Phish was not the only band to deliver a set of Rolling Stones songs on Halloween. Across the country in Philadelphia, Gov’t Mule was doing the same. As the group has teased via its concert poster above, the first set, which opened with “Under My Thumb” was comprised of Rolling Stones covers. Jackie Greene sat in on guitar and vocals throughout the set with Steve Elson on sax for many of the songs. Of particular note was the Mule’s take on “Shattered,” when drummer Matt Abts stepped out on lead vocals, with bassist Jorgen Carlsson moving to drums and keyboard player Danny Louis picking up the bass. Elson contributed to such selections as “Doo Doo Doo Doo Doo,” “Gimme Shelter,” “Bitch” and “Brown Sugar.” The set also included interpretations of “Monkey Man,” “Angie,” and “Wild Horses.” Elson later appeared on “Blind Man In The Dark,” which closed two two and Greene also reemerged for the encore which moved from “Goin’ Out West” into “Bang A Gong (Get It On)” and back into “Goin’ Out West.’

Gov’t Mule’s By A Thread European Tour begins in Denmark on Thursday.

*****

Setlist: Gov’t Mule, Tower Theater, Upper Darby, PA, 10/31/09

Set I and encore with Jackie Greene

Set I: Under My Thumb*, Monkey Man*, Doo Doo Doo Doo Doo*#, Angie*, Ventilator Blues*#, Shattered*#^, Wild Horses, Slave*#, Gimme Shelter*#, Play With Fire, Paint It Black*, Bitch*#, Brown Sugar*#

Set II: Steppin’ Lightly, Broke Down on the Brazos, Railroad Boy > Monday Mourning Meltdown > Forevermore, Frozen Fear > Brighter Days > Blind Man in the Dark#

Enc: Goin’ Out West#^^ > Bang A Gong (Get It On)# > Goin’ Out West#

Notes: * First time played. # With Steve Elson. ^ Jorgen on drums, Danny on bass, Matt on vocals. ^^ With “Peter Gunn” theme tease.