Show Review

The pairing of moe. and Gov’t Mule is a nod to the rock and roll fans in the jam music scene. Both of these bands can crank out tunes that rattle one’s bones, and for two nights in Portland on October 12th and 13th that is exactly what happened. These shows were billed as co-headlining gigs, where each band alternated the opening and closing set from night to night, and both sets clocked in at two hours. For once in my life, when the ticket says show at eight, you had better believe it, because these bands didn’t waste a second to get on the stage and to squeeze in all of their allotted time.

Mule started the tour opener up on the 12th with a mix of searing solos, bluesy ballads, a little reggae, and some classic covers. The set opened up strong with a "Thorazine Shuffle." Warren Haynes is a musical force to be reckoned with, as he demands attention whenever he graces the stage. Keyboardist Danny Louis really impressed me over the run, because his playing adds different textures to the overall sound, as well as softening the edges on some of the harder jams. Our first collaboration of the run took place during the mid set "Sco-Mule" that featured a round robin jam where moe.'s Chuck Garvey took the first solo, then Warren, then Danny. It was quite the musical treat. Overall this was a solid set, but compared to the following few nights of music, there was nothing too groundbreaking. The "Soulshine" encore was heartfelt, and did contain a brief Allman brother’s classic "Jessica" tease.

moe.’s first night of the tour was a solid show that had some incredible peaks, as well as some more mellow moments. The "Spine of a Dog">"Yodelittle" opener was long and spacey, and took a little while to get going, but the "Yodelittle" finished strong. The true highlight of the set was an absolutely raging "Meat," which featured Warren on guitar. This jam alone was worth the price of admission. Although they never quite finished the song, the transition into the apocalyptically themed "The Pit" made it well worth it, and the "Crab Eyes" encore was rocking as always. Then they brought Warren back out, as well as Matt Abts, for a cover of the Traffic classic "Dear Mr. Fantasy" that was beautifully played. A great evening of music, but without a doubt the next night completely eclipsed this show.

The second night of moe. was the best set of moe. I have seen in a while. Although the show started out with a half filled house, as Al Schnier put it, “I think there were more people at the Vinny Amico Experience show,” (referencing the unannounced moe. show from Albany over the summer) it still had it all. There were massive jams on classic moe. tunes, all out setlist hijinks as in reprises of songs within reprises of other songs, subtle teases, super tight playing that featured all five members of the band, and barely a break in the two solid hours of music. Warren even came out to spice up the "Bring You Down" encore. The whole set was a highlight for me, but the combination of "Tailspin">"Rebubula" opener, and then toward the end of the set the "Plane Crash">"Rebubula" tease>"Plane Crash">"Rebubula" reprise>"Tailspin" reprise was spectacular. This was a gift set for all those in the audience who were paying attention.

The Mule set had a tough act to follow, but Warren and company gave it their all with the typical Mule rockers, and a couple of terrific covers. A brilliant cover of the Who’s "Eminence Front" kicked the doors off of the place, and I was ecstatic to hear it. Mule also invited Chris Issac’s guitarist Hershel Yatowitz for a cover of "That’s what Love Will Make You Do." The "Don’t Step on the Grass, Sam" was highly entertaining, as someone assisted the band by bringing out huge cue cards that had the lyrics to the chorus written on them, a-la Bob Dylan in the Subterranean Homesick Blues music video, or for those eighties music video fans, INXS. Neil Young’s "Cortez the Killer" encore with Al Schnier was solid, and Warren even made a not so veiled reference to President Bush in this one. It was one of the more politically charged comments I’ve heard from Warren.

All in all I had a marvelous time at this rock and roll fiesta. Both bands held their own, and gave their respective fans something to cheer about. Now if I could only get that ringing out of my ears, I may one day recover from this rocking good time.