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Haynes and Gov't Mule triumph on By A Thread (© Robb D. Cohen/Retna Ltd./Corbis)

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Guitarist Warren Haynes calls the new Gov't Mule album By A Thread "one of our strongest efforts yet," and one listen is proof-positive that this is no mere boast: from beginning to end, it's a gutsy winner, bursting with emotion and brimming with the kind of raw blues power that has been the band's calling card since their formation in 1995.

From the riff-laden Broke Down On The Brazos (which features Haynes and ZZ Top's Billy Gibbons going toe-to-toe to wondrous effect) to the Hendrix-flavored Any Open Window (dedicated to the memories of Mitch Mitchell and Buddy Miles) to the shimmering Gordon James, a folk-flavored acoustic-and-strings number that turns magically psychedelic, By A Thread is a songwriting triumph for the Mule (which also includes drummer Matt Abts, Danny Louis on keyboards and rhythm guitar, along with new recruit, bassist Jorgen Carlsson, who replaces the late Allen Woody).

Haynes is, of course, front and center, and the guitarist who was recently voted one of the '17 unsung Les Paul Legends' by MusicRadar readers, is in blistering form, dispatching screaming solos and singing with full-throated soul.

Gov't Mule are currently wrapping a US tour, and in March Haynes will join his other group, a little outfit called The Allman Brothers Band, for what has become a tradition, a residency stand in New York City. There is a twist, however: the 13 dates (beginning 11 March and ending on the 27th) will this time see the band play the United Palace Theatre instead of their usual haunt, The Beacon - turns out they were bumped by none other than Cirque Du Soleil (imagine that!).

Even so, Haynes is looking forward to the Manhattan run of shows. "It's always a great time," he says. "Fans come from all over to see us play New York, and we're not going to disappoint."

Last week, Haynes sat down to tell us whether he was more a Beatles man or a Stones fan, and now we present the second part of his interview, during which he discusses recording the new Gov't Mule album, recording with Billy Gibbons and his attitude towards practicing the guitar.

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By A Thread is your first album with your new bassist, Jorgen Carlsson. What was it like to record with him?

"Jorgen's been with us about a year and a half. When we made By A Thread, he was still really new. We thought it was a good idea to go straight into the studio and kind of force our hand and see what happened. It was a wise move.

"His contributions right off the bat were great. He has such an aggressive style and tone - he reminds us a lot of Allen Woody. But Jorgen's very much his own person and works great in the studio. We were all proud of the way things fell together in a nice way. That's not always the way it happens in the studio."

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