Photos & Review By Ryan Swerdlin
Gov’t Mule blew the doors off of Atlanta’s Tabernacle Thursday September 26, 2013 with a little help from their friends. The crowd inside the room that evening was electric as the opening band took the stage. The London Souls, hailing from NYC played a ripping opening set. This trio has a ton of soul with some incredibly raw guitar work by lead singer and songwriter Tash Neal. The group is definitely going places and fast! After the London Souls set, the room was buzzing with energy awaiting Mule to take the stage. The lights went down as Warren Haynes, Matt Abts, Danny Louis, and Jorgen Carlsson took the stage and began one of the most memorable performances the Tabernacle will see in 2013. There are few bands that can take a room full of people from sweaty in your face rock to slow melodic melodies like Mule is able to. The first set boasted some insane rock and blues which was highlighted by a raw version of “Broke Down on the Brazos” that got the venue on their feet, stomping and singing along. Other notable moments were the strong “Mountain Jam” tease during “Gameface” as well as the “Whisper in Your Soul”, which was phenomenal.
The second set was also a showcase of Mules’ versatility. Opening with The Beatles “Dear Prudence”, the crowd was able to ease back into the music with a Mule spin of an amazing classic. The quartet was obviously having an great time playing, arguably one of the best venues in Atlanta, with the smiles going on between them all. The covers continued to pour out in the second set either by tease or outright making it into the set list. Zeppelin’s “Stairway to Heaven” was teased as well as “Whole Lotta Love”. While Jimi Hendrix “Castles Made of Sand” and Al Green’s “I’m a Ram” made their full appearance in the set (as did a full version of “Whole Lotta Love”). The encore was nothing to miss either, starting off with Prince’s “When Doves Cry” working into “Beautifully Broken” before working back into the end of “When Doves Cry”. It really was some incredible playing by some of today’s music greats. As if that was not enough for the encore, Gov’t Mule brought out two guests for the finale, Tinsley Ellis and Ike Stubblefield. Playing Ann Peebles “I Feel Like Breaking Up Somebody’s Home”, in true Mule fashion, brought the room again to its’ knees with incredible blues guitar and B3 organ work. The music was hot, the crowd was cool, and the experience was as always amazing at the Tabernacle this past Thursday with Gov’t Mule. Set list is listed below:
Set 1
World Boss > Mother Earth > Broke Down On The Brazos > Tributary Jam, Gameface with Birdland & Mountain Jam Teases, Stoop So Low (Outro 2), When The World Gets Small, Temporary Saint, Whisper In Your Soul, Which Way Do We Run
Set 2
Dear Prudence, Kind Of Bird with Stairway To Heaven Tease, Captured, Mr. Big > Drums > Castles Made Of Sand, I’m A Ram, Mule > with Shakedown Street Tease & Whole Lotta Love Lyrics, Whole Lotta Love > Mule with Les Brers In A Minor Tease
Encore
When Doves Cry > Beautifully Broken > When Doves Cry > Beautifully Broken, Feel Like Breaking Up Somebody’s Home with Tinsley Ellis & Ike Stubblefield
