Warren Haynes announces 'The Whisper Sessions' out September 12th via Fantasy Records
Announces
The Whisper Sessions
Out September 12th via Fantasy Records
PRESS HERE To Pre-Save
Releases First Single “These Changes”
Featuring Derek Trucks
PRESS HERE To Listen
GRAMMY® Award-winning vocalist, songwriter, guitar legend, producer, and Gov’t Mule front man Warren Haynes has announced The Whisper Sessions, a collection of stripped-down versions of songs off his recent solo album, Million Voices Whisper. The 9-track digital-only album – which includes a stunning version of the Allman Brothers Band classic “Melissa” with Haynes’ longtime ABB bandmate Derek Trucks, who is featured on three songs – will be released on Friday, September 12th via Fantasy Records.
The intimate renditions peel back the layers to spotlight Haynes’ soulful voice, masterful guitar work, and the heartfelt storytelling at the album’s core. Coinciding with today’s announcement, Haynes has issued the first single from The Whisper Sessions onto DSPs with “These Changes” featuring Trucks, who also co-wrote the song, available now. “These Changes” is about someone who is trying to work through hardships and acknowledges that the relationship is important enough to do whatever it takes to make it better. PRESS HERE to listen. PRESS HERE to watch a live performance of “These Changes” from Haynes and Trucks.
“‘These Changes’ is a song I wrote with Derek Trucks that we recorded in the studio together,” shares Haynes. “I love this song, which is about looking back and forward at the same time and navigating your way through an ever-changing life. The instrumental section at the end, where we are trading guitar riffs and playing off of each other, was not in the original arrangement as we wrote it – it just came about organically once we started recording the song. It was a great opportunity for the two of us to rekindle our chemistry that we’ve had for a long time.”
The Whisper Sessions is a rare, unfiltered glimpse into the essence of each track – where every lyric and note resonated with newfound clarity and depth. The album features seven standout tracks from Haynes’ acclaimed fourth solo album, Million Voices Whisper, including the singles “This Life As We Know It,” which reached Top 15 on the Americana singles chart and Top 40 at Triple A radio, and “Real Real Love,” also featuring Trucks, whose lyrics were initially started by Gregg Allman, as well as two poignant covers, each reimagined to highlight Haynes’ emotive vocals and six-string mastery. See below for full track listing. Prepare to experience the raw emotional power of Million Voices Whisper like never before. PRESS HERE to pre-save The Whisper Sessions.
“We didn’t plan to release stripped-down versions of the songs from Million Voices Whisper, it just kind of happened organically,” says Haynes. “We were combing through these performances and realized that they offer a unique perspective into the songs themselves, so we thought it would be cool to make them available.”
Million Voices Whisper, released in November 2024, debuted at #1 on Billboard’s Blues Albums Chart and marked Warren’s first solo album in nearly a decade. The 11-song, self-produced collection of soulful blues-rock has been hailed his best album yet. In addition to the multiple appearances from Trucks, Million Voices Whisper includes guest spots from Lukas Nelson and Jamey Johnson on the single “Day of Reckoning.” PRESS HERE to listen to Million Voices Whisper and PRESS HERE for the deluxe version.
Haynes, who recently partnered with Gibson for the release of his first signature guitar, the Gibson Warren Haynes Les Paul™ Standard, is heading overseas to Europe in July for a 10-date tour with the Warren Haynes Band [drummer Terence Higgins, bassist Kevin Scott, keyboardist Matt Slocum, and saxophonist Greg Osby]. Upon his return to the States, Haynes will shift gears and hit the road with Gov’t Mule for their newly-announced Back In The Saddle Tour. The late summer and fall dates – Mule’s first big tour run since February 2024 – will find the acclaimed GRAMMY-nominated quartet of Haynes (guitar, vocals), Matt Abts (drums), Danny Louis (keyboards, guitar, and backing vocals) and Kevin Scott (bass) travel throughout the East Coast and Midwest until the end of October. Tickets for the Back In The Saddle Tour are on sale now. Gov’t Mule, who are celebrating the 30th anniversary since the release of their self-titled debut album, also have a run of co-headlining shows with Tedeschi Trucks Band coming up later this year. See below for all of Warren Haynes’ upcoming tour dates and visit https://warrenhaynes.net/ for more info and to purchase tickets.
