Wish I would have run into you Effie. I thought the whole show was great although I would have liked them to have a horn section for The Band's set. I thoroughly enjoyed the first two sets though. The third set as you described, words can not do it justice. I had forgotten just how sweet Pearson's tone is. Hadn't seen him in years and the addition of Levell adds a whole other dimension. An incredible show which I had thought was over after a scorching 'Whipping Post' only to have my mind blew away with an epic 30 minute 'Mountain Jam'. If you didn't leave that show with a smile on your face you don't have a soul. All together 5 full hours of music. Warren always gives the fans more than their money's worth at these one off shows and on nights like last night I almost felt like I was stealing from them during the Allman Brothers set. Thank you Warren and Stef and Gov't Mule for giving me my 14th straight kick ass New Year's Eve!!!

For me, The Band set was like Led Zep does The Band. Horns (good horns) would have been great, Amy Helm and Teresa Williams on vocals would have been great. Danny Louis was a champ in both the Dead and Band sets, but was too low in the mix to make a difference.

I never like Kimock that much and last night did not give me much cause to change my mind. He was totally flat until the last part of the set. My intro to the Dead was Europe '72... I always loved Jerry's solos on Tennessee Jed. Kimock did not come close to Jerry's energy.

Fully agree on the ABB set. As I posted in another thread the two drummers (Matt played percussion, not drums) were spectacular. Jack and Chuck were Jack and Chuck to the max. Gotta give Warren credit for all the vocals he did last night. It did seem like he was holding back in the first two sets to save himself to sing Gregg's parts. He did an admirable job.

Whipping Post with Auld Lang Syne? Crazy... Mountain Jam, even with no tympani was the best.

Like the Jersey Boys: Oh What A Night!

So glad for you guys. Love the reviews and comments. Even if they feel like daggers stabbing over and over. 😉

Wow you guys sure have it good if you can say anything critical about a show so many of us not living in the US northeast or without the means to cover the cost for tickets, flight, hotel, meals and beverages for a night or two of great music in NYC.

Glad you got to see it, I enjoyed the youtube posts and the crowd noise. So the next time you want to put me up on your couch for a weekend let me know.

[Edited on 1/2/2016 by leafsfan]

There was no place I would have rather been than in the Beacon last night. I had a big grin on my face the entire show. I feel privileged to have been there. It took a lot of effort, and a bit of folding money, but, WOW. What a great night full of fantastic music. Warren gives so much back to the fan base. I really appreciate his hard work and generosity of time and spirit.

Wow you guys sure have it good if you can say anything critical about a show so many of us not living in the US northeast or without the means to cover the cost for tickets, flight, hotel, meals and beverages for a night or two of great music in NYC.

Isn't that why folks read this drivel? 😉 Many years ago I played the role of Vladimir in Samuel Beckett's "Waiting for Godot". In that play their is a show down where the two main characters hurl insults at each other. The final and worst insult thrown is "critic". I admit I'm a critic. I go to a lot of shows. Have a really great time. And then I make observations about what I saw, heard, felt and experienced. Just because I'm critical doesn't mean I'm not going back or that I had a bad time.

Again, last night I had a GREAT time throughout the show. A blast in NYC before the show. And I'm incredibly happy and feel blessed and grateful I was able to start my New Year in such privileged style.

Moving on to the show...

Being in the Beacon is fantastic. I feel comfortable in that venue. The restoration is spectacular. The seats are comfortable. The people in attendance, for the most part, are respectful of the music and seem to have a deep knowledge of the historical significance of the venue and a great love of the unique music they have traveled to hear. I think most folks have a reverence for the theatre and that adds to the power of the performance.

Warren came up with a really ambitious New Year's Eve theme. I wasn't at the original Watkins Glen. There was a drunk guy behind me who said he was there, but he didn't really give any clear historical perspectives. The tribute payed to the original show, in mind was a great homage to an historic event that can never really be recreated.

The music itself was all delivered on a very high, well sustained, tight level. The musicians each have strengths that far overwhelm any weaknesses that I can hear. I responded better to the Band and ABB sets than I responded to the Grateful Mule set, but I responded to all three sets with overwhelming glee and happiness.

Do I wish the China/Ryder transition had been a little more fluid? Sure. The segue built and built to a point that I really thought the song was going to "explode" into I Know you Rider... it almost got there but not quite.

Do I wish Warren had reached deeper and really belted out the "Wish I were a headlight" lyric? Yes. I do. But if he had there are a bunch of other critics who would have said Warren shouldn't have tried to so closely emulate Jerry.

