[sherpahigh]

Anyone here from the west planning on attending the Gov't Mule shows in Vancouver or Calgary this week?

Hopefully I'll be in attendance at the show on Wed. here in Calgary. I've heard good things about their live show has anyone here ever been to one?

Gonna be a rockin week, first this show then 2 hip shows on the weekend. :thumb: 8)

[sherpahigh]

No Mule fans here eh?

Where's the aptly named "Gov't Mule" when you need him?

Get out to the ballroom to see the show tonight Vancouver. Then come back here and tell me what I'm in for tomorrow night. Got me some tickets and I'm looking forward to the show.

[Gov'tMule]

You rang?

[sherpahigh]

You rang?

sure did.

I take it you've been to a few Mule shows. I was looking around at the mule.net and it looks like their shows have two sets, does this mean there's no opening band? How long is a typical show?

And most importantly, am I gonna have a good time? :lol:

[Gov'tMule]

Usually no opener when it's billed as "An Evening With..."
On their own, Mule will play AT LEAST 2 hours,

Saw "Deepest End" in NOLA in 2003 and went to "SkiJam" this year as well.

Most of my friends who have caught this tour (I have not) have been raving about how good The Mule is playing.

[sherpahigh]

Thanks for the info.

Can't wait for the show tonight, sounds like it'll be a good one. :thumb:

Found this article about the band in the UofC paper where they're playing tonight:

Music Interview: Gov't Mule kicking it out


music
November 11, 2004
by Ken Clarke, Gauntlet Graphic Artist

The ability to spontaneously express emotions on an instrument leads to a unique bond forged between musician and audience. It's why improvisation has been such an integral part of music from the days of the mediaeval organ to more modern jazz and rock. But you have to know the rules before you can break them.

One band certainly able to look past the sheet music is Gov't Mule. Formed as side project in 1994 by guitarist Warren Haynes and bass player Allen Woody, both members of The Allman Brothers Band, they were joined by drummer Matt Abst, whom the pair met through guitarist and fellow Allman Brother, Dickie Betts. Gaining a loyal fan base through live shows and a series of acclaimed albums, Gov't Mule became known in jam band circles as a group able to deliver the goods in a bluesy southern rock style, performing tightly knit tunes but also not afraid of a bit of exploration.

After Woody's death in 2000, Gov't Mule went through a heavy rotation of bass players until finally dubbing bassist Andy Hess and keyboard player Danny Louis as permanent members. Now a four piece band, this current line-up is on tour supporting Deja Voodoo. It'll be to the delight of fans to see Gov't Mule return to their old sound, while exploring new territory, thanks to the addition of various keyboard sounds.

"In the keyboard world, especially if you're using vintage instruments, like I do in Gov't Mule, there's a palette of colours to work with," says Louis from his hotel room in San Francisco. "Our fans are also responding very favorably to the new material. Gov't Mule hits hard."

Louis' favorite aspect of the current tour is the growth and development of the new songs from Deja Voodoo. "It all comes down to a lot of intangible ingredients" he explains. "Chemistry is a commodity that you can definitely identify but never manufacture. It's pretty amazing."

Not all of touring is so amazing.

"I miss my sweetheart," he laments.

Louis plays the trumpet, but uses it sparingly, usually going three or four shows without it. It keeps it fresh for the band while adding a new element for audiences blessed to hear it. "It's definitely placed an additional colour in our fans' laps."

Gov't Mule fans are also able to download quality sounding shows from their website featuring a 48 hour turnaround. A nice touch from a band who can go three shows without repeating a song.

How does Louis feel about Gov't Mule being labeled a jam band?

"I think it's totally fair," he laughs. "I like it. To me, it's a re-aquaintance with rock music not only as a song form, but as an improvisational form. If you were to go back to the sixties, a lot of the greatest groups would be considered jam bands today. Jimi Hendrix would solo for hours."

Hendrix, along with many fellow musicians, built reputations on jamming at live shows as well as in the studio. No concert was ever the same and recordings reflected that.

