It was a beautiful Summer day in New Haven, CT. Everyone needed a day like this after enduring a humidity-laden heat wave. To add to the beauty of the day was an afternoon/evening of some soul-brightening music at Westville Music Bowl.
Starting the show off was Maryland’s Pressing Strings. They kicked things off with a set of bluesy jams that set the stage for things to come. They have a style reminiscent of storytelling pop stars of the 60s / 70s such as Simon and Garfunkel or James Taylor. Sadly, this music has lost its popularity these days of recycled rock that is so prevalent on corporate FM radio stations. Thankfully, this music is alive and well in bands like Pressing Strings which carry the torch for those longing for something that speaks to them on a deeper level.
Up next was a deviation in a night full of bluesy jam bands. Straight out of “Nawleens” was the notable Dirty Dozen Brass Band. The band blends traditional Dixieland jazz with modern influences of funk with a heavy dose of James Brown. This conglomeration of high-energy music had everyone dancing and swaying throughout their set. They’ve varied their sound a bit over the past 45 years as well as their name. They had dropped “Brass Band” from their name for a while. A return to a more traditional up-tempo musical gumbo prompted the return to the name that made them famous. Whatever you call them, don’t be late for a show that they are opening. You will be missing out on an amazing set if you do!
The highly accomplished Oteil Burbridge fronted a group of musicians collectively termed Oteil & Friends. Otiel has quite the resume. This multi-instrumentalist has been a part of Tedeschi Trucks, Allman Brothers, and Dead & Company bands. He has also been a member of a number of other highly acclaimed bands. This evening his funk-jazz bass lines were prevalent throughout the set of syncopated jams. The Dead covers delighted the tie-dye-clad crowd. The audience was treated to a Gov’t Mule preview when Warren Haynes joined the band to close out their set with a cover of Traffic’s “Empty Pages”. This set the stage for what everyone was there for!
It was 7:45 and the sun was setting but the arena lit up with electricity as Gov’t Mule took the stage. Leader Warren Haynes is as prolific as they come. Being a member of the Dickey Betts Band, The Allman Brothers Band, The Dead, and Phil Lesh and Friends has given the 62-year-old plenty of experience with reading the crowd in front of him. This night was no different as he delivered a powerhouse set that kept the crowd mesmerized.
Being a member of bands full of great musicians also taught Haynes to surround himself with consummate musicians. The band gelled around his guitar prowess offering up a compelling show that won’t be soon forgotten by their fans. The stage was also shared by the opening acts mid-set showing Haynes appreciates great music without having an ego. He’s also one who appreciates the songs of others. He delivered outstanding covers that blended nicely with Gov’t Mule originals. (See the setlist below)
Gov’t Mule is on an extensive tour of the US through the end of October. Click HERE for dates, see them, and jam on!
Setlist from Westville Music Bowl
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Soulshine (The Allman Brothers Band cover)
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Mule
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Banks of the Deep End
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Larger Than Life
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Devil Likes It Slow
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I’d Rather Go Blind (Etta James cover) (with The Dirty Dozen Brass Band)
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John the Revelator ([traditional] cover) (with The Dirty Dozen Brass Band)
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Chameleon (Herbie Hancock cover) (with Oteil Burbridge) (with The Dirty Dozen Brass Band)
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Good Morning Little School Girl (Sonny Boy Williamson cover) (with Eric Krasno) (with Oteil Burbridge, Jason Crosby)
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Whipping Post (The Allman Brothers Band cover) (with Tom Guarna) (with Oteil Burbridge, included My Favorite Things tease)
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Feel Like Breaking Up Somebody’s Home
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Beautifully Broken
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Breakdown (Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers cover) (> ‘Beautifully Broken’ reprise)
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Wake Up Dead
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Blind Man in the Dark
Encore