September 23rd, 2008 Gov't Mule At The House Of Blues Cleveland
- Reviewed By Krishna Cecil At Kynd Karma Entertainment

There is always a special feeling and energy after roadtrippin for 5 hours to go to a Gov't Mule show. Somehow the Power of the Mule helps release the tied up energy from the car ride. Cleveland is always a great town to catch a concert in... and the ambience of the House of Blues is even better.

MoBoogie.net would like to thank the House of Blues/Cleveland (and Mule Sister Kathleen) for donating the 2 tickets to raffle off on the MoBoogie.net website. The contest winner was AndreaK from Vermillon, Ohio. (winner chosen by Drew at MoBoogie in Colorado)

Now......back to the show!

07.31.2008 House Of Blues Cleveland, OH

Set 1
Slackjaw Jezebel
Wandering Child
Lay Your Burden Down->
Smokestack Lightning->
Lay Your Burden Down
Rocking Horse
Banks of The Deep End
Wine & Blood
Time To Confess
Maggot Brain with Daniel Sproul
After Midnight with Daniel Sproul


Set 2
Lucky
Death Don't Have No Mercy
Monkey Hill She's So Heavy Tease
Effigy->
Folsom Prison Blues Jam->
Drums->
Folsom Prison Blues Jam->
Effigy
So Weak, So Strong
New World Blues
Thorazine Shuffle


Encore:
Red House

"Maggot Brain" was amazingly nasty & wonderful!! Warren Haynes & Daniel Sprouse have some amazing guitar chemistry together. They both infuse their craft into one guitar that leaves no note untouched.

"Smokestack Lightening" was mighty fine tucked inside a whopper version of "Lay your Burden Down". It's incredible to get the dynamic of both songs complimenting each other to show each song's brilliance. An old Gov't Mule favorite "Monkey Hill" is always very nice & exactly what the doctor ordered for the crowd! That song NEVER gets old when it's live.

I enjoyed the show from the box seats & from the floor...back & forth all night long between sets. (Keeps the blood flowin) I enjoy catching as many angles of the stage, from as many areas in the house that I can during a show. It always makes for interesting memories of the performance taken from the crowd's true perception,taken from all angles. The energy from the crowd was on fire & amazing! Definitely lots of old Skool "MuleHeads" in the crowd that night.

The whole night was incredible...specially the Mule afterparty. (Thanks,Mike) Ran into some friends backstage & the MoBoogie contest winner Andrea & Leigh....so you know it was a party! The guys are always kind & sweet & mellow backstage...specially after a massage from one of Dr Dot's wonderful massage team. Warren was smilin & seemed to be in good spirits. His room was awesome, because he had the big John Belushi mural from the movie "1941" on the wall. (House of Blues, remember?)

Warren seemed happy about the Allman tour & upcoming solo shows. He was excited about performing for a very intimate sold out audience at Jorma's Fur Peace Ranch in Ohio on 9/20. I am so excited to be one of the 200 people in attendance along with some Mule friends.

I got Matt Abt's bass drumhead that was played on for 3 shows prior. (Thanks,Lance) And Matt was kind enough to sign & date it for me too. I also got the 1st setlist & our tix signed....didn't wanna bother for many photo ops,the time isn't always appropriate to hassle. (it takes away from the vibe sometimes)

We hung out for at least an hour or so before we congregated outside w/ Warren to the buses where 50 fans were there waiting.... Warren went over & greeted the fans with smiles. The other guys had already made contact & were hangin outside by the buses waiting to leave shortly there after. Scott & I hid around the buses with Danny & Fred (Mule merch Guru) for a while until the buses were ready & then big hugs & off they went to PA for the next night.

I love & appreciate the Mule and I am very thankful for what they stand for as a whole. My husband Scott & I have been "Muleheads" since the birth of the Mule and we love the original trio Mule more than most bands ever. (Woody is like a god in our house) And while Allen Woody is very much missed & loved & respected to the highest form for his amazing contribution to Govt Mule, I honestly do think that he too would be able to appreciate their evolution. Their will and drive to evolve expands beyond what most bands are able or willing to do these days musically.

VIVA LE MULE....may "the road" keep on shining brightly.