Jzfunk's post of things slowing down got me thinking. Yes we are slowing down. We're all getting older. Hell we've lost mules in Texas. Well ... the Mule was in town. I had the rare kitchen pass. Planets don't align like this that often. So off to the show. Heck with slowing down. Got to the venue and scored a 7th row center at a good price. I had a feeling this might be a good sign. The uptown amphitheater is really my favorite venue. The place was packed. I've seen plenty from the lawn, but nothing beats being up close. Even with my poor eyesight I can see Warren smiling all night. First off Blackberry Smoke I've been itching to see these guys for sometime. If seventies southern rock exists, then it's this bunch. It's not just the look (which they have spades.) Everyone knows it's the music and the sincerity with which it's presented ... and of course does it rock. Yes on all counts. The sound throughout the show was just incredible. To best describe Blackberry Smoke is to say that they are a band like Govt Mule; however, Charlie Starr is a talent like Warren Haynes ... if that makes sense ... he writes, he sings, he plays guitar, he fronts the band so damn good. Sure there's some Bro Country vibe but only in the sense that Southern Rock is an essential ingredient in that genre. One of the things I garnered from their CDs is they remind me of Little Feat. They get a good grove going and put it on simmer. A lot of folks dig that. You may be one. I occasionally like the pot to boil over. Like Charlie let's that happen by ripping on that guitar. (Something he picked up from Warren on this tour?) Blackberry Smoke is a great band and I encourage anybody and everybody to go see them. Now for the Mule portion ... Incredible! And unlikely at that ... What/How you ask? Well ... the Mule went deep and obscure. With the exception of "Soulshine", Warren appeared to pick the lesser known tunes from each of their cds. "Railroad Boy" "Tastes Like Wine" "Gameface" a couple from Shout, "Kind of Bird" "I'm A Ram" "And Your Bird Can Sing" lots of jams and ABB teases, etc. The band and the sound was so good it didn't matter. How big of balls does it take to have faith in your band, your catelog and your fans to not only do that but pull it off. Yes we're slowing down, but by god there are people still putting it out, torches are being passed. F*ckin' Rock and Roll was alive and well in Charlotte last night. I can't really put all of it into words because I haven't processed it all yet. Of course I've got to mention the encore Mule with Charlie Starr and Brandon Sill from Blackberry Smoke, a killer trumpet player, Warren's buddy Mike Barnes, Danny Louis playing trombone ... "Cortez The Killer" "Spanish Moon" ... f'n nuff said. I might be slowing down but I'm far from taking a dirt nap. Peace! Love you all ...

[Edited on 10/2/2016 by Charlesinator]

No doubt this was a great tour. I believe the encore last night was the first time they even repeated any of the Charlie sit in songs. Did something like 40 different tunes over the course of the tour. Definitely a night of old school throwback pure rock and roll.

Great review and thanks! I'm sorry I missed them, they played one night here @ The Mountain Winery in Saratoga, great venue. Just so happened I had tickets for Giants baseball 15 rows from the field that same night, bought them way back in December, or I would have gone. I've seen the Mule around a dozen times but based on your review I'm wishing I had been there. Next time............

I forgot all about Mule playing with ZZ Top last month here in Chicago. A friend of mine went and said I didn't miss anything. I've never seen Mule not be awesome but opinions vary.

Regarding Blackberry Smoke, I saw them for the first time this summer on Gregg's Laid Back tour and I was blown away. Those guys are good! They played right before Frampton. Interesting lineup...

Blackberry Smoke has an hour long concert currently airing on AXS TV.........or it WAS airing, I recorded it a month or more ago. Partly because of this thread, I finally got around to watching it last night. I must agree..........VERY good Southern influenced rock 'n' roll band with real good songs.

Mule in Montana a few weeks ago was extremely amazing! Warren was a master of guitar magic. The band was in full lock all night. Quite a treat for bum f off the way gig. Hoping they come back....... AAAAAAAAA++++++++++++ wheeee

Opening act was The Record Company. They were quite good, great vocals and innovative blues / roots semi organic...... 3 piece.... A++

Then Blackberry Smoke. never heard them, but read of them here (positive). Was underwhelmed to be honest. They sounded derivative of a lot of early 70's stuff..... Guitar stuff was fair at times but nothing new. Sort of off melodic often.... B-

I like The Record Company a lot. I would rather listen to them than Blackberry Smoke.

I don't think BBS is bad, they are good with a couple of really nice songs but they have some bro-country in some of their lyrics. I find I either really like their songs or hate them with very little middle ground.

I like The Record Company a lot. I would rather listen to them than Blackberry Smoke.

The Record Company is on a double bill with The Marcus King Band @ Great American Music Hall in San Francisco on 11/19/2016...will have to check that out for sure.

http://www.slimspresents.com/event/the-record-company-gamh-2/