Gov’t Mule Welcomes Ron Holloway & Paul Ill In Philadelphia

On Saturday night Gov’t Mule concluded a three-show New Year’s Run with a lone performance at the Tower Theater in Philadelphia. Warren Haynes and Co. were joined by two guests who have sat-in with the band multiple times in the past – saxophonist Ron Holloway and bassist Paul Ill.

After an instant classic New Year’s Eve show in which they covered The Band, the Grateful Dead and The Allman Brothers Band, Mule focused on their own material at the Tower. A “Thorazine Shuffle” complete with “Oye Como Va” tease kicked off the first set. Next up was “Game Face” with a “Mountain Jam” tease. The opening stanza rolled on with “Temporary Saint,” “Whisper In Your Soul,” “Time To Confess” and “Lola, Leave Your Light On.” Frequent Gov’t Mule collaborator Ron Holloway then came out to add sax to the versions of “Devil Likes It Slow” and “Pass The Peas” that ended the first set.

Gov’t Mule came out of the gates for the second set with “World Boss” > “Mother Earth.” Next, “Monkey Hill” featured a “I Want You (She’s So Heavy” ending. Holloway returned for a cover of Billy Cobham’s “Stratus” which led into a drum solo followed by a drums and sax duet and “Sums & Dracs Jam.” The band brought the final set of the run to a close with a “Mule” > “I’ve Been Working” > “Mule” sequence. When Gov’t Mule returned for the encore, they came back out with Holloway and Paul Ill who subbed on bass for Jorgen Carlsson for “Come On Into My Kitchen” and “Send You Back To Georgia.” Mule is now off for a few weeks before they head to Jamaica for Island Exodus 7.

Watch fan-shot footage of “Thorazine Shuffle” and “Stratus” thanks to GotMule?:

[Thorazine Shuffle]

[Stratus]