Gov’t Mule Covers Grateful Dead With Bruce Hornsby & John Mailander At Great South Bay

Gov’t Mule headlined the Great South Bay Music Festival on Saturday night in Patchogue, New York after a set from Bruce Hornsby & The Noisemakers. Both Bruce Hornsby and his fiddler John Mailander came out during the Mule set for a cover of the Grateful Dead classic “Loser.”

Mule’s collaboration with the one-time member of the Grateful Dead took place towards the end of their performance. For “Loser,” frontman Warren Haynes played his custom Wolf guitar built by Asher Guitars and inspired by the instrument Doug Irwin created for Jerry Garcia.

Bruce Hornsby and Warren Haynes volleyed lead vocal duties on the song written by Jerry Garcia and Robert Hunter that was debuted by the Grateful Dead on February 18, 1971 at The Capitol Theatre in Port Chester, New York. Hornsby also played Danny Louis' Wurlitzer electric piano, while the Mule keyboardist focused on organ. John Mailander took a fiddle solo and added tasteful licks throughout the 10-minute rendition of “Loser.”

Gov’t Mule reeled off staples “Bad Little Doggie,” “Lay Your Burden Down,” “Slackjaw Jezebel” and “Game Face” ahead of the surprise collaboration. Haynes, Louis and the Mule rhythm section of bassist Kevin Scott and drummer Terence Higgins followed the guest spot by working through “Funny Little Tragedy” and wrapped their set with a run of fan favorites “Thorazine Shuffle,” “Mule” and “Soulshine.”

Watch Bruce Hornsby and John Mailander join Gov’t Mule for “Loser” via footage captured by Scott Gibson:

Photos & Setlist