“Man in Motion” might be something of an understatement when you apply the album title to Warren Haynes, the man behind the solo recording of the same name. The much-loved and -honored Haynes, one of Rolling Stone magazine’s top 25 guitarists of all time, seems to never sit still. Consider that he’s equally well-known for his work with the Allman Brothers Band as he is with Gov’t Mule and his own solo work, and let’s not forget his various stints with such bands as Phil Lesh & Friends. So who can begrudge Haynes the chance to honor the music he personally adores, R&B?
“This is a record I always knew I would make at some point, but it took a long, long time [to bring to fruition],” he said. “This harkens back to my earliest influence, which was soul music. I was listening to this before I ever discovered rock ‘n’ roll.”
| Onstage |
| Warren Haynes |
| When: 7 p.m. Saturday |
| Where: The Fillmore Silver Spring, 8656 Colesville Road, Silver Spring |
| Info: $35; 301-960-9999, 202-397-SEAT; filmoresilverspring.com, ticketmaster.com |
On this album, Haynes uses vocals — his combined with guests Ivan Neville and Ruthie Foster — as the centerpiece of the songs. Fans of Haynes’ incredible musicianship won’t be disappointed as he plays, largely on a 1950s Gibson ES 335, in the style of players who let their guitars imitate voices.
“I like guitar players who sound like they’re singing through their instrument,” Haynes said, citing such great as B.B. King. “I was listening to the Four Tops, Sam & Dave, James Brown and Wilson Pickett. There’s where I developed my love of music.”
He also learned to sing by emulating those singers “in my bedroom night after night before I ever picked up a guitar.”
As rewarding as Haynes finds this project, he hastens to let fans know he will be back with the Allman Brothers, Gov’t Mule and other projects.
He doesn’t abandon his own work on this tour, either, splitting the show between his own original music and a James Brown tribute, complete with horn section.
“Those that follow my career won’t be surprised,” said Haynes said before the album release. “I think the differences [in the music I play for the different projects] are what keep me from burning out. If I just did one thing all the time, I’d get sick of it a lot quicker. The fact that I am able to bounce back and forth from one project to another keeps fresh energy all the time.”
