Gov’t Mule Announces Deluxe Version of ‘Heavy Load Blues’ To Be Released Digitally on April 1st

Photo Credit: Jay Sansone

“Heavy jam legends Gov’t Mule lay bare their roots on Heavy Load Blues, resulting in one of the most satisfying albums of the year.” – PopMatters

“Heavy Load Blues is raw, heavy, and immediate.” – AllMusic

“A mesmerizing dynamic exists between the covers and other originals [on Heavy Load Blues].”

– No Depression

“Haynes and the band deliver a world-class musical experience [on Heavy Load Blues].” – Goldmine

“Heavy Load Blues [is] a profound experience from start to finish.” – Rock & Blues Muse

“A sonic signature…Heavy Load Blues will whisk you to a place you’ve maybe never been, but will want to return to again and again.” – Twangville

“Heavy Load Blues is an impressive showcase of Gov’t Mule’s ability to effortlessly produce a blues album while still leaving you knowing you just listened to a Mule album when it’s over.” – Discover Vinyl

March 21, 2022 – Renowned quartet Gov’t Mule – led by GRAMMY^® Award-winning vocalist, songwriter, guitar legend, and producer Warren Haynes – has announced the deluxe version of their critically acclaimed, chart-topping blues album, Heavy Load Blues, will be available digitally across all streaming platforms on Friday, April 1st. PRESS HERE to pre-save now and receive an instant download of the Haynes original “Hiding Place.” Heavy Load Blues (Fantasy Records), the band’s first-ever blues album which debuted at #1 on the Billboard Blues Albums chart upon its November 2021 release, encompasses an even mix of Haynes’ originals and revered covers. The deluxe version, which will also officially be available on vinyl as of April 1st, features 8 additional studio and live tracks, including covers originally by Savoy Brown, Sonny Boy Williamson, Muddy Waters, Otis Rush in addition to “Hiding Place.” PRESS HERE to listen to “Hiding Place.”

Worldwide, Heavy Load Blues has amassed over 5 million total global streams and critical praise and support from the likes of Consequence, Guitar World, BrooklynVegan, No Depression, Ultimate Classic Rock, PopMatters, Downbeat, Classic Rock, Relix, Guitar Magazine, Paste and many more. The core 13-track album, produced by Haynes alongside engineer and co-producer John Paterno (Elvis Costello, Michael Landau, Bonnie Raitt, Robbie Williams, Los Lobos), features the original track “Heavy Load,” their rendition of the Tom Waits classic “Make It Rain,” a groovy arrangement of the Junior Wells standard “Snatch It Back and Hold It,” and more originally made famous by the likes of Howlin’ Wolf, Elmore James, Ann Peebles, Bobby “Blue” Bland, and The Animals. Though technically considered a studio album, Heavy Load Blues was recorded live in the studio at The Power Station New England on analog tape, utilizing vintage guitars, amps and other equipment to capture an authentic sound. PRESS HERE to listen to Heavy Load Blues.

Gov’t Mule recently launched a new weekly video series “Session Sunday” exclusively on their YouTube channel featuring live performances of featured tracks off Heavy Load Blues. PRESS HERE to watch the first video for “Feel Like Breaking Up Somebody’s Home” and PRESS HERE to watch the second installment for “If Heartaches Were Nickels” and then follow along for six weeks for more.

Gov’t Mule – Haynes, Matt Abts [drums], Danny Louis [keyboards, guitar, and backing vocals], and Jorgen Carlsson [bass] – will be touring worldwide throughout the year in support of Heavy Load Blues bringing their acclaimed live show to the masses. Commencing April 6th in Syracuse, their upcoming U.S. headlining outing includes the band’s rescheduled New Year’s shows in Philadelphia and New York City, the latter of which takes place on April 8th and 9th still at The Beacon Theatre, the band’s unofficial home-court venue. Guitarist Jimmy Vivino and drummer Jay Lane will be joining the band for the first four nights of the tour, including their special Black ‘n’ Blue New Year’s Show on the final night in NYC, April 9th. Other stops on the month-long spring run include Albany, Pittsburgh, Chicago, Memphis, St. Louis, Oklahoma City, and New Orleans, where Gov’t Mule will return on April 29th for a very special Fest After Dark show at Mardi Gras World during the first weekend of Jazz Fest, featuring special guests Samantha Fish and Robert Randolph Band, each performing full openings sets. Ukulele master Jake Shimabukuro has also been announced as the opener for the Memphis, Little Rock and St. Louis shows. Following their spring trek, Gov’t Mule will head out on tour this summer including a recently announced European tour in July, beginning July 9th in Italy, and just-announced dates on Willie Nelson’s 2022 Outlaw Music Festival Tour alongside Willie Nelson & Family, ZZ Top and Larkin Poe in Cleveland, Cincinnati, and Pittsburgh. The road warriors will also be performing at select festivals this year including SweetWater 420 Festival in Atlanta, Riverbend Festival in Chattanooga, and Telluride Blues & Brews, among others. See below for list of all announced shows, with more summer dates coming soon. Tickets are on sale now with the exception of the Outlaw Music Festival dates, which go on sale this Friday, March 25; visit www.mule.net for details and to purchase and check with the venue’s website for local health and safety requirements.

