While in Chicago for a gig at the Riviera last Friday, Gov’t Mule’s fall tour interested with ATO labelmate Ian Ball’s current solo tour. Gov’t Mule
and Ball’s band Gomez have been friends for some time and even shared the stage at a HeadCount benefit in 2004. At the end of Gov’t Mule’s show, Ball took the stage for a version of the Beatles’ ‘I’m So Tired’ with the Mule. His current bandmate Phil Kronengold joined him for a cover of Tom Waits’ ‘Goin’ Out West’ and T-Rex’s ‘Bang A Gong.’ In 2005, Gomez released a live album, Out West, featuring a cover of the Waits classic.
Gov’t Mule’s opening act Grace Potter also took the stage with the group for a few songs over the weekend, including covers of Neil Young’s ‘Southern
Man,’ CSNY’s ‘Find The Cost Of Freedom’ and ‘Ohio’ as well as Al Green’s ‘Take Me to the River.’ While at Royal Oak, MI’s Royal Oak Theatre, recent Phil Lesh guitarist Larry McCray then appeared with Gov’t Mule on ‘Walkin’ By The Levee’ and ‘Ramblin’ Gamblin’ Man.’
Tonight, the Mule will celebrate Halloween with Gov’t Mule’s Holy Haunted House at St. Paul, MN’s O’Shaughnessey Theatre, while Ball will support Rodrigo y Gabriela at Seattle’s Paramount.