George Porter Jr. Joins Warren Haynes Band For Capitol Theatre Jam Session

Warren Haynes brought the Warren Haynes Band to The Capitol Theatre in Port Chester, New York on Friday for the penultimate concert of his fall tour. Haynes welcomed The Meters bassist George Porter Jr. for a two-song guest appearance early in the WHB’s second of two sets at the historic rock palace.

The Warren Haynes Band lineup that took the stage at The Cap saw Haynes joined by bassist Kevin Scott, drummer Terence Higgins, saxophonist Greg Osby and keyboardist Matt Slocum. Haynes’ tour came in support of his forthcoming solo album, Million Voices Whisper. The LP is due on November 1 via Fantasy Records.

George Porter Jr. and Warren Haynes have a long-standing musical relationship. The funk icon spent time on the road with Gov’t Mule following the tragic death of Allen Woody and contributed to the version of “Time To Confess” found on the band’s 2002 live album, The Deep End, Volume 2. Additionally, Haynes tapped George Porter Jr. to play bass on his 2011 solo album, Man In Motion. GPJ has since sat-in numerous times with Gov’t Mule and performed alongside Haynes in several supergroups.

Porter Jr. emerged following the “Go Down Swinging” that started the Warren Haynes Band’s second set at The Cap. The iconic bassist took over for Kevin Scott and guided the ensemble through The Meters classic “Just Kissed My Baby.” George Porter Jr. stuck around to contribute to the Allen Toussaint-penned “Sneakin’ Sally Through The Alley,” a song originally recorded (with The Meters) by Lee Dorsey for his Allen Toussaint-co-produced 1971 album Yes We Can.

Watch George Porter Jr.’s guest appearance with the Warren Haynes Band via fan-shot video below:

The powerhouse ensemble devoted the rest of the show to performances of Million Voices Whisper cuts, Gov’t Mule classics, other Haynes solo gems and choice covers. Gov’t Mule songs played by the WHB at The Cap included “Tear Me Down,” “Banks of the Deep End” and “Thorazine Shuffle.” Haynes’ time in The Allman Brothers Band was represented by “Instrumental Illness” and “Soulshine,” while he looked to the Grateful Dead repertoire for “Black Peter.”

Warren Haynes will next take the stage this Thursday, October 17 at an all-star tribute to Robbie Robertson to be held at the Kia Forum in Los Angeles. Gov’t Mule then celebrates their 30th anniversary with a three-show New Year's Run culminating at New York City’s Beacon Theatre on December 31.

Setlist & Photos