5 comments about 1919 Eternal.

1. Thick tone and power chords is what this CD is about.A cheap version of this CD is worth it just for the patriotic America the Beautiful. Bleed for me rocks



2. IF YOU'VE NEVER LISTENED TO BLACK LABEL SOCIETY(OR IF YOU ARE JUST ADDING TO YOUR METAL COLLECTION), THIS ALBUM IS THE ONE FOR YOU. ZAKK WYLDE IS AN AWESOME TALENT, WITH FLAIR AND INTENSITY. SIMPLY PUT, THIS BAND WILL ROCK YOU! ALL METAL LOVERS SHOULD HAVE THIS ALBUM, BLS WILL GIVE YOU A FRESH SOURCE OF EXCELLENT TUNES TO KEEP YOU ROCKIN' THROUGH THE NIGHT. I WOULD ALSO RECOMMEND THAT YOU LISTEN TO THE SAMPLES AVAILABLE ON AMAZON TO SEE IF THIS IS THE RIGHT FIT FOR YOU. AMAZON ALSO OFFERS THE "TWO FOR CHEAPER" DEALS, AN EXCELLENT WAY TO SAVE TIME AND $$$, THINGS WE ALL WANT TO SAVE! REMEMBER IF YOU LIKE TO ROCK, THIS ALBUM WILL NOT DISAPPOINT, A GREAT ADDITION TO YOUR COLLECTION.



3. My God, have I been in a hole somewhere? How did I miss these guys?
   
   1919 Eternal is a blistering, withering, furious, head-banging assault of full-bore, confident metal: I picked it up not knowing what to expect---I thought, vaguely, that BLS was some bourbon-fueled Ozzy vanity project---popped it into the hopper, and seconds later, stunned and delighted, cranked up the volume setting to DEFCON-1. Within seconds, the rafters were shaking, trees and grass turned yellow and died, and frantic, furious neighbors called the cops.
   
   Zakk Wylde and his band of musical mercenaries (including current Metallica bassist Rob Trujillo) are solid musicians. "1919 Eternal" brews up some tasty metal: Good lyrics, crunching base, strong, mordant rhythms---not the prissy, mincing, navel-gazing "math-metal" so popular at the moment---not tiresome at all, not tediously technical, just heavy as a battleship and twice as brutal.
   
   Good metal for me? The kind of gut-stomping, hard-core, moody, melancholic, doom-laden stuff---power metal, with a little thrash, a little Death---that puts me in the mood to don my steel-horned helmet and ram my head into the wall, then trash my apartment. That kind of stuff. *This* kind of stuff. It's that good. Why the Hell are you reading this---go buy 1919 Eternal now, and bang your head!
   
   But that might be a little unfair to Zakk and his rebel crew, because---for every snorting, ripping warhorse like "Bleed for Me", "Battering Ram", and "Berserkers"---this is a taut, trained, disciplined band of musicians, calling to mind Iced Earth in their ability to quickly lock it down and Jesus, just *groove*, as with "Bridge to Cross" and "Lost Heaven".
   
   Like Iced Earth, yes---but more hellbent, far more brutal, and reeking of Jack Daniels and bloodshed.
   
   This is the kind of music the Kurgan would dig. You know, the Kurgan---the immortal bada** from the Russian Steppes in Highlander, the guy who lashed up his gaping neck-wound with safety pins and who---hell, by sheer a**-kickery alone---should have taken the Prize and McLeod's head?
   
   Yeah. The Kurgan would rock to Zakk Wylde. He'd load up "Berserker", and then he would thrash Hell out of every living thing, and wear their faces, and laugh like a demon.
   
   Let's paint the town Red.
   
   Enjoy.
   
   JSG



4. Everyone knows Zakk Wylde heck he's Ozzy's right hand man and obviously an amazing guitarist, but does he have his own band? Has he ever thought about making an album (a few albums) with a band of his own? YES!!!!!! I borrowed this album from a friend a few months back and I was not dissapointed. This is an awesome album.... one of my favorites. From the intro "Bleed for Me" to the follow up "Lords of Destruction" and then "Demise of Sanity", this album goes on and on with awesome tracks by Zakk Wylde and the Black Label Soceity. I mean who coulda thought that that voice would finaly come out, but hey I'm glad it did.
   
