Review: Warren Haynes Presents: The Benefit Concert Vol. 20

W&S Charitable Foundation/Provogue Records (8th December 2023)

Reviewed By: Chris O’Connor

Dive into the magic of musical brilliance with ‘Warren Haynes Presents: The Benefit Concert Volume 20‘, a spectacular showcase curated by the Grammy Award-winning maestro himself, Warren Haynes (Gov’t Mule/Allman Brothers/The Dead), The Christmas Jam, an enduring masterpiece in the realm of live concerts, unfolds annually in Asheville, North Carolina – bringing together a tapestry of performers, volunteers, and friends from across the nation. The mission: to uplift and contribute to the noble causes of Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity and the inspiring BeLoved Asheville.

For three remarkable decades, The Christmas Jam has transformed passion into action, raising an awe-inspiring $2.8 million for Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity. This contribution has not only constructed over 50 homes but has also alleviated the financial burdens of entire Habitat neighbourhoods, showcasing the power of music in fostering positive change. Partnering with BeLoved Asheville, the initiative addresses the pressing issue of housing insecurity, embodying the spirit of community and compassion.

‘The Benefit Concert Volume 20‘ is a treasure trove of iconic performances, highlighting the mesmerizing collaboration on Fleetwood Mac’s ‘Gold Dust Woman‘ featuring Warren Haynes, the dazzling Grace Potter, and the incomparable Jim James of My Morning Jacket. Fans of the Foo Fighters are treated to acoustic gems as Dave Grohl and Haynes intertwine their musical prowess on hits like ‘Times Like These’, ‘Everlong’ and the live debut of Grohl’s epic instrumental masterpiece, ‘Play’.

Country enthusiasts are surely mesmerized by Eric Church‘s heartfelt renditions of the Allman Brothers’ ‘Ain’t Wastin’ Time No More’ and his own chart-topping hit, ‘Record Year’. The electrifying ‘Spanish Boots’ unveils the exquisite guitar virtuosity of Joe Bonamassa, a true blues sensation with 26 #1 selling albums. Rock aficionados are in for a treat with Mike Gordon‘s raw and raucous take on Aerosmith’s ‘Sweet Emotion’, a rendition that would undoubtedly earn the seal of approval from the Boston legends.

The ensemble cast, featuring Gov’t Mule, Jim Jones, Marco Benevento, Jamey Johnson, Kevin Kinney, Planet Of The Abts, Tyler Ramsey, and more, creates a sonic tapestry that transcends genres. Released in various formats, each track listing caters to the diverse palette of music lovers. Personal highlights abound, from Gov’t Mule’s spellbinding rendition of Pink Floyd’s ‘Comfortably Numb’ to the epic ‘Rockin’ In The Free World/Machine Gun’ medley with Dave Grohl, and the fiery ‘Good Times Bad Times/Paris Ooh La La’ featuring Grace Potter & The Nocturnals, with the brilliant Ron Holloway as a guest.

‘Warren Haynes Presents: The Benefit Concert Volume 20‘ is not merely an album; it is a testament to the transformative power of music and community. With every note, it weaves a tapestry of compassion, leaving an indelible mark on the soul of the listener. Having learned so much of the community-minded ethos of his time with The (Grateful) Dead, Warren now does all he can to benefit a community he truly loves. So, this is not just an annual concert; it’s a musical journey that resonates with the heart and echoes the spirit of giving – and who can ask for more than that?

Track Listing:

Vinyl Volume 1 (2LP Purple)

A1. Greenpoint (Marco Benevento)

A2. Pepper (Marco Benevento)

A3. In Color (Jamey Johnson)

A4. I Think I’ll Just Stay Here And Drink (Jamey Johnson)

B1. Medicine (Grace Potter & The Nocturnals)

B2. The Lion The Beast The Beat (Grace Potter & The Nocturnals)

B3. A New Life (Jim James)

B4. State Of The Art (A.E.I.O.U.) (Jim James)

C1. Sweet Emotion (Mike Gordon)

C2. Pendulum (Mike Gordon)

C3. Record Year (Eric Church)

