Govt Mule Concert
Oct 18, Roseland Ballroom, NYC

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   The Govt Mule show, at New York's Roseland Ballroom, featured a bevy of bassists, each sitting in for a few pieces. Oteil Burbridge is the bassist doing this part of the group's tour, and he played the first half of the show. Then guest bassists, aside from me, were (from Phish) Mike Gordon, (from Dave Matthews band) Stefan Lessard. And (from Jefferson Airplane and many other groups) Jack Casady. Keyboard players Bob Beranco and Chuck Leavell (like Warren, he's a regular with the Allmon Brothers Band) were playing too.
(The Govt. Mule members are Matt Abst, on drums, and Warren Haynes on guitar.)

   As you might imagine, it was a lot of fun backstage, hanging out before going on.
Jack Casady had his self-designed bass and amp. VH-1 was interviewing various players about various subjects. Mike Gordon, having produced and directed a considerable video of the multi-album project, was hearing a trailer of his video played for the audience, acting as the opening act.
Oteil told me that long ago he saw me in concert with Peter Gabriel, and it inspired him to start playing a fretless bass. Made me feel pretty good, though I have to admit he was a kid at the time, which I guess would make me a bit long in the tooth, as they say!







   Rehearsal the night before the show was fun too. The rental rehearsal space had those warped, cracked mirrors that sent me running for my camera!



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