Announced When you tell me Marc Ford is rejoining the band, when you guarantee Ed Harsch and Steve Gorman will be there... OK. I'll care. Otherwise we are simply talking about a more talented version of the REO Speedwagon reunion(s)(s)(s), Christ, there's never been a band that torpedoed itself as many times as the Crowes did. How many bands recorded two kick ass albums and then decided to yank them from publication? I mean seriously, if you haven't heard Tall or The Band, you haven't heard the Black Crowes.
All I know is that they used to be great. I saw them play the Fox Theater in 1993 and they tore up the place. 8 years later they put out "Lions" and I wanted to find KAte Hudson and kill her.
Eh, does Chris Robinson really need to do this? Why not live off your actress wife - the overrated (in looks) Kate Hudson? But yea, if you can't get the original band back together, don't bother. Reminds me of Journey, Styx, Judas Priest (when Halford was gone), etc.
The first time I saw them was as an opener for the McCauley/Shenker Group in 1991(?) at the Tower Theater in Houston (now a Hollywood Video ). They had just barely released their record and no one knew who they were. They absolutely killed. The next time was when they played the free concert in Houston at the Coliseum. After seeing several hundred shows and concerts in my life, that is still in my top 3 or 4 shows of all time. This isn't to say I'm a huge Crowes fan. I like them, but I'm not a HUGE fan. But, damn, they are one of the best live bands I've ever seen.
anybody have any clue where i could obtain "Tall" or "the Band"? i qould definitely like to listen to those. i think the crowes are pretty good, especially since i totally dig the whole southern-rock genre,
I have Tall & The Band. Blah. Gimme Southern Harmony & Amorica any day of the week over those two mistakes. I've seen the Black Crowes an uncountable amount of time. Each time they put on a helluva performance. Unfortunately, each time Chris Robinson cried & whined about something or another, usually something petty like someone pointing a laser-pointer at the stage and it's bringing the band down (uh, yeah, like you aren't already pointing ungodly amounts of lights & smoke every which way). So I'm happy they're getting back together & touring again. The question is - who's gonna be playing with them? Steve Gorman better freaking be there. Eddie Harsch too. You know, I ALMOST wouldn't be surprised if Rich tried to handle the guitar work all on his own.
Well, DUH. Those are only their two best releases. The Band has its highlights, it's not as good as Three Snakes, but it's better than By Your Side or Lions. And the unreleased stuff from Tall is brilliant. "The Fear Years" and "Feathers" are among the best songs they ever recorded, and I would name "Thunderstorm 6:54", "Dirty Hair Halo" and "Bitter Bitter You" as terrific songs too. "Title Song" is probably the single best unreleased song they wrote but I find the studio version to be too antiseptic compared to the live versions I've heard. The studio "TS" has always struck me as emblematic of why they scrapped the record. RM95, I'll hook anyone up who wants it but I can't make any promises re: when I'll be able to finish the project. Also, you'll almost certainly be getting the material in data format (as opposed to a music CD). It's considerably easier for me, much less time consuming. Once you got the material, you can burn your own damned music CDs. I'm not going to ask anyone to pay for media or postage. All I ask in return is that you at least consider a(nother) contribution to the old tip jar.
They turned the Tower Theater into a Hollywood Video?? Oh the humanity!!!! Last time I was in there I was watching Dream Theater in concert(1993).
Well in defense of Tall & The Band, I only gave 'em one listen. But it was like after I heard 'em once, I realized why they didn't bother releasing that garbage. But your high praises have led me to believe I hafta give 'em another try. Though I suspect I'm still not gonna like 'em. I'll give you it may be better than By Your Side & Lions, but that's only 'cause both of those albums had 1 maybe 2 songs worth listening to. Anything after 3 Snakes is a BIG question mark. Anything before is pure gold.
My remarks on Tall stand. Re: The Band, I think the following: 1. Never Forget This Song: A (re-use of the "Bitter Bitter You" riff) 2. Smile: B, maybe B- 3. Paint An 8: A (just a terrific Three Snakes-vibe tune) 4. Another Roadside Tragedy: B+ (live versions are better) 5. If It Ever Stops Raining: C (rehashed as the song "By Your Side", neither one is particularly good which is too bad because the title is pretty good imagery) 6. My Heart's Killing Me: A- ("And all I want/Is to hold you again") 7. Predictable: C+ 8. Ok By Me: D (I hear that "Grinnin'", which this song evolved from, is pretty good) 9. Wyoming And Me: B 10. Lifevest: C- (yawner of a song) 11. Only A Fool: D (wasn't any good on By Your Side when they re-recorded it)
Brian, You may be getting an email from me (and another tip jar contribution) because I love the Crowes! Southern Harmony and Amorica were two of the finest Southern Rock albums ever recorded and if I can go a step further, two of the best rock albums period. I remember when I bought Harmony and it didn't leave my CD player for months. Just so damned good.
