Gov't Mule • Classic Mule Tracks

Gov't Mule - Classic Mule
The Roxy – Atlanta, GA
02/27/98 Dose CD release party

Let's step back into Mule history: DOSE, the finest Gov't Mule studio CD up until that point, had been released three days prior. This was it's coming out party. Atlanta was considered home to the Mule, not physically but spiritually and 1,900 fine souls were there to be saved on this historical night. So the stage is set.

Warren steps up to the microphone and thanks everybody and tells the crowd that Mule would be playing DOSE in its entirety and then taking a break and the second set would feature a lot of guests and that if anyone left, it would be their own fault for missing out.

Matt Abts is so amazing. His work on Thorazine Shuffle is brilliant. He and Woody do a dance on this song that is so hot. Warren's sweet licks on Towering Fool are indescribable. This was my first time seeing Woody play the new axe with the bass/mandolin combo. It's great to see him play that monster. The She Said She Said > Tomorrow Never Knows jam was a religious experience; a major musical expedition.

The second set was another mind blower. But what happened next was the most awesome God spirit jamming I have ever heard.

What an ASS kicking all-star jam. Put Chuck Leavell, David Schools, Jo-Jo Hermann, Derek Trucks and Jimmy Herring on stage with the Mule boys and one would expect fireworks to go off. And do they ever!

Gov't Mule and long time Mule archivist Jim Baadshaug presents the first of what we hope will be many Classic Mule Tracks.

What's the difference between FLAC and MP3? Click here to check it out. We recommend reading up on the file formats before making your purchase.

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

Gov't Mule
Mama Kin's
09.18.98
Boston, MA

"28 years ago tonight..." and Warren stops mid sentence, you are here on a very special night. 28 years ago to the day Jimi Hendrix died. Gov't Mule and long time Mule archivist Jim Baadshaug present the first of what will be many Classic Mule Tracks.

According to sources, Allen Woody had made statements to several fans that he was going to personally kick their asses. He obviously knew what was about to happen. An understatement for sure. WHAT AN EXTRAORDINARY SHOW.

This one is sure to go down as one of the greatest Mule shows ever. It wasn't just the song selection that gets you. The Hendrix tunes were played with fire and a tremendous amount of soul and love, but the whole show just dripped with intensity.

Best Guitar Solo, Little Wing. Absolutely gorgeous. Melodic and rhythmic, perfectly played and phrased...it was a thing of beauty.

Best Bass Song: Trane. Allen was playing bass faster than Warren was playing lead. At one point during Trane I swear Warren and Allen were headbanging just like a metal band!

Best Song Overall: I think this one goes to Left Coast Groovies. The Hendrix tunes were very soulful, but as far as BAND songs they weren't as compelling. Left Coast Groovies was tight sounding after listening to all the 12 bar blues. It was the perfect counterpoint. It absolutely smoked.

What's the difference between FLAC and MP3? Click here to check it out. We recommend reading up on the file formats before making your purchase.

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

Gov't Mule
Sisko's on the Boulevard
07.20.99
Taylor, MI

This is an Acoustic show, a wonderful show from the Woody era.

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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 - Classic Mule
Vic Theater
04.15.00
Vic Theater - Chicago, IL

Classic Mule Tracks returns with the thunderous Allen Woody driven roar of 04.15.00 from the Vic Theatre in Chicago, IL. Wandering Child, Lay Your Burden Down, Bad Little Doggie & Left Coast Groovies starts off the show and a spoken word performance by Brodie Hutchinson (Mule's Old Soundman) of Earache in My Eye leads into a run of Madman Across The Water, Life Before Insanity, War Pigs, Lucky and Dazed In Confused to close out the evening. Almost better than the start and the finish is the middle. This is truly a special show from the Woody era that the old school fans would appreciate.



What's the difference between FLAC and MP3? Click here to check it out. We recommend reading up on the file formats before making your purchase.

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

Gov't Mule
The Palace
02.19.03
Albany, NY

Albany, the capitol of the Empire state played as a great setting for the new school of Mule. With Danny and Andy really showing their stuff, Karl D sitting in was icing on a huge cake for even the veteran mule head. After a normal opening couple songs, Karl comes out in style with a great jam of "She's So Heavy." Exploring a more jazzy side, the "Thelonius Beck" entered some new dimensions with Karl's help as did the "Spanish Moon." The "Blind Man" featured an extended "Ain't No Sunshine" intro which was fitting as Woody's presence will always be missed at a Mule show. The second set started strong with a walloping version of "Drivin' Rain" which brought the crowd to its knees. Karl re-emerged two songs later with his flute which was a perfect compliment to "Time To Confess." Matt Abts even gave Karl the untimate compliment by letting him join in the end of his drum solo. The post-drums part of the show did not slow down as they kept rocking right to the end. The brilliant alto sax work of Karl was especially evident in "The Devil Likes It Slow," and he showed he could really rock during "32-20" and "Mule." The encore, "Tastes Like Wine" was a fitting end to a great 2003 vintage Mule show.

