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Don Was Talks Next Stones Album and Touring with Warren Haynes
Michael Leonard
02.06.2017

http://www.gibson.com/News-Lifestyle/News/en-us/Don-Was.aspx

Don Was has been talking with Ultimate Classic Rock about his current projects. For most people, producing the next Rolling Stones album would be enough. But Was is also touring as the bassist for the star-studded 40th anniversary tour of the Band’s The Last Waltz. That band is being led by Gov’t Mule’s Warren Haynes.

In the interview, Was offers a few insights into his current work. He’s helped make every Rolling Stones album since 1994’s Voodoo Lounge, and says of the ongoing sessions for a new album of Stones originals:

“The energy is —ing great. And [the Stones] are stoked about the response to Blue and Lonesome... It’s them being them. It’s an affirmation of the band being itself. And I think that is having an impact on the sessions, which is great. But I will tell you we’re a ways off yet until we’re done.”

Of playing with Haynes, Michael McDonald and country star Jamey Johnson, Was says he’s not even sure when he became friends with the Gov’t Mule man.

“I’m not even sure. I had met him a couple times years ago. But the first time we really hung out was at the White House when President Obama did a blues show from there. I went with Mick Jagger, and I ended up spending some good time with Warren. Then we ended up putting out the last Gov’t Mule record on Blue Note. I also produced a couple of track on the next Gov’t Mule album that they’re working on and we’ve done a lot of live stuff in the past couple years.”

Of the current Last Waltz 40 Tour, which was soon expanded from a one-off plan, Was says

“If you like Beatles songs, [Paul] McCartney is out there giving you three hours of them, perfect versions. If you like Bob Dylan, he’s out there playing them. If you like the Rolling Stones, they do an amazing three-hour show. But nobody is out there playing songs that the Band made popular. And they are songs that are deeply etched into the zeitgeist. So it was like, ‘Wow, man, people love hearing these songs as much as we love playing them.’ It was a let down after the two nights in New Orleans. Now we knew the songs and we wanted to keep going.”

Was also reveals he’s “almost done” making a new with Gregg Allman at Muscle Shoals, and he’s also producing tracks for Niall Horan from One Direction. Horan plays guitar, usually a Gibson Les Paul Studio and SGs.

Full Don Was interview at Ultimate Classic Rock.

Hey Don, let me know when the Stones play a three hour show.

Voodoo Chile in Wonderland wrote on Feb 7^th, 2017 at 9:16pm:

he’s also producing tracks for Niall Horan from One Direction. Horan plays guitar, usually a Gibson Les Paul Studio and SGs.

Bloody hell. That probably means a guest appearance by Ronnie on that dross.

He indicates / says they have been in the studio recording since the release of Blue & Lonesome.

So .. who knows.. if they want an album out this year.. I would think they are working on it off and on (wait a minute.. I'm <sure> they are working on it off and on .. because they are saying so. I'm saying during the current months they will prolly have it all done by April or something. They will have to rehearse in May .. shows in June July. Summer and late spring seems to be all tied up for them so if they want an album out this year.. My guess is they are getting to the meat and potatoes of said studio album around now... or at least they should be if they want an album out this year and being as it is not complete or mostly complete.

Just sayin.

But first....won't we get Blue and Lonesome re-mastered?

This actually excites me, I hope they make a short and sweet record.... no fluff. 35 minutes of music is ok....

A little disappointed the Stones won't be getting out of their Don Was comfort zone. Though I am not sure, apart from Rick Rubin I suppose or Lee 'Scratch' Perry, who I would suggest as an alternative. I'm a bit out of the loop these days on this sort of thing - who is the producer d'jour?

For me one of the best produced records in the last 5 years or so is Dylan's Tempest which Bob produced himself. They should get him to do it. He'd have a good idea of what the Stones should sound like. Unfortunately he may not have the time.

Or get the Glimmer Twins back on the job. Or maybe not - it might never get finished.

stonedinaustralia wrote on Feb 12^th, 2017 at 7:26pm:

_________________________

Lol .. not sure if Bob Dylan would be the guy who should or even could produce A Rolling Stones album, mate. Jus sayin .. That doesn't seem feasible.. or realistic .. or beneficial even if he wanted to.

Ian Billen wrote on Feb 12^th, 2017 at 11:43pm:

Well I wasn't being entirely serious I hope you understand. And as much as the results might be interesting if it could happen I'd say that mick would last about 10 minutes maximum under Perry's guidance

stonedinaustralia wrote on Feb 13^th, 2017 at 1:19am:

Ian Billen wrote on Feb 12^th, 2017 at 11:43pm:

________________________________

Ahhhh .. my bad. I thought you were pretty much serious. I mean the result would satisfy curiosity and the concept is intriguing and all .. I just can't see that ever happening or being even in the realm of options for them.

Now I get you were funnin us ... I gotchas.

I think it's pretty obvious that the Stones enjoy being in a comfort zone. It's how we got Blue & Lonesome with Don Was at the helm.

I have no problems with him at all.

Ian Billen wrote on Feb 8^th, 2017 at 4:24pm:

or another way of looking at it is that about a year and a half into the project its quite evident that either they're devoid of inspiration or the songs that Mick Jagger has brought to the sessions are more befitting a solo record

Just sayin. [/quote]

or another way of looking at it is that about a year and a half into the project its quite evident that either they're devoid of inspiration or the songs that Mick Jagger has brought to the sessions are more befitting a solo record[/quote]

Just like A Bigger Bang. The majority of the tracks could have easily been on a Jagger solo. No thanks to deja vu.

Rick

The Stones are life....the rest is just details.

Is anyone here 72 years old? I'm not that old yet either, but if I was, I would probably be taking things slower and at a calmer pace to get things done right. After all this time, why hurry? I doubt they feel pressured into a timeline, even if someone is pushing for it.

The new album will come together and be fun to listen to. Just like the rest of them!

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http://rocksoff.org/cgi-bin/messageboard/YaBB.pl GENERAL >> MAIN BOARD >> Don Was Talks Next Stones Album and Touring with Warren Haynes http://rocksoff.org/cgi-bin/messageboard/YaBB.pl?num=1486523764 Message started by Voodoo Child in Wonderland on Feb 7^th, 2017 at 9:16pm