Wow. I got to see the Mule in Charleston this past Sunday. I thought it might be a post wannee hangover/pre 4/20 mellow Sunday night show but they crushed it.

I was at 12/30 Beacon and thought they sounded a bit tired, then this past March I thought Scofield was the shot in the arm the band needed. I was curious to see how the Mule would sound without him and I was floored. I should of known better to doubt. Warren seemed happier and the most loose I think I've seen him in 20 yrs of following the band. I don't even need to get specific with the song selection. Everything was great and the Charleston Music Hall was the smallest venue I've seen them in since the Irving Plaza days.

Family and life in general have kept me from seeing the mule outside of NYC for quite some time. A friend in FLA has been trying to get me to Wannee for some time but it's just hard logistically for me but Charleston seemed like a great 2 day get away.

Let me tell you, GO to Charleston if you've never been. $ 40.00 ticket vs $ 100.00 beacon.
$5.00 beer vs $ 9.00 beer. Friendly people all over. Great energetic young crowd.
No hassle by the ushers if you wanted to stand in the aisles along the side and dance. It reminded me of the beacon in the early 90's. I know people consider that place sacred but the soul and vibe left that building a few years back. Only the music of the mule and ABB kept me going back.

A friend also said it best. - At the beacon , the floor is drunk old fat guys trying to figure out what kind of strings Warren's using. In Charleston it was a dance party with attractive ladies having a great time. I'm long past the age where that should mean much to me but it certainly changed the vibe of a Mule show to me.

Glad I made it down to Dixie finally to see a show. Only regret not seeing the ABB in GA.

Ohh.....and no matter what anyone considers great BBQ in the north east, I'll put any hole in the wall joints food up against it any day. At half cost.

Thank you Charleston SC and may the Mule kick another 20 plus years...