Govt Mule welcomed a handful of guests and offered the debut performances of a number of songs this past weekend. On Sunday, the group performed at Buffalo, NYs Navy Pier, where the group offered its first take on ‘Hey Joe’ during a lengthy first set that came to a close with a cover of Creedence Clearwater Revival’s ‘Effigy’ (which also featured some improv over Johnny Cashs Folsom Prison Blues chords). Haynes also

opened the second set with a solo acoustic version of Forevermore from the groups forthcoming new CD, _ By a Thread_. Likewise, Haynes commenced the bands second set the night before at Danbury, CTs Ives Concert Park with a solo acoustic number, but that time chose to acknowledge Jerry Garcias birthday with a sterling cover of Stella Blue (considered by many to be Garcias signature piece). The Danbury show was also significant in that ex-Lionel Hampton sideman Reggie Pittman (trumpet) and Jaimoes Jasssz Bands Kris Jensen (sax) joined The Mule in the first set for Devil Likes It Slow and then remained on stage to take part in a first-ever Charles Ives Experiment. Essentially, they melded Ray Charles Georgia On My Mind and Burl Ives Wayfaring Stranger. Junior Mack, also from Jaimoes band, would also join The Mule later in the evening to lend guitar to The Sky Is Crying.
Jaimoe’s Jasssz Band opened for The Mule in Danbury and the groups upcoming dates include another opening slot for a fellow Allman Brother bandmate. The Jasssz Band is
scheduled to open for the Derek Trucks Band at the Garde Arts Center in New London, CT November 5.
Govt Mules tour resumes today where the band will set up shop at the River Plex in Pittsburgh , and then move onto the Wellmont Theater in Montclair, NJ Wednesday. The group will then close its summer tour over the weekend with three New York shows. It should be noted that one of these (Thursday night in Rochester) will in fact be a free show.
Speaking of free, the July 22 semi-private Warren Haynes acoustic
performance in northern suburban Atlanta for listeners of The Regular
Guys Radio Program (which also
includes an early version of Forevermore not to mention a pairing of Van Morrisons Into The Mystic and Warrens own Soulshine) is now
available for free video streaming. Report by Rob Turner