The guitarist from the Honey Island Swamp Band steps out on his own tonight at the intimate club on Canal Street.
Before he became a member of the hard-touring roots rock / Americana ensemble, Mule was a journeyman musician who dabbled in a variety of styles. Though he is mostly known as a searing electric guitarist with a unique pick-less approach to the fretboard, he is also an accomplished acoustic player. Check out his great slide work on the video, which was recorded at the Bear Creek Music Festival.
Besides his acclaimed work with the HISB, Mule may be best known for his association with blue-eyed soul singer Eric Lindell. He toured with Lindell and appeared on three of his recordings including Change in the Weather. That 2006 release is generally recognized as Lindell’s watershed album, which raised his profile to the national level.
He also has a long association with singer/songwriter Lynn Drury. He appeared on three of her studio recordings. He also played guitar on uber-sousaphonist Kirk Joseph’s 2004 album, Sousafunk Avenue.
In a brief interview about his influences some time back, I asked Mule about the role that Snooks Eaglin played in his develop as a guitarist. He said that after he first saw Snooks play, he put down the pick and has never played with one again.
Mule also counts Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown, with whom he toured, Leo Nocentelli, Jerry Garcia, and Duane Allman among his influences.
