The Mule stopped in Memphis, and paid due tribute to this music enriched city. The show sold out weeks in advance and fans traveled from miles away to witness what we all knew would be a great night of music. Although the New Daisy was packed, the environment was great.
As Warren Haynes and crew took the stage, the energy filled the room. Mr. Matt Abts kicked a few beats on his kit, and Warren played the opening lick of Jailhouse rock. Although, he quickly stepped up to the mic and pronounced that he was “just kidding”, we were in store for several real nods to Memphis music. The band quickly busted into the real opener, Thorazine Shuffle, which segued into Game Face. That was enough evidence to know we were in for a treat, and an incredible way to start the show. Next on the plate were a couple of “sing along” covers, Don’t Step on the Grass, Sam into Mississippi Queen (an obvious nod to our Bluff City). Fallen Down with the Other One jam was very powerful, and lead nicely into Al Green’s, I’m a Ram. The Rev. Green helped put Soulsville USA on the map as he was an original artist for Memphis’ Hi Records. Blind Man In the Dark put a nice closer on the set.

Soulshine gets a bad rap because it is played so much but, it is still a good song. I am convinced it has become Danny Louis’ favorite song as he really shines on his keys. After the tribute to the Beatles, the band paid homage to Otis Redding, another Memphis legend. Otis was an integral part in building the Stax Empire and left us with Dreams to Remember. It was great to hear Warren sing this soul classic. The Credence Clearwater Revival song Effigy followed, but it was the meat of its sandwich that was the highlight. Paying respect to Sun Studio, Warren led a Folsum Prison Blues jam. Although we all wanted to hear Mr. Cash’s words, we were thrilled with the music. Matt Abts is one of the most powerful drummers I have witnessed. His new kit with the double stacked bass drum demands attention; the drum solo was a definite highlight. Out of drums, they played several of the songs from their newest album, Deja Voodoo. These songs are really taking shape and becoming crowd favorites; Slackjaw Jezebel was very well played all around. An encore of Simple Man brought a great end to the show. As a friend mentioned during the show, it’s the song you love to hate. There was not much else to do other than throw the devil horns in the air, bow the head, and rock out to Gov’t Mule’s take on this classic rock n roll song.
I have been a fan of Gov’t Mule for over eight years, and was saddened just as much as anyone with the death of Allen Woody. I do respect the will to keep the show on the road, and believe they are breaking new ground. There is something to be said about a band that gets better each time you see them, and the new Gov’t Mule is that band.











The setlist is taken from the recording which can be torrented at digitalpanic.org


Gov't Mule
New Daisy Theatre
Memphis, TN
02-18-2005

set I
1. Thorazine Shuffle
2. Game Face
3. Don't Step On the Grass, Sam > Mississippi Queen
4. Time To Confess
5. Thelonius Beck
6. Fallen Down > Other One jam
7. I'm A Ram
8. Blind Man In The Dark

set II
1. Soulshine
2. She Said, She Said > Tomorrow Never Knows jam
3. Dreams To Remember
4. Effigy > Folsom Prison Jam > Effigy >
5. Drums >
6. Slackjaw Jezebel
7. Bad Little Doggie
8. Bad Man Walking
9. Lola Leave Your Light On

encore:

10. Simple Man