Following several postponements, the blues-rocking Gov’t Mule finally resumed its annual year-end jams at the Beacon Theatre for the first time since 2019. Prior to the start of the 2023 concerts, clusters of faithful fans in the audience compared how many years they had been holding tickets. The band postponed its year-end concerts in 2021 due to the rising spread of coronavirus and rescheduled shows for April 2022, and then December 2022, all of which were postponed due to health issues among the musicians.
The new pair of concerts were Gov’t Mule’s first New York City shows with bassist Kevin Scott joining the veteran team of guitarist Warren Haynes, keyboardist Danny Louis, and drummer Matt Abts. Born in Alabama, Scott played in his father’s bluegrass band before moving to Georgia, where he sought out Colonel Bruce Hampton and eventually played in his band. Scott joined Mule as a touring guitarist in 2022, and also plays in Forq and Wednesday Night Titans.
Haynes, on the other hand, has a lengthy history with the Beacon Theatre. More than likely, he has played on that stage more than any other musician. Haynes played the venue often in the Allman Brothers Band from 1989 to 1997 and from 2000 to 2014. Gov’t Mule has played year-end concerts there almost every year since 2002.
On this night, Mule’s set consisted of songs from seven of the band’s 10 studio albums, including three songs from the most recent collection, 2023’s Peace … Like a River. Mule also mixed in eight cover songs. Among the covers, the audience responded particularly enthusiastically when the band started the Grateful Dead’s “Fire on the Mountain” and the Allman Brothers Band’s “In Memory of Elizabeth Reed” and “Whipping Post.”
Gov’t Mule’s year-end shows at the Beacon Theatre always feature guest musicians. On this first of two nights, guitarist Jimmy Vivino (the Fab Faux and Conan) and drummer Shawn Pelton (Saturday Night Live) came onstage together for a few songs. Guitarists Oz Noy and Nir Felder each came on stage to jam on other songs.
The Beacon Theatre’s extraordinary sound system allowed for every instrument and every note to be heard clearly. Haynes sang every song with his eyes closed, reaching deep within to summon gutsy, bluesy passion. When Haynes wailed on his guitar and, especially when he engaged the guest musicians in guitar duels, the sound of the strings was absurdly crisp and ridiculously clear.
Gov’t Mule next headlines its Island Exodus 14 in Jamaica on January 14-18. Mule will play three two-set shows, and the bill will include Warren Haynes (solo), the Robert Randolph Band, Samantha Fish with Jesse Dayton, Pressing Strings, Ron Holloway, and Wednesday Night Titans. In February, the band will begin a west coast tour.
Setlist
Set 1:
- Bad Little Doggie
- Blind Man in the Dark
- About to Rage
- Dreaming Out Loud
- Gone Too Long
- Sco-Mule (with Nir Felder on guitar)
- Made My Peace
- In Memory of Elizabeth Reed (The Allman Brothers Band cover, with Jimmy Vivino on guitar and Shawn Pelton on drums)
- Fire on the Mountain (Grateful Dead cover, with Jimmy Vivino on guitar and Shawn Pelton on drums)
Set 2:
- Rocking Horse
- Game Face
- Revolution Come, Revolution Go
- Doing It to Death (The J.B.’s cover)
- I Feel Like Breaking Up Somebody’s Home Tonight (Ann Peebles cover, with Oz Noy on guitar)
- Grinning in Your Face (Son House cover)
- I Asked for Water (She Gave Me Gasoline) (Howlin’ Wolf cover)
- Whipping Post (The Allman Brothers Band cover, with Jimmy Vivino on guitar and Shawn Pelton on drums)
Encore
- Get Behind the Mule (Tom Waits cover, with Jimmy Vivino on guitar and Shawn Pelton on drums)
