All photos by Dino Perrucci

Gov’t Mule hosted its second annual Island Exodus in Negril, Jamaica this past weekend. The destination event boasted some of the band’s only 2011 appearances. As of press time, Gov’t Mule’s only other confirmed date is at Hunter, NY’s Mountain Jam this June.

Gov’t Mule’s Island Exodus also featured a performance by Eric Krasno & Chapter 2, as well as special guests Troy “Trombone Shorty” Andrews and Ron Holloway. Both Gov’t Mule and Chapter 2 played public sound checks as well; Mule’s included a cover of Van Morrison’s “He Ain’t Give You None.” In addition to his performances with Gov’t Mule, Warren Haynes also offered a solo set that mixed covers with other material that fits outside the electric Mule catalog. Partway through Haynes’ set, Mule drummer Matt Abts emerged for “In My Life.” Abts remained onstage as Mule keyboardist Danny Louis, Holloway and Trombone Shorty sat in for “John The Revelator.” Louis returned a few songs later for “Ballerina” and “One,” as well as a set-closing “Hurts Me Too” that drew in Holloway and Trombone Shorty. He also played keyboards on Haynes’ double encore of “That’s Why We’re Here” and “Hallelujah.” Trombone Shorty and Holloway, who were described by the band as The Jamaica Horns, sat in with Gov’t Mule throughout the weekend as well. Holloway took the stage for the first time on Thursday night for “Devil Likes It Slow,” “Low Spark Of High Heeled Boys” and Empty Pages” near the end of Gov’t Mule’s first set. He returned later in the night for a run from “Slow-Trane” into “Mule.”

Likewise, Holloway emerged near the end of Gov’t Mule’s first set Friday night for “Madman Across The Water,” “I’d Rather Go Blind” and “Sco-Mule.” The latter two songs also featured Eric Krasno on guitar. During Gov’t Mule’s second set, Holloway and Chapter 2 drummer Adam Deitch both sat in on “Kind Of Bird” while Holloway and Krasno appeared on “All Along The Watchtower.” The set came to a close with a rocking “Blind Man In The Dark” that featured some bonus woodwinds work from Holloway. The members of Mule returned to the stage for an encore of “After Midnight” with Deitch sitting in for Abts on drums, Holloway on saxophone and Krasno and auxiliary guitar.

Gov’t Mule took Saturday night off for Warren Haynes’ solo performance. Eric Krasno & Chapter 2 also appeared and brought out Haynes, Holloway and Trombone Shorty for portions of its set, with Louis on keyboards for much of it as well. The festival then came to a close with a guest-heavy Gov’t Mule show Sunday night. The Jamaica Horns sat in on “Spanish Moon, “The Letter” and “Feel Like Breaking Up Somebody’s Home,” as well as a take on “32/20 Blues” that featured Krasno. RatDog guitarist Mark Karan sat in for a chunk of the ensemble’s second set: “Shakedown Street,” “Dear Prudence” and “Ventilator Blues” (the latter of which also featured The Jamaica Horns). Later, Deitch returned with the horns for “The Other One Jam,” and Krasno and the horns guested on “He Ain’t Give You None.” All the members of Chapter 2 and The Jamaica Horns then helped Gov’t Mule close things out with “What Is Hip?” A take on “Morning Dew” with Mark Karan brought the Exodus to a close.