Guest Book

I just thought I'd post the set list for last nights Mule show for anyone interested Gov't Mule show October 10th, 2007 Buffalo, NY UB Center For Performing Arts Hammer & Nails Thorazine Shuffle Fool's Moon I'll Be The One Thelonius Beck Game Face, Mountain Jam, back to Game Face Million Miles Brand New Angel Intermission Brighter Days Like Flys Unring The Bell Effigy, Folsom Prison Blues Drum Solo Birth of the Mule w/ Power of Soul piece Rocking Horse Going Out West Encore: It Hurts Me Too

SkyPonyDogSmell (SPDB)..... Where you at boy? Taking a bath in the creek???? Oh I forgot, you don't usually take one until Saturday night...:bash: Got Duane??

I've been listening to The Complete Blind Willie Johnson tonight. A GM tie-in, he recorded 'John The Revelator' in April 1930 in Atlanta. Very interesting voice, 'false-bass' it is called. He had a very nice tenor voice he used also.

Nobody mentions Warren pre-mule. I think Tales of Ordinary Madness is a great CD. It sounds more like new Mulw than old Mule. I guess that's why I like it!

I see a parallel in Gov't Mule and Grand Funk Railroad. Both bands rock HARD as a trio in their formative years, then added keyboards and polished up their sound a good bit later on in their careers. Of course, GFR had a long hiatus, and aren't really even the same band now as they once had been. GM had a brief hiatus and then really hit the bricks hard once they re-established their line up.

Thanks Big Dave -

Hemlock, agree with the Woody, Duane and Berry assessment. And didn't direct my last post directly towards you. I know where Woody stands with you, bro. Check this out.... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w3OwLV4s6PY

Hess is an outstanding bass player. He thrives on that jazz, funk groove stuff, which was why he was so good with Scofield. When he joined Mule, I thought they might gravitate in that direction, however VooDoo & H&M features a lot of the classic heavy 70's rock feel to it, that Mule always had. He's great on things like 32-20, Scomule, Rockin Horse, the funky stuff. I find he is a little lost in the heavy material and plays too loud. Woody brought a unique character to that stuff and while he played loud also, it was interesting and added flavor. When I saw Oteil sit in with Mule, he was really able to balance the styles. Again, just my 2 cents.

I also think that the Mule's popularity has a little to do with their music taking a slight turn toward more commercial - meaning you'll hear it on the radio more - think Slackjaw Jezebel - which I do like - as opposed to Thorazine Shuffle - just my two cents - for me Life Before Insanity is my favorite - just felt like the music was talking to me. I stupidly never saw Woody with the Mule - always thought I'll go the next time - Mega Idiot!! (which is why I made it a point to see Johnny Winter recently). Anyway I was very happy to catch the Mule with Schools and Chuck L in Philly at the Electric Factory - got Chuck's and Warren's autographs that night and they were gentlemen - no entourage attached - I'll never forget that - that was an awesome quartet and I am not slighting the current line up - never mind the action in the corner that night - LOL

Feat did play some more modern stuff....just not my particular favorites (Calling the Children Home etc). When you only see a band every 3 years that mixes up their setlists, that's what you get. As for Mule having larger crowds now than they did 5-6 years ago or even when Woody was alive, I honestly don't think it has much to do with Andy Hess. Warren playing with the all the guys from the Dead and getting back in the Allman Brothers (and appearing on the most popular DMB DVD) raised his profile again and crowds grew at Mule shows. Playing a little more accessible music probably helped as well.