Michael Yanko
Rock Legends Photographers
Purple Rocks was on my bucket record for a few years. In early July I acquired an e-mail from Gov’t Mule stating that they had been going to be enjoying there on 8-7-23 doing their Darkish Facet of the Mule efficiency. I believed this is perhaps the right alternative to cross this one off my record. After doing a little analysis I came upon that not solely was Jason Bonham opening the present together with his Led Zeppeling Night, Joe Bonamassa was enjoying there the evening earlier than. The choice was made, and quarter-hour later I had flights, automotive rental, and a lodge all booked. I used to be very excited to cross this one off my record and luxuriate in 2 nights of fantastic music. I had seen Gov’t Mule a number of instances earlier than, however I had heard that the DSOTM exhibits are spectacular. I used to be very excited for this 2 nice days of music.
Not like the earlier wet evening the climate was good. Particular visitor Jason Bonham and his Led Zeppelin Night opened the present with an incredible tribute to Zeppelin. This was the right band to preface the superb efficiency we had been all about to expertise.
Assembly Mule bassist Kevin Scott and DSOTM guitarist/keyboardist/vocalist Jackie Greene earlier than the present was an added bonus.
After a brief gear change out from the Bonham set, Mule got here out to roaring applause. Warren Haynes does not speak so much throughout his exhibits, however he warmly greeted the group and the band jumped proper into their opening music, “Identical As It Ever Was” from Peace Like a River…, their newest launch.
Mule’s six music opening set continued with “Time To Confess,” “After The Storm,” “Unring The Bell,” and “Countless Parade,” wrapping up with “Made My Peace,” additionally off the brand new file.
Becoming a member of Mule members Warren Haynes (guitar, vocals), Matt Abts (drums, vocals), Kevin Scott (Bass), and Danny Louis (Keyboards) for the Darkish Facet of the Mule set had been: Jackie Greene (keyboards, guitar, vocals), Ron Holloway (sax), and Sophia Ramos and Machan Taylor on backing vocals.
The DSOTM set consisted of Pink Floyd favorites in addition to some deeper cuts. It opened with “Shine On You Loopy Diamond” adopted by “Have A Cigar” with Abts on lead vocals. They adopted up with the hit “Welcome To The Machine,” then “Communicate To Me,” “Breathe,” “The Nice Gig In The Sky,” “Cash,” “Us And Them,” “Any Color You Like,” “One Of These Days,” “Fearless,” and “Echoes.” I used to be amazed at how correct these songs had been performed, and but Haynes added some customized touches. At one level to introduce Ron Holloway, Haynes truly sang his identify as a part of the music. The band did 2 nice encores! First they returned to play “Comfortably Numb” to the group’s delight. They briefly left the stage however the crowd was hungry for extra, so that they got here again out for a rousing cowl of “Want You Have been Right here.”
I anticipated nothing lower than an incredible gentle present for the DSOTM set, and the band didn’t disappoint.