Could Kimock have been turned higher in the mix? I heard a couple folks by me say they wished the music were louder. I was getting a good mix. I've heard louder shows but I could distinguish each instrument. I like the way Kimock plays Grateful Dead music. I feel like his notes have "wings". I felt the same way about Jerry's notes and I appreciate that Kimock was there to add his unique spin to the music.

In my old age, after spending a huge portion of my life following and truly loving the Grateful Dead, I find their music today to be plodding and often wonder how they hitched me to their wagon. I know it was Jerry Garcia that tied me to the bumper of their VW van. I can't listen to that music without comparing it to the best Grateful Dead music I experienced. I've tried not to compare and criticize, but I still compare and criticize.

That said the first set had me standing, dancing, grinning ear to ear. I was fully attentive and listening critically to hear segues, teases and quotes. When the first set was over I was ready for more and happy that the Grateful Mule segment of the show was Part 1.

The Mule set, for me, was the biggest surprise of the night. I've never experienced a live set of Band music. I thought it was GREAT! I had nothing except recordings to compare the music and felt that the Band's music delivered a raucous and varied mix bowl of dance music, sing along music and rock anthem. The build ups in "Chest Fever" seriously pounded against my chest. I just got swept up in that tune getting lifted higher and higher, as did all the folks around me. "Cripple Creek"? What a roof raising, barn storming, smiling good feeling live experience! Larry Campbell? Sure, his vocals might lack a little, but the man can play! He has a confidant stage presence and you could really see that both Warren and Larry enjoyed each other's company. He was the perfect special guest for that portion of the show.

I hope I didn't complain during that paragraph, because I have nothing to complain about that set. It was a gift and live music event I'll remember for years and years to come. I feel "the Weight" and "Stage Fright" were flawless. "The Night they Drove Old Dixie Down" was a plaintive ballad delivered with feeling and raw emotion. The Marvin Gaye cover, "Don't Do It" was a highlight of the set. Damn. I wish it were all happening again right now.

Which leads me to the All Mule Brothers set. FRIGGIN... OH MY GOD... HELL YEAH... HAPPY HOLY NEW YEAR... GIVE ME SOME MORE!!!!! WOW! WOW! WOW!

In context of professionalism, Warren did not take long breaks. He also took the stage really close to 9pm, so I really felt the performance was completely fan focused. I don't know what the atmosphere back stage was, but, as a fan I didn't feel the musicians were there to socialize and party with their friends. Very little time passed between the ending of the Band/Mule set and the countdown for NYE.

I had noticed the three tarps full of confetti and balloons attached to the ceiling earlier in the night, so I warned my wife that I would be FaceTiming her at midnight so we could share the moment. We did and we were both full of smiles, love and adoration for each other.

The musicians wasted no time moving from the countdown into "Wasted Words" and the set was in motion. I believe "Wasted Words" also opened the set in Watkins Glen. The version at the Beacon was spirited and worked well for the crowd who were all engaged in balloon smacking and merry making. "Done Somebody Wrong" was a fine version and started to focus the performance away from the balloons and into the music. "Southbound" might have been a little clumsy, just because I thought the tempo was a combination of the old delivery and the newer shuffle delivery that I've grown used to. Chucks delivery on the first vocals seemed a little hesitant, but hell, who am I to say? I'm no musician. The only musical instrument I play is the stereo. But I'm really good on the stereo.

"In Memory of Elizabeth Reed" is where I started my critical listening. When Warren and Jack bellied up for the first instrumental I bent in and listened for the guitar harmonies of past Beacon shows. To my ear the tone was really different and I bent in to listen harder. The straining of the strings had a deeper tone. I leaned in even closer, "what makes it sound different?" I wondered.

I think it was Jorgan. I'll pin a metal on Chuck for being the "special guest star". I'll give a trophy to Jack for greatest come back (even though he never went away). But when it comes to Jorgan... I'm thinking he was the MVP. His bass lines were both driving and melodic. In my opinion he added a depth to ABB music that I haven't heard since Woody. I loved it! Keep in mind the drummers were driving like multiple freight trains chugging down parallel lines. I got everything I wanted from the night from "In Memory of Elizabeth Reed" and then I got even more with "Come and Go Blues." The band was now in full ABB at the Beacon mode and I knew there was no turning back.

Next came "Trouble No More". When that tune began I felt a personal twinge because I feel that, after the final ABB show, that song is kind of sacred. That's just a stupid sentiment coming from a fan who hated saying good bye and felt the ABB said good bye in the most eloquent and heart felt fashion imaginable. That said, the song rocked! The crowd boogied, the aisles got a little more crowded, and the night was still very, very young!

"Blue Sky" was epic. In my mind better than the Lockn' tribute to Farmer version, and as good or better than the version performed at the final show. That's just my opinion. (Feel free to be outraged.) "One Way Out" featured two bassists (I think), Jorgan took a break for "Statesboro Blues" and Lincoln Schleifer delivers and rousing and solid performance.

