Govt. Mule 8/15/23 Hartford Healthcare Amphitheater Bridgeport

First time at this venue to get a view of Warren Haynes and company. The show was billed as Dark Side Of The Mule, their take on some Pink Floyd classics. The first set showcased original Govt. Mule tunes, a mixed bag of Molly Hatchet-like B-sides and other southern fried jamminess. Original songwriting and vocal prowess have never been the strong suit for the Mule, it is drum, bass, and guitar pyrotechnics that turns heads. Songs like Bad Little Doggie, Blind Man  In The Dark, and Lay Your Burden Down were capable. The classic instrumental Thorazine Shuffle was a highlight. The final song of their original set was titled Same As It Ever Was……nope, that will always be a refrain from Once In A Lifetime.

The second set was the meat of the tomato, a delicious sampling of Floyd classics. The entire Wish You Were Here record tumbled out, Shine On (I-V), Have A Cigar, Welcome ToThe Machine were deftly executed. Other classics appeared, Comfortably Numb, Breathe, Money, Run Like Hell, and two of my Meddle favorites Fearless and One Of These Days. Jackie Greene surfaced for the last few tunes for vocal duty and guitar counterpoint to Warren. Govt. Mule has always been a force in the live setting, and this show did not disappoint. The rub on this venue has been the possibility for bad sound, the open air and proximity to the water could give rise to problems, but not on this evening.