Gov’t Mule and Larkin Poe Honor Dave Mason with “Feelin’ Alright?” in Nashville
Gov’t Mule and Larkin Poe, image via YouTube
Since they first set out on the road two weeks ago, Gov’t Mule and Larkin Poe’s co-headline tour has served as a stellar representation of both acts’ distinctive spins on the blues-rock tradition and a shared reverence for the form’s early innovators. In their six-show sprint, the bands honored Lead Belly, Bob Dylan, Jerry Garcia and The Allman Brothers Band with sit-ins during Mule’s headline sets, and last night’s Nashville, Tenn. finale saw the bands pool their talents in tribute to the late Dave Mason.
Dave Mason’s passing was announced on Tuesday, April 23, and the legendary singer-songwriter and Traffic co-founder’s legion of fans and admirers has steadily poured out remembrances since. Gov’t Mule and Larkin Poe did just the same on Wednesday after the latter’s opening set, when the Warren Haynes-fronted quartet of keyboardist Danny Louis, bassist Kevin Scott and drummer Terence Higgins (filling in temporarily for co-founder Matt Abts) welcomed the Americana sister act of Megan and Rebecca Lovell for “Feelin’ Alright?” Megan added lap steel, Rebecca added mandolin, and both sisters brought backing vocals, while their bandmates Lucas Pettee and Ben Satterlee accompanied on Hammond B3 organ and percussion for the Mason-penned track from Traffic’s 1968 self-titled album; Gov’t Mule has performed the song last in Sept. 2017.
Before joining to honor Mason, the Lovells supported Gov’t Mule’s treatment of the blues standard “John The Revelator,” which followed a ripping intro of “Brand New Angel.” Later in the evening, Gov’t Mule closed out their main set with “Mr. Man,” then returned for their encore with Mason’s solo original “Sad and Deep as You,” which appeared for the first time since Sept. 2023.
Gov’t Mule’s last show with Larkin Poe leads them to six more Spring Tour stops, continuing tonight at Chattanooga, Tenn.’s The Signal, including a show with Maggie Rose at Albertville, Ala.’s Sand Mountain Amphitheater on April 24 and culminating in a night at New Orleans’ historic Orpheum Theatre on May 1. Find tickets and more information on the band’s full live itinerary at mule.net.