   
   
   
   
   R.I.P Dime



5. Its a toss up for me so far,i cant decide weather this one or the blessed hellride is my favorite.But yeah i was at the cd store deciding between this cd and stronger than death and for some reason i chose this one but wasnt for 100 percent sure why.Well i got it home and now i have listened to this cd about 10-15 times so far,heres my short reviews of the songs:
   
   
   
   Bleed For Me- 10/10 Killer track!
   
   Lords Of Destruction- 9/10 This was one of the first songs i heard from bls and would have gave it a 10 but i heard it a good bit
   
   Demise Of Sanity- 10/10 Very catchy song
   
   Life, Birth, Blood, Doom- 10/10 One of my favorites on the cd
   
   Bridge To Cross- 10/10 Slower song but still good,anyone who says zakk can't sing they need to listen to this song and then tell me he can't sing.
   
   Battering Ram- 10/10 Another catchy chorus yet awesom song
   
   Speedball- 10/10 Guitar solo thats a really short track
   
   Graveyard Disciples- 10/10 Another killer song!
   
   Genocide Junkies- 9/10 Good song,just dont appeal to me as much
   
   Lost Heaven- 10/10 My favorite next to L,B,B,D.Slower song,Zakks awesom singing voice
   
   Refuse To Bow Down- 8/10 Good song,but kinda gets old after a while
   
   Mass Murder Machine- 8/10 Same comment as the song above it
   
   Berserkers- 9/10 One of my favorite drinking songs
   
   America The Beautiful- 9/10 I hate to give this song a lower rating because this cd is dedicated to Zakks dad (it says it in the booklet) but yeah not into insturmentals as much.

5 comments about The Wolf.

1. I really wanted to like this album. I despise the direction country music has gone in during the last 25 or so years. Shooter is pointed in the right direction, but I think he has yet to define his own style. The songs were overall too eclectic both lyrically and musically, and didn't have the "stripped down/minimalist" sound I like to hear in alternative country. Some songs sound like overproduced country of today, some sound like old Waylon songs (can't help the comparison), some sounded like a whole new sound altogether (ex: This Ol Wheel). I think with a few more years and perhaps some good producing and writing, he could be great. He definitely has the pedigree.
   
   Overall, the album is enjoyable, and I am looking forward to Shooter's next album. I think he has vast room for improvement. I hope he moves toward a more consistent, minimalist style.



2. A solid performance by Jennings. For those who love rough and tough country music, this is for you. Too many highlights on this recording to mention.



3. Shooter is a very talented songwriter, musician, and graphic artist. I have enjoyed Shooter's other 3 cd's and the Wolf is another awesome cd from Shooter and the .357's. Shooter and the .357's always bring something new to the table and they have managed to do it again with the Wolf---it will not dissappoint. The artwork on the cd cover is another one of Shooter's many talents. Not your mainstream country band(thank god)something new and different with a old school outlaw country/rock feel. Shooter's voice is amazing and his sense of humor shines in all of his cd's. The whole band is talented-- buy it!



4. Love this CD!! I have all three Shooter albums, and love them all. I really like how musically diverse each ablum or song is for that matter. Listening to raw outlaw country is so refreshing after listening to all the crap on the radio. Shooters southern rock/outlaw hits don't sound anything like the boy band country that your used to hearing these days. If you like Keith Urban or Rascal Faggot that this probably isn't the cd for you.



5. I liked this CD the best of all. I love the song Slow Train,
   Blood from a Stone, The Wolf. Shooter has his own style of music. He doesn't sound like anyone else. His voice is becoming stronger and deeper.

5 comments about An Evening with the Allman Brothers Band: 2nd Set.

1. I only listen to Elizabeth Reed and Jessica but that is 26 minutes of music, this is a great addition to any music fan's collection, they won a grammy for this I think, I don't see me ever giving this one up



