This is the second instalment of the Gov’t Mule 20th anniversary celebration. In case you are unaware Gov’t Mule are a southern rock jam band who formed in 1994 as a side project of The Allman Brothers Band. Since then they have released ten studio albums and numerous other releases to boot. John Schofield is a jazz-rock guitarist who has played with all the legends.
This record is a document of two shows they did together in Georgia. As The Mule form the bedrock of this, what you get are extended, muscular blues workouts inflected with Schofield’s jazz tones. So for fans of The Mule, the blues and John Schofield there is much to savour. It would seem that Schofield is leaning towards his blues roots on most of the cuts which is perhaps a bit of a shame to my mind as I would have liked more contrast between the two guitars. What we do get is stellar musicianship. Apparently they had one rehearsal together but if you can come up with jams like this it makes you think, was that really necessary?
The tracks range in length from ten minutes (phew) to twenty-three minutes (phewee) and rather than dissect each one, a task I am wholly unqualified to do at any rate, I will merely pick out my favourites, starting with the twenty-three minute ‘Afro-Blue’ which is not on the vinyl format. Perhaps because of its excessive length the track moves between the serene and the shredding and onto the tinkling without you even noticing. It is enticing and you get a real flavour for what the boy Schofield is capable of. ‘Pass The Peas’ has a really funky and gritty feel to it, ‘Kind Of Bird’ is slow to take off but when it does it truly soars and I love Tom Thumb as it shows off the keyboard player also.
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There are no stinkers on this album and if you’re a fan of the blues, The Mule, The Allman Brothers, Grateful Dead, or any one of that ilk you are sure to find this album a real pleasure. Just bear in mind that I have listened to the CD version for review and the double vinyl version has a slightly different track listing.
Government Mule online
Mascot Label Group online
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