concert revisited: Gov't Mule, Weesner Amphitheater @ the Minnesota Zoo July 15, 2009

For years I had known of Warren Haynes from his work with the Allman Brothers and had known of his solo band, Gov't Mule but hadn't heard them.  In 2009, I did get a chance to see them live at the Weesner Amphitheater at the Minnesota Zoo in Apple Valley, Minnesota as a friend, his dad and I went to the show.  I knew of Haynes' prowess as a guitarist having seen him twice previously with the Allman Brothers.  But, the Mule (as they are known by fans) is a totally different kettle of fish.  The band was a trio for a long time with Haynes, bassist Allen Woody (who played in the Allman Brothers as well), and drummer, Matt Abts.  After Allen Woody's death in 2000 (since Warren had split from the Allman Brothers in 1997 with Allen Woody to focus entirely on "The Mule"), and also after Dickey Betts left the Allman Brothers in mid 2000, Warren came back into the fold with the ABB in 2001 and has been there ever since.

But, he still keeps the Mule active and touring, as well as recording.  This show at the Minnesota Zoo Amphitheater (despite the confines of the bowl shaped stadium), was amazing.  Haynes along with band mates Abts on drums, Jorgen Carlson on bass, and Danny Louis on keyboards, delivered and threw down the jams in a big way as I remember.  One song would lead into jams or teases of other songs and the band had no limits as far as musical experimentation.  That was the cool part.  ...And, yes, there was the obligatory drum solo in the middle of the show, just like has been written about here on the blog before.  Jorgen, Danny and Warren all joined in the drum jam as well on assorted percussion instruments.

But it was the way the band connected as a unit that was amazing.  Danny's keys (he played Hammond B3, Clavinet and Wurlitzer piano most of the show), fit right in with Warren's guitar mastery while Abts and Carlson propelled the rhythm section like a locomotive.  The show was a real adventure to be sure and for anyone who hasn't heard The Mule on CD or live, definitely check them out.

Set List: Government Mule, Weesner Amphitheater @ the Minnesota Zoo  July 15th, 2009

Set 1:

1. Zoo Jam
2. Soulshine
3. She Said, She Said (Beatles cover)
4. Tomorrow Never Knows Jam>Gameface ("Tomorrow Never Knows is another Beatles song)
5. Wandering Child
6. If 6 Was 9 (Jimi Hendrix cover)
7. Larger Than Life>Gameface
8. No Need To Suffer
9. When Doves Cry (Prince cover)>Beautifully Broken>When Doves Cry>Beautifully Broken

Set 2:

10. I'll Be The One>Blue Sky tease
11. Banks of the Deep End
12. Trampled Under Foot (Led Zeppelin cover)
13. Fallen Down>The Other One Jam (The Other One Jam = Grateful Dead cover)
14. Drums (w/Warren, Jorgen and Danny on percussion + Matt Abts on drums)
15. Kind of Bird
16. Thirty Days in the Hole (Humble Pie cover) > Can't Find My Way Home (Blind Faith) keyboard intro tease

Encore:

17. Into The Mystic (Van Morrison cover)
18. Soulshine (reprise)