Gov't Mule • Mule Tracks '04

Gov't Mule
10-15-04
The Orpheum
Boston, MA

With the Red Sox in the midst of a playoff race, and Massachusetts Senator John Kerry in a presidential race the atmosphere was ripe for a killer Gov't Mule show. Warren certainly had something to say as the 1st set really steps up a notch during his solo on Mr. Man and doesn't stop till Blind Man In The Dark.

The second set has a killer instrumental in Thelonius Beck and but really comes together with Devil Likes It Slow. Lola Leave Your Light On really proved itself as a closer that night.

SONG OF THE NIGHT: The as of yet unnamed post drums jam.

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Gov't Mule
10-16-04
The State Theater
Portland, ME

This is a show you need for the second set if nothing else.

The first set has solid rock & roll with "Thorazine Shuffle" and "Bad Little Doggie" but the second set just went off the map. Having the set open up with Danny Louis on Trumpet for "John the Revelator" is always a treat but after "Game Face" the band decided to throw out the planned set list and play to the moment. After speaking to some people about that show the comments I got were "I have never seen Warren like that" and "Warren was playing like a man possessed."

SONG OF THE NIGHT: Check out the rap Warren lays down during "Long Distance Call

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Gov't Mule
10-17-04
Palace Theatre
Albany, NY

To be perfectly honest I knew this show was going to be something special. What with the performance the night before, and the great venue. (The Palace just put $4.5 million into refurbishing and it really shows.) With a nice big hall and all the little details taken care of by the crew, the stage was set for the Mule to waltz right in and blow the roof off.

They did.

Tight, punchy, & solid sound with lots of bass throughout the room. The band was crystalline thunder.

SONG OF THE NIGHT: Without A Doubt - Mother Earth > Bad Man Walking

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Gov't Mule
10-20-04
Ryman Auditorium
Nashville, TN

You have got to be kidding right? Just buy it!!!!! Nothing I am going to say will change your mind. Heart of Nashville, family and friends around, historic venue. This show features JoJo from Widespread Panic, Audley Freed from The Black Crowes, Jack Pearson formerly of The Allman Brothers Band and Ian Ball, Ben Ottewell, and Tom Gray of Gomez. It just doesn’t get much better than that.

Nashville should be one of those Mule Stops you plan a weekend trip around. I know I am going back. I barely got to see the city.

SONG OF THE NIGHT: Simple Man

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Gov't Mule
10-21-04
The Pagaent
St. Louis, MO

St. Louis staring down the barrel of game 7 in the playoffs and the GM faithful still showed up to support the band they love! Not to say the place didn’t erupt in the middle of Don’t Step On The Grass, Sam when the Cardinals finished off Houston to go to the Series. Things definitely loosened up in the audience after that point and it reflected in the band as well.

Some pretty heavy stuff in this one with Bad Man>Rocking Horse>Banks but I thought the covers were really fun this night. You can hear the crowd getting off on the Paint It Black references in the Raga Mule Jam and of course St. Lou is the Gateway to the West and the crowd really got into Goin Out West. And Wish You Were Here is always such a great closer.

SONG OF THE NIGHT: (First time played) Jealous Kind

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Gov't Mule
10-22-04
The Riviera
Chicago, IL

Nice Beatles interlude mid-set first set. I will always take that as a good omen. Debut of Gangster of Love in Chicago made sense.

I thought the song selections off Deja Voodoo are played solidly and a good blueprint for how the new material stands up in a live setting. Check out Wine and Blood and About to Rage. Drift Away is a song I always wanted to hear this band perform, it tucks into I Shall Return quite nicely as a matter of fact.

The one two punch of Doggie and Lola makes you wonder who is staying out late and who is staying home……Lola or the singer.

SONG OF THE NIGHT: 17 minute Blind Man In The Dark. Yeah, I think that is worth a mention.

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If you don't see the tracklisting listed below here, click on the image on the above left.

Gov't Mule
10-23-04
Michigan Theatre
Ann Arbor, MI

Tight little theater in the shopping area of Ann Arbor, a sleepy little college town in Michigan. Nice wood paneling and plush chairs set the stage for a nice comfortable show.

