The show started our great, three songs dedicated to girls behaving badly. Then the now rare, "I Think You Know What I Mean" > "When the Levee Breaks" > "ITYKWIM" sandwich. Warren cajoled a great sing along out of the crowd for the "I Think You Know What I Mean" outro. The bands use of dynamics was stellar as they became more quiet and the crowd's chorus became louder and louuder, shaking the foundation of the amazingly beautiful Paramount Theater.

The theater is one of the most beautiful I've visited. One of the employees said the capacity was less than 900. I think it holds more but the design and layout could be deceiving. There is a lot of gold and silver leaf as well as murals depicting and honoring Thomas Jefferson. A theatre fine enough to qualify as a destination.

Back in the show Gov't Mule started "Forsaken Savior" without Scofield. Warren got through all of the lyrics (I think) without him. Then Scofield joined the band and he and Warren immediately got into an intense jam. Matt Abts thunderously drove the jam and before I knew it I became blissfully confused. Scofield and Warren's notes intertwined and twisted while Danny just tantalized the keyboard. Jordan drove and drove while Matt thundered. The jam built and built until the crowd frenzied. It was jaw dropping. By the end of the jam the crowd had been bought and paid for. Just like Jefferson's slaves we were ready to do the bidding of the band.

Warren effortless steered the machine into "Lively Up Yourself". It was a standard version in the use of dynamics and feel good play during the vocal less lyric stanzas that exploded into the chorus area. Again no lyrics until (I'm guessing) 7 or 8 minutes deep into the tune. The version was atypical because of Scofield.

Warren and John had furious interplay throughout the night but mostly complimented each other with spot on guitar harmonies. The harmonies are reminiscent of ABB but Scofield's playing is nothing like Derek's. Scofield seemed to use the fingertips of his fret hand as a slide. He has an unusual grip supporting the neck it seems with his wrist. There were times his fingers on the neck were just a blur. I also think he relies on "negative space" kinda like Thelonius Monk, only much faster. A very unique tone and style.

The "Devil Likes It Slow" ripped.

I thought, about three quarters of the way into the song, they were going to play "Breakdown". Jorgan seemed to be holding down that familiar beat. It didn't happen. Warren instead stepped out on a searing slide solo. By now the crowd was a sweaty mass undulating in staccato showers emanating from those two great guitarist. Heart beats in sync with Matt's drum beat, spines connected to Jorgan's bass.

The "Spanish Moon" was a full on assault. It was a blistering sun spot of power of energy. Danny played both his trombone and trumpet. I love it when he plays the keyboard while simultaneously blowing his horn. It was an excellent extended version that left the crowd spent and disoriented for the intermission.

Whew. What a set.

The wife is sending me to the grocery store. I'll try to give some thoughts on the second set later.

[Edited on 3/7/2015 by BillyBlastoff]

Phew sounds just about right!!!..can't wait to read about the 2nd set....Well written review...Going to see them this Friday at the Capital Theatre in Port Chester, NY...

Excellent review of first set. The second set got off to a mellower start with two instrumentals. The energy picked up quickly with the Night Time is the Right Time. My only complaint was that they did not add vocals to the "Love Me Do" tease in the middle of I'm a Ram. Looked like the lyrics were on the tip of Warren's tongue. Never was a fan of "Funny Little Tragedy" but Jorgen's bass gave the song life in a live setting. Finally, Matt Abts must drink from the fountain of youth. For being 61 years old, he is unstoppable.
I thought for sure Soulshine would be the encore but Sugaree really left crowd wanting more.

Anyone know how long these shows are running? Need to sort out some train plans for tomorrow night post the Westbury show. Thanks for any info.

Last night, show started about 9:20-9:25 and wrapped up at 12:30. There was a 20 minute set break.

Sugaree.

Here's my take on the second set...

The second set registered an immediate shift in tempo. Warren might as well had stepped up to the microphone and said, “Welcome to tonight’s jazz portion of the performance.” The difference was most notable in Matt’s playing. He set into more of a ‘walk’ along his drum kit and caressed rather than pounded his cymbals. I think fitting for the change in musical style.