2. Bad news first: "You Don't Love Me" is a disappointment, and a big one at that. I understand you can't expect a bunch of guys who are a combined twenty billion hundred million thousand whatever years old at that point to, in the immortal words of either Franz Kafka or George Clinton (not sure which one), "tear the roof off the sucker" like they used to do back in "the day" (no, not that day, the other day), but it's still kind of stoic and boring. Now, the good news: everything else is far better. Especially when the group just jams - "Back Where It All Begins", for instance, might even be better than the studio version. And you know how they always slightly vary "In Memory of Elizabeth Reed" when they play it live? Well, here's it's all acoustic! And it's sweet! Especially when it comes to the soloing. Now, here's a proposal for a bill that should be signed into federal law: all bands must record and release at least one song with an acoustic guitar solo. Hey, I'd vote for it. Oh, and there's a bass solo! I mean, how cool is that? And "The Same Thing" has some fantastic heavy blues licks - it's about the heaviest the group has ever gotten, in fact. Their Bo Diddley tribute "Nobody to Run with" (one of the four songs from Where It All Begins, along with "Back Where It All Begins", "Soulshine" and "Sailin' 'Cross the Devil's Sea" - all three are awesome) is good fun, as it was on the studio version. And they save (arguably) the best for last with "Jessica", with some slight shifts in tempo that give it an epic feel, as well as the usual great guitars that this incarnation of the band has in spades. It won a Grammy, and I understand why. It might even be better than the classic original. But that's a tough call. Oh, and look for the "There Is a Mountain" quote. Think they were feeling nostalgic? This is by far the best of the two "Evening With" sets, though both are fantastic - it easily ranks up there with the classic live albums of yore.



3. An Evening With The Allman Brothers Band 2nd Set (1995) was recorded in 1994 at shows in Raleigh, NC and New Jersey's Garden State Arts Center. This was during the Back Where It All Begins period, and there are four songs from that album included here. The opening song, Sailin' Cross The Devil's Sea sounds great, a lot like the studio version, and features Gregg Allman's legendary blues growl. Gregg and Warren Haynes both shine on this inspired version of Warren's Soulshine. Dickey Betts' Latin-flavored and breezy Back Where It All Begins features a long guitar jam, where he and Warren trade interesting and enthusiastic solos. They also do a great job on No One To Run With. They dip into the At Fillmore East catalog with a very good version of You Don't Love Me, and while not as ambitious as the 20+ minute Fillmore East version, it is very good, and Dickey even flashes back to the earlier version by quoting his guitar solo from it. It's really an amusing and touching moment, and it sounds good, too. They also do a nice cover of another old blues song, The Same Thing. This recording of Jessica won the Allmans their first and only Grammy Award, and what a wonderful version of Jessica this is! With dual guitar harmonies and more bongo drums and percussion than the studio version, the song sounds almost completely different from the original, and stretches out over sixteen minutes. Even with all this, the real highlight on the album is the breathtaking unplugged version of In Memory Of Elizabeth Reed. WOW!!!!!!!!!!!! The newbies who think Dickey Betts is no more than a mediocre guitarist should listen to this, and then reconsider. Warren Haynes stays right up there with him. The two guitarist show what they can really do on acoustic guitars, and bassist Allen Woody shines, too. This is priceless, a real gem that no ABB fan would want to miss. Like the First Set, the 2nd Set was produced by music legend (and At Fillmore East producer), Tom Dowd, and the sound is exquisitely crisp and crystal clear. The clever packaging on both sets is almost identical, with the same cover photo, except the First Set is blue, the 2nd Set is red, and the photos inside and liner notes are different (the layout is the same). This was a good place in time for The Allman Brothers Band and their fans, and it really shows on An Evening With The Allman Brothers Band, First Set and 2nd Set. Don't miss out on em'!



4. This album and its companion first set prove that Warren Haynes of Government Mule was the best possible choice to take the Duane spot. Haynes shines all over this album, not in displaying his own style to the detriment of the great spirit of the Allmans but in synergizing with Betts and the rest of the group towards the greater goal of re-capturing the magical Allmans spirit.
   
   He channels the spirit so well, he gets the rest of the band to remember what they were all about and feel it that much better. And though he has chops to spare, not one note is overplayed. Solos sound sweet endlessly without boring the listener just like vintage Allman Bros. Listen and be amazed and hear Dickey Betts rise up to the challenge of Haynes and play like a revitalized man. The best performances? For me it would have to be "Back Where it All Begins" "In Memory of Elizabeth Reed" (acoustic), "No One to Run With," "Jessica," "Melissa" (acoustic) and a 10 plus minute "Dreams."
   
   Let me tell you, I even gave these two live sets the ultimate test, I played them back-to-back with the "Fillmore East" album and not only does it hold its own but sometimes it's even preferable. It has the spirit of the Allman Brothers in spades and that's all that matters, that's all that ever mattered (the spirit was wandering out in the air before the Allmans somehow latched onto it in 1969 and it became forever known as the Allmans' spirit), it's a seamless flow in terms of spirit, from a song off these live sets to something from 1971 if you had it back to back on a compilation disc.
   
