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Biography
During breaks in the Allman Brothers Band’s touring and recording schedules, Warren Haynes and Allen Woody of the band, and Matt Abts of Dickey Betts, formed Gov’t Mule. Aiming to combine to be a psychedelic power trio of a similar ilk to The Jimi Hendrix Experience and Cream, Haynes on guitar and vocals, Woody on bass and Abts on drums, Gov’t Mule released their self-titled debut in 1995.
The album was produced by Michael Barbiero and was followed by the live album “Live from Roseland Ballroom”, which highlights the band’s keen improvisation and jam style of performing. The follow-up studio album “Dose” released in 1998 was also produced by Barbiero, and exposed a number of the band’s influences including Neil Young, Traffic and Pearl Jam. The release was also followed by the first of two concert albums entitled “Live… with a Little Help from Our Friends”.
Following the release of their third album “Life Before Insanity” (2000), Allen Woody was found dead in New York City, U.S. The band went on a tribute tour titled “Smile at Half Mast Tour” alongside Ben Harper and released two tribute albums “Deep End, Volume 1” and “Deep End, Volume 2” using Woody’s favourite bass players, including Flea of Red Hot Chilli Peppers and John Entwistle of The Who.
Gov’t Mule’s first studio album since Woody’s death “Déjà Voodoo” featured Woody’s replacement Andy Hess and keyboardist Danny Louis, and despite the loss of the power trio, it was seen as Haynes’ best vocal performance. On top of their album releases Gov’t Mule were a regular on many North American festivals including Bonnaroo, Wakarusa and New Orleans Jazzfest, with Haynes playing a number of solo shows in his Warren Haynes Band.
The band has continued to release studio albums every few years including 2006’s “High & Mighty” which reached No. 3 in the Billboard Indie chart, 2009’s “By a Thread” and 2013’s “Shout!”, which has been their highest charting album reaching No. 32 in the Billboard 200, and features a bonus disc with guest vocalists including Toots Hibbert and Elvis Costello.
Live reviews
This was my first show at Red Rocks; I had been there before, but never to see a musical performance. The venue, a great mix of natural beauty and mans limited additions; it's simply spectacular and I think is a must for any music enthusiast.
As for the show, I thought the first act, Marcus King, was outstanding (I think he's moving upward and was a great performer). The second act, String Quartet, was great as well, notably the musicianship of the fiddle and mandolin players.
The final act; I thought the Mule performance was just ok. Was my expectations too high for Warren and crew? Perhaps that could be part of it, but I thought something was missing from the show. It could have been the poor sound; the keyboards were too overpowered, and the tones seems to fall in and out as if there were issues at the soundboard. I felt it was a lackluster performance. Given the expense to come all the way from Florida, it was disapointing. I think the cap on this low rating was their setlist, which was mediocre, and did not include Soulshine. What was Warren thinking? However, maybe he's grown tired of playing that one.
Makes me rethink spending money on the next one...
Art2112
Gov’t Mule, what a wild band name. They are often colloquially referred to as The Mule. This Southern rock band who hail of course from the Southern States, bring their vibe to this huge room full of punters this evening. Everyone is ready for a second set, which is still well over, and hour. They have an impressive back catalogue of music having been together as a band for a good twenty years now. There are songs such as “Forsaken Saviour” which has a pretty catchy hook in the chorus. I think it could maybe use a bit of harmony to really fill out the sound. “Drums” is the penultimate song that really gets this audience in a good place before launching in to the last song “Broke Down On the Brazos”, which turns into a bit of a jam altogether, each of the group taking solos here and there, and then breaking it down for singer Warren Haynes to thank this fantastic audience, they burst right back into the song at the chorus and jam it out right until the end.
Lannistaar
Speechless and in awe....
This is how I was left after the Gov't Mule gig last night at The Ritz, Manchester, UK...