Scofield was on stage for the opening of the second set. I’m guessing the first tune, “Flip Wilson,” is a Scofield original based on the set lists of other shows. I know the second tune, “Wabash” comes off his “Loud Jazz” album and is a theme he has explored on at least one other variation called “Wabash III”.

I think “Flip Wilson” swings a little more than “Wabash”. “Wabash” introduces a little funk, which fed directly into the Ray Charles classic, “Nighttime is the Right time.” I got really excited when I heard the opening strains of “Nighttime.” I had recently read an article off the Mule web page that I thought said Scofield played on the Ray Charles original. I was wrong on that count. Turns out Scofield played that tune on a Ray Charles tribute album.

Seeing as I didn’t know that at the time I really enjoyed what I thought was a great music history lesson. Silly me. Knowing that mistake doesn’t take away any enjoyment from that jazz, funk, blues portion of the show. I knew Scofield was there to introduce a jazzier genre going back to Mule’s early roots when “Afro Blue” was a staple of their live shows.

Scofield left the stage after “Nighttime.” He received a huge ovation and slid back onstage for another well deserved bow. As he scampered backstage Warren began sculpting a different soundscape with the opening notes of the rock anthem, “Captured”. “Captured” is one of my favorite tunes off “Shout” and I really like the snake like interplay of the song. Danny played guitar on captured. He kept the guitar on for the next tune, “Funny Little Tragedy”.

I liked the addition of another genre to the night’s show. A little head bopping, early to mid 80’s New Wave never hurt anyone. The song sparked the audience to move a little more frantically and allowed Danny to bang and twist out a couple short guitar solos. The “Bed’s Too Big Without You” tease and lyrics were fun, as were the “Sending Out an S.O.S.” megaphone lyric.

With that little Police hat tip Warren was able to steer back into the reggae vibe with a powerful version of “I’m a Ram”. The penultimate song of the night was full of psychedelia, sinister bass, and driving drumming – yet easily returned to it’s reggae dub beat. The tune built and built driving the crowd into a sweaty frenzy.

Looking around while waiting for the encore I only saw wide-eyed smiling faces. Mine was only one of many.

I’ll admit I was hoping for an “Afro-Blue” encore. I try to go into shows not expecting or wanting any particular tune. I don’t want to set myself up for disappointment. Tonight’s encore wasn’t “Afro-Blue” but I certainly wasn’t disappointed. Scofield had returned to the stage for the encore and he and Warren felt around a bit before they found their way into the opening notes of “Sugaree”.

It certainly wasn’t the song I expected but it was damn sure received well. The opening pace was unhurried and deliberate. Warren was all smiles as he sang the first verse into the well-known chorus. Almost like he had a little secret. I reckon Scofield was the secret because John took that first solo into unexplored Sugaree territory. Danny took the next solo on keys. Again, it was just great, great exploration and playing. Finally Warren blazed out the last solo on slide igniting into a raucous, screaming, writhing fire of a beast.

I’m still smiling thinking about that show. I walked out grinning pulling my sweater over sweaty tee shirt and flannel. The temperature outside was in the low teens but I burned with fire the whole of the long drive home.

Fantastic review Billy...it was an amazing night of music indeed. You wouldn't happened to have been in Center-Section H would you?

I was exactly there. Am I in trouble?

No trouble at all, lol...just the opposite. Mrs. thetoweringfool and I were your show-neighbors to the left. We had so much fun at the show and really enjoyed your company! We can't thank you enough for the music you shared with us...it was the soundtrack to our Saturday as we drove around the beautiful, snowy mountains touring wineries and breweries! Aside from being elite-musically...one of my favorite parts of the ABB family scene is all the GREAT people you meet along the way, and continue to run in to. I know most here feel that way. Anyway...great chatting music with you and sharing a magical night of ScoMule!

It was indeed a special night.

Great meeting you guys! You were exceptional neighbors.