Photo by Heath Robson

Gov’t Mule headlined New York’s CentralPark SummerStage last night as part of the summer concert series’ 25th anniversary celebration. Warren Haynes and the other members of Gov’t Mule have a long history with Central Park: Gov’t Mule headlined Relix’s 30th Anniversary Party at SummerStage in 2003, Haynes sat in with Dave Matthews Band during its free Central Park performance later that year and Gov’t Mule returned to SummerStage in 2007.

Last night’s performance featured one extended continuous set that drew in numerous guests. New York based saxophonist Bill Evans emerged partway through the group’s set for “Madman Across The Water.” He later returned with jazz guitarist Oz Noy for “Sco-Mule.” Soon after, Fab Faux/ Conan O’Brien guitarist Jimmy Vivino sat in on an appropriate take on John Lennon’s “Working Class Hero” (SummerStage’s Central Park location is in the shadow of Lennon’s former home and Strawberry Fields’ memorial). The collaborations continued during Gov’t Mule’s encore with Bruce Hornsby keyboardist John “JT” Thomas performing on “Lively Up Yourself” and Evans returning for a portion of “Mule.” The evening’s second encore segment also featured Vivino and opening act Jackie Greene on “Morning Dew.”