Legend has it that when Warren Haynes and Gov’t Mule came to the Mobile Saenger Theatre for the first time, in 2006, the audience of 1,300 or so very enthusiastic fans set a venue record for sales of adult beverages.

Haynes has heard that, and still laughs about it. “We’ve had a lot of really cool shows there with some special guests from time to time,” he said. “It always turns into a good show at the Saenger in Mobile and we’re really excited to be back.”

The Mule returns on Oct. 20, near the end of a fall tour promoting “Heavy Load Blues,” the band’s first blues album. It’s a disc that mixes originals with tunes made famous by the likes of Elmore James, Howlin’ Wolf and Junior Wells. It’s not a radical departure but it allows the band to explore what has always been one of the major tributaries of its sound.

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Haynes recently took a few minutes to talk about the return to touring after COVID, his recent collaboration with Mobile’s own Jimmy Hall, and the way the new material fits into the shows.