In recent years, Gov’t Mule has chosen individual bands to cover on New Year’s Eve. This year, however, the Warren Haynes-led band opted for a different approach, using the three-set format to pay tribute to the three artists who performed at the “Summer Jam” at Watkins Glen, NY in 1973. With sets covering The Band, The Allman Brothers and The Grateful Dead, all of whom played together on July 28th, 1973, Mule fans knew they were in for a treat at the Beacon Theatre.
The first set was “Grateful Mule,” with renditions of some Grateful Dead favorites with Steve Kimock joining the band. Check out this video of “Bertha” below:
Next up was “The Mule,” a take on the catalog of “The Band.” With Jorgen Carlsson and Larry Campbell, the group played faithful renditions of classic Band songs like “The Shape I’m In,” “The Weight, “Up On Cripple Creek,” and more. Check out some highlights below, captured by Sean Roche:
Finally, The AllMule Brothers got to work for the third set, with Chuck Leavell, Jack Pearson, Paul Riddle and Shawn Pelton joining in the madness. Together, the band counted down the New Year before diving into classics like “Wasted Words,” “In Memory Of Elizabeth Reed,” “Statesboro Blues,” “Jessica” and “Whipping Post.” Videos by Sean Roche below:
With an encore of “Mountain Jam,” the Gov’t Mule ‘New Year’s Jam’ came to a close. What a show! Full setlist below:
Setlist: Gov’t Mule’s ‘New Year’s Jam’ At The Beacon Theatre, New York, NY – 12/31/15
Set I (Grateful Mule): Watkins Glen Jam > Bird Song, Tennessee Jed, Bertha, Here Comes Sunshine, Loose Lucy, He’s Gone, Truckin, China Cat Sunflower > I Know You Rider
Set II (The Mule): The Shape I’m In, The Weight, Stage Fright, Don’t Do It, Chest Fever, The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down, Across The Great Divide, Up On Cripple Creek, This Wheel’s On Fire
Set III (AllMule Brothers): Countdown > Wasted Words, Done Somebody Wrong, Southbound, In Memory Of Elizabeth Reed, Come & Go Blues, Trouble No More, Blue Sky, One Way Out, Statesboro Blues*, Jessica, Whipping Post
Encore: Mountain Jam (w/ Steve Kimock)
* = w/ Lincoln Schliefer