ZONE OUT with the ROLLING RIDER

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9/20/01
Government Mule
Off the Deep End Tour
Warfield, SF, CA

How comforting to be back on Market Street amongst the miracle-seeking hippies and the street folk. The Rider forgot what it was like to be in *that* scene. Last time there may have been during the extravagant period of 1999 when Phil and Friends were practically the house band. Was it October 1999 with Phil and the Tricksters? Yes, I do believe it was. But tonight it was full circle as "Warren Haynes and Friends" channeled the same magic that has powered the Warfield for years.

I must say, if music is food for the soul, then tonight was a grand feast. Warren and friends not only payed tribute to the late, great Allen Woody, but payed homage to the BASS itself! The rotating slot for the night featured such power house players as Les Claypool, Dave Schools, Alphonso Johnson, and Jack Cassidy all thundering out the heartbeat of the Other felt deep down inside on some subconscious sub-octave level. There definitely was some great disappointment as one approached the Warfield to see sharpie scrawled flyers taped to the box office windows that read: "Phil Lesh will NOT be here tonight".

The main line up for the night was of course Mule veterans Matt Abts on drums and Warren Haynes on guitar, with Chuck Leavell on keys and Les Claypool as the 'host' bass player adding his unique creative spin to the evening. Pete Sears and Rob Barracco also joined the fun on keys later in the second set.

Warren and crew ripped the "roof off the sucker" with such blazing tunes as 'Lay Your Burden Down', 'Mule' and 'How Many More Years' in which Warren took his hands from the guitar and stepped back from the mic to repeat the begged question, one which we are all asking these days.. "How many more years?". Indeed, Warren, indeed.

Other highlights from the night included a mind blowing 'Tomorrow Never Knows' and a scorching 'Other One' jam, with Dave Schools thunderous bass riffs and Warren's utter shredding, turning the Warfield into familiar territory. Perhaps the most apropos selections of the evening were 'Rockin in the Free World' and 'Soulshine'. It must be said, there was a lot of love and anticipation in the house and a crowd of people that were all in need of some healing music. The music that Warren and crew delivered was completely uplifting, enriching, and powerful. I kept thinking only if we could shoot this sound at the world's evils, we could turn any darkness into light!

Warren's playing has evolved so much over the years now incorporating so many styles and approaches yet maintaining a unique fresh perspective. In every performance he sings and plays from the heart with a spirit big enough to provide the warm blanket every crowd needs. I've discussed this with friends before and will continue to attest to the truth of the statement that 'Warren Haynes is the hardest working man in the business'.

At least once in every song, Warren's playing reached that pinnacle point, we all used to eagerly await from Mr. Jerome Garcia, a moment some old friends and myself used to lovingly refer to as 'the Pulpit'*. This is when the song or jam climaxes and the guitar players hand furiously rips back and forth emitting a climax sound. Well, tonight was one of those nights, when there was so much spirit, talent, and community in the house, that every song catered to that moment.

With such hard times surrounding our world now, Warren and crew served to remind us that music is essential to becoming an evolved enlightened peaceful race.

Until the next show my phriends,
KEEP ON ROCKIN' IN THE FREE WORLD
- Rolling Rider

*EDITORS NOTE: 'The Pulpit' was derived from 'Wizard's Pulpit', a Philzonian term originally coined for Oakland Coliseum, but then came to mean any venue in which extreme Grateful Dead magic was apparent. With out doubt, the Warfield in the 90's was Jerry's personal 'Pulpit'. The term then came to also refer to the climax point or moment in Jerry's playing.

Check out www.mule.net and www.mulezone.com for more info
and updates on the Off the Deep End Tour.

9/20/01
Government Mule
Off the Deep End Tour
Warfield, SF, CA

Set 1:
Bad Little Doggie* >
How Many More Years*
Thorazine Shuffle*
Greasy Granny Gopher Gravy*
Tommy the Cat*
Shine On You Crazy Diamond*
Since I Been Loving You*
Mule*

Set 2:
Blind Man In The Dark#
Lay Your Burden Down#
Fallen Down (with Other One jam)#
What Is Hip?@ ?@ (jazz like instrumental with Alphonso on upright bass)
Compared To What?@!
Slow Happy Boys%^
Voodoo Chile%
Key to the Highway%^
Tomorrow Never Knows*!
Soulshine#!
Masters of War#!
Rockin' the Free World#!

Encore:
Revolution#!
Going Out West#!%^ (also with synth-horn player whose name I didn't get)

* w/Les Claypool on Bass
# w/Dave Schools on Bass
@ w/Alphonso Johnson on Bass
! w/Rob Barraco on Organ
% w/Jack Casady on Bass
^ w/Pete Sears on Piano (accordian on Going Out West)

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read the 8.26.01 Ratdog Rider

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