First available in 2006 on a single disc, this expanded collection charts the progress of one of America’s biggest jam bands from 1995 to 2000. As this music is almost inevitably better sampled live, it’s unsurprising that the bonus CD now appended to it tips the balance of the collection towards a stage setting, with five studio selections outweighed by seven concert cuts.
Five of the later recordings come from the now unavailable Live: With A Little Help From Our Friends 4-CD collectors’ edition, but if you already have that you’re likely to be a completist or a superfan. This is more of a sampler for the curious and, as such, does its job well. The rough-hewn Warren Hayes dominates the show as guitarist and vocalist, and can be something of an acquired taste, but you’d have to look a long way to find a fuller-sounding three-piece. The Friends tracks feature guests aplenty, which arguably detracts from the original concept of the band as a stripped-down Allman Brothers. But if the prospectof a 17-minute, sax-heavy version of Hendrix’s Third Stone From The Sun doesn’t daunt you, then dive right on in, the water’s lovely…
Gov’t Mule – The Best of the Capricorn Years (& Rarities) 2006
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