OFF CAMPUS CORNER Philling the Phish Void with Mule

Author: Matt Klein


I have seen an entirely unreasonable number of concerts in my time. Somewhere around 80 I stopped counting. In the summer of 1998 I put 10,000 miles on my car in the span of three weeks following Phish, the Vermont touring phenomenon currently on "indefinite hiatus," with my best friends.

Phish's hiatus — not necessarily a breakup — naturally left me scurrying for live music.

There is a certain intangible energy that flows through a roaring audience at a Phish show. As far as I am concerned, no band can match the experience of a Phish concert.

The crowd at Phish shows is so incredibly diverse, so open, so silly and so indescribably unique.

I am accustomed to parking lot parties, dancing and feasting on homemade snacks after shows; I long for the opportunity to hit the road once again with no idea of what to expect, savor great music and revel in the company of close friends.

Well, I came close on Saturday. Close. A friend who I know only from the Phish tour called me last Wednesday offering a ticket, front row center, to the Government Mule concert at the Flynn Centerlast Saturday.

To be honest, I had no idea what to expect. I envisioned a parking lot scene similar to those found at Phish shows but encountered no such thing. After all, the Flynn has no parking lot.

I stood outside, waiting in line with ticket in hand, surrounded mostly by middle-aged married couples holding hands. Inside, the diversity of the crowd was a bit more pronounced, but I never ran into any real "characters" like one finds at a Phish show.

Any self-perceived deficiencies in the crowd were forgotten when the foursome took the stage.

The middle-aged married couples were screaming and dancing together. I knew a few of the songs, but still have no idea what they are called.

Mule takes their time, led by guitarist Warren Haynes, crafting soulful and passionate music. Haynes' hypnotic, groovy licks made my night. Bassist Dave Schools provided a steady yet ever-morphing foundation that never overpowered Haynes. Drummer Matt Abts filled in the holes with keyboardist Rob Barraco.

While Haynes clearly is the leader of this band, the spotlight was shared through the course of nearly three hours of music.

I am unable to make any intelligent commentary on the music itself, as concerts for me are comparative experiences.

By 'collecting' hundreds of shows on digital audio file, I've been able to become intimate with the music and savor the differences and spontaneity of the live experience.

I have one Government Mule show on my computer and have no basis for comparison.

I can safely and surely say that I will be actively seeking live recordings to learn more and accustom myself to a personally unknown band.

I had a blast, and that's the most important thing.

It was a completely laid-back evening off campus, and it happened to take place in the first row. I can't ask for more, except the comeback of Phish.

Check out www.jambase.com for information on upcoming local shows. There's no better way to spend off-campus time.

I heartily recommend the Jazz Mandolin Project, playing in Plattsburgh, N.Y., on March 8; and Charlie Hunter, at the Flynn on April 20.