Sco-Mule (The 2nd of two Gov't Mule shows with John Scofield) - 9/23/99 - Atlanta, GA

Warren told me it would happen! When Michele and I were hanging out after the Atlanta Summer Session show Warren said that Scofield had called the Mule and wanted to jam! But not just jam, he wanted to join them for some shows.. The only dates that matched were Athens and Atlanta and I got to do to Atlanta! Warren also said he was trying to get a keyboard player to join and balance the sound. He mentioned Chuck Leavell, Dr. Dan and Johnny Neel. You could tell that Dr. Danwas his 1st choice.

The Roxy is a special place to see the Mule. 1st it is what I would call their official venue, the 1st record release show for Dose was there, last year's New Year's Eve show was there and it was the 1st place that I saw the Mule play! Most every time the Mule plays the Roxy special guests join in and this show, although planned, was no exception. There were unannounced guests in addition to Scof and Dr. Dan.

Now, John Scofield is one of the premier psychedelic/fusion/funk jazz guitarists. He played with Miles Davis for quite awhile and most recently hooked up with Medeski Martin and Wood for an album (A Go Go) and took Clyde Stubblefield out on tour. I saw John play at the All Good Music Festivaland you could tell that he was vibing off the audience. He mentioned how much fun he & his family were having with these hippies in the woods. Gov't Mule also played that festival...

Dr. Dan was the keyboardist for Fiji Mariners and is one of the most creative players I've seen. He plays keys like a guitarist plays his guitar. He attacks. He also has a great ear.

Chris Whitley came out to little fan fare and played well. He's rearranged a few songs and added some things but his solo tour is still based on his power as a songwriter. He plays steel guitar like nobody I've heard, very aggressive. He writes songs with an unprecedented honesty and it all comes across very strongly. I know there were complaints about his stuff all sounding the same but I've come to the conclusion that anything you don't like always sounds the same.

The Mule came out with a bang and proceeded to bang the sound system. They blew some power cable that gave Matt Abts an early drum solo, which he proceeded to kill. Matt is one of the most solid and ingenious drummers I've ever heard. He doesn't have a lot of flair but he plays some really cool stuff, especially with that double kick drum pedal!!!!!!!

After that problem was solved the Mule moved right along into a few newer songs b4 they brought out Dr. Dan and John Scofield. I was looking so forward to Scof on stage with the Mule that I really couldn't contain myself. I've said b4 that I am in heaven when I am listening to something that puts me in mood of joy, a feeling where I can't contain myself. This was one of those shows. I was brimming with joy and excitement all night. There were friends there, my fav band was on stage and one of my favorite guitarists was on stage with them.

I'd heard a little about the previous night, the Athens show, the debut of Scofield & the Mule but I was not prepared for the vibe and the music I was getting. Scof seemed to be enjoying himself SO much. They 1st did "Hottentot" from his most recent album, A Go Go, and Allenwas playing upright Bass!!! I'd never seen Woody play an upright and he sounded great. His sound was there but those wonderful glissandos (sp?) and slides that are capable only with a fretless. Wow! As the night progressed you could tell that the musicians had all learned each others' moves and styles. The songs flowed and they all seemed to be having a great time. Each song had a healthy dose of Scof which was great because most songs were Warren's or the Mule's.

The next surprise, which wasn't really a surprise came late in the show when Jimmy Herringstepped out. Jimmy played on what has become my favorite Mule instrumentals, "Devil Likes It Slow". This song is forever Jimmy Herring's in my mind because of his participation at the New Year's Eve show last year.  I can't hear the Mule do this song without hearing Jimmy starting his solo. For those who don't know Jimmy Herring is the guitarist for Jazz Is Dead, formally of ARU, and he is the baddest player I know. Jimmy is from the Steve Morse school of playing, alot of really fast notes but with taste and unbelievable style. Jimmy also has the most unique sense of melody I have ever heard from a guitarist, he can start into a melody from all sorts of different points. He's a very low-key, friendly guy who likes to fish.:-) He also brings a smile to the face of everybody he plays with. You should see him on stage with Derek Trucks. Now, what made Jimmy sitting in so spectacular was watching Scofield interact. I would've never believed it but he was awestruck when Jimmy played. I literally sat there with his arms folded and shaking his head. He just couldn't believe what he was seeing and hearing. Jimmy Herring is the MAN!

Finally we got the obligatory "Afro Blue". Jimmy left the stage, which I was saddened to see, only to make way for Warren's mentor, Mike Barnes. I never thought of Warren being influenced by somebody but when Mike took the stage I could see where Warren came from and once again Scofield was impressed. This song is always fun and you could see it on the stage. As usual they lead players started to trade fours across the stage and Scofield took OVER! He was up there smiling and pointing and laughing and then he started to speed things up, instead of trading fours it became threes and then twos and then ones. It was a joy to see the excitement and I was swollen with joy and pride. My favorite band was hosting one of the legendary jazz guitar players and he was having the time of his life.

After the show we (Michele and I) wandered around to the back and everybody was back there. I got a big bear hug from Warren, chatted with Allen Woody and listened to Jimmy and Scof.

Allen and I were discussing the Nashville show and whether Little Miltonwould actually be there. That story is coming up next.