reCAP :: Gov't Mule w/ special guest John Scofield :: 2015.03.13
In late September of 1999, John Scofield teamed with Gov't Mule, then featuring original bass player the late Allen Woody, in Georgia for two legendary shows. These shows were recorded with the intention of becoming a live release after the studio album Life Before Insanity. After the passing of Woody, and the start of The Deep End project, those plans had been set aside. Newly mixed and mastered, Sco-Mule features 2.5 hours of music and will be available as a 2-CD set and as a Double Vinyl Release.
The Cap was filled with Gov't Mule fans and John Scofield fans alike. Mule first took the stage and started without Mr. Scofield for the first five songs, beginning like a good old fashioned Mule show. Warren Haynes did not disappoint, with his quick riffs on his guitar, Matt Abts keeping tempo strong on the drums, and Jorgen Carllson on bass and Danny Louis on keys rounding out the fast pace that Gov't Mule is known for.
The anticipation of the evening was when Mr. Scofield joined the band. The first song, “Tell Me Something Good,” written by Stevie Wonder, and sang by Chaka Khan was a light, happy way to start the ScoMule part of the concert. Fans on the floor were dancing and singing along with Mr. Haynes, as Mr. Scofield played the lead. They seamlessly went into “Hottentot,” with the two guitarists playing a harmonious two-part lead. They ended the first set with a nod to the Allman Brother's with a rousing and crowd pleasing “Kind of Bird.”
The second set started with “Rocking Horse,” “Jeep On 35” and “Sco-Mule,” and then Mr. Scofield left the stage. Gov't Mule finished off with a strong “Beautifully Broken > Breakdown > Beautifully Broken” and ended the set with “Thorazine Shuffle.” This was a loud, fast, long drawn out “Thorazine.”
After a short break, the crowd was treated to a three song encore including “Fallen Down,” a hot take on The Grateful Dead's “The Other One,” and cooling off the show with The Doors' “Riders on the Storm.” These Friday and Saturday shows at The Capitol Theatre are the last two shows of the ScoMule tour. We are lucky to have them end here.