The Whisper Sessions Track Listing:
Back Where I Started
Till The Sun Comes Shining Through
From Here On Out
Til I Can Make It On My Own
You Ain’t Above Me
This Life As We Know It
Real, Real Love (feat. Derek Trucks)
These Changes (feat. Derek Trucks)
Melissa (feat. Derek Trucks)
WARREN HAYNES TOUR DATES
Warren Haynes Band
June 28 – Eau Claire, WI @ Blue Ox Music Festival
Warren Haynes Band – European Dates
July 1 – London, UK @ Islington Assembly Hall
July 3 – Bonn, Germany @ KUNSTRASEN GmbH
July 4 – Milan, Italy @ Villa Casati Stampa
July 6 – Sperken, Austria @ Castle Clam
July 7 – Aschaffenburg, Germany @ Colos-Saal
July 8 – Paris, France @ La Cigale
July 10 – Pratteln, Switzerland @ Z7 Summer Nights
July 11 – Torgau, Germany @ Kulturbasion Torgau
July 12 – Winterbach, Germany @ Salierhalle
July 13 – Weert, Netherlands @ Bospop
Gov’t Mule
July 24 – Floyd County, VA @ FloydFest 25~Aurora
July 25 – Louisville, KY @ Iroquois Amphitheater
July 26 – Johnstown, PA @ Flood City Music Festival
August 27 – Milwaukee, WI @ Aurora Pavilion
August 28 – Columbus, OH @ KEMBA Live! Outdoors
August 30 – Peoria, IL @ Peoria Blues and Heritage Music Festival
August 31 – Paw Paw, MI @ Warner Vineyards
September 1 – Buffalo, NY @ Outer Harbor Live at Terminal B ~
September 3 – Toronto, ON @ Budweiser Stage +
September 5 – Saratoga Springs, NY @ SPAC +
September 6 – Mansfield, MA @ Xfinity Center +
September 7 – Sidney, ME @ Bowl In the Pines ^
September 9 – Chicago, IL @ Huntington Bank Pavilion +
September 10 – Clarkston, MI @ Pine Knob Music Theater +
September 12 – West Springfield, MA @ The Big E Arena
October 10 – Bowling Green, KY @ Southern Kentucky Performing Arts Center
October 11 – Macon, GA @ Atrium Health Amphitheatre +
October 12 – Charleston, SC @ The Refinery
October 14 – Clearwater, FL @ Ruth Eckerd Hall
October 15 – Fort Lauderdale, FL @ Au-Rene Theater at Broward Center
October 17 – Wilmington, NC @ Greenfield Lake Amphitheater
October 18 – Raleigh, NC @ Lincoln Theatre Outdoors
October 19 – Virginia Beach, VA @ Sandler Center for the Performing Arts
October 21 – Spartanburg, SC @ Spartanburg Memorial Auditorium
October 22 – Rome, GA @ The Forum River Center
October 24 – Maryville, TN @ The Shed
October 25 – Newport, KY @ MegaCorp Pavilion
October 28 – Reading, PA @ Santander Performing Arts Center
January 15-19, 2026 – Montego Bay, Jamaica @ Island Exodus 16
+ co-headlining shows with Tedeschi Trucks Band
~ with Bug Sugar
^ with moe.
Critical Praise for Million Voices Whisper
“[Million Voices Whisper] is the passionate record Haynes has long wanted to make, and it may well be his best solo effort.” – Glide Magazine
“[Million Voices Whisper] is arguably Haynes' strongest to date.” – Ultimate Classic Rock
“‘Extraordinary’ is probably too weak of a word to describe this release, as it stands as one of the strongest rock records we have heard in years.” – Classic Rock History
“Haynes [is] at the height of his superpowers on guitar and vocals…Harmony, vocal counterpoint, and opulent guitar sounds infiltrate this relaxed rock odyssey, which echoes The Band and whispers of Southern psychedelic soul. From funk to sensitive songwriter opuses, [Million Voices Whisper] is perhaps Haynes’ most memorable record.” – Vintage Guitar Magazine
“With this record, Haynes presents a collection of music that is arguably his most cohesive in sound and message…anchored to a remarkable soul-filled atmosphere.” – Goldmine Magazine
“On Million Voices Whisper, Haynes delivers his signature sound: a voice smooth as silk, yet with a touch of gravel, and storytelling that defines the folk-blues genre…This new album is a must-have.” – Grateful Web
“Million Voices Whisper is an essential addition to Warren Haynes’ storied catalog and proves once again that his voice in blues rock remains as vital and heartfelt as ever.” – Blues Rock Review
“[Million Voices Whisper] defies any kind of labeling. It’s got some long jams but isn’t a jam record. It’s not a blues record, or a soul album, but it gives you all of this and more. If anything, it’s a modern gospel album. Warren and his new band take you to church over and over again…[It] is one of Warren’s most expressive, emotional albums.” – Americana Highways
“It’s as powerful and often intense as anything in his bulging catalog. Million Voices Whisper is another example of his multiple talents as singer, songwriter, outstanding guitarist and perhaps most crucially, a frontman of exceptional class and conviction.” – Rock & Blues Muse
“With Million Voices Whisper, [Haynes] returns to his soul-loving roots.” – No Depression
ABOUT WARREN HAYNES
Visionary GRAMMY Award-winning artist Warren Haynes is a cornerstone of the American music landscape, lauded as one of the most formidable guitarists and vocalists of the modern era and a prolific songwriter and producer. He effortlessly cross-pollinates genres and unfurls solos that broil with passion in his distinctive, signature style. Throughout his prolific career as part of three of the greatest live groups in rock history – Allman Brothers Band, Gov’t Mule and the Dead – and an acclaimed solo artist, he has become one of music’s most treasured storytellers and his artistry has led to thousands of memorable performances and millions of album and track sales. Haynes is a beacon of creativity and musical excellence that inspires fans as well as fellow musicians, evidenced by the diverse array of artists that he has performed and recorded with, including Dave Matthews Band, Peter Frampton, Chris Stapleton, Coheed and Cambria, Dave Grohl, Carlos Santana, Willie Nelson, and Dolly Parton, and many more. After joining the Allman Brothers Band in 1989, Haynes released his first solo album, Tales of Ordinary Madness, in 1993 and soon after, he formed Gov’t Mule originally as a side project during band breaks. The Mule has since created a revered catalog over the past 30 years, including multiple Grammy nominations, leading them to be recognized as one of the most timeless, respected and active bands in the world whose spot amongst rock titans remains unshakable. Following a handful of solo live releases in 2003 and 2004, Haynes released his Grammy-nominated sophomore solo album, Man In Motion, in 2011 and then his third solo collection, Ashes & Dust, in 2015. Haynes also curates and hosts the Christmas Jam, an annual star-studded holiday charity show in his hometown of Asheville, North Carolina, which will celebrate its 33rd event in 2025. As one of the most celebrated and longest-running live concerts in the U.S., the Christmas Jam has raised nearly $3 million for Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity, constructing over 50 homes, and helps the region’s housing needs through newer partner BeLoved Asheville.
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