   Tom Dowd took a lot of care in recording these shows and they have great sound quality. Real old time, pure analog sound quality of sweet tones and instruments played well. No digital harshness or thin sounding digital instruments or crappy digital processing, everything you hear is fantastically analog and thick and things are balanced just right. This entire band is about tone and the recording does them justice.
   
   Also amazing is how well Gregg's voice has held up and how deeply he still feels these songs. I could never figure out how a 22 year old white kid could sound as soulful as he did in 1969 until I read in the "Midnight Riders" biography book that Gregg's best friend Floyd Miles was black and through this friendship he and Duane had been playing with black musicians in the black part of Daytona Beach since the early 1960s. They were known as 'those white boys who can play that funky music.'
   
   So make sure you get both these live sets, this and the one with the blue cover since both are excellent and essentially one long concert released as two. If any of you out there reading this are new to the Allman Brothers, you need get the "Laid Back" solo album by Gregg, one he made in 1973 right after Duane & Berry's death, it's a great one, his best. You also need to get the 2 Duane Allman compilations that include some of his work with Aretha Franklin and Wilson Pickett and others at the Muscle Shoals studios in Alabama, right before the forming of the Allman Brothers Band. And if you're also into the more jazzy and world-fusion side of things jam-band related check out "Mondo Garaj" by Garaj Mahal and "Cosmic Hug" by Fareed Haque group.



5. AN EVENING WITH THE ALLMAN BROTHERS BAND: 2ND SET is another great live album which proves that Warren Haynes truly deserves Duane's slide guitar throne. This time, there are more newer songs from the three studio reunions, especially WHERE IT ALL BEGINS, including the title track from that album, which convinces me that even though I've given up food-related alumni events at my old school in favor of being in shape for a number of pretty actresses, I can never truly deny the role that school activities, as well as the summers I spent at camp and on a teen tour, played in helping me achieve that goal. The fact that past and present members of the Allman Brothers Band believe that the young Australian tourist jailed in Indonesia on drug-smuggling charges was unjustly convicted makes this CD/cassette an essential purchase for both your ears AND your conscience.

5 comments about Carolina Dreams.

1. Without a doubt, the best that The Marshal Tucker Band had or ever will have! A genuine classic! The opening cut grabs you at the beginning and never lets go throughout the entire album. Classic!



2. Ever since the first time I heard Can't You See and Take The Highway on their first album I became a fan of Meshall Tucker. I have slowly converted most albums to CD's and Carolina Dreams was on I didn't have. With Marshall Tucker you are always getting songs that leave you toe tapping. In Carolina Dreams you have Heard It In A Love Song to many other quality songs. The one that I think is a sleeper and I like the most on this CD/Album is I Should Have Never Started Loving You which has some great guitar and sax.



3. Just couldn't get the song "Heard It In A Love Song" out of my head so had to buy this.
   
   The band excells in this album-my favorite is the flute player. I had the pleasure of hearing them live and they were rockin'.



4. This is such a great MTB album. They were a great band and this really highlights how good they were. Even though there are only 7 tracks (a bonus track not counted) they were all great. Not a very long album but most of their albums were like this so there is no difference. I like all the songs here. Fly Like An Eagle is one of my favorites. MTB rocks so go get this album.



5. The Marshall Tucker Band continue their artistic comeback (following the mediocre SEARCHIN' FOR A RAINBOW) with CAROLINA DREAMS. Most of the songs are great, and even with a few clunkers present, I would have no qualms about asking a pretty girl for a dance to this one, even if she wasn't part of the "in crowd." If you love the Allman Brothers Band, the Outlaws, or Lynyrd Skynyrd, you'll love this one.

5 comments about Gov't Mule.

1. Recording quality may not be as good as later releases such as Deja Voodoo but this disc is raw and rocks hard. It may be my favorite. Get it without question.



2. rugiente, devastador ..como un volcan en erupcion!!! como los allman en lava....granitica edicion de blues rock..jazz...polenta sin control, tren descarrilado que pasa por tus oidos llevandose todo puesto....escuchalo, please!!!!!!!!



3. On this, their self-titled debut, Gov't Mule prove without a doubt that they're far from a simple "side-project." With more emotion, more blues, and more soul in one guitar lick or one vocal line than the sum of most popular music from the last ten years, Gov't Mule demands to be heard by anyone and everyone who demands more from music and musicians. Cheap, ripped off and repeating riffs don't exist here. Snotty, "I'm too cool to care" vocals cannot be found. What can be found, however, is a band that simply sweats and bleeds emotion into its music.
   
