Remembering Allen Woody – Acoustic Gov’t Mule 1999

Fifteen years ago today we lost bassist Allen Woody, who died at the way too young age of 44. Woody’s big break came in 1989 when he was recruited to join The Allman Brothers Band for a reunion tour that turned into an eight-year stint in the group. Allen and his ABB band mate Warren Haynes formed Gov’t Mule with drummer Matt Abts in 1994. Three years later Haynes and Woody quit the Allmans to focus on Gov’t Mule full-time.

To celebrate the life and talents of Allen Woody, let’s look at an acoustic set Gov’t Mule performed on October 30, 1999 in Austin, Texas. The trio was known for their hard rock sound, so the stripped down setting gives a chance to better appreciate the dynamic Allen brought to Mule. The set includes a handful of Gov’t Mule originals such as “Thorozine Shuffle” mixed with tunes from Allen and Warren’s time in the Allmans as well as a few choice covers with Traffic’s “Low Spark Of High-Heeled Boys” and Elton John’s “Madman Across The Water” among them. Take a look at footage of the set shared by Mule Army:

https://vimeo.com/38840845

All Acoustic Set: It Takes More Than A Hammer And Nails To Make A House A Home, Dolphineus > Painted Silver Light, Thorazine Shuffle, Gambler’s Roll, Kind Of Bird, Low Spark Of High Heeled Boys, I Shall Return, Afro Blue, Madman Across The Water, It Hurts Me Too, End Of The Line

Encore: Get Behind The Mule, Soulshine