C4. Ain’t Wastin’ Time No More (Eric Church)

D1. Spanish Boots (Joe Bonamassa)

D2. SWLABR (Joe Bonamassa)

D3. Tea For One > I Can’t Quit You Baby (Joe Bonamassa)

Vinyl Volume 2 (2LP Orange)

A1. Play pt 1 (Dave Grohl)

B1. Play pt 2 (Dave Grohl)

C1. Thorazine Shuffle (Gov’t Mule)

C2. Million Miles From Yesterday (Gov’t Mule feat. Machan Taylor & Mini Carlsson)

C3. Dreams & Songs (Gov’t Mule feat. Machan Taylor & Mini Carlsson)

D1. Revolution Come Revolution Go (Gov’t Mule)

D2. Rockin’ In The Free World > Machine Gun > Rockin’ In The Free World (Gov’t Mule feat. Dave Grohl)

Vinyl Volume 3 (2LP Blue)

A1. Just Before The Bullets Fly (Warren Haynes)

A2. One (Warren Haynes)

A3. Paris (Ooh La La) (Grace Potter & The Nocturnals feat. Ron Holloway)

B1. I’ve Seen A Love (Edwin McCain)

B2. Ray Ray’s Juke Joint (Jamey Johnson)

B3. Victim (Mike Gordon)

B4. Smoke A Little Smoke (Eric Church)

B5. The Weight (Eric Church)

C1. Here In Spirit (Jim James)

C2. Red Baron (Gov’t Mule feat. Ron Holloway & Mike Barnes)

C3. Soulshine (Warren Haynes)

D1. Us And Them (Gov’t Mule feat. Jim James)

D2. Any Colour You Like (Gov’t Mule)

D3. Welcome To The Machine (Gov’t Mule)

Vinyl Volume 4 (2LP Red)

A1. Glory Road (Warren Haynes feat. Ray Sisk)

A2. I’m Telling You (Planet of the Abts)

A3. Underground Umbrella (Kevn Kinney, Jamey Johnson & Christmas Jam Band)

A4. Straight To Hell (Kevn Kinney, Jamey Johnson & Christmas Jam Band)

B1. 1000 Black Birds (Tyler Ramsey)

B2. The Nightbird (Tyler Ramsey)

B3. If Heartaches Were Nickels (Warren Haynes & Joe Bonamassa)

B4. Crazy Sometimes (Mike Gordon & Scott Murawski)

C1. Captured (Warren Haynes & Jim James)

C2. Gold Dust Woman (Warren Haynes, Jim James & Grace Potter)

C3. Times Like These (Dave Grohl & Warren Haynes)

C4. Everlong (Dave Grohl)

D1. Time > Breathe (Reprise) (Gov’t Mule)

D2. Money (Gov’t Mule)

D3. Comfortably Numb (Gov’t Mule)

2CD + DVD

CD 1:

1. Greenpoint (Marco Benevento)
2. Pepper (Marco Benevento)
3. Ray Ray’s Juke Joint (Jamey Johnson)
4. In Color (Jamey Johnson)
5. The Lion The Beast The Beat (Grace Potter & The Nocturnals)
6. Good Times Bad Times > Paris (Ooh La La) (Grace Potter & The Nocturnals feat. Ron Holloway)
7. Sweet Emotion (Mike Gordon)
8. Pendulum (Mike Gordon)
9. A New Life (Jim James)
10. State Of The Art (A.E.I.O.U.) (Jim James)
11. Record Year (Eric Church)
12. Ain’t Wastin’ Time No More (Eric Church)
13. The Weight (Eric Church)

CD 2:

1. Spanish Boots (Joe Bonamassa)
2. Tea For One > I Can’t Quit You Baby (Joe Bonamassa)
3. Play (Dave Grohl)
4. Revolution Come Revolution Go (Gov’t Mule)
5. Million Miles From Yesterday (Gov’t Mule feat. Machan Taylor & Mini Carlsson)
6. Rockin’ In The Free World > Machine Gun > Rockin’ In The Free World (Gov’t Mule feat. Dave Grohl)

