Best Allman Brothers Band Songs With Warren Haynes On Lead Vocals

Feature Photo: Kurt “Doc” Huot, CC BY-SA 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

Warren Haynes joined the Allman Brothers Band in 1989 during their reunion after a seven-year breakup. He was brought into the group by Dickey Betts and played a major role in the recording of Seven Turns, which was produced by Tom Dowd and released in 1990.

Haynes co-wrote songs such as “Good Clean Fun,” “Loaded Dice,” and “Shine It On,” helping to define the band’s return to their roots in Southern rock and blues. The album marked the beginning of a new era for the Allman Brothers Band, featuring a lineup that included Gregg Allman, Dickey Betts, Allen Woody, Johnny Neel, Jaimoe, and Butch Trucks.

Haynes continued with the band through the 1990s, contributing to studio albums including Shades of Two Worlds (1991) and Where It All Begins (1994). Alongside Gregg Allman and Dickey Betts, he played a pivotal role in infusing new energy into their live performances, which laid the foundation for a successful new era in the band’s history.

He left the group in 1997 to focus on his own band, Gov’t Mule, but returned in 2001 to rejoin the Allman Brothers Band.

In the 2000s, Haynes and guitarist Derek Trucks became the band’s primary dual-lead guitarists, creating a modern version of the signature sound pioneered initially by Duane Allman and Betts. He contributed as both a guitarist and songwriter to the band’s final studio album, Hittin’ the Note, released in 2003. Haynes remained with the Allman Brothers Band until their final concert in 2014, which took place at the Beacon Theatre in New York City.

Warren Haynes’ central role in the Allman Brothers Band was as a guitarist and songwriter. With a vocalist as gifted and legendary as Gregg Allman, there wasn’t much room to sing lead. However, toward the end of the band’s run, Warren Haynes began to take on more lead vocal responsibility, which culminated in him singing lead on three tracks on the band’s final studio album.

Additionally, he sang lead on many of the band’s cover songs performed live. This list takes a look at some of those amazing studio and live recordings.

Loaded Dice – Seven Turns

We open up our Best Allman Brothers Band Songs With Warren Haynes On Lead Vocals article with the very first song that Warren Haynes sang lead on. The song “Loaded Dice” appeared on the Allman Brothers Band’s comeback album, Seven Turns. The album was released in 1990.

The lineup on the album featured Gregg Allman on Hammond B-3 organ, Betts on guitar, Allen Woody on bass, Johnny Neel on piano, Jaimoe and Butch Trucks on drums, and percussionist Mark Morris.

Worried Down With the Blues

There’s something both joyous and sad about this album. It’s the first time that Warren Haynes and Derek Trucks appear together on an Allman Brothers Band live album. That’s the happy part.

Sadly, the album came near the end of the band’s recording career. It’s hard to believe that One Way Out was released in 2004, over 20 years ago. Has it really been that long since the Allman Brothers Band released a record?

Good Morning Little School Girl

Warren Haynes takes lead vocal on this legendary Sonny Boy Williamson song, “Good Morning Little School Girl.” Of course, Warren makes it his own, with his trademark soulful voice and out-of-this-world guitar playing.

Old Friend

“Old Friend” appeared on the final Allman Brothers Band studio album entitled Hittin’ the Note. The album was released in 2003. This may very well be the best Allman Brothers Band album since their early 1970s work. It is the first of three songs on which Warren Haynes sang lead vocals on the album to appear on this list.

Woman Across the River

“Woman Across the River” was placed as the fourth track on the Hittin’ the Note album. The song was written by Bettye Crutcher and Allen Jones. The song begins with a great blues guitar riff that sets the stage for Warren’s passionate and soulful vocal performance. This one is killer.

Rockin’ Horse

The song “Rockin’ Horse” was written by Gregg Allman, Warren Haynes, Allen Woody, and Jack Pearson. This is my favorite track on the final Allman Brothers Band studio album. The guitar work on this recording is spectacular between Warren Haynes and Derek Trucks.

It should also be noted that Dickey Betts was no longer a part of the band when they recorded this album, making it the only time in the band’s history that an Allman Brothers Band studio album did not include Dickey on guitar.

Soulshine

Warren Haynes and Gregg Allman shared lead vocals on this great Warren Haynes-penned song. The band recorded it on their 1994 album Where It All Begins. The album was the follow-up to 1991’s Shades of Two Worlds. The band also released a live version of the song on the album An Evening with the Allman Brothers Band: 2nd Set.

Read More: Top 10 Warren Haynes Songs