   From the first soulful moments of the a capella "Grinnin' in Your Face," which bleeds right into the gut-wrenching guitar playing of Warren Haynes on "Mother Earth," it's very evident that this is not the same old thing. This album (and all of Mule's work, really) is filled to the brim with great instrumental work, amazingly soulful and powerful vocals, and incredibly potent songwriting. I simply cannot say anything bad about this album.



4. A buddy of mine recommended these guys to me during our current tour in Afghanistan. I was looking for some new types of music to enjoy, as I have been exploring PHISH, and TREY ANASTASIO. He told me to try GOV'T MULE for jam bands. I ordered online through Amazon without hearing a note of this band. I received it last week and have not been able to listen to anything else. I absolutely love this CD.
   The music is straight forward rock/blues. No BS. My buddy's recommendation was on target. This CD is worth your $$. Go for it!



5. My friend Vinnie in Germany recommended this band, and I like the CD I ordered. Their sound is definitely hard core rock, great guitar work!

5 comments about It'll Shine When It Shines.

1. I wasn't much familiar with the Daredevils, but my wife had very fond memories of this album, so I was happy to pick it up on Amazon. Several tunes I recalled from radio play back in the day (aside from the omnipresent Jackie Blue), but with one difference - the vocals on some tunes seem buried in the mix. It's especially noticeable on the rockin' Look Away, where the predominant feature is the rhythm section. Maybe it's my aging ears - has anyone else noticed this?



2. The Ozark Mountain Daredevils - just say the name, and what springs to mind? Why, Jackie Blue, of course. But, this band was so much more than just a one hit wonder. The Daredevils, who were originally from Springfield, Missouri, had a very eclectic sound, which this album really shows off. Everything is here from the rocky Look Away, to the bluesy It Couldn't Be Better, to the bluegrass It'll Shine When It Shines.
   
   I must say that I really like this album, much more than I ever thought I would. When I am at work, I pop this album into my computer, and listen to it for hours. I especially like Jackie Blue (well, of course) and It'll Shine When It Shines. This is a great album, one that I really never get tired of. I really like this album and highly recommend it!



3. I first heard of the Ozark Moutain Daredevils in the 70's when my Brother purchased the Album It'll SHine When It Shines throu a record club he was in, I took an instant liking to the band and for years after that we would play this album whenever we got together, however as time went on and our families came along the album was tucked away in a cupboard and forgotten about untill recently when we held a family get together and yes you've guessed it out came the Ozarks although it was a bit scratched after all the playing it had been given in the earlier years, this sent me on a mission to try and source the album on CD which I am please to say I found through Amazon.com. I purchased two CD's from Amazon and presented one to my Brother just after Christmas 2007, I now sit at home some nights and listen in my opinion to one of the best Country/Rock bands ever.
   John
   Aberdeen, Scotland



4. I have been looking for this album for years. It was a favourite of mine and my husband's long before we were married (23 years ago last Saturday!) I was told at a music store here that it was out of print and couldn't be ordered, so was thrilled to find it on Amazon. It sounds as good today as it did all those years ago!



5. I bought this album back in, well, I don't remember when, but it was a very long time ago. Since it was vinyl, it has been sitting in a box in my closet for the better part of 30 years.
   
   I have wanted to listen to it on numerous occasions since then. Unfortunately everything, including my music, is now on CD and "It'll Shine" was not available on CD. In order to listen to it, I would have had to pull out my old turntable, find a place to put the turntable in my current audio system, and hook it up. A real pain in the arse. So, the album stayed where it was, in the closet.
   
   As soon as I saw "It'll Shine When It Shines" was available on CD, I bought it. Oh, the joy!! Nearly brought tears to my eyes. By the end of the first song, "You Made it Right", I was back in full Daredevil mode. "Jackie Blue", arguably their most recoginizable commercial hit, was as pure and purty as ever. Such memories!
   
   If you like you country with a pinch of Bluegrass, a helpin of folk, and a big dollip of rock, you can't go wrong with this album. If I could give it 10 stars I would!

5 comments about Mighty High.