What's the difference between FLAC and MP3? Click here to check it out. We recommend reading up on the file formats before making your purchase.

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

Ithaca, NY
02.20.03

Gov't Mule - Classic Mule
State Theater

Here iis the second release from Classic Mule Tracks, this time featuring the Warren/Matt/Danny/Andy line-up beginning to solidify. This performance also features the multi-talented Karl Denson on Sax and Flute throughout the performance. Highlights of this performance include a thunderous Rocking Horse with an Eleanor Rigby tease followed a few tracks later by a Matt Abts drums break with Karl adding in his flute. A spectacular continuation for the Classic Mule Tracks program.

Gov't Mule and long time Mule archivist Jim Baadshaug presents the 2nd of what will be many Classic Mule Tracks.

What's the difference between FLAC and MP3? Click here to check it out. We recommend reading up on the file formats before making your purchase.

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

CM Gov't Mule
The Wilshire Theatre
04.17.04
Los Angeles, LA

This show features some great friends of Mule: Ben Harper, Hook Herrera and Marc Ford.

What's the difference between FLAC and MP3? Click here to check it out. We recommend reading up on the file formats before making your purchase.

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

CM Gov't Mule
The Orpheum Theatre
05.01.04
New Orleans, LA

The first night of the second decade of Gov't Mule...this night was special for many reasons. The line-up of Warren, Matt, Andy & Danny came together and solidified in many ways during this late night at the Orpheum. The Mule had many special evenings down in New Orleans (27 shows in total), but this is one that stands out. Right from the start the band was on their game with a blistering rendition of "No Quarter." From there the show just took off, "Bad Little Doggie", "Rocking Horse", "Thorazine Shuffle"...you get the idea. The show reached its conclusion with "Spanish Moon", "Wish You Were Here" and "Soulshine", a perfect end to a near perfect night. As we look back on this show we feel a fondness for the city of New Orleans. Proceeds from this show will go to benefit the city of New Orleans to help aid its recovery, so more nights like this will happen in the future. .

What's the difference between FLAC and MP3? Click here to check it out. We recommend reading up on the file formats before making your purchase.

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

Get both of the classic Birch Hill shows in this exclusive bundle!

Gov't Mule
Birch Hill
Old Bridge, New Jersey
06.02.95

The early days of the Mule is a favorite time period of any old school Gov't Mule fan. Up until this point with Classic Mule Tracks the earliest we have gone back is the beginning of 1998. Well here we have two shows, one from 1994, one from 1995, both from The Birch Hill in NJ. This is the trio in its early years, six months apart. A very special release indeed.

June of 1995, a year into the new band brings the Mule back to the Birch Hill in Old Bridge, NJ. A memorable venue to those who remember it. Packed away from the jersey highway by about a third mile down a dirt road. An almost perfect place for the Mule to unleash 90 minutes of fury on a somewhat suspecting audience. This classic Mule Tracks release is just what you think it would be. The power-trio at its finest. From the opening of Mule to the encore of Look on Yonder Wall, this show is a perfect time capsule for Gov't Mule in 1995.

What's the difference between FLAC and MP3? Click here to check it out. We recommend reading up on the file formats before making your purchase.

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

Gov't Mule
Birch Hill
Old Bridge, New Jersey
12.02.94

The early days of the Mule is a favorite time period of any old school Gov't Mule fan. Up until this point with Classic Mule Tracks the earliest we have gone back is the beginning of 1998. Well here we have two shows, one from 1994, one from 1995, both from The Birch Hill in NJ. This is the trio in its early years, six months apart. A very special release indeed.

This gem from the first year of the existence of Gov't Mule starts of with Rocking Horse, Blind Man In The Dark, Mr. Big, Mother Earth, etc, etc, etc. This is pure rock. Screaming guitars, thunderous bass and pounding drums. The trio was still finding its place, but you can hardly tell from this performance. From start to finish, this is two hours of pounding rock and roll.

What's the difference between FLAC and MP3? Click here to check it out. We recommend reading up on the file formats before making your purchase.

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

New School of Gov't Mule t-shirt.