DVD:

1. Greenpoint (Marco Benevento)
2. Ray Ray’s Juke Joint (Jamey Johnson)
3. In Color (Jamey Johnson)
4. Medicine (Grace Potter & The Nocturnals)
5. The Lion The Beast The Beat (Grace Potter & The Nocturnals)
6. Sweet Emotion (Mike Gordon)
7. Pendulum (Mike Gordon)
8. A New Life (Jim James)
9. State Of The Art (A.E.I.O.U.) (Jim James)
10. Record Year (Eric Church)
11. Ain’t Wastin’ Time No More (Eric Church)
12. Spanish Boots (Joe Bonamassa)
13. SWLABR (Joe Bonamassa)
14. Play (Dave Grohl)
15. Revolution Come Revolution Go (Gov’t Mule)
16. Million Miles From Yesterday (Gov’t Mule feat. Machan Taylor & Mini Carlsson)

3CD + 2 Blu-ray

CD 1:

1. Greenpoint (Marco Benevento)
2. Pepper (Marco Benevento)
3. Ray Ray’s Juke Joint (Jamey Johnson)
4. In Color (Jamey Johnson)
5. The Lion The Beast The Beat (Grace Potter & The Nocturnals)
6. Good Times Bad Times > Paris (Ooh La La) (Grace Potter & The Nocturnals feat. Ron Holloway)
7. Sweet Emotion (Mike Gordon)
8. Pendulum (Mike Gordon)
9. A New Life (Jim James)
10. State Of The Art (A.E.I.O.U.) (Jim James)
11. Record Year (Eric Church)
12. Ain’t Wastin’ Time No More (Eric Church)
13. The Weight (Eric Church)

CD 2:

1. Spanish Boots (Joe Bonamassa)
2. Tea For One > I Can’t Quit You Baby (Joe Bonamassa)
3. Play (Dave Grohl)
4. Revolution Come Revolution Go (Gov’t Mule)
5. Million Miles From Yesterday (Gov’t Mule feat. Machan Taylor & Mini Carlsson)
6. Rockin’ In The Free World > Machine Gun > Rockin’ In The Free World (Gov’t Mule feat. Dave Grohl)

CD 3:

1. Captured (Warren Haynes & Jim James)
2. Gold Dust Woman (Warren Haynes, Jim James & Grace Potter)
3. Underground Umbrella (Kevn Kinney, Jamey Johnson & Christmas Jam Band)
4. Honeysuckle Blue (Kevn Kinney, Jamey Johnson & Christmas Jam Band)
5. 1000 Black Birds (Tyler Ramsey)
6. I’ve Seen A Love (Edwin McCain)
7. I’m Telling You (Planet of the Abts)
8. Times Like These (Dave Grohl & Warren Haynes)
9. Everlong (Dave Grohl)
10. Us And Them (Gov’t Mule feat. Jim James)
11. Any Colour You Like (Gov’t Mule)
12. Comfortably Numb (Gov’t Mule)

Blu-ray 1:

1. Just Before The Bullets Fly (Warren Haynes)
2. One (Warren Haynes)
3. Soulshine (Warren Haynes)
4. Greenpoint (Marco Benevento)
5. Pepper (Marco Benevento)
6. Ray Ray’s Juke Joint (Jamey Johnson)
7. In Color (Jamey Johnson)
8. I Think I’ll Just Stay Here And Drink (Jamey Johnson)
9. Medicine (Grace Potter & The Nocturnals)
10. The Lion The Beast The Beat (Grace Potter & The Nocturnals)
11. Good Times Bad Times > Paris (Ooh La La) (Grace Potter & The Nocturnals feat. Ron Holloway)
12. Victim (Mike Gordon)
13. Sweet Emotion (Mike Gordon)
14. Pendulum (Mike Gordon)
15. Here In Spirit (Jim James)
16. A New Life (Jim James)
17. State Of The Art (A.E.I.O.U.) (Jim James)
18. Record Year (Eric Church)
19. Smoke A Little Smoke (Eric Church)
20. Ain’t Wastin’ Time No More (Eric Church)
21. The Weight (Eric Church)
22. Glory Road (Warren Haynes feat. Ray Sisk)
23. Spanish Boots (Joe Bonamassa)
24. SWLABR (Joe Bonamassa)
25. Tea For One > I Can’t Quit You Baby (Joe Bonamassa)
26. Play (Dave Grohl)
27. Thorazine Shuffle (Gov’t Mule)
28. Revolution Come Revolution Go (Gov’t Mule)
29. Million Miles From Yesterday (Gov’t Mule feat. Machan Taylor & Mini Carlsson)
30. Dreams & Songs (Gov’t Mule feat. Machan Taylor & Mini Carlsson)
31. Red Baron (Gov’t Mule feat. Ron Holloway & Mike Barnes)
32. Rockin’ In The Free World > Machine Gun > Rockin’ In The Free World (Gov’t Mule feat. Dave Grohl)