1. A mighty high salute to Warren & GM for sailing in new waters! Too bad the otherwise loyal followers can't tap in to what this brave venture is all about. Truly, Warren can do just about anything, and he proves it here by leaving his trademark stuff behind. To the fretful - don't worry; the man has everything in-hand and in-heart. He hasn't put anything aside; he's growing and evolving like everyone should. Don't try to box him in, not that you could anyway. He's much too large a force of nature to be hemmed-in. I can hardly wait to see what he tries next!



2. This was not at all what I was expecting when I got this cd. It is a really good cd, song to song they change it up.



3. I'm a big Mule and Reggae Fan.. This is some Fantastic Music!! Andy Hess's Bass playing is well worth the Cost of this CD alone. " Play with Fire" is Smokin'!!
   It's good to see the Mule experimenting outside of their normal Power Blues/ Jam format. IMHO, I found every Track here very enjoyable. Sure, not for everyone, but being a Hard-Core Mule fan, I loved it, and will listening to this CD for a while.



4. What else is there to say, it's Gov't Mule!!! Very good, I bought this for my friend and this is one of his favorite bands. He said it was different but good and I could not agree more.



5. Well done, I say, to the men of Gov't Mule. In releasing 'Mighty High' they display the courage of their musical convictions. Obviously, the tasteful experimentation on display here is not every listener's cup of tea. Reading the prior reviews seems to indicate that people who rate it lower don't like their bands to deviate from the predictable norm. Those who rate it higher come to the Mule with no preconceptions and appreciate this album for what it is. And, in my opinion, what it is is mighty fine. It must have been a real joy for the band to get a workout with this material. Matt Abts, the drummer, proves himself to be particularly capable in the engine room of Dub...he sounds especially tasty and is well complemented by the rest of the band. Andy Hess, veteran of such groups as the Black Crowes, plays a tight, pulsing bass that is full of presence and keyboardist Danny Louis is integral to the dub sound. Warren's guitar and vocal tone is as tuff as ever, and the collaborations with reggae/dub artists are sweet. It is good to see the long-revered Mule kickin' down on the dub/reggae jams. Whatever next...?

5 comments about Hank Williams, Jr. - Greatest Hits III.

1. Bought this cd for my moms b'day.There was a song she wanted,but she says she absolutely loves the whole cd.It was a big hit as a gift.



2. I already have all of these songs on cd, but I would like to have the original cd versions that were released. Anyone who does not think these songs are part of Hank's best work must be smoking grass. Country state of mind is one his best songs ever released. Must have for this redneck and all of the other true redneck fans. "Its alright to be a redneck", says Alan Jackson and I R 1.



3. I've been a Hank Jr. fan since the late 70s. There are many of his songs that I consider to be among my favorites. None of these makes the cut for me. Even so, most of these were popular songs. Each has the "Hank Jr." feel to it and is done in his combination honky-tonk/good ole boy style. It is a style that began to wear a bit thin in his later career but the staleness is not quite present in these selection.
   
   Fans should appreciate this collection. I think it fine but nothing to write home about.



4. This is Hank Junior's third greatest hits album for Warner Brothers. Most of these songs made the country Top Ten, but they are a bit too "redneck" for my taste. If you are a redneck, you will probably enjoy this CD more than I do.



5. Now I'm not going to lie Hank Williams Jr. and Sr. are my favorite (country) singer(s) and I love just about all their music. If you love Hank get this CD. If you only some of Hank Jr.'s stuff at its best then still get it. This is definitely worth every penny.

5 comments about Dose.

1. When I was in my early 20s, I loved music by bands like Cream, Free, Juicy Lucy etc., and I still listen to their music - but only occasionally. I keep telling myself that someone of my age shouldn't be listening to this type of music anymore. I came across Gov't Mule by accident - I thought 'what an odd name for a band' but, as I had nothing better to do, I checked out the samples and what I heard were some snippets of really ballsy, heavy jazz-blues-rock. Needless to say, when I bought the album it just blew my clogs off - not to mention my socks (come to think of it, no one in our house mentions my socks either). Even though I had to turn down the volume on my hearing aid, it was a revelation to hear and enjoy music that I thought I'd outgrown.
   
