 3-CD + 2 Blu-ray set PRD767105 ****1/2:
(Featuring Warren Haynes; Gov’t Mule; Joe Bonamassa; Eric Church; Mike Gordon; Jim James; Grace Potter; Jamey Johnson; Tyler Ramsey; Marco Benevento; Dave Grohl; Edwin McCain and many others)
Gov’t Mule founder, Allman Brother guitarist Warren Haynes has been hosting an annual benefit concert, benefitting the Asheville North Carolina Habitat For Humanity for over 30 years. The Christmas Jam features many rock luminaries performing in various ensembles. The Benefit Concert Volume 20 is available in three formats. There is a 180-gram 4-double LP series in dazzling translucent colors. Additionally, the performance is available on a 3-CD + 2 Blu-ray and 2-CD + 1 Blu-ray sets. The depth of spirited performances and good vibes permeate this “curated” musical extravaganza.
This album is loaded with blues-based rock centered on guitar. Haynes appears as part of Gov’t Mule and backs many of the other acts (and receives backup from them) with his distinctive, forceful instrumentals. The highlights are numerous. Among them is a country-twinged version of the Allman Brothers classic, “Ain’t Wastin’ Time No More” by Eric Church. This is classic “Southern” rock and Church doesn’t hold back. Mike Gordon rocks out on the Aerosmith tune, “Sweet Emotion”. Virtuosic guitarist Joe Bonamassa turns in a brilliant “mini” set with incendiary performances of “Spanish Boots”, “SWLABR”and “I Can’t Quit You Baby”. Dave Grohl has a formidable role in this celebration, combining with Haynes on acoustic versions of Foo Fighters’ songs “Times Like These” and “Overlong”. Additionally, Grohl offers a near 40 minute instrumental (“Play”) that is mesmerizing. Haynes and Gov’t Mule contribute significantly with numbers like “Thorazine Shuffle”, “Million Miles From Yesterday” and Neil Young’s anthem, “Rockin’ In The Free World”. Haynes joins Grace Potter for a memorable take on “Gold Dust Woman”. One of the certain high points is the dynamic closing set from Gov’t Mule (or Dark Side Of The Mule). The group delivers visceral, faithful covers of Pink Floyd material, including “Time”, “Breathe”, “Us And Them”, Any Colour You Like”, “Money” and “Comfortably Numb”. (Note: there are minor track listed differences between vinyl and digital).
The sound quality of the 180-gram vinyls is very good. The sonic range of the guitars are captured with vibrancy and focus on the tonal details including distortion and echo. The overall mix is clean, even in the denser arrangements. The Blu-rays have great 5.1 surround sound which expands the fullness of the music. There are a variety of ways to enjoy this no-holds-barred concert and none of them disappoint.
Highly recommended!
—Robbie Gerson
Warren Haynes Presents:The Benefit Concert Volume 20
TrackList:
LP Vinyl 1 Side A: Greenpoint; Pepper; In Color; I Think I’ll Just Stay Here And Drink
LP Vinyl 1 Side B: Medicine; The Lion, The Beast, The Beat; A New Life; State Of The Art (A.E.I.O.U.)
LP Vinyl 1 Side C: Sweet Emotion; Pendulum; Record Year; Ain’t Wastin’ Time No More
LP Vinyl 1 Side D: Spanish Boots; SWLABR; Tea For One > I Can’t Quit You Baby
LP Vinyl 2 Side A: Play (Part 1)
LP Vinyl 2 Side B: Play (Part 2)
LP Vinyl 2 Side C: Thorazine Shuffle; Million Miles From Yesterday; Dreams & Songs
LP Vinyl 2 Side D: Revolution Come, Revolution Go; Rockin’ In The Free World.Machine Gun; Rockin’ In The Free World
LP Vinyl; 3 Side A: Just Before The Bullets Fly; One; Paris (*Ooh-La-La)
LP Vinyl 3 Side B: I’ve Seen A Love; Ray Ray’s Juke Joint; Victim; Smoke A Little Smoke; The Weight
LP Vinyl 3 Side C: Here In Spirit; Red Baron; Soul Shine
LP Vinyl 3 Side D: Us And Them; Any Colour You Like You Like; Welcome To The Machine
LP Vinyl 4 Side A: Glory Road; Underground Umbrella; Straight To Hell
LP Vinyl 4 Side B: 100 Black Birds; If Heartaches Were Nickels; Crazy Sometimes
LP Vinyl 4 Side C: Captured; Gold Dust Woman;Times Like These; Overlong
LP Vinyl 4 Side D: Time > Breathe (Reprise); Money; Comfortably Numb
Note: There is an expanded playlist on the digital formats.
More Information through Warren Hayes/Evil Teen website
