Gov’t Mule Welcomes George Porter Jr. & Guitarist Carter Wilkinson In Baton Rouge

Gov’t Mule brought out famed bassist George Porter Jr. for the majority of the second set last night at their show in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Young guitarist Carter Wilkinson also sat-in with Mule during a portion of Porter’s time on stage at Raising Cane’s River Center Arena.

Both George Porter Jr. and Carter Wilkinson are based out of New Orleans. GPJ, the legendary co-founding member of The Meters, has a long history of performing with Gov’t Mule that included time on the road as part of the Deep End Tour following the tragic death of Allen Woody. The bassist last joined the quartet this past May during their show at the Orpheum Theater in New Orleans.

Gov’t Mule emerged for Wednesday’s second set with George Porter Jr. in tow. The four musicians kicked off the frame with a medley combining Prince’s “When Doves Cry” and Mule original “Beautifully Broken.” George Porter Jr. remained out while Carter Wilkinson joined the fray for covers of the Grateful Dead’s “Sugaree” and The Meters’ “Fire On The Bayou.” Porter sang in addition to holding down the bottom end during the lengthy collaboration.

The band — guitarist Warren Haynes, multi-instrumentalist Danny Louis, drummer Matt Abts and bassist Kevin Scott — followed the guest spots by working through “Revolution Come, Revolution Go,” the title track from their 2017 studio album. Mule closed last night’s second set with a cover of Al Green’s “I’m A Ram.” An “Endless Parade” encore punctuated the concert.

Check out a few clips of the guest appearances below:

Last night’s first set was heavy on originals. “World Boss” off 2013’s Shout! kicked off the evening. Mule then coupled oldies “Mother Earth” and “Brand New Angel.” From there, Haynes led the group through Bobby “Blue” Bland’s “Ain’t No Love In The Heart Of The City” ahead of a “Game Face” that, as usual, encompassed themes from “Mountain Jam.” Next up was staple “Pressure Under Fire” along with “Dreaming Out Loud” and “Made My Peace” off the band’s recently released Peace…Like A River LP. The beloved “Mule” ended the quartet’s first set in Baton Rouge.

Gov’t Mule brings their fall tour to Florida this weekend for shows in Fort Myers on Friday and St. Augustine on Saturday.

Setlist (via Gov’t Mule Facebook)

Set One: World Boss, Mother Earth, Brand New Angel, Ain’t No Love In The Heart Of The City, Game Face > Mountain Jam > Game Face, Pressure Under Fire, Dreaming Out Loud, Made My Peace, Mule

Set Two: When Doves Cry* > Beautifully Broken* > When Doves Cry*, Sugaree**, Fire On The Bayou**, Revolution Come, Revolution Go, I’m A Ram

Encore: Endless Parade

• * – with George Porter Jr.
• ** – with George Porter Jr. & Carter Wilkinson