28 October 2017 (gig)
16 November 2017
After celebrating 24 years in Gov’t Mule, Warren Haynes was showcasing at the Indigo what he considers to be a "new chapter opening up for the band", with the release of their new album, “Revolution come Revolution Go," which came out earlier in June.
Restricted to a 90 minute set along with Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Mule had a typically no fuss opening to the show although the beginning featured cut aways to backing songs, each of which featured something revolutionary in nature – Bob Dylan’s “Time They Are A-Changin,” The Beatles’ “Revolution” and David Bowie’s “Changes.”
The actual set proper started with “Bad Little Doggie” from their “Life Before Insanity” album back in 2000, indicating that fans were going to be treated to some old Mule, as well as the new.
This was followed by a pair of tracks from 2009’s “By A Thread” – “Inside Outside Woman Blues” and “Broke Down On The Brazos,” which featured a “Tributary Jam.” Blind Willie Johnson’s “Dark Was The Night, Cold Was The Ground” and Al Green’s “I’m A Ram” swiftly followed. Mule then moved onto their latest album release for “Stone Cold Rage” – the band belting out the licks over which Warren Haynes professed his dismay at the polarisation in the United States that followed in the wake of the election of Donald Trump (the band were actually recording the record on the day the results came in).
Three more songs from the new record followed - “Drawn That Way,” with its AC/DCish sounding opening and descending guitar riff, the title track from the new album and a personal favourite, “Traveling Tune.” Along with “Pressure Under Fire” and “Dreams and Songs” from the new album, it’s a shame the truncated set list didn’t allow sufficient time for these Mule classics to feature as well. “Travelling Tune,” is something of an autobiographical reflection by Haynes on his long career to date – “Well, I know I've been down this road a time or two/ So let's sing another road song before we go/Here's one for the fallen ones who didn't make it through..”
The four-piece band also managed to work in a cover of “Need Your Love So Bad,” made famous by Peter Green, although originally recorded by Little Willie John Jr. back in 1955, showing the full appreciation this band have of their musical heritage.
Towards the end, Haynes brought out a pair of guests from the opening act – Kenny Wayne Shepherd and vocalist Noah Hunt for a version of the Allman Brothers Band via Blind Willie McTell’s “Statesboro Blues.”
To be honest, Noah Hunt was perhaps little more than a third wheel during this song as the audience clearly relished the chance to see two heavy weight guitarists go head to head - and what had been so keenly anticipated when the show was announced as a double headliner. Between Kenny Wayne Shepherd’s dynamic flashy licks and Warren Haynes’s soulful slide guitar they were both evenly matched, providing a noteworthy performance on a song that was very much the highlight of the evening.
When Gov’t Mule returned for their encore they welcomed Bernie Marsden to the stage for a superlative version of another Allman Brothers classic - “Whippin’ Post -” a fitting way to end a fine, if somewhat shortened, set.
