Gov’t Mule Loose in House of Blues Disney

As small children and strolled out with Mickey Mouse balloons in hand and the look of wide eyed amazement on their eyes, the Gov’t Mule fans trod into Downtown Disney on Sunday night to hear Warren Haynes and his band bring some Southern Rock n Blues to the House of Blues at Disneyland.  This would be the fourth stop on the Mule’s “By A Thread” Tour to promote the release of their new album, By A Thread, which will be available on Oct. 26th.  The opening act for the beginning of this tour is LA based, Carney

Carney, who was beneath my personal radar, delivered a 45 min opening set that included a fine rendition of the Beatles’, “She’s So Heavy.”  When the guy next to me looked at me and asked if they were a “Led Zeppelin” cover band, I knew something was amis.  That being said, it’s good way to describe this up and coming act from LA LA Land…Zeppelin-esque.  Their original tunes offered that, pushing the musical envelope, style that Zepplin tapped into in the 70’s.  I’ll let you judge for yourself.  Check out their website.

Bring on the MULE!  Now, we all understand that rock n roll time has absolutely nothing to do with the clock on the wall.  Much like the signs on the road that tell you the “Speed Limit,” the clock is merely a suggestion to musicians.  A 7pm door, 8pm opener and Mule to start at 9pm seemed within reason.  At 9:20 the opening band had cleared their gear and the stage was set for Warren Haynes and his Gov’t Mule to take the stage.  By the third “false start” from the audience, their cheers were answered with music as the band took the stage just about 9:30pm.

There’s something about seeing a major musical act in a small intimate venue.  It’s comfortable.  Not the industrial feeling of an arena.  This place is the House fo Blues.  A certain creole charm to the restaurant/music venue chain.  Like you’re sitting in Naw’lins.  The sound is good, the dance floor is large and there’s really no bad place in the house.  The only thing lacking was seating.  It is, for the most part, standing room only.  And stand the crowd did.  It was not a dancin’ crowd.  Those folks were there for one thing and one thing only…Warren Haynes.

Warren is a musical giggalo.  Currently 4 bands claim him as a member but he’s pimped himself out to many different artists from multiple genres of music.  The man is likely the busiest man in rock n’ roll.  Now that wouldn’t be that impressive if the bands weren’t The Allman Brothers, The Dead, Phil Lesh & Friends and of course Gov’t Mule.  Haynes rise through the ranks started when David Allen Coe introduced him to the Allman Brothers guitarist, Dickey Betts.  Betts took Haynes into the ABB fold in the late 80’s and Warren continues to play with them.  But that’s just part of the Warren Haynes puzzle.

A Gov’t Mule show is a exercise in self-indulgence…musical masturbation.  It is the Warren Haynes Show.  Now, that’s not a bad thing.  They man is one of the greatest guitarists alive.  He his the 23rd greatest guitar player of all time according to Rolling Stone Magazine.  I’d agree…the guy’s got licks.  He’ll take you on a musical journey through southern rock, reggae, hard rock, ballads and extended psychedelic jams to show off his licks.  Haynes pulls out all the stops as the only guitarist in the 4 piece band.  Supporting Warren are Matt Abts behind the drums, Danny Louis on keys and occasional guitar and Jorgen Carlsson on bass.

The show at the House of Blues delivered as expected.  First set highlights included “Any Open Window,” “Life Before Insanity,” Jimmy Hendrix “Third Stone From the Sun,” a teaser of the Grateful Dead’s “Other One” into an instrumental “St. Stephen” and Johnny Cash’s “Folsom Prison Blues” also instrumental.

Second set brought more of the same.  “Broke Down in the Brazos” opener into a song off the new album.  The “Without You” ballad brought the collective energy in the room down but not for long as the drummer kicked into an extended drum solo.  The spark the crowd needed to get back to movin’ was a rockin’ “Mr. Big.”  Shortly after Midnight, the band said goodnight, returning for an encore of a Paint it Black (Rolling Stones) teaser into Falling Down into “Other One” again and finally a fade out of Rolling Stones “It’s just a kiss away, kiss away, kiss away…”  Thanks Warren!  Good times were had.