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Gov't Mule Gallops into Nashville For a Rockin' Ryman Livestream with Surprise Guests and Plenty of Horse Power
by Rich and Laura Lynch
Gov't Mule is considered a jam band but their roots run deep into the blues, jazz, rock and soul as well. The quartet Warren Haynes [guitar, lead vocals], Matt Abts [drums], Danny Louis [keyboards, guitar, & backing vocals] and Jorgen Carlsson [bass] are also well respected for their stirring songwriting paired with improvisational virtuosity that fuels their countless live performances. They have a fervent following so it was not surprising that the pews were packed at the Ryman Auditorium on May 12, 2023 where the faithful were treated to a rockin' livestream/show with plenty of horse power.
Warren Haynes of Gov't Mule takes the stage in Nashville.
Nashville, Tennessee was an early stop on the band's current run that is scheduled through much of the year. The Ryman gig showcased a number of surprise special guests and was livestreamed on Nugs.net. Gov't Mule kicked things off with the melodic meanderings of "Traveling Tune" > "Thorazine Shuffle" and did some heavy jamming on "Mule". Warren acknowledged his tenure in the Allman Brothers with an uplifting "Soulshine" - originally composed by Haynes the track became a signature song for that other jam band. But, Gov't Mule can certainly claim the anthem as their own. In Nashville, they added their own personal touches to it to make it an immediate highlight.
Rich riffs and rhythms packed both of Gov't Mule's sets with the first featuring superstar Peter Frampton who was warmly welcomed by the crowd as he took a seat next to Haynes. Peter played a short intro before Warren joined him on "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" (The Beatles) with both guitar greats facing each other while trading lavish licks. In a nod to Frampton's days in Humble Pie, they played a riveting version of "I Don't Need No Doctor" as Peter defiantly declared those lines despite dealing with a serious medical condition but word on the street is he has found work arounds and he is planning on touring this year. Frampton proved that he was in fine form and provided a powerful statement to end set one.
At the foot of the hallowed stage at the Mother Church in Music City.
Set two built on the momentum of the first. Songs such as "With Revolution Come... Revolution Go" (2017) highlighted Gov't Mule's clever, intelligent lyrical commentary paired with their incendiary playing. Other notable moments of the show included "Up on Cripple Creek" (The Band) with special guests Audley Freed, Jamey Johnson and Robert Kearns who were also scary good on "Straight to Hell" (Drivin' n' Cryin'). Audley Freed would be back a bit later with Tom Bukovac to traverse the twist and turns of "Cortez the Killer" (Neil Young & Crazy Horse) preceded by their own sturdy "Rocking Horse" to end set two on a killer note. Gov't Mule returned to the stage putting a creative spin on "Working Class Hero" (John Lennon) > Traveling Tune (Reprise) for their engaging encore.
"In many ways, the chemistry between the four of us is an extension of the chemistry that the original trio had," stated Haynes in advance of the current outing. "The approach we take to the music is the same uncompromising and adventurous approach, although it's inevitable that the music is going to grow in different directions. The common thread is the influences we choose and the way we play together, which harkens back to how important improvisation was in most of the music we all love. At the end of the day, we're friends. Making this music is satisfying in a way that's completely different from any other project I've been a part of. That's what inspires all of us." Warren's words reflected what we experienced at the Ryman and what fans can expect from a Gov't Mule concert, so check them out when they come to your town.
Drummer extraordinaire Matt Abts helps give the Mule its unique kick.
Next up for The Mule?
"Peace...Like A River is very ambitious from a musical arrangement standpoint in the way that a lot of the songs take twists and turns that is not common in today's pop music world," shared Haynes about the band's 12th studio album and follow-up to their chart-topping, Grammy-nominated blues album, Heavy Load Blues, that will be released on June 16th via Fantasy Records. The 12-song rock collection also features guest appearances from Billy Bob Thornton, Celisse, and Billy F Gibbons, the latter of whom performed recently with Haynes at the CMT Music Awards for an incredible tribute to Lynyrd Skynyrd. "At the same time, it's very much a song record and covers a lot of ground, stylistically speaking. Song for song maybe my favorite one."
Then, later this summer, Gov't Mule is bringing back their extremely rare Pink Floyd tribute Dark Side of the Mule for a 12-date summer amphitheater tour that includes a stop at the famed Red Rocks Amphitheatre on August 7th. The Dark Side of the Mule Tour, produced by Live Nation, will feature a full Gov't Mule set leading into DSOTM, as well as special guest Jason Bonham's Led Zeppelin Evening, and will mark the final time Mule will perform the acclaimed set, which first debuted in 2008 and has only been performed live 10 times in total. Additionally, Gov't Mule will perform select dates with The Avett Brothers and on Willie Nelson's Outlaw Music Festival Tour this summer as well as various festival appearances. The band's New Year's Run from last year has also been rescheduled for December 29th in Philadelphia and December 30th and 31st in New York City.
The new Gov't Mule album, Peace...Like A River is available June 16th.
Related Links:
For more information on GOV'T MULE and the other organizations mentioned please visit the following links -
Gov't Mule |
Ryman Auditorium
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