Photo credit: Shervin Lainez
Grammy-award-winning vocalist, songwriter, and guitarist Warren Haynes has unveiled the latest preview of his impending new solo album, Million Voices Whisper, tapping outlaw country artist Jamey Johnson and the song’s co-author, Lukas Nelson. “Day of Reckoning” is an assertive cry for change steeped in the successful impact of the late 1960s and ‘70s, given a desperado charge that cracks through the title-referenced lyrics: “Million voices whisper, getting louder when they sing / Million spirits waiting on a day of reckoning.”
The host and guest artists open the track in harmonious unison, filling the first 20 seconds with vocal excellence, culminating in the message: “It’s never too late to be free.” This unleashes supreme instrumentation fixed to a steady groove as Haynes, Nelson, and Johnson enter a lyrical back-and-forth, which presents like a plan of action for change while perpetually returning to the song title, as a mode of resilience: “The day of reckoning has finally come,” they sing.
“Lukas, Jamey, and myself sang together on the Last Waltz tour a few years ago. I love the way our voices blend and wanted to get the three of us together to sing on this song,” Haynes said via press release. “Lukas played some amazing guitar as well. ‘Day of Reckoning’ is written about equality and civil rights in a modern light and can apply to many demographics. ‘It’s never too late to be free.’”
Million Voices Whisper is Haynes’ first solo project in almost a decade and fourth overall independent project. The 11-song set was produced by the artist and recorded at Power Station New England. Due on November 1, the collection circulates membership inclusion from his current all-stars lineup, extending guest slots to John Medeski, Gov’t Mule bassist Kevin Scott, Nelson and Johnson, and Haynes’ former Allman Brothers Band bandmate, Derek Trucks. A powerful entry that percolates currents of blues and rock, Million Voices Whisper informs Haynes beloved playing style and continued originality across all 11 tracks.
Pre-order Million Voices Whisper. Scroll down to stream “Day of Reckoning.”
Million Voices Whisper Track Listing:
1. These Changes (ft. Derek Trucks)
2. Go Down Swinging
3. You Ain’t Above Me
4. This Life As We Know It
5. Day of Reckoning (ft. Lukas Nelson and Jamey Johnson)
6. Real, Real Love (ft. Derek Trucks)
7. Lies, Lies, Lies > Monkey Dance > Lies, Lies, Lies
8. From Here On Out
9. Till The Sun Comes Shining Through
10. Terrified
11. Hall of Future Saints (ft. Derek Trucks)
Deluxe Edition (CD only) bonus tracks:
12. Baby’s On The Move
13. Smooth Sailing
14. Find The Cost of Freedom > Day of Reckoning [extended version] (ft. Lukas Nelson and Jamey Johnson)
15. Back Where I Started (ft. Derek Trucks)