Gov’t Mule & Larkin Poe Honor Dave Mason In Nashville

Gov’t Mule ended their time on the road with Larkin Poe on Wednesday at The Pinnacle in Nashville. Both bands joined forces during Mule’s headlining set for a cover of Traffic’s “Feelin’ Alright?” in tribute to Dave Mason.

Traffic co-founder Dave Mason died on Sunday, April 19 at age 79. Mason wrote “Feelin’ Alright?,” which has been covered by countless acts over the past 58 years.

Mule frontman Warren Haynes was a huge Dave Mason fan and took to social media on Wednesday to post a remembrance shortly after the legendary musician’s death was announced. Read Haynes’ note below:

So sad to hear about the passing of Dave Mason. In addition to being a great singer and guitar player, Dave was a great songwriter who wrote so many songs that I spent countless hours listening to in my formative years. Songs like “Feeling Alright”, ””Shouldn’t Have Took More Than You Gave”, “Sad and Deep As You”, “Only You Know And I Know”, “It’s Like You Never Left” and “Headkeeper” are fantastic cornerstones of my rock and roll upbringing. As a singer and as a songwriter he had a great sense of melody that carried over to his guitar playing which was extremely melodic. His guitar solos always served the song and were amazingly memorable—in many cases sounding like they were actually part of the song.

He was one of the people who shaped my playing at an early age. From listening to him I got an underlying sense of the importance of making every note count. Although I listened a lot to many of his solo records and his studio work with Traffic, I really loved live recordings Like Dave Mason Is Alive and Welcome To The Canteen and still cover some of those songs to this day. Dave and I played together several times through the years and it was always an honor for me. I hope more young, upcoming musicians and artists will do themselves a service and discover what a great contribution to rock and roll history Dave Mason made. Those songs and recordings will live forever.

— WH

Gov’t Mule took the stage after Larkin Poe’s opening set and reeled off originals “Brand New Angel,” “Bad Little Doggie,” “About To Rage” and “Dreaming Out Loud.” Haynes then called upon Larkin Poe’s Megan Lovell and sister Rebecca Lovell to guest on a version of the traditional “John The Revelator.” Megan added lapsteel guitar and vocals, while Rebecca played mandolin and sang.

Megan and Rebecca’s Larkin Poe bandmates — keyboardist Lucas Pettee and drummer Ben Satterlee — joined the fray for the ensuing “Feelin’ Alright?” Satterlee hopped on percussion for Mule’s first cover of the Traffic classic since New Year’s Eve 2017 concert in New York City.

Warren Haynes and Rebecca Lovell traded verses on “Feelin’ Alright?” in Nashville. Haynes, Mule’s Danny Louis, Megan Lovell and Lucas Pettee each took solos on the 10-minute cover, with Warren and Megan engaging in a wild call-and-response sequence.

Mule’s set rolled on sans guests with a take on The J.B.’s “Doing It To Death.” Next came “Peace I Need” and an “Ain’t No Love In The Heart Of The City” cover before the quartet sealed the set with fan-favorites “World Boss,” “Lay Your Burden Down,” “Blind Man In The Dark” and “Mr. Man.”

Warren Haynes and his bandmates had one more tribute to Dave Mason in store to kick off their encore. Gov’t Mule played their first cover of Mason’s “Sad And Deep As You” since September 24, 2023 and then said farewell with a “Mule” featuring “Who Do You Love?” within.

Watch audience-captured video of Gov’t Mule and Larkin Poe’s Dave Mason tribute in Nashville below: