Musician Interview: At the Orpheum — Singer/Songwriter Warren Haynes Previews His Upcoming Album
By Rob Duguay
Legendary guitarist Warren Haynes talks about how his upcoming album, Million Voices Whisper, was put together and what it is like to perform in front of Boston crowds.
Warren Haynes has been one of the best guitar players on the planet for the past 40 plus years. His time as a member of the legendary Allman Brothers Band, being the vocalist and guitarist for the blues-driven jam band Gov’t Mule, and success as a prolific solo artist testifies to that status. Along with his excellent skills playing a six-string, Haynes’ vocals are also distinctive — his is a soulful and honest voice. Haynes’ upcoming album Million Voices Whisper is due out on November 1 via Fantasy Records. Touring ahead of the record’s release, Haynes and his band will perform at Boston’s historic Orpheum Theatre on October 12. The show starts at 8 p.m. There will be no opening act — attendees should prepare for a memorable evening of music.
Haynes and I chatted about how his upcoming album was put together, what it was like to perform in front of Boston crowds, and how the guitarist and his band plan on making the new album part of their live set.
The Arts Fuse: Million Voices Whisper is your first solo release in almost a decade and there is a direct connection to the New England region. It was recorded at the Power Station in Waterford, Connecticut. What was the experience like making this album?
Warren Haynes: I love that studio and I love working there. It’s the third album that I’ve done at the Power Station and I’m always comfortable recording there, so it was really a lot of fun. As far as going into recording, I try to be as prepared as I can, but I also like to be open to whatever happens once I’m there. I never let myself be too attached to my previous sessions regarding how the new material is going to turn out. I like to see where it might go — once other musicians get involved and, of course, this was no exception.
AF: On this disc you have brought Derek Trucks, Lukas Nelson, and Jamey Johnson into the fold. How did you go about doing that? Did they stop by the studio to work with you on the album or were their parts recorded remotely?
Haynes: Derek was in the studio with us in Connecticut and Lukas and I went into a studio in California to work together. Jamey has a studio in Nashville where he recorded his part. In truth, I prefer to do things with everybody working together in the same room whenever possible.
AF: I can see why — it’s a more organic experience when everyone is collaborating within the same space.
Haynes: Yeah, it’s become my preference after toying with that way of recording for a decade.
AF: You have a show coming up at the Orpheum Theatre, a place I’m pretty sure you’ve played a few times. The stage has been around since the 1800s. Does performing at historic venues like these affect you in any way?
Haynes: The venue definitely affects the vibe of the show. As for the Orpheum, I’ve probably played there close to a dozen times through the years. I’m very familiar with that stage, the way the room sounds and of course, the Boston audience. I’m very much looking forward to it. I’ve had a lot of great concert experiences in that theater.
AF: I know that you cut your teeth as a musician in the Southern United States. What is it like when you come up North to play in front of live audiences?
Haynes: Boston crowds are wonderful. When I joined The Allman Brothers in 1989, I realized instantly that Northeast crowds, for our kind of music, are exceptional. I’ve had a lot of great shows in Boston and I’m looking forward to this one.
AF: Your upcoming album is a few weeks away from its official release. How do you plan to preview it via live performance? New songs mixed in with older material? Or will you perform all of Million Voices Whisper?
Haynes: We’ve been gradually introducing more and more new songs into the shows. I think at this point we’re played up to about seven songs from the new recording on stage. We usually do three or four a night; the closer we get to the release date, the more new material we will introduce. It is a tricky balance to strike because people share recordings of tunes from shows these days. I want their first impression of the new material to be from the studio recording. At the same time, it’s important to play the new songs for the audience, so we’ve been gradually sneaking them into the program.
Rob Duguay is an arts & entertainment journalist based in Providence, who is originally from Shelton, CT. Outside of the Arts Fuse, he has also written for DigBoston, Aquarian Weekly, Providence Journal, Newport Daily News, Worcester Magazine, New Noise Magazine, Manchester Ink Link, and numerous other publications. While covering mostly music, he has also written about film, TV, comedy, theater, visual art, food, drink, sports, and cannabis.
It really don’t matter what it is, if Warren Haynes had anything to do with the collaboration or written any of the music, you can rest assured it’s gonna be good! Warren is no doubt on of the best that’s still with us as well as Derek Trucks, and the two of them always sound phenominal together. I can’t wait to hear Warren’s new album! Thanks in advance Warren. I don’t even have to hear it to know that it’s good!