The "Kinder Revolution" Fall 2008 tour ended for Gov't Mule at the Fillmore Theater in San Francisco, where they played for two nights, Friday, November 21, and Saturday, November 22. The weather was unusually warm for the Bay Area, which made waiting outside in line more bearable. Since Joe and I had decided not to try for the balcony this time, we didn't worry about being one of the first in line. (The sound quality down on the floor is better, but you stand in one spot for hours, and it's physical endurance time.) We talked to some of the other Mule fans that we've gotten to know over the years while we milled around on the floor, listening to early 1950s rock and R&B classics, which were played both nights before the show started. Man, those tunes took me back to early childhood when my mother used to play her 45s on her little portable record player. Music has that ability to transport you back in time in a heartbeat.
British blues-rock trio Back Door Slam from the Isle of Man opened for Gov't Mule both nights. These guys sound like grizzled blues veterans, but they look like they could be starring in High School Musical, they are just that young and fresh-faced. They had me at their cover of Cream's (and Blind Joe Reynolds') Outside Woman Blues, which is also on their CD Roll Away. So I had to buy it. It's now in rotation in my Prius, and I love it. I don't know where the Mule found this band, but they really had the crowd cheering. Lead guitarist Davy Knowles rocks the Fender Stratocaster like nobody's business, sounding like Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughn, and Eric Clapton all rolled up into one. Being the opening band can be tough, but Back Door Slam won some new fans in California.
The Mule also brought their A game, but then don't they always? Especially the last shows of a tour. Matt Abts was sporting a full beard, which made him resemble Chuck Norris' younger brother. Highlights of Friday's show was the St. Stephen jam; She Said, She Said into Tomorrow Never Knows; and then ending the first set with Dear Prudence with Davy Knowles on guitar. Friday's second set saw War Pigs and When The Music's Over (played at Red Rocks), with a two song encore, All Along The Watchtower and Goin' Out West, with guest musicians Jeff Coffin and Eric McFadden.
Saturday night was THE last night of the tour. The first set opened with a very soulful Soulshine, done gospel style. Warren's song Patchwork Quilt, a tribute to Jerry Garcia, was a nod to Jerry's legacy at the Fillmore and in San Francisco. Between sets, the road crew came out on stage and did a hilarious sight gag ala Morris Day and the Time, dancing to Jungle Love. From Gov't Mule's web site: "Set Break Mule Crew Jungle Love with Kenny Harwell, Brian Farmer, Chris Rushin, Danny Bennet, TJ Centrella and Big E on the mirror." It was quick, but funny.
Phil Lesh came out to join the Mule at the beginning of the second set with Loser, Terrapin Station, and Sugaree. A number of Mule fans are also Deadheads (like us), and of course it was San Francisco, so Phil was very well received. (Warren has toured with the Dead and Phil Lesh & Friends, so it's all interconnected.) The band treated us to not just one, but two encores, and the second encore was Pink Floyd's Wish You Were Here, which everyone sang along to at the beginning. That was very moving. Wonder if they had Jerry in mind.
Something I found interesting: Warren introduced all of the band members, including the guest musicians who jammed with them, at both shows....but....he did not introduce the new bass player, Jorgen Carlsson. Hmmm. I joked that maybe he is still on his probationary period.
To see the entire set lists, go here to Gov't Mule's site. I have to say that the crowds were friendly both nights, and it didn't get too packed in on the floor. As always, we were left happy, satisified, and as Warren sang in When The Music's Over, knowing that "music is your only friend, until the end."
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