Music review: Gov’t Mule – ‘Dark Side of the Mule’
Formed as a side project from the Allman Brothers Band, Gov鈥檛 Mule has entertained fans for two rocking decades by delivering a spirited combination of Southern rock and blues through the band鈥檚 legendary live performances.
As part of Gov鈥檛 Mule鈥檚 20th anniversary celebration, the band releases another stellar live performance from the archives. 鈥淒ark Side of the Mule鈥� stunningly captures the band鈥檚 2008 show at the Orpheum Theatre in Boston on Halloween evening.
Released in multiple formats, the single CD package features the band delivering an engaging set of various Pink Floyd covers. Guitar virtuoso Warren Hayes superbly channels the genius of Pink Floyd鈥檚 David Gilmour through masterful guitar work on numbers like 鈥淥ne of These Days鈥� and 鈥淗ave a Cigar.鈥�
The musicianship is faithfully flawless throughout the show as the players display the poise and maturity of a band that has played more than a few bars and clubs during a noteworthy career. Arrangements like 鈥淢oney,鈥� 鈥淏reathe (In the Air)鈥� and 鈥淐omfortably Numb鈥� are nothing short of mesmerizing as the music conveys a spiritual aura that is moving and surreal.
I can clearly remember the day back in 1973 when I permanently borrowed Pink Floyd鈥檚 鈥淒ark Side of the Moon鈥� from my older brother. With its weird album cover art, I was instantly won over by the hauntingly textured arrangements about everyday life that would meld together to deliver an atmospheric masterpiece of psychedelic perfection. I would eventually go on to own the entire Pink Floyd catalog.
鈥淒ark Side of the Mule鈥� follows the November release of 鈥淪toned Side of the Mule: Volume 1,鈥� featuring a set of Rolling Stones covers. Both collections are a must-have for music fans and a perfect and welcomed after-Christmas treat.
This review is dedicated to the memory of my older brother, who introduced me to the magically moving world of music with 鈥淢eet the Beatles.鈥� May you continue to shine on you crazy diamond.
Clint Rhodes is the 缅北禁地 music reviewer. He can be reached at crhodes@heraldstandard.com.