Mule Variations is more than a side project, it’s a blues fueled ignition switch powered by lo fi swamp- it’s a dirty sloppy groove that will melt your inhibitions and make you want more. More Mule!

The group’s name is taken from an iconic Tom Waits record and inspired by John Hammond Jr’s masterful reading on his work on the album Wicked Grin. The band however is a revolving door of material from the best American songwriters put through our own blender of nails, shot gun shells, blistering lips on a harmonica and dead drum grooves that make the floor boards creak and your heart pound. Original material from Kevin Connolly as well as -Tom Waits, JJ Cale, Pops Staples, Howling Wolf, Tony Joe White, Lou Reed, Muddy Waters, Sonny Boy Williamson and many more. The Mules themselves are variations with a regular American cast (Scott Corneille- bass, Chris Rival-electric guitar, Kevin Connolly -vocals/electric guitar, Jeff Allison- drums) rotating in Boston’s best Americana Roots players like Jim Fitting (Sessions Americana, Treat Her Right), Tom West (Peter Wolf, Betty LaVette), Dana Colley (Morphine, Vapors of Morphine) and many more. Check out the videos to see their power and fun factor. Made for international touring, festivals, and all out fun - the Mules bring the party and keep it kicking!


 

Alive and Kicking Tour of Italy-2026

Ten shows, twelve days, lo fi heat stroke swamp

What an amazing Italian tour we had! I went over with Jim Fitting (of Sessions Americana) on harp and picked up my bass playing brother James (who was in the middle of a monthlong theatre tour in Prague/Venice) and a great new friend/drummer Diego Sapignoli. Together we were the Euro trash version of Mule Variations. Ten shows in twelve days. Some big festivals with thousands of people, some funky outdoor house concerts, and several piazza gigs with hundreds of people (and two gigs for the Socialists-!). We covered ground from the base of the Italian Alps to ancient Rome. We had several AutoStrada meals, no flat tires. And endless bad jokes and sarcastic ribbing. My brother and I are awful together. It’s non stop, but Jim was a good sport. The last week was back to 100 degree weather during the day. Sound checks in the blazing sun. But by the time we played it had cooled down and somehow every seat was filled every place we went. Magic, just like the countryside and the people. They were patient with my Italian but appreciative of any anti fuck head diatribes however butchered. They know all about corrupt politicians, and were happy to support us in our temporary escape. I’ve been to Italy a bunch since we lived there but hadn’t been back on a music tour for several decades. Still people showed up with CD’s from those days, stories and requests for old songs like “The Arms of Indifference” which I appreciated but couldn’t make it through the first chorus. Jim had fans from his last several tours with Sessions, and we made a whole new group of friends and some great connections with local promoters. People bought CD’s, too! I sold everything I brought over and a boat load of Italian releases on New Shot Records that my friend Renato Bottani released https://newshotrecords.com/products/kevin-connolly.

We will be back, and if we are lucky expand our footprint and branch into other countries. In a perfect world, I’d get to do some solo shows with my folk/acoustic material and a bunch doing Mule Variations with the band, which is total fun.


 

Italian record label President Renato Bottani of New Shot Records loves this band and insisted on putting out our first album- a live tribute to our heroes, and a few originals. This captures one night in late December 2023 at the bands monthly residency at Sally O'Brien's in Somerville, MA. The band was really hot that night and featured Chris Rival on (electric guitar), Tom West (keyboards), Jeff Allison (drums), Scott Corneille (bass) and Kevin Connolly (vocals/electric guitar). Frank Coakley recorded the basic tracks and post production was handled in Milan. What a night we captured here. Available for purchase on 9/2025! Click here https://newshotrecords.com

 

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