Remembering Allen Woody: Gov’t Mule At Irving Plaza In 1999

It’s been 16 years to the day since bassist Allen Woody tragically tied at the young age of just 44. Born October 3, 1955, the untimely death of the beloved former member of The Allman Brothers Band and founding member of Gov’t Mule was met with a number of tributes from an all-star roster of rock bassists who admired his playing. Woody’s thunderously rhythmic approach helped to define the gritty early Mule sound, while further establishing the then trio as a favorite in the jam scene.

For this week’s Full Show Friday installment, the attention goes to Allen and his contributions to a Gov’t Mule concert in New York City on March 17, 1999. The single-set show at Irving Plaza featured Woody’s ABB mate Warren Haynes on guitar, drummer Matt Abts and a guest appearance during the multi-song encore by current official member Danny Louis on keyboards.

Allen asserts himself from the start, thumping his way through the opening “Wandering Child” and trailing “Thorazine Shuffle.” Other standout moments occur during an early performance of “Devil Like It Slow,” a drums-filled “Left Coast Groovies” and the encore opening debut performance of U2’s “One” with Louis on keys. Watch Allen in action on St. Patty’s Day 1999 in the video posted by BurningShoreProphet2 below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LUNzjZItTX4

Setlist (via Mule Army)

Set: Wandering Child, Thorazine Shuffle, Devil Likes It Slow, Mule > I’ve Been Working > Mule, Nasty Dogs & Funky Kings, Pygmy Twylyte > Blind Man In The Dark, Catfish Blues > Rollin’ Stone, Lay Your Burden Down, Left Coast Groovies > Drums > Left Coast Groovies, Sin’s A Good Man’s Brother

Encore: One, Soulshine, Gambler’s Roll, Life Before Insanity

* Danny Louis on keyboards for entire encore + 1st time played