A Combination of Things

The Black Crowes

Went and saw the Black Crowes last night at the Starland Ballroom in New Jersey and i recommend to anybody that loves getting musically murdered to check them out before one of America’s last great working bands disappears off of the face of the earth. i dont anticipate this happening soon but it will one day and you will regret it forever if you dont see them now. They are playing their new album “Warpaint” in its entirety and it is an amazing collection of music. I didnt think we needed an updated version of Mississippi Queen but as it turns out we did and it is just a towering rock song. Ive been going to Crowes shows now since 2001 and the one thing that is different and better than it was back then is that they have slowed everything down to this dirty southern boogie with a groove like an undertow that you can slip into and get carried, drowning you in an ocean of guitars and grease. Another interesting things is that they no longer seem interested in playing very much of their back catalog which is fine with me. Last night they capped of a second set of Poor Elijah, Jealous Again and Wiser Time with Rich singing just the perfect rendition of Rocking Chair and that got me thinking: There is no one in music now doing what the Black Crowes are doing and if you point to a band that is doing something similar stylistically they arent doing it as well and they certainly arent doing it with the heart, soul and authenticity that the Crowes are doing it with. They truly are a national treasure and i continue to be confused and amazed that people a) havent heard of them or b) just dont like them. This makes no sense to me. what are you listening to? The record comes out tomorrow so ill review it in depth then but just be warned, last nights preview was so good, it may be in the form of a super gushing sappy mushy love note. I make no apologies. 

Tags: The Black Crowes