Gov't Mule Feat. John Scofield

Taken from the tapes from a pair of Gov’t Mule shows featuring legendary guitarist John Scofield, Sco-Mule is a tour de force release, showcasing the raw power and breadth of ability from all assembled musicians, performing at their absolute peak. The release has been a long time coming, the shows having taken place back in 1999 in Georgia, but has fans salivating all the same. The tapes of these now infamous dates have been widely circulated around the jam band and jazz communities for many years, and have always been fan favorites, but due to various unforeseen circumstances haven’t been properly released until now.

The sound quality of the recordings are top notch, and highlight perfectly the precision and intensity of the concerts. Featuring a slew of wide ranging covers, as well as Scofield and Mule originals, the band works together in flawless harmony, weaving a tapestry of engulfing and exceptionally entertaining music. Scofield, in his typically quick and precise blend of jazz and blues, is the perfect counterpoint to Warren Haynes’ often fluid slide-guitar work, and serious blues and southern rock chops, culminating in a unique, genre-defying blend of sounds that is somehow so very familiar and comforting, hitting on all the right notes.

Songs like Scofield original “Hottentot” and the James Brown tune “Doing It To Death” highlight Scofield’s ability to rip through a top notch, blisteringly fast solo, as well as his soft touch and patience, both equally rewarding and engrossing to listen to. Wayne Shorter’s “Tom Thumb” highlights the wonderful Dr. Dan Matrazzo on the keys, although his contributions can be felt throughout, adding the detailed canvas for the group to paint upon.

Gov’t Mule original “Birth Of The Mule” features Hayne’s now famous slide guitar prominently, but not intrusively, leaving plenty of room for the players to explore the nooks and crannies of the music, and giving Scofield space to work his magic, tiptoeing through scales elegantly, before handing the reigns back over to Warren.

The title track is an absolute monster of a song, featuring both guitarists absolutely crushing, as well as absolutely stunning drumming from Matt Abts who not only manages to keep up with the maniacal musings of the guitarists, but adds texture and flair all his own, keeping this short (at least compared to the rest) and intense track on the rails, while pushing it all forward. “Kind Of Bird,” originally written by Haynes and Dickey Betts for the Allman Brothers Band’s Shades Of Two Worlds, feels like it was meant to be played in this setting. This absolute behemoth of a track features the delicate interplay of both guitarists, while the late great Allen Woody, bassist extraordinaire, holds things down with a nonstop, painfully intricate walking bassline. The band reaches for impossible highs, and then dives back for the subtle lows, back and forth taking the listener on an unforgettable ride.

Those that pre-ordered the release, and you really should have, are treated to alternative takes of “Hottentot” and “Kind Of Bird,” both equally as impressive as those on the standard release, as well as another funk heavy James Brown cover, “Pass The Peas,” Mule original “Devil Likes It Slow,” And a mind bending version of the often covered Mongo Santamaria track “Afro Blue,” perhaps best known as played by John Coltrane. This really should have made the cut for the standard release as the musicianship is top notch, and the end jam is something to go back to over and over again, again showcasing the fantastic connection between these five musicians.

After many repeated listens, the thing that stands out the most, aside from the obviously massive amount of talent of everyone involved, is the level of comfort these gentleman had together. If no one said as much, it’d be hard to think these guys had been playing together less than a decade, and yet it was their first time on stage together. There’s a sort of magical connection between everyone that can be felt in every moment of the record, each member pushing each other to reach for their personal zenith, and the results are absolutely stunning. This will prove to be a benchmark release in the live music community, there’s no doubt about it.

Sadly, Allen Woody was found dead 13 months after these shows, with no immediate cause of death ever determined. His incredible musicianship was a great loss to the community. The current incarnation of Gov’t Mule, still featuring Matt Abts, as well as bassist Jorgen Carlsson and keyboardist Danny Louis are embarking on a nationwide tour to celebrate the band’s 20th anniversary, bringing along none other than mister John Scofield. The two month tour kicks off in Seattle, WA on February 18th.