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Various Artists: Warren Haynes Presents: The Benefit Volume 4

Evil Teen

Clocking in at over 180 minutes, the latest installment of Warren Haynes Presents: The Benefit gives listeners a well-balanced earful of the standout performances from the 14th annual Warren Haynes Christmas Jam, which took place on Dec. 21, 2002 in Haynes’ hometown of Asheville, N.C. For this release, Warren Haynes has selected a pair of tracks from many of the acts who performed at the event including, moe., Robert Randolph and the Family Band, Jerry Joseph and Asheville’s own Sons of Ralph, along with three tracks a piece from headliners John Hiatt & The Goners, Bob Weir & Friends and Haynes’ own Gov’t Mule outfit. There’s not much filler on the 2-CD release, with highlights found around every corner. Whether it’s Haynes’ kicking off the festivities with Don Lewis on a cover of “Carolina In My Mind,” or Joseph teaming up with bassist Dave Schools, Randolph on pedal steel and drummer Matt Abts for a rootsy take on “Climb To Safety,” or moe. jamming a bit of “Dark Star” into their own “Mexico,” or the “Simple Man” grand finale with guests a plenty augmenting Mule, The Benefit Volume 4 lets listeners in on why many yearly attendees of the event consider the 2002 Christmas Jam to be one of the best.