As the evening’s event started the smell of incense filled the air with dim light covering the room and a stage background scrolling images to set the mood. The night showcased the bands previous eight studio albums which are also some of the songs on their current 20 year anthology “Croweology” released on August 3rd. Chris Robinson still sporting a full beard kicked the acoustic set off with exciting renditions of Remedy, Jealous Again, and Hotel Illness which are great electric or acoustic. For this night and tour the Black Crowes played without an opening act splitting two ninety minute sets with acoustic as their opener and electric to finish the night. As the next few songs were played I was less into them as I was wanting a night of full tilt rock & soul but then my palette wasn’t the only one present so I respectfully listened and watched the crowd as they grooved to the more mellow songs of the night. Make no mistake, I enjoyed the music the brothers Robinson and company were performing as their live shows are some of the best mix of guitar and percussion you’ll ever hear, but I’m moody in listening to those slow songs and I was in rock mode this night. Upon Oh Josephine coming to an end the band then started on one of their best songs and one of the greatest sounding percussion songs ever recorded. “Thorn In My Pride” which was an unbelievable acoustic serving with a great solo leading back to the final verse and finale closing the acoustic set! It was a tremendous climax for the acoustic set and the audience reacted with great enthusiasm as we all stepped out for a break until the electric set began.
This night was nearly a 20 year night for myself in that I first saw The Black Crowes opening for ZZ Top during their Recycler Tour on February 18th 1991 at Market Square Arena. We’re you there? Do you remember? I had seventh row floor seats and the Black Crowes were at the front of the stage with their sound turned down as most openers are. This didn’t stop them from being one of the best opening acts ever with their songs from “Shake Your Money Maker” totally blowing the audience away with what I believe could be the best debut CD release ever! I had played their new cd countless times leading to their show which was also my favorite ZZ Top tour ever! I’ve seen them several times since including another intimate performance at the I.U. Auditorium and I’ve never been disappointed.
We were all ready for round two of Croweology as they opened with a personal favorite, “Soul Singing” and went on into “Sting Me” and a few more Crowe Classics which showcased the Guitar work of Rich Robinson and Luther Dickinson, a mighty combo of piercing licks and slide guitar which kept us all stirred from song to song. Luther’s slide was some of the best I’ve heard and he also shared on some lead riffs allowing Rich to play on that which he enjoyed most I’m sure. Luther has been on the last two studio releases leading up to Croweology after Audley Freed appeared on the album “Lion” his only recording with the band. Luther’s band “North Mississippi Allstars” is another band to follow with similar sound. Moving on towards the end, a familiar run of guitar notes brought an eruption from the crowd as “She Talks to Angels” was under way while some were singing along. This song along with Hard To Handle are two of the most played Crowes songs on radio to this day as classic rock stations have long played those which first took the country by surprise. The band then went from the drug induced females pain to smelling like a rose with “Twice As Hard” as the band closed out the electric set. It was a magical night for fans old and new as the night drew to a close but the band receptive to the chants came back for an encore and opened on “Ain’t No More Cane On The Brazos,” a Dylan cover they performed honorably. It was a song I’m unfamiliar with but again it was covered brilliantly and the band’s skill shined through. Finally the last song came and it was another cover but one much more famous, one Otis Redding would be proud to hear as they cut loose on “Hard To Handle” and rolled into a climax which closed the night.
Notable moments and observations worthy of mention were when Chris played harp while Luther and Rich jammed on guitar during their acoustic set, the back up singers stellar vocals, and the rich sound which filled the room from all the musicians throughout the evening. The tour name is “Say Goodnight To The Bad Guys” and the meaning of bad I take from the night was overwhelmingly good! Now this title indicates some end to the Black Crowes which could be a temporary hiatis like taken in years passed, or it could mean the end of the band completely as they all embark on new adventures. The past twenty years of the Black Crowes has truly been an adventure which has them firmly embedded in the rock & roll history books with many angles to follow. Most of all, they leave behind a music library to be enjoyed and appreciated for generations to come.
Mark
Indyconcerts.com
All photos courtesy of C. Michael Stewart
(Photos were not permitted at actual concert)
