Band: Gov’t Mule
More Show Photos HERE
Venue: Orpheum – Boston– 10-26-12
Photographer: Ilya Mirman
Review By: Ilya Mirman 

Meet the band:

Warren Haynes
Matt Abts
Danny Louis
Jorgen Carlsson
Allen Woody 

On a brisk autumn night in Boston, the South reigned supreme.  With support from The Lee Boys, Warren Haynes & Co. played to a receptive Orpheum Theatre crowd, weaving colorful threads of blues, funk and gospel into the evening’s Southern rock tapestry.
Opener The Lee Boys took the Orpheum stage to energize the crowd with their pedal steel-driven joyous and spiritual mix of funk and gospel.  A family group of brothers and their nephews, the Boys brought North their “sacred steel” music – a  form of Gospel featuring a hard-driving, blues-based beat, and infused with a rich mix of R&B, jazz, rock, funk, hip-hop, and country.  And as a fun surprise, Warren Haynes joined the Boys for a song, trading off fiery, bluesy leads with Roosevelt Collier, The Lee Boys’ pedal steel virtuoso.

In many ways, the evening felt like a family reunion: relaxed musicians smiled and joyfully played together, exhibiting great admiration for each other, appreciative of the opportunity to share their music with the audience. The friendly relaxed vibe and Southern hospitality were present on-stage and off, and was consistent across the musicians and crew.
Starting off slowly with Window Pane Jam and quickly transitioning into the rocking Any Open Window, Haynes served up a Southern rock treat that no Skynyrd or Allman Brothers fan could resist.  Along the way we heard two dozen songs, including Gov’t Mule staples such as Thorazine Shuffle and Soulshine; as well as fun surprises such as an energetic bit of Zep’s Whole Lotta Love.

Midway through the set, drummer Matt Abts delivered an expertly crafted solo, weaving through a variety of rhythms and percussive techniques, meandering between fast and slow tempos, seamlessly transitioning the band into Perfect Beans Jam.
Helping Abts lay down the foundation for the evening was bassist Jorgen Carlsson, delivering a firm and consistent bass line tastefully punctuated by the occasional flourish.  Though only a foursome, the jam featured a broad range of sounds and instruments, in no small part due to the versatility of Danny Louis.  As Mule’s utility player, Louis delivered on keyboards, guitar, trumpet – and sang to boot.

Bringing the three-hour journey to a satisfying conclusion, Haynes brought out Lee Boys’ Roosevelt Collier for an encore featuring some scorching leads from both axemen on John The Revelator and Feel Like Breaking Up Somebody’s Home.
The crowd came hungry for rock and blues – and was served an unforgettable feast.

Set List

1st set
Window Pane Jam
Any Open Window
Steppin Lightly
Bad Little Doggie
Lola Leave Your Light On
Lay Your Burden Down
Unring The Bell
Endless Parade
Thorazine Shuffle

2nd set
One Of These Days
Bus Stop
Larger Than Life
Presence of the Lord
Beautifully Broken
Lively Up Yourself
Drums
Perfect Beans Jam
I Shall Return
Soulshine
Mule
Whole Lotta Love
Mule

Encore (with Roosevelt Collier)
John The Revelator
Feel Like Breaking Up Somebodys Home