Gov’t Mule celebrated the 5th Anniversary of its Deepest End concert with two shows at the Contemporary Arts Center in New Orleans on Friday and Saturday nights. As with the Deepest End show (which took place at the Saenger Theater on May 3, 2003), numerous guests joined the Mule during these two days, many of whom are natives of the host city.
In our first story of the day (see below) we noted that Mike Gordon made a number of guest appearances in NOLA over the weekend and the longtime friend of Warren Haynes also was on hand at the CAC, appearing midway through the second set on Friday evening with Particle’s Steve Molitz for a version of the Grateful Dead’s ‘Loser’ which led into a ‘Terrapin Station’ jam and then back into ‘Loser.’ Night two had opened with a cover of ‘Smokestack Lightning’ featuring John Butler. Other first set guests included Umphreys McGee’s Jake Cinninger (‘Dear Prudence’), Henry Butler and Roosevelt Collier (‘That’s What Love Will Make You Do’), Dirty Dozen Brass Band and DJ Logic (‘Spanish Moon’ and ‘Death Don’t Have No Mercy’) and Ruthie Foster (‘Grinnin’ In Your Face’ and ‘A Million Miles From Yesterday’).
The second set then began with covers of ‘Nutbush City Limits’ and ‘Whole Lotta Love’ with the Nocturnals’ Grace Potter and Scott Tournet. Next, Walter Wolfman Washington appeared for ‘Ain’t No Love In The Heart Of The City.’ The final collaborations occurred a bit later with Cyril Neville contributing to ‘Unblow Your Horn/Reblow Your Mind,’ Papa Mali and Ian Neville also stepping up for ‘Gilded Splinters’ with Cyrille Neville and Pap Mali remaining for ‘Fortune Teller.’ The two night run concluded with two of Gov’t Mule’s signature tunes, ‘Sco-Mule’ and ‘Mule’ (both of which featured Tim Green).
First up on Saturday was the Radiators Dave Malone who sat in on Gov’t Mule’s debut covers of ‘You Got Me Hummin’‘ and ‘Parchman Farm.’ Then Ivan Neville and George Porter appeared for a series of selections (‘Fortunate Son,’ ‘Sailing Shoes,’ ‘Hey Julia’ and ‘Sneakin’ Sally Through The Alley’). They were followed by Kirk Douglas and Owen Biddle (‘When The Levee Breaks’), Grace Potter (‘Gold Dust Woman’) Grace Potter and Brendan Bayliss (‘Who Knows’), Sonny Landreth (‘Feel Like Breaking Up Somebody’s Home’) and Eric McFadden (‘Goin’ Out West’).
The second set later opened with Ivan Neville, Stanton Moore, Cyril Neville and Eric Krasno on stage for ‘Africa.’ Krasno remained while Derek Trucks Band members Count M’Butu, Kofi Burbridge also contributed to ’32/20 Blues. ‘ Count M’Butu was then joined by Walter Trout and Henry Butler for ‘The Sky Is Crying’ and by his DTB bandmate Yonrico Scott for ‘Everyday I Have The Blues’ and ‘Three String George,’ with Wolfman Walter Williams on the former song as well. The night concluded with the four members of Gov’t Mule on stage alone for ‘Soulshine.’ All in all more than two dozen musicians joined Gov’t Mule for the performances at the Contemporary Arts Center and the group busted out eleven new covers for the occasion.
Many of the aforementioned musicians will be in New York City on Wednesday when Warren Haynes and Grace Potter co-host the Jammys.