   Most of the music is 'heavy-dense' with a brooding quality, and it is played at a fairly slow tempo - even taking the Lennon & McCartney song 'She Said, She Said', and making it sound like something dredged up from a swamp. There are a couple of lighter moments (relatively speaking) : 'John The Revelator' with some edgy slide guitar and outstanding vocals; and 'Raven Black Night' which includes acoustic guitar, mandolin, dulcimer and west African percussion instruments with strange names. I also think the music has a strong Jazz influence (Jazz buffs don't pillory me, I'm not an expert on this genre!). Many of the tracks are long, typically between 6 and 8 minutes - but don't let this put you off, because most songs have bridges featuring some pretty impressive and imaginative guitar soloing (electric, slide and acoustic); also, the guitar playing is 'studio live', so its raw edge is carried forward to the final product (there is no over-dubbing of lead guitar). Although the band have been described as a 'power trio', the inclusion of some additional instruments gives the music more depth than that of the aforementioned bands; but even so, it still has a lot of 'clout'.
   
   Warren Haynes's playing, combined with a voice which is the aural equivalent of granulated gravel, is what puts 'blues' into blues-rock. Matt Abts provides some precision drumming and Allen Woody's bass playing lends more than a modicum of funk to the proceedings. The lyrics are OK (but nothing special) and the music is rather short on melody - now I like a catchy tune as much as the next person but, on this occasion, I'm fairly happy to let melody take a back seat (with this type of music, melody is the 'icing on the cake' - but the flavour and texture of the cake itself are far more important). There are no dud tracks and certainly no filler - I liked all tracks, but the ones I keep coming back to are 'Thorazine Shuffle', Thelonious Beck', 'Birth of The Mule', 'John The Revelator', 'She Said, She Said' and 'Raven Black Night'.
   
   I turn up the wick on my amp and play 'Dose' loud; I'm not sure which will disintegrate first - the nerves surrounding my cerebral synapses or my hearing aid, but it's a risk I'm prepared to take (and besides, I can always buy another hearing aid). So, there we have it - a jolly good record which I can confidently recommend to fans of heavier blues-rock, and also to retirees looking for an excuse to re-connect with some decent heavy rock music of the non-metallic variety.



2. Gov't Mule has been lumped into the jam band category, but their music is hardly just noodling solos, half-a*sed melodies and nonsense lyrics. Their albums are cohesive, SOLID, INTENSE, GREAT SONGS! A little jazz influence, too, of course. And they do like to solo--hey, it's Warren Haynes with the Allman Brothers, after all--but their material is heads and shoulders above ANY hard/southern/blues rock band out there today. For a long time I avoided Gov't Mule because I thought they were just a jam band with long, boring, jazzy songs. Boy, was I wrong! DEAD wrong! Get ALL of Gov't Mule albums if you like Skynyrd, the Allmans, Led Zeppelin, Blackfoot, the Black Crowes....you will be KICKING yourself for not discovering this band years ago!!
   
   The only album of theirs I DON'T recommend is their latest--Mighty High. It's nothing but boring, industrial-ish reggae. If you like that kind of music, then fine, you'll probably like it. For me, it was a waste of money. I just hope their next effort is back to the blues rock that they are best known for.



3. Possibly the heaviest album put out by Gov't Mule, this is also among their best (though they're all good, aren't they?).
   
   The album begins with the driving "Blind Man in the Dark," which is an excellent choice to lead off the album. A heavy song, with great vocal work, it immediately grabs the attention of the listener, before the more jazzy "Thorazine Shuffle" takes the album, still in its infancy, in a completely different direction, with it's catchy bass line and variation between somewhat laid back verses and a more aggressive chorus.
   
   "Thelonius Beck," an unique instrumental, is a melange of blues and jazz styles, before the the thumping, meandering bass and guitar of "Game Face" are accompanied by some great vocal work from Warren Haynes.
   
   "Towering Fool" marks the first real slow song of the album and, as always, the slow one is accompanied by great lyrics and a strong vocal performance from Warren, who really carries the track with his vocals and a great, soulful guitar solo. This leads into "Birth of the Mule," the second instrumental track on the album, which is a bit of a surprise, but it's a nice track, before "John the Revelator," with it's unique guitar parts.
   
   "She Said, She Said" takes the album in a different direction, with more upbeat melodies and rockin' guitar parts, and is probably the most accessible song on the album to someone unused to the prowess of Mule. "Larger than Life" is a heavy, powerful track, that really brings together great songwriting, compelling melodies and instrumental work, and Warren's great vocal abilities to create an album highlight.
   
   The final two tracks include "Raven Black Night," with its delicate guitar lines and a sound that is somewhat unusual for Mule, although interesting and good, and the great, bluesy "I Shall Return" with a simple but soulful chorus that makes for a great closer that's certain to keep the album in a listener's head.
   
