Music: Gov't Mule

In 1994, guitarist Warren Haynes and bassist Allen Woody formed Gov’t Mule as a side outlet for their own songs. The two virtuosos (along with Blues/Rock keyboardist and harmonica player Johnny Neel) had joined The Allman Brothers Band in 1989, when the classic rockers reformed based on the success of the career retrospective, Dreams. Gov’t Mule was an immediate hit, so Woody and Haynes left the Allmans in 1997 to put all of their apples in the Gov’t Mule basket. Good choice. The band’s Southern Rock soul and Jam band spirit have helped Gov’t Mule sell over a million albums (and 1.5 million downloads from their Web sites) and pack houses from coast to coast. Woody passed away in 2000 and Haynes returned to the Allmans, but Gov’t Mule continues to shine, thanks to a rotating cast of top-shelf bassists, including “new guy” Jorgen Carlsson, who was recently announced as the band’s fulltime bottom-end keeper. After some experimenting with Reggae on the 2007 album, Mighty High (featuring Dub remixes of songs from the Mule’s 2006 High and Mighty album, plus some Dub covers of Stones and Otis Redding songs), the band released the two-disc live DVD Tale of Two Cities earlier this fall, featuring two full shows that bookended former bassist Andy Hess’ tenure with the band. The Mule’s brilliant musicianship is illuminated by the band’s improv excursions, but Haynes has also proven himself to be a solid Rock & Roll songwriter. The band plays Covington’s Madison Theater 7:30 p.m. Thursday with Back Door Slam. $28. Get details, buy tickets and find nearby bars and restaurants here.