Well, little did we know we would need those plush chairs as the Mule just kept pushing up and back with heavier and hotter songs.

Slackjaw>Horse>Fool’s Moon in the first set and then Monkey>I Want You in the second. Not to mention the double attack late in the set with Possession and How Many More Years.

Cool little venue, cool little show. Hell the boys even did a meet and greet session in the lobby afterwards.

SONG OF THE NIGHT: My favorite was How Many More Years. But that’s just me.

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Gov't Mule
10-24-04
Palais Royale
Toronto, CAN

Sitting on the banks of Lake Ontario, this venue seemed like a summer dance hall from days gone by. Definitely nothing fancy, but that seemed to suit the Mule just fine. A little older and a little creaky in some places but still ready to rock at a moments notice and more than able to stand up to the task. And then some, eh?

Nice 32-20 opener, into a better Game Face. No Quarter was great and Mr Man is quickly becoming a favorite of mine. Solid rock n roll in the traditional wooden-floor-smashed-right-up-against-the-stage environment for this show. I think you can tell the boys are into it this night.

SONG OF THE NIGHT: New World Blues as an encore……

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Gov't Mule
10-27-04
9:30 Club (1 of 2)
Washington, DC

First of a two night stand. The band was hitting it hard right out of the gate with Mr. Man>About To Rage. Coupled with I Think You Know What I Mean made a pretty impressive political statement. The show really kicked up a notch with Spanish Moon and then a blazing 32-20 Blues.

Guests are nothing new to the Mule’s stage and tonight brought out Ron Holloway. Ron sat in with the band the next night too so check out that nights show by clicking here.

Ron’s website can be found here.

Sidenote: Make sure to check out Andy’s basslines through Mule and PSL…

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Gov't Mule
10-28-04
9:30 Club (2 of 2)
Washington, DC

Second of a two night stand, so see 10.27.04 for the complete story.

If you thought the band came out swinging hard the first night you should hear the opening songs of this night. I mean this first set was a powerhouse if you ask me. The Little Toy Brain alone is worth the price of admission not to mention Monkey>Heavy or Blind>Sunshine>Blind.

Second set saw the return of Ron Holloway on two great tunes, Sco-Mule and Jealous Kind. But you have to love the Trane on this night.

SONG OF THE NIGHT: Cortez the Killer or Yonder Wall….toss up.

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Gov't Mule
10-31-04
Landmark Theatre
Richmond, VA

All Hallow’s Eve in Richmond, VA. What with all the last minute campaigning going on who would have expected Colin Powell, Richard Nixon and Uncle Sam to show up to help out The Devil who sat in on drums? Oh yeah and throw the Statue of Liberty in on sax too why dontcha?

This was a show for surprises. A show with lots of dynamic. Smooth and silky version of Randy Newman’s You Can Leave Your Hat On and Low Spark to the quirky Myna Bird Dark Jam and Squeaky Guica Jam. Ron Holloway was tasteful on all the tunes where he joined the band, but really let loose on Blind Man.

My first Eminence Front which was great going into Drums.

SONG OF THE NIGHT: Has to be the encore Sad And Deep As You. Lush yet Powerful.

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Gov't Mule
11-03-04
Classic Center
Athens, GA

Record long election lines, increased voter turnout, polls opening up for a week early. The election finally ended with no noticeable change in the countries voting trends. Whichever way you voted, if you voted you did your part. The show was a welcome way to blow off some steam after the tension of watching the election results. Great renditions of “I Think You Know What I Mean”, “Mr. Man”, and “Mule”. “Blind Man In The Dark” has the sickest bass breakdown.

Either you came to the show celebrating your candidate’s win or looking to ease the agony of defeat. Regardless you were there to do only one thing… to KEEP ON ROCKING IN THE FREE WORLD.

SONG OF THE NIGHT: Ballerina. The band really let Warren have room to work.

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If you don't see the tracklisting listed below here, click on the image on the above left.