It was everything I expected it to be and more. A 3-hour show with no support act and only a 10-minute break half way through. The performance was stunning and the musicianship staggering. Warren Haynes of course was phenomenal, went through 5 different guitars, he played with his fingers, he played with a pick (one of those I have in my possession now as you can see on the first photo) and he paid a very emotional tribute to Tom Petty when the band covered Breakdown... I was only 3 metres away from the stage (apologies for the slight cracking on the videos sound, not sure what caused it) so the view was great.
All in all a very enjoyable and entertaining show that did not feel like 3 hours at all.
Mike-Chronakis
With the Mule, you always know what you are going to get in terms of high quality music and superb entertainment.
Last night in Cardiff was no exception: as ever a brilliant mix of selections from their seemingly endless repertoire of songs both old and new, superbly delivered with the style and panache that one has grown to expect from this rightfully acclaimed group of top musicians.
No fuss, no great swagger, just spot-on top-notch rockin' music. Five Stars!
A word for the venue as well: It was my first time at the Tramshed, which I understand is relatively new. Good atmosphere, great sound, and well located within 10 minutes' walk of Cardiff Central Station, just over the Taff from the Principality Stadium.
NoggintheNomad
A blinder of a show awesome is a word I would use to describe the night and tha band ,they delivered all the goods.
They played an amazing mountain jam that went to outer space and back ,while there version of dreams was an epic adventure many fave tunes were played and with Bernie marsden and others helping out an incredible southern boogie night took us there and back
Thank you warren ,Danny and the guys see ta next time
Peter williams of grateful dead books ,I am the UK Facebook admin we have 73,000 on our page ,I post the mule often and the allman bros along with warren with the dead
Can't wait for next time
peter-williams-4
Set 1
01 Crowd
02 Thorazine Shuffle
03 Million Miles From Yesterday
04 Monkey Hill
05 Bad Little Doggie >
06 About To Rage
07 Brand New Angel
08 Captured
09 She Said, She Said >
10 Tomorrow Never Knows with Stand By Me lyrics & 3rd Stone From The Sun tease
Set 2
01 Crowd
02 Cortez The Killer with Hottentot, Fallen down & No Quarter teases
03 Mule with Les Brers In A Minor tease
04 Little Toy Brain >
05 Thelonius Beck >
06 Drums
07 Whisper In Your Soul
08 Drivin' Rain
09 Soulshine > Tupelo Honey > Soulshine
Encore:
10 Blind Man In The Dark
john-van-luijk
Although the lead singer had a good voice (I say this because he sang on key) BUT I couldn't understand a damn word! The music was sooooooooooooooo loud it practically vibrated and completely muffled out any and all lyrics. All we heard were vibrating sounds.....didn't make me want to buy an album for a group that I never heard before when I couldn't understand any songs. And I do mean ANY!!! Only song I knew is one from a well known artist. Very disappointing for hearing so many good things about them from other people :(
angeebaby71
Not disappointed at all, very good show, super cool venue Roxian looks great. Now the police presence was overwhelming and intrusive. I support the police, last night too many, and too many police stops around venue. Don't trust that all police are honest, it's all about money from your pocket to thier payday.
The band is really good, this was my first time to see the Mule and I will go again, come back around guys, I'm hooked.
1Randog1
My first opportunity to see the Mule. I’m an even bigger fan after the show! Such amazing musicianship! Warren is such a treat to watch. I love the venue “The Wave” in Wichita. So cool the trains passing by while the band was rockin. Awesome for me that the show only produced 800 fans because we could move around with ease. Loved everything about the venue, Wichita is very lucky to have it and have it downtown.
tim-hancock-1
Excellent show! The Mule never disappoint but tonight they were on a higher level. The Great Plaza at Penn's Landing is truly a cool place to catch a show. Nice sight lines and sound. If the Mule are anywhere near you on this late summer tour do your best to check them out. Varied sets, the band is super tight and they ROCK! Never miss them when they come to Philly area.
MORE MULE!
Joeben
Videos (3)