"Albums by high integrity groups like The Grateful Dead, Sly And The Family Stone, Jefferson Airplane and The Allman Brothers, who survive to this day, contained all kinds of improvisational stuff. Jamming was part and parcel to their music and they took pride in their prowess at doing that. As rock got corporatized, that went away. To me the jam band label, especially as it applies to our music, has a positive ring to it."

But fans should worry about that. Because if there is a first rule to improvisation, as Louis puts it, "Experience it live if you can."

[VioletlightHeron]

Sounds like i'll have to scoop up a Gov't Mule album and give it a listen..any recommendations??

[opiated]

i can't remember the name of the tune, but they have a killer song featuring ben harper!

[sherpahigh]

i can't remember the name of the tune, but they have a killer song featuring ben harper!

That would be "Lay Your Burden Down" from the album Life Before Insanity

That's the tune that got me into the Mule in the first place, great song. :thumb:

As for album reccomendations I can only reccomend what I know and that's their album from 2000, Life Before Insanity and their latest effort DeJa Voodoo.

Both are great. They've got a pretty cool site over here: <!-- w --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.mule.net">www.mule.net</a><!-- w --> where you can check out some tunes in the discography section. They've also got a great setup for downloading shows 48 hours after the performace. Looks good.

[sherpahigh]

Well.. that was one kick ass show. Opening band? pffffttt... what's that? 2 set shows are the way to go.

The Mule put on a stellar show last night at Mac Hall. They played some great blusey rock n' roll jamming out everysong. They stiched a lot of songs together with some incredible jamming and we were even treted to a fantastic drum solo ala' Bohnam style. Killer version of 30 Days in the Hole, a sweet Big Sugar cover of "I'm a Ram" (actually I'm pretty sure the original was by Al Green but the Big Sugar version is the one I'm familiar with and they opened for Big Sugar a while back so... ) and a ton of Mule originals.

Great stuff! Near the end of the show a dude was walking around handing out little sheets of paper telling you how to get a copy of the show. Can't wait to hear the soundboard copy of the show.

Go check out the Mule, you won't be sorry. :thumb:

[Tthip]

MULE-CHRISTMAS JAM

Once again, Warren Haynes will be hosting The Xmas Jam in his hometown of
Asheville, NC. All proceeds from the event benefit Habitat For Humanity
which provides houses for families who would not be able to afford to own
their own home otherwise. Join Warren and his friends in Asheville for a
great cause and an unforgettable night of music:

WARREN HAYNES PRESENTS:
THE 16th ANNUAL XMAS JAM
ASHEVILLE CIVIC CENTER
ASHEVILLE, NC
SATURDAY DECEMBER 18, 2004

Gov't Mule
Neville Brothers
Living Colour
Galactic
Little Feat

Guest Musicians
Audley Freed
Col. Bruce Hampton
Kevn Kinney
Edwin McCain
+
More Musicians To Be Added

Pre-Sale 11/17 @ Noon Eastern
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.muleticketing.musictoday.com">http://www.muleticketing.musictoday.com</a><!-- m -->

Public On-Sale 11/26
Ticketmaster and The Asheville Civic Center Box Office

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.xmasjam.com">http://www.xmasjam.com</a><!-- m -->

[Tthip]

Gov't Mule will be the house band on Carson Daly.
The following are the tape dates - I am not sure of the air dates.

Monday, February 28guests: TBD, House Band: GOV'T MULE
music: RYAN CABRERA

Tuesday, March 1 @ 3:45PMguests: TBD, House Band: GOV'T MULE
music: THE FRAMES

Tuesday, March 1 @ 6:15PMguests: TBD, House Band: GOV'T MULE

Wednesday, March 2guests: TBD, House Band: GOV'T MULE
music: LOW

[tommygunn]

They were already the house band for Carson Daly a few weeks ago. Warren Haynes assembled an all-star band for the following week of shows as well.