The Black Crowes have always divided opinion amongst us rock fans. There are those who criticize them as derivative re-treads of better years gone past while others celebrate them as just a great American rock band. I tend to favor the latter. Although they wear their references on their sleeves (and what’s wrong with that really), they’ve always been original in their take on the delivery and in the quality of the songwriting.
The Robinson brothers decided to bury the hatchet recently and not only produced a fine new rock album called ‘Happiness Bastards’ but are hitting the road with a new band representing the Black Crowes. The only member returning from the past band is Sven Pipien on bass. The last time I saw the Crowes was in Houston during their last Warpaint tour. They played a lot of material from that album which relied on a more Americana than rock format and lots of slide guitar. The show was brilliant in Houston at the House of Blues. This time around the Crowes played Houston’s newest and in my reckoning the BEST venue now in town called 713-Music Hall. And as before they were also brilliant.
The stageshow was much more elaborate this time around with a giant drum riser, Christmas lighting, stage props and background singers. It looked like a hippie carnival essentially (in a good way). They got things going with their new rockin’ number called Bedside Manners. They played 5 songs from the new album which were met with appreciation from it seems a crowd loaded with die-hard fans. Twice as Hard was early in the set and kept things familiar for those who didn’t know the new music. Halfway to Everywhere was a really funky deep cut that shows these guys really do it their way. I was surprised they play that as well as Go Faster from their album Always By Your Side which is severely underrated. That was a definite highlight along with She Talks to Angels, Sometimes Salvation and Thorn in My Pride. The slower numbers highlighted Chris’ vocals and Rich’s touch and nuances on guitar. The entire band was tight as hell and I only wish they used the background singers more.
They finished the night with a driving Remedy and funky fun Shake Your Moneymaker. There were smiles everywhere and booties shook.