Blu-ray 2:

1. If Heartaches Were Nickels (Warren Haynes & Joe Bonamassa)
2. 1000 Black Birds (Tyler Ramsey)
3. 1000 Black Birds (Tyler Ramsey)
4. Underground Umbrella (Kevn Kinney, Jamey Johnson & Christmas Jam Band)
5. Straight To Hell (Kevn Kinney, Jamey Johnson & Christmas Jam Band)
6. Captured (Warren Haynes & Jim James)
7. Gold Dust Woman (Warren Haynes, Jim James & Grace Potter)
8. Crazy Sometimes (Mike Gordon & Scott Murawski)
9. I’ve Seen A Love (Edwin McCain)
10. I’m Telling You (Planet of the Abts)
11. Times Like These (Dave Grohl & Warren Haynes)
12. Everlong (Dave Grohl)
13. Time > Breathe (Reprise) (Gov’t Mule)
14. Money (Gov’t Mule)
15. Us And Them (Gov’t Mule feat. Jim James)
16. Any Colour You Like (Gov’t Mule)
17. Welcome To The Machine (Gov’t Mule)
18. Comfortably Numb (Gov’t Mule)

Digital Release:

1. Greenpoint (Marco Benevento)
2. Pepper (Marco Benevento)
3. Ray Ray’s Juke Joint (Jamey Johnson)
4. In Color (Jamey Johnson)
5. The Lion The Beast The Beat (Grace Potter & The Nocturnals)
6. Good Times Bad Times > Paris (Ooh La La) (Grace Potter & The Nocturnals feat. Ron Holloway)
7. Sweet Emotion (Mike Gordon)
8. Pendulum (Mike Gordon)
9. A New Life (Jim James)
10. State Of The Art (A.E.I.O.U.) (Jim James)
11. Record Year (Eric Church)
12. Ain’t Wastin’ Time No More (Eric Church)
13. The Weight (Eric Church)
14. Spanish Boots (Joe Bonamassa)
15. Tea For One > I Can’t Quit You Baby (Joe Bonamassa)
16. Play (Dave Grohl)
17. Revolution Come Revolution Go (Gov’t Mule)
18. Million Miles From Yesterday (Gov’t Mule feat. Machan Taylor & Mini Carlsson)
19. Rockin’ In The Free World > Machine Gun > Rockin’ In The Free World (Gov’t Mule feat. Dave Grohl)
20. Captured (Warren Haynes & Jim James)
21. Gold Dust Woman (Warren Haynes, Jim James & Grace Potter)
22. Underground Umbrella (Kevn Kinney, Jamey Johnson & Christmas Jam Band)
23. Honeysuckle Blue (Kevn Kinney, Jamey Johnson & Christmas Jam Band)
24. 1000 Black Birds (Tyler Ramsey)
25. I’ve Seen A Love (Edwin McCain)
26. I’m Telling You (Planet of the Abts)
27. Times Like These (Dave Grohl & Warren Haynes)
28. Everlong (Dave Grohl)
29. Us And Them (Gov’t Mule feat. Jim James)
30. Any Colour You Like (Gov’t Mule)
31. Comfortably Numb (Gov’t Mule)