Re: Nice to Stir Things Up!!

["Mark Klecka" <markk@xxxxxxxxxx>]

> >I think people like Derek Trucks,  Warren Haynes
> >etc have
> >picked up fairly well and I understand Haynes is
> >back or will be back. That is
> >outstanding his Govt Mule was one of the best power
> >trios ever until he lost
> >Woody Allen.
>
> I've never heard a power trio with a clarinet. :-)

And AFAIK Douglas Allen Woody didn't marry his ex's adopted daughter either.
:-)

Instead Capt Al was one of the premier exponents of heavy yet tasteful and
inventive bass playing.  IMO he was one of the finest rock bassists to ever
pick up the instrument, worthy of being mentioned in the same breath as JPJ.
Gov't Mule has necessarily gone off in a somewhat different direction since
his death, but after a bit of feeling their way I think their latest album
High And Mighty is excellent, and they've always delivered the goods in
concert even if it's not quite the same anymore for us old timers.

As for Zep content, Woody reminded me of Bonzo in the sense of playing with
authority.  A very manly approach, never anything remotely wimpy.  Even the
grace notes are rendered in an assured and confident manner.  And they both
proved how heavy playing can still be filled with dynamics and subtle
nuances.  If you ever get a chance to listen to old Mule tapes from 1994
through 2000, check out masterpieces from different phases of their career
like Don't Step On The Grass Sam, Thorazine Shuffle and Lay Your Burden
Down.

And now some even more relevant Zep content.  Just before Allen's passing in
the summer of 2000, I put together a compilation CD of the various LZ covers
they had performed over the years (or maybe it's more accurate to say their
covers of the same blues that Zep had also covered).  I distributed a lot of
copies both through FBO and on the Mule's mailing list.  It was known as
Since I've Been Loving Mule (the title I gave it) or Led Mule.  I am not,
repeat not, making an offer now, but maybe someone could put it on one of
the BT sites.

Admittedly my love for the Mule mainly centered around Allen (although their
drummer Matt Abts is also one of the best you'll ever hear) so I don't
follow them much anymore.  However I know that the later lineups have
performed a whole new batch of Zep covers, so someone who still collects
their shows may want to put together a volume two someday.

It's also worth noting that back a few years ago Warren sat in on a Phish
encore and played a fantastic slide solo on Misty Mountain Hop, which pretty
much saved the song since Trey didn't have a clue in his solo.  If you ever
run across this, don't give up on their anemic performance until you've
heard what happens when Mr Haynes takes over.  I used to tack this on as a
bonus track to a Mule show from a couple of weeks later (10/9/99 Chicago),
so if you can find a copy that originated from me, you may want to grab it,
it's also a good show to introduce yourself to GM arguably at their peak.

Mark