Black Crowes Bring The Dirty Blues To NYC
It’s really a shame that the Black Crowes are going on yet another indefinite hiatus at the end of this year. The current lineup (which features an excellent Luther Dickenson of the North Mississippi Allstars on guitar), is easily the strongest the Crowes have had in ages. In addition, the last two albums they’ve released (2008’s Warpaint and 2009’s Before The Frost…Until The Freeze) have been their strongest and most consistent since 1992’s Southern Harmony and Musical Companion.
The Crowes have just wrapped up a five-night stint at New York’s Best Buy Theater. I was fortunate to have caught the second to last night, November 5th, and it was terrific. I’ve only seen them one other time (New Year’s Eve 2005 with Trey and the North Mississippi Allstars), and this time blew the previous show away. As part of their “Say Goodnight To The Bad Guys” tour, the Crowes have been playing two sets each night; one acoustic and one electric.
The show kicked off with a gorgeous acoustic rendition of “Good Friday,” featuring terrific interplay between Rich Robinson and Luther Dickenson. From the second Chris blew the opening notes on the harmonica, it was apparent that this was going to be a great, laid back first set. From here, the set progressed nicely, featuring an extended “Thorn In My Pride,” “Drivin’ Wheel,” and “Jealous Again.” The set wrapped up with one of my favorites, “Wiser Time,” which ended with the full band going electric.
After a brief intermission, the band returned for their electric set, opening with a powerful “(Only) Halfway To Everywhere.” As a nice change of pace, Rich took over vocals for Pink Floyd’s “Fearless.” During “Movin’ On Down The Line,” bassist Sven had some minor difficulties with his amp, causing the band to go into an impromptu jam. Chris approached the front of the stage, singing “it’s alright, it’s alright,” while a crew member quickly resolved the issue. After the song, Chris noted that it was the coolest technical difficulty ever. The band kept rolling, churning through great renditions of “High Head Blues,” “Goodbye Daughters Of The Revolution,” and the set closing “Remedy.” The encore couldn’t be anymore perfect, as they played The Band’s classic “The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down” and Little Feat’s “Willin’.”
If you get the opportunity to see these guys before they break, do it. They are at the top of their game, and definitely one of the best live acts out there.
Friday October 5, 2010 Best Buy Theater, New York NY
Set I (Acoustic): Good Friday, Better When You’re Not Alone, No Expectations, Oh Josephine, Thorn In My Pride, Locust Street, Darling Of Underground Press, Drivin’ Wheel, Jealous Again, Hotel Illness, Wiser Time
Set II (Electric): (Only) Halfway To Everywhere, Cosmic Friend, Wee Who See The Deep, Fearless, Movin’ On Down The Line, Title Song, High Head Blues, Sometimes Salvation, Goodbye Daughters Of The Revolution, Remedy
E: The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down, Willin’
setlist courtesy of www.crowesbase.com
