Back Door Slam - Live From Bonnaroo

As mentioned in my Bonnaroo 2008 report, I discovered Back Door Slam at the festival by happenstance and became a huge fan from this performance. I raved to all who would listen and bought their album Roll Away, which doesn’t do them justice like a live performance where they can really cut loose.

They open the set with Cream’s “Outside Woman Blues,” a band who serves as their template. Starting with a familiar blues-rock sound, they don’t seem much different from many bands that cover the same musical territory. Then at about 2:30, guitarist Davy Knowles first unleashes his mind-blowing talents with a power and intensity that signals this is a young man to keep tabs on. Even with a soundboard mix fully focusing on the band, the crowd is so enthralled they can be heard cheering him on underneath.

The original “Gotta Leave” is a wicked slow blues reminiscent of the kind Led Zeppelin used to play. It’s got heavy lyrics coming from a 21-year-old about affairs of the heart as he implores “How can I trust you/ when you can’t trust yourself?” It’s gut-wrenching if you’ve been in the narrator’s shoes. Listen to the crowd as he makes the guitar sing; you’ll likely hear fellow Bonnarooer Fumo Verde and myself shouting our approval.

They pay tribute to B.B. King, who also played the festival, by playing a song he covered: John Hiatt’s “Riding With The King.” They follow this up with a perfectly apropos song for the setting, CSNY’s “Almost Cut My Hair.” The crowd’s appreciation can be heard growing in intensity, seemingly endless as the sweet licks Knowles lays down.

Offering up an original that stands equally alongside the covers presented, the sure-to-be classic “Come Home” is an infectious song. Adam Jones’ bass lines burrow into the soul before there’s a chance to do anything about it, Ross Doyle’s drums hypnotize, and with no defenses left Knowles knocks the listener senseless. I don’t know how anyone can hear that song and not become a fan.

The band took their name from Robert Cray’s song “Back Door Slam,” so it is only natural they play it. An epic version of Jimi Hendrix’s “Red House,” coming in at almost 11 minutes, would have closed the set, but the crowd did not want them to leave the stage as evidenced by the reaction at the end of the track. BDS gives a rare encore for bands on the smaller stages at Bonnaroo with The Doors’ “Been Down So Long.”

The release of Live at Bonnaroo is a wonderful trip down memory lane, reminiscent of reliving a great date with an old girlfriend through old photographs. It’s slightly bittersweet as the trio no longer plays together, but this album is highly recommended for blues fans not there that amazing June night in Manchester. It is available as a double-vinyl LP and digital download only. There are no plans for a CD release.

Gov't Mule & Back Door Slam - House of Blues, Anaheim, CA - 11/20/08

I had heard the name Gov’t Mule and of its leader, guitarist Warren Haynes, bandied about in jam-band circles, but didn’t know their music. At one point, I downloaded a bootleg a portion of their 2007 Halloween show where they covered Led Zeppelin’s Houses of the Holy in its entirety. They sounded very good, but I knew there had to be more to them than a Zeppelin tribute band, so when the opportunity to see them presented itself I dove right in.

Of course what helped seal the deal was opener Back Door Slam, my favorite discovery at Bonnaroo 2008. As Eugene and I walked in, BDS was already on stage before a good-size audience, but we were still able to work our way to a spot on the floor as they played the Robert Cray tune they are named after. Next, they offered up Arlo Guthrie’s “Coming Into Los Angeles.” Davy Knowles’ guitar rang out clean and clear, but he really shined on the slow, smoldering blues “What in the World” by Willie Dixon. Bandmates Ross Doyle (drums) and Adam Jones (bass) kept the rhythm tight and focused. Eugene leaned over as the song ended and said he hadn’t seen or heard a guy play like that since Stevie Ray Vaughn. They closed their set by bringing out Gov’t Mule’s keyboard player Danny Louis for “Tell Me What the Fuss is All About.” A nice gesture between guys who have been touring together, but it was anti-climatic as fans wanted more Knowles magic.

Gov’t Mule came out to a jam-packed house and grooved along nicely. Their music was more blues-based than jam band, but they still took occasional musical excursions within their songs. However, rather than really exploring, they appeared to have a purpose and definite direction in their sonic travels. During the first set, the bass was heavy in the mix and although the music sounded good, the bass levels dominated, causing the songs to sound like Haynes played rhythm guitar except for when he soloed. Knowles came out to close the first set with a cover of David Crosby’s “Almost Cut My Hair.” He and Haynes traded solos, which pushed Haynes to raise his game.

During the second set, the sound mix was corrected and Haynes’ guitar stood out more. Although that wasn’t clear until after their second-set opener, a cover of Pink Floyd’s bass-driven “One of These Days.” Matt Abts’ fired off an impressive drum solo. When the rest of the band returned, the next few songs were too mellow for my mood. Thankfully, “Thorazine Shuffle,” which closed the second set, picked up the pace nicely and even got some people in the seats up and bopping around. During the encore Hook Herrera joined them on harmonica for two songs, including Little Milton’s “That's What Love Will Make You Do” which had an Allman Brothers sound to it.

Even without knowing their music, I enjoyed my first Gov’t Mule show and recommend them for people who enjoy a mix of blues, southern rock, and jam bands. They have got me interested in seeking out their albums, and considering seeing them again. Back Door Slam has me hooked. Do yourself a favor and see them when they come to your town

Gov’t Mule
1st Set:
Brand New Angel
Lola Leave Your Light On
Slackjaw Jezebel
Beautifully Broken
Patchwork Quilt
Larger Than Life
Nothing Again
Time To Confess
Almost Cut My Hair (1)
2nd Set:
Javla Skit
One Of These Days
Brighter Days
Like Flies
Drums
Bad Little Doggie
Left Coast Groovies
World Of Difference
Thorazine Shuffle
Encore:
Lazy *(2),
That's What Love Will Make You Do (2)
Setlist Notes: (1) with Davy Knowles; * First Time Played ; (2) with Hook Hererra

Back Door Slam:
Outside Woman Blues
Tear Down the Walls
Come Home
Back Door Slam
Coming into Los Angeles
Long Road Home
What in the World
Tell Me What the Fuzz is All About (3)
Setlist Notes: (3) with Danny Louis