Love at first sight has never been a phrase I could use in my personal life. I never believed in it. However, love at first listen has always and will always be a recurring part of my day-to-day life. If a song can bring forward some of my greatest memories or even the poorest experiences, I fall. And I fell hard for legend Warren Haynes' new album, "The Whisper Sessions". An album that feels like you are sitting right there in the recording studio, hearing a man sing with all of his soul and heart. What can I say? I am a simple creature who loves to hear the human spirit in the most basic form: Music.
Being a revered Allman Brothers guitarist and the founder of Gov't Mule, Warren Haynes has been no stranger to our ears. The experience shows in Haynes' newest release. "The Whisper Sessions" is a collection of stripped-down songs from Haynes' recent solo output, "Million Voices Whisper," which was released in November of last year. This previous album was Warren Haynes' fourth solo album and was his first solo release in nearly a decade. Following a chart-topping album such as "Million Voices Whisper" was going to be a tough one. However, sometimes the best thing to do is give what the people want. The people wanted to hear the songs in the rawest form, and "The Whisper Sessions" was the solution given. This album reveals the bare bones of a sound that many of us love and cherish. Warren explains it best, saying,
These versions really shed light on the process of how the song's were written, stripping them down to their barest form, where people get some insight as to where they started. The Whisper Sessions puts the focus on the songs and my voice. We thought the fans would really enjoy hearing them
Just enjoy is an understatement, Mr. Haynes, respectfully. In honor of such an emotional journey this album takes us on, I will take you through all the sentiments I felt throughout my MANY listens of this masterpiece.
Back Where I Started
When I first heard this opening track, tears gathered in my eyes as soon as Warren's rasp joined together with the calm acoustic guitar. I can't tell you a reason for the tears, if they were happy or sad tears, even, but I believe that is the best type of emotion a song can bring you. When a track can dig up a feeling you didn't even know you needed to release, it is the most overwhelmingly satisfying thing.
Not many songs can be a metaphorical chameleon. Something that can so easily be heard or read, that anyone can shape to their own experiences in life. This song, however, does just that. No matter your trials and tribulations you have had in your life, this song can dig up a memory of one of those. Bring back a feeling you may have left behind. That is what makes it so human and shows me how strong songwriters Warren Haynes and Derek Trucks are. "Back Where I Started" was my favorite track from the get-go when I gave my first listen.
Till The Sun Comes Shining Through
This was another track that kept the tears rolling. I can say that about this entire album in all honesty, but despite the tears, I also held a sense of comfort when listening to this song. That type that only fills you when you finally get that phone call from someone who didn't leave your thoughts after all those years, or the comfort you can only accept from someone who has seen you throughout the best and the worst of times.
I cannot express how important a powerful and soulful voice, such as Warren Haynes', is to carry such a fantastic song. His voice pushes its way directly to your heart, making sure you feel the message.
From Here On Out
Finally, a song I didn't cry at. However, that was not the reason this piece slipped its way through to my top-played song this month. Despite having my own fair share of love for the sadness in music, songs that give me hope hold a dear place in my heart. "From Here On Out" is a perfect song to listen to while looking back on how far you have come in your perfectly imperfect journey.
'Til I Can Make It On My Own
That break from crying did not last long once this beautiful rendition of Tammy Wynette's " 'Til I Can Make It on My Own" started playing in my ears. After countless covers and changes, no one could ever live up to the queen of country music's original. This one, however, is as close as you can get, in my opinion. Thanks once again to the soulful and emotional voice Warren brings to the recording booth in every project he joins. You can never compare the original and a cover cause no one will ever be Tammy, but Warren pays a respectful homage to the queen.
You Ain't Above Me
"You Ain't Above Me" is a masterclass in blues-soul. Sprinkle in gospel, and you have this beautiful track. I swear I am not only saying this as someone who adores the warm sound of P-90 guitar tones either, though that does carry a lot of weight in this song for me. I have spoken plenty of times about how much Warren Haynes' voice was handcrafted for this genre of music he has decided on, and this song is one of many of his to capture that exact statement.
"You Ain't Above Me" is a strong, mature song. It highlights the best parts of Haynes' iconic sound.
The Life As We Know It
A perfect sister song to "From Here On Out," in my opinion. Both tracks carry hope and remind us of the joy of simply being alive. Songs like this really make it feel good to be alive. It celebrates survival and finding the small things that make it all worth it. Examples that bring mental imagery, such as the line;
There’s a full moon on the Fourth of July / Lighting up a Montauk sky
Putting such imagery in a song adds a more personal feel and brings your audience towards your side to listen closely to what you are saying.
It truly is a track that could be put in a teenage coming-of-age movie, and no one would blink an eye.
Real, Real Love [Feat. Derek Trucks]
It would be disrespectful to talk about this song without pointing out the story behind it. This song started in the hands of Gregg Allman before his unfortunate passing in 2017 due to lung cancer. He had shown it to Warren Haynes, and they talked about this beautiful song, but it stayed unfinished. Gregg wrote the general concept of the tune and the unfinished lyrics. Following behind, Haynes had written music and added the rest of the lyrics, trying to mirror the way he felt Gregg Allman would have written it. Derek Trucks spoke about the way he and Warren went about playing this song (Warren Haynes singing and Trucks playing fills) in comparison to how Duane and Gregg Allman did the song, "Please Call Home."
Derek Trucks spoke about how, when you play certain tunes, how many ghosts are in the room, and how you get into a certain headspace. That, of course, rings through with this track. As someone who grew up hearing the beautiful voice of Gregg Allman, I could close my eyes and let myself look back to those days riding with my dad, learning how music could truly make a person feel. This song hit a nostalgia factor in my brain. I know Gregg should be looking down on the guys for doing an amazing job with something he started, but fate didn't let him finish.
These Changes [Feat. Derek Trucks]
Another song that is personal, but universal. We all have felt the effects of time and the changes that come with it. Sometimes, the best thing an artist can do for their listener is make us feel seen and heard. As listeners and enjoyers of music, we need to, in return, hear the story and go on the journey these artists are trying to take us on. "These Changes" is a great track to do just that.
Melissa [Feat. Derek Trucks]
I will admit my bias towards this song to get it out of the way. "Melissa" is my father's favorite ABB song, by association mine as well, so I am expected to pick it apart as any snob would want me to, but I can't. I love this variation we received from these guys. It hit all the marks for what a "cover" should do for a fan. In my opinion, a good reimagine of a song should make you mentally separate the original from what you are hearing or make you look back at the earliest piece with brand new eyes as if you are hearing it for the first time. This track did all that for me. It is a captivating end for this entire session turned album.
As I stated plenty of times in my review, I grew up listening to the Allman Brothers Band thanks to my dad. That deeply rooted love for soul, blues, and Americana has made me who I am today when it comes to my music taste. Those genres and the legends that have inhabited them are slowly leaving us, but albums like these are the things that will keep fresh ears tuning in to those beloved genres. I can only hope that with future generations, they will stop and listen to the music lessons these legends leave us, take that with them, and make new memories just like the ones I made with my dad so long ago.
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