Govt Mule closed its fall tour in style over the weekend by hosting a guest-laden, two-night run at San Franciscos the Fillmore. Most notably, Phil Lesh emerged at the start of Govt Mules second set Saturday to play on the Grateful Dead classics Loser, Terrapin Station and Sugaree. As he consistently has throughout the groups extended tour, Davy Knowles of opening act Back Door Slam also played guitar with Govt Mule on The Beatles Dear Prudence Friday and Elmore James It Hurts Me Too Saturday.
After performing with the Flecktones at San Franciscos Yoshis on night one, saxophonist Jeff Coffin made his way over to the Fillmore to sit in with Govt Mule on All Along The Watchtower. Along with local guitarist Eric McFadden, Coffin also took the stage for a show-closing version of Tom Waits Goin’ Out West. The saxophonist then returned the following night for both Sco-Mule and a cover of Get Out of My Life Woman, with Harvey Mandel playing guitar the latter selection. Mandel has performed with a striking number of musicians over the years, from Jerry Garcia to the Rolling Stones to Charlie Musselwhite.
The groups Fillmore performances were notable for several other reasons. On Friday, Govt Mule stripped down to a trio without keyboardist Danny Louis for a take on Black Sabbaths War Pigs. Then during set break Saturday, Kenny Harwell, Brian Farmer, Chris Rushin, Danny Bennet and TJ Centrella of Govt Mules road crew added some humor to the night by acting out the dance routine from the video for Prince associates The Times Jungle Love. During the routine, crew member Big E even stepped up for the videos famed mirror sequence.

Govt Mule will perform next at Warren Haynes Presents: The 20th Anniversary of The Christmas Jam. The benefit will take place on December 12 and 13.