Swimming with Gov’t Mule

The Deepest End: Live in Concert

Gov’t Mule

ATO Records

… The Deepest End: Live in Concert

Gov’t Mule

ATO Records

On May 3, 2003, during the New Orleans Jazz ‘ Heritage Festival, a six-hour marathon concert, took place at the Saenger Theater. It was recorded and taped for a CD/DVD, The Deepest End: Live in Concert, and the package is more than worth any dollar amount you may have to fork over.

Gov’t Mule, with the help of numerous guest musicians, performed a show that needed to be recorded so it could be enjoyed countless times.

Gov’t Mule had the help of 13 different bass players, including Les Claypool (Primus, Frog Brigade), Jason Newsted (Metallica, Ozzy Osbourne), Mike Gordon (Phish), Dave Schools (Widespread Panic) and Victor Wooten (Bela Fleck and the Flecktones), who were all in New Orleans for the festival or flew in for the special concert.

Gov’t Mule set out to perform this concert as a tribute to original bassist Allen Woody, who passed away in August of 2000.

The concert was performed on a whim; they were constantly changing the set list to work with artists that were available for the different songs. Some were running late because of their own shows and some were even early. The entire concert was almost completely improvised, as there was very little rehearsal time.

The musicians were under a lot of pressure to play their best on each song, and they prevailed on each track, as they broke into extended jams, pushing the songs past the 10-minute mark in some instances. When that happens you can see the connection they are making: That the band is up there giving it their all and having a good time with it.

The Deepest End: Live in Concert makes for an incredible package of musical talent; the Mule didn’t leave any song off of the list, including favorites like “Sco-Mule,” “Goin’ Down,” Bad Little Doggie” and “Blindman in the Dark.” It would be difficult to avoid finding a favorite Mule song on this album, and watching the DVD brings you there – almost.