After stripping down for a pair of acoustic—-or at lest semi-acoustic—-shows at New Yorks beautiful Angel Orensanz Foundation, Govt Mule plugged in for a two-set performance Mule plugged in for a two-set performance at New Yorks Hammerstein Ballroom last night. Dumpstaphunk opened the night and Warren Haynes greeted the crowd by sitting in on a set-closing cover of the Rolling Stones Sympathy for the Devil. Keyboardist Danny Louis also swapped in for a song while Ivan Neville showed off his guitar chops, and the Dumpstaphunk leader later returned the favor during Govt Mule headlining spot for a take on Little Feats Spanish Moon. Near the end of Govt Mules first set, Allman Brothers Band percussionist Marc Quinones also took the stage for the abovementioned Little Feat cover, as well as Van Morrisons Into The Mystic and the Haynes/Dickey Betts original Kind Of Bird (which the Allman Brothers Band recorded for 1991s Shades of Two Worlds).
For many, the evenings highlight was a spirited tribute to Freddie Hubbard during the quartets second set. The jazz trumpeter passed away on December 29, and Govt Mule honored his memory by inviting out Quinones, Fab Faux guitarist Jimmy Vivino and keyboardist Jeff Young for an emotional cover of Hubbards Red Clay. In addition to playing in bands with Warren Haynes, Young has clocked in time with the likes of Steely Dan and Jackson Browne and actually recommended both Danny Louis and new bassist Jorgen Carlsson to the group. Vivino also has a deep connection with Govt Mule and over the past few years has developed something of a tradition of sitting in with Govt Mule around New Years Eve. Both musicians latter returned to help the group close its show with a run from the introduction of Come On Into My Kitchen into 32/20 Blues.
Govt Mule will ring in 2009 at the Hammerstein Ballroom this evening. Please click here for a recent site interview with Jorgen Carlsson.