Heavy Load Blues Track Listing:

1. Blues Before Sunrise

2. Hole In My Soul

3. Wake Up Dead

4. Love Is A Mean Old World

5. Snatch It Back and Hold It – Hold It Back – Snatch It Back and Hold It

6. Ain’t No Love In The Heart Of The City

7. (Brother Bill) Last Clean Shirt

8. Make It Rain

9. Heavy Load

10. Feel Like Breaking Up Somebody’s Home

11. If Heartaches Were Nickels

12. I Asked Her For Water (She Gave Me Gasoline)

13. Black Horizon

Deluxe Version – Bonus Tracks:

1. Hiding Place

2. You Know My Love

3. Street Corner Talking

4. Have Mercy On The Criminal

5. Long Distance Call

6. Feel Like Breaking Up Somebody’s Home (Extended Version)

7. Need Your Love So Bad (Live)

8. Good Morning Little Schoolgirl with Hook Herrera (Live)

GOV’T MULE TOUR DATES

U.S. Dates

April 6 – Syracuse, NY @ Landmark Theatre %

April 7 – Albany, NY @ Palace Theatre %

April 8 – New York, NY @ Beacon Theatre (originally 12/30/21) %

April 9 – New York, NY @ Beacon Theatre (originally 12/31/21) %

April 11 – McKee Rocks, PA @ Roxian Theatre

April 13 – Wilkes-Barre, PA @ F.M. Kirby Center

April 14 – Philadelphia, PA @ The Met (originally 12/29/21)

April 15 – Erie, PA @ Warner Theatre

April 16 – Chicago, IL @ Riviera Theatre

April 17 – Grand Rapids, MI @ 20 Monroe Live

April 19 – Fort Wayne, IN @ Clyde Theatre

April 21 – Memphis, TN @ Soundstage at Graceland ~

April 22 – Little Rock, AR @ The Hall ~

April 23 – St. Louis, MO @ The Pageant ~

April 25 – Oklahoma City, OK @ Jones Assembly

April 27 – Mobile, AL @ Saenger Theatre

April 28 – Atlanta, GA @ SweetWater 420 Festival

April 29 – New Orleans, LA @ Mardi Gras World +

April 30 – Tuscaloosa, AL @ Druid City Music Hall

June 3-5 – Chattanooga, TN @ Riverbend Festival

June 24 – Winter Park, CO @ Blues From The Top Music Festival

July 29 – Cleveland, OH @ Blossom Music Center #

July 30 – Cincinnati, OH @ Riverbend Music Center #

July 31 – Pittsburgh, PA @ The Pavilion at Star Lake #

September 16-18 – Telluride, CO @ Telluride Blues & Brews Festival

% with special guests Jimmy Vivino and Jay Lane

~ Jake Shimabukuro opening

+ Samantha Fish and Robert Randolph Band opening

# Outlaw Music Festival // tickets on sale Friday, March 25

Europe Dates

July 9 – Pistoia, Italy @ Pistoia Blues Festival

July 10 – Chiari, Brescia, Italy @ Chiari Blues Festival

July 11 – Tuttinglen, Germany @ Honbergsommer Festival

July 12 – Zurich, Switzerland @ Kaufleuten

July 16 – Uppsala, Sweden @ Parksnäckan

July 17 – Oslo, Norway @ Rockefeller Music Hall

July 18 – Molde, Norway @ Molde International Jazz Festival

July 20 – Frankfurt am Main, Germany @ Batschkapp

July 21 – Amsterdam, Netherlands @ Paradiso

July 22 – Torgau, Germany @ Kulturbastion

July 23 – Winterbach, Germany @ Zeltspektakel

ABOUT GOV’T MULE & WARREN HAYNES

Gov’t Mule – Warren Haynes [vocals, guitar], Matt Abts [drums], Danny Louis [keyboards, guitar, and backing vocals], and Jorgen Carlsson [bass] – has galvanized a global fan base with their honest, organic and daring music and improvisational virtuosity, leading them to be recognized as one of the most timeless, revered and active bands in the world whose spot amongst rock titans remains unshakable. Led by visionary GRAMMY Award-winning artist and guitar legend Warren Haynes – a cornerstone of the American music landscape – the enduring, globally revered group has showcased its intelligence and breadth over the course of 20+ studio and live albums, thousands of memorable performances and millions of album and track sales. Gov’t Mule has become a human encyclopedia of great American music while adding to that canon with their signature sound. The band’s flexible interplay in the studio and on stage makes them a true living, breathing ensemble and Haynes is lauded as one of the most formidable guitarists and vocalists of the modern era and a prolific songwriter and producer. Throughout his prolific career as part of three of the greatest live groups in rock history – Allman Brothers Band, Gov’t Mule and the Dead – and an acclaimed solo artist, Haynes has become one of music’s most treasured storytellers.

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