   A great album!



4. What do you get when you combine a living legend of a guitar player, with a supremely talented bass player respected among the world's best bass players, and a flat-out awesome drummer? Possibly the best power trio of all time, and one hell of an *$$ kickin' "Mule"! Think this praise is unfounded and just my personal opinion? Think again!
   
   Warren Haynes, a living legend, has rightly been proclaimed one of the best guitar players of all time by Rolling Stone Magazine. Warren is the premier Blues/Rock guitarist and has played guitar on dozens of albums, not only as a solo artist and for Gov't Mule, but also for other legendary bands and artists.
   
   Matt Abts is a Grammy Nominated drummer and has received multiple first place drumming awards from respected drumming publications. His drumming on this album can only be described as spectacular.
   
   Allen Woody - Unfortunately Gov't Mule's next studio album was the last album bassist Allen Woody performed on. In August of 2000 Allen Woody unexpectedly passed away. As a fitting tribute and show of respect about two dozen of the world's best bass players assumed Allen's duties on Gov't Mule's following two albums. These bass players included Les Claypool, Jason Newstead, Flea, Roger Glover, John Entwistle, Bootsy Collins, Phil Lesh and Dave Schools. Gov't Mule's first two albums are their hardest/heaviest, and in my opinion their best. They have yet to put out an album as outstanding as when Woody was with the band. Woody was an irreplaceable piece of the Mule, and is certainly missed by all. RIP Woody.
   
   Now, Gov't Mule has been one of my favorite bands for years, but I was surprised to learn that Metallica frontman James Hetfield recently stated that Gov't Mule IS his favorite band. I would have guessed that James would have named a classic band from the 70's, or possibly one of his contemporaries as his favorite band. But it's obvious James has an understanding of what exceptional Rock is, and appreciates listening to music from seasoned and truly talented musicians, not some cr*p from a "flavor of the month" band. If you are a fan of Rock/Metal and listen to Gov't Mules first two albums and fail to understand how good they are, either you are pretty young and should probably not stray to far from listening to your Linkin Park and Godsmack, or you simply have no true grasp of what excellent Rock music performed by talented musicians is. This fact is not arguable.



5. WITH THIS THEIR SECOND STUDIO RELEASE, GOV'T MULE TAKES IT'S HEAVY BLUES ROCK TO A NEW LEVEL. WHILE MULE'S FIRST RELEASE HAD A LIVE FEEL TO IT, THIS ONE IS MORE OF A STUDIO ALBUM THAT THEY WERE ABLE TO TAKE CHANCES WITH. GREAT SONGS AND GREAT PLAYERS. WARREN HAYNES, ALLEN WOODY AND MATT ABTS ARE IN TOP FORM ON THIS ALBUM. IF YOU WANT GREAT BLUES ROCK WITH TOP NOTCH PLAYING, THIS IS THE CD TO GET.

5 comments about Shot to Hell.

1. All Zakk releases are cool...but the vocals are always an aquired taste.....same thing here, just not alot of variety....BUT to find a real gem, check out that Fozzy CD people are talking about, All That Remains Reloaded....Zakk plays on it and sounds amazing with Chris Jericho on vocals!



2. This cd is great you can actually listen to the cd without trying to sit so close to ur speaker trying to figure out what they are actually saying. Black label society hasn't gone soft This cd is good best part it isn't like every other heavy metal cd where they scream all the time aka hatebreed



3. After the crappy Mafia, things continue to get worse for BLS. After 15 strait listens this album is only barley listionable. Some of the ballads are ok, but that seems to be all this album has. I dont know what the hell happened to ZAKK after 1919 Eternal, but since then the band just went down hill.



4. I was a bit skeptical on buying this album due to the rewiews it was given on Amazon. I bought Mafia because I really liked Fire It Up, while not expecting too much. I loved Ozzy era Zakk Wylde, so I figured I would get it so I could enjoy some healthy guitar playing. I was surprised at the quality metal that Zakk was laying down and Mafia got me interested in BLS. The next album on the list was this album but even though I wanted to get it, I was hesitant because of the beat down it was recieving by these reviewers. I think that the album is great, and I think the first 5 or 6 tracks on the album made the money I spent worth it. If you are a fan of BLS I recommend getting this album. So far any investment I have made in BLS has come up worth it and this album was no let down.



5. Great cd, just like anything Zack does! All his music is good! There are more ballads than usual but they're all good!