Released March 1994 Length 6:44 Writer(s) Warren Haynes | Recorded 1994 Label Sony Music | |
Genre Blues-rock, Southern Rock, soul blues | ||
"Soulshine" is a song recorded by The Allman Brothers Band and released on their 1994 album Where It All Begins. It was written by guitarist Warren Haynes with vocals by Gregg Allman. The song's title originates from Haynes' nickname, given by his father. Although it was never released as a single, it still remains one of the Allmans' best known songs among fans and concert-goers.
When Haynes and bassist Allen Woody formed Gov't Mule, they took the song with them. Gov't Mule performs the song live at their concerts and it was included on the band's Live... With a Little Help from Our Friends, The Deep End, Volume 1, and The Deepest End, Live in Concert releases.
A live version of the song, which appeared on the Allmans' 2003 DVD Live At The Beacon Theatre, had Allman and Haynes alternating vocals on the verses and harmonizing on the chorus. This has been the standard for the song in most recent years with the dual vocals.
In 2007, vocalist Beth Hart released the album 37 Days, which included a cover of this song.
"Soulshine" was originally recorded and released by bluesman Larry McCray on the 1993 album "Delta Hurricane," with permission from Warren Haynes.
Cover versions
The song was covered by two contestants from the thirteenth season of American Idol. CJ Harris used the song during his audition and Ben Briley performed the song during "Rush Week." The 1997 David Allan Coe Live: If That Ain't Country ... also has a cover of this song as the second track, since David Allan Coe's original guitar player,Warren Haynes, joined him for that concert.