Photo Credit: Shervin Lainez
Warren Haynes has officially announced Million Voices Whisper, the fourth solo entry from the iconic jam and Southern rock figurehead. Set to release on Nov. 1 via Fantasy Records, the artist’s forthcoming independent record arrives as his first since 2015’s Ashes & Dust and sets a whole new era for the trailblazing artist to tape. To support today’s unveiling the artist has offered the brand new original “This Life As We Know It,” which shows the artist in a contemplative mood, wisened by four decades on the forefront of his form.
“This Life As We Know It” perfectly charts out the emotional substance of Haynes’ project. With focused, candid storytelling and a soul-stirring performance, the artist and Gov’t Mule bandleader reflects on holding on tight to joy through a spirited, upright rocker that stands resolute in a rapidly changing world. “It has a very uplifting message and musically, as well, it is just a very positive feeling song,” Haynes comments on the preview single in a press release. “One that I feel we can all relate to. It’s about moving forward and getting past a lot of things but feeling good about life and feeling good about yourself.”
This first taste figures alongside ten other moody and moving blues-rock cuts on the project, all of which are backed by the new Warren Haynes Band: storied keyboardist and collaborator John Medeski, longtime drummer Terence Higgins and Gov’t Mule bassist Kevin Scott. Beyond the pitch-perfect quartet, other entries boast guest spots from some of the influential artists Haynes has run with along the way, including Lukas Nelson, Jamey Johnson and Derek Trucks. Trucks features on the album opener “These Changes,” cycle closer “Hall Of Future Saints” and the midpoint climax “Real, Real Love,” initially co-written with Gregg Allman and finished by Haynes in a carefully assembled tribute to his departed friend.
“It felt great to go into the studio to capture this material with this new band who are all fantastic players,” Haynes shares. “This album is quite different than my previous solo records. There’s a lot of soul music influence but very song-oriented with subtle nods to a few of my heroes. And what a treat to get back into the studio with my brother Derek. Big shoutout to him as well as Lukas and Jamey for being a part of it. I’m really proud of this new album.”
Haynes and his band, plus saxophonist Greg Osby, will support the release of Million Voices Whisper with a headlining tour this fall. The artist will set off on the Million Voices Whisper Tour with a Sept. 19 show at Fredericton, New Brunswick’s Harvest Music Festival, then round through 14 further dates along the East Coast before concluding his run with an Oct. 12 finale at Boston’s Orpheum Theater. After his headline sprint, Haynes will venture to Los Angeles for the highly-anticipated event Life Is A Carnival: A Musical Celebration of Robbie Robertson, which will stage at Kia Forum on Oct. 17. For tickets and more information on the musician’s complete touring schedule, visit warrenhaynes.net/tour.
Million Voices Whisper–which will also be issued in a vinyl pressing and expanded CD release with four bonus tracks–is available to pre-order and pre-save now. Fans can listen to “This Life As We Know It” here and watch behind-the-scenes footage of the in-studio performance at Power Station New England below.
Read on for a complete tracklist and list of tour dates.
Warren Haynes – Million Voices Whisper:
1. These Changes (ft. Derek Trucks)
2. Go Down Swinging
3. You Ain’t Above Me
4. This Life As We Know It
5. Day of Reckoning (ft. Lukas Nelson and Jamey Johnson)
6. Real, Real Love (ft. Derek Trucks)
7. Lies, Lies, Lies > Monkey Dance > Lies, Lies, Lies
8. From Here On Out
9. Till The Sun Comes Shining Through
10. Terrified
11. Hall of Future Saints (ft. Derek Trucks)
12. Baby’s On The Move*
13. Smooth Sailing*
14. Find The Cost of Freedom > Day of Reckoning [extended version] (ft. Lukas Nelson and Jamey Johnson)*
15. Back Where I Started (ft. Derek Trucks)*
* CD only Bonus Tracks
Warren Haynes Tour Dates:
September 10 – Red Rocks Amphitheatre – Morrison, Colo.
September 14 – Harvest Music Festival – Fredericton, NB
September 19 – The Parker – Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
September 20 – Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall – Fort Myers, Fla.
September 21 – Florida Theatre – Jacksonville, Fla.
September 22 – Mahaffey Theater – St. Petersburg, Fla.
September 24 – Saenger Theater – Pensacola, Fla.
September 26 – The National – Richmond, Va.
September 27 – The NorVa – Norfolk, Va.
September 28 – Township Auditorium – Columbia, S.C.
September 29 – Salem Civic Center – Salem, Va.
October 3 – Warner Theatre – Washington, D.C.
October 4 – Paramount Arts Center – Ashland, Ky.
October 5 – Mempho Music Festival (early set) – Memphis, Tenn.
October 5 – Ryman Auditorium – Nashville, Tenn.
October 9 – The Fillmore Philadelphia – Philadelphia
October 10 – The Oncenter Crouse Hinds Theater – Syracuse, N.Y.
October 11 – The Capitol Theatre – Port Chester, N.Y.
October 12 – Orpheum Theatre – Boston
October 17 – Life Is A Carnival: A Musical Celebration of Robbie Robertson @ Kia Forum – Los Angeles