Warren announced the song as "featuring Chuck Leavell" and I'm guessing most everyone knew it was going to "Jessica". From this point on the show ratcheted up to the symphonic level. "Jessica", "Whipping Post", and "Mountain Jam" were all symphonies that in my opinion will stand up for the ages. I can wax on for paragraphs about the great interplay on each of the songs. About Chuck's frenetic and pointed keyboard mastery. I can try to describe the space created by dynamics in "Whipping Post" and the uncharted space territory they explored in "Mountain Jam".

Instead I'll just say, BUY THE MULE TRACKS! I can't wait to download the show. I wish it were available, I'd have been listening to it while I caught up on sleep.

Hey Warren! Thanks for a FANTASTIC show! I'm looking forward to an amazing 2016!

spent yesterday relaxing...whew...what a kick ass performance...ALLMule indeed!!!

Great reviews. Especially billy blastoff. That's why I still check this site . I knew this was no ordinary New Years run after the 12/30 show for. I have a feeling the mule tracks of both shows will stay in my car for a ver long time.
What an arc of a year for warren. Think about it. Sco mule then a solo record. A superb solo tour , Christmas jam and now this run. I was thinking the lack of shows for the mule might lead to one rust but not at all.

The ABB set was off the fucking hook. I honestly can't say enough good things about it. Warren put together the perfect band... hearing Chuck play the Brothers and Sisters stuff was thrilling... Jack was what we all know whim to be - the best... the drummer Shawn Pelton was a beast...

One thing that made it so great is they played songs at original tempos! and Jack made every effort to play actual Dickey parts... it gave me a feeling I wasn't sure I'd ever have again - the ABB when Dickey was great. I can't say enough about that whole show.

I missed a bunch of the Dead set talking to Jack.. I thought it was kind of flat...Kimock was great on Mtn Jam at the end though... I really liked The Band set... thought Warren sang that stuff very well and he and Larry c played together very well...

This would seem to cover it... http://www.glidemagazine.com/153713/govt-mule-bring-guests-cover-grateful-dead-band-allman-brothers-beacon-nye-run-show-review/

This would seem to cover it... http://www.glidemagazine.com/153713/govt-mule-bring-guests-cover-grateful-dead-band-allman-brothers-beacon-nye-run-show-review//blockquote >

Review gave me goose bumps.

Can't wait to get the Mule Tracks.

 

Thought this was kind of cool...

Most of these comments from others really summed it up - a great night! I wanted to add that having Chuck in the house was fantastic and got lots of attention, but once again for me, Danny Louis showed what a damn good keyboard player he is. Watched the dual keys on IMOER on my phone video, and both players are fantastic. Just wanted to add a Danny Louis shout-out on top of all the other superlatives. I think this was my 12th MYE and I rank this one in the top 2. Happy New Year!

[Edited on 1/3/2016 by mikesolo]

Wow you guys sure have it good if you can say anything critical about a show so many of us not living in the US northeast or without the means to cover the cost for tickets, flight, hotel, meals and beverages for a night or two of great music in NYC.

Glad you got to see it, I enjoyed the youtube posts and the crowd noise. So the next time you want to put me up on your couch for a weekend let me know.

[Edited on 1/2/2016 by leafsfan]

I really DID feel lucky to have at this show. The next best thing for you is to buy the Mule Tracks recording. It's not the same as experiencing it with the crowd energy, as it unfolded, but at least you will have a permanent record of a great event.

Warren continually challenges himself with these one-off shows, in a way that very few musicians do. And he always does an admirable job.

I am sorry if you are offended by any critical comments, but I don't think there is anything wrong with sharing the way I experienced the , just because not everyone could be there.

Wow you guys sure have it good if you can say anything critical about a show so many of us not living in the US northeast or without the means to cover the cost for tickets, flight, hotel, meals and beverages for a night or two of great music in NYC.

Glad you got to see it, I enjoyed the youtube posts and the crowd noise. So the next time you want to put me up on your couch for a weekend let me know.

[Edited on 1/2/2016 by leafsfan]

I really DID feel lucky to have at this show. The next best thing for you is to buy the Mule Tracks recording. It's not the same as experiencing it with the crowd energy, as it unfolded, but at least you will have a permanent record of a great event.

Warren continually challenges himself with these one-off shows, in a way that very few musicians do. And he always does an admirable job.

I am sorry if you are offended by any critical comments, but I don't think there is anything wrong with sharing the way I experienced the , just because not everyone could be there.

we all have our point of views---nothing wrong with expressing them...a truly monumental evening that began with AllMule...the opening two sets were like....opening acts 😉