Rich and Chris Robinson and the Black Crowe ensemble have come to Sydney and probably given us (those lucky enough to be in attendance) the best set-list during this trip to Australia. Bearded, booted and with Newcastle Brown Ales gracing the amps, the band looked relaxed. Kicking off with Movin’ On Down The Line from their latest Warpaint, up front we were shaking and dancing as you should at a Crowes offering. > The sound was spot-on from the start and you could tell that the last couple of months of playing is shaping this incarnation of The Crowes to (arguably) be the best one. I am just a little biased because I believe Luther Dickinson is looking to become a guitarist we will be hearing for some time to come. Stamping his distinctive North Mississippi sound on the opening number, his leads, combined with Rich’s, made for a powerful and gorgeous duet. Two very different ‘voices’ blending to create the Black Crowes sound. > With Hard To Handle hitting us as the third song of this set, it was obvious the boys had come to stomp and shake and show some soul. The selection of tracks was a good mix of tunes from Amorica, Southern Harmony, Shake Your Moneymaker and Warpaint. It was very convincing to hear the new tracks live and how well the band delivered them. Walk Believe Walk was a driving, pounding song that Luther took some great slide breaks on, but the interplay between the two guitars was what made it. Oh Josephine is a great love song, and Chris introduced it as such, through his classic sleepy-lidded eyes. His vocals were so clear and he looked to be enjoying the crowd and the band tonight. I just wish at times his brother and he would crack a smile at each other. Or maybe even say something to the crowd, but words were few, and not needed. > Chris, Rich and Luther were joined by Steve on drums and Sven on bass/vocals and the new keyboard fella, Adam Macdougall. Adam definitely added his licks and slipped into the line-up as well as Luther. As Chris and Rich said in a rent interview, it all came together very easily. “Luther couldn’t have complimented the material or what the band does any better,” says Chris. “And what Adam has brought to the band is equally a gift to our music.” > Rich continues, “Luther fit in before he even plugged in to play. He comes from where we come from, he loves the music we love, and he brought so much new to our songs. Same thing goes for Adam. Bringing them in – their energy, playing and approach – just made it so seamless and great. The first week we were in the studio we recorded the majority of the album. We just knocked it out.” > And for a band like The Black Crowes, the album is just the blueprint for what they do live. Getting on stage and jamming is what makes these songs really come to life and stretching them out for as long as they can make it work. Chris is the definitive rock and roll lead singer in presentation and delivery. As always, it’s like having Rod and Mick wrapped into one. It’s been said before, I know, but it is so true. > The triptych of Goodbye Daughters Of The Revolution, Jealous Again and Remedy sent the throng into the appropriate frenzy and in our little pocket of dancers it was what you wanted. The encore included the masterpiece She Talks To Angels and the final song of the night was a cover of an old Band song. Don’t Do It, originally sung by Levon Helm. > But you know that The Black Crowes have a sense of rock history and their place in it. They also know what a rock and roll gig is all about and left us wanting more. They gathered onstage for a wee bit, Luther and Sven finishing off the smoke they had shared through the set, and waved goodbye for this visit. They then strolled off with their long locks and beards and their rock and roll swagger to the next stop on this road show.

This just in. Saw The Black Crowes in an Entertainment Center South of Sydney on 1 April. Seats and stage all changed...why? Because only about 500 people were there. Amazing show with Rich and Luther jamming out big time and Chris a bit tipsy and of course, stoned. He was having a little holiday while the boys rock and rolled! When was the last time they played to 500 people?

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Charley Rogulewski says:

i can't wait to see them with Luther Dickinson. The setlist sounded great, although Soul Singing is my favorite song and always seals the deal for me at a live show.

Posted 4 months ago | Delete

Charlie Musselwhite and John Hammond on the same bill brought everyone out to The Basement on the Thursday before the long weekend. The place was hopping with everyone in fine spirits because no one had to worry about working on the ‘morrow. > Both John and Charlie are in Australia for the Blues Festival Season and getting them on the same bill for one evening was a coup for this great nightclub. John Hammond came out and went through most of his new release (Push Comes To Shove) which was produced by G.Love. With the Love-man producing John Hammond, he is definitely giving back to the man who inspired him to do what he does. The new songs are great too and you can sense that G.Love got Mr. Hammond to write some more songs, which is a great thing. John is a terrific interpreter and has been for awhile, but he could (and can) also write. > John sent out the rhythm and the beat with his feet and grabbed that harp by the throat while singing and playing some mean blues. By the end of his set he was dripping with sweat through his green shirt and then he went up and pressed the flesh and signed merchandise for a good hour. Many people came back with those large grins that fans do when they get that opportunity to meet their idol. > Charlie Musselwhite is another tourist who comes to our shores quite often and having talked to him recently I know that he feels Australia is one of the sanest places on this planet. He can play the slow blues, intersperse some South American blues, but damn when he gets down to boogie woogie and the damn shuffle, Charlie is the king. Joined by his touring band, they cut loose and if there was more dancing room the place would have been shaking. Sometimes those tables at The Basement do take away from the joy of a gig. Even Charlie said something about wanting a dance floor and that would have truly made it more like a juke joint during Church Is Out or Just A Feeling. Kid Andersen is a fantastic guitarist and works with Charlie amazingly well. Not bad for a Norwegian guitarist who moved to the US at the age of 21 to pursue his blues career. Check out his solo records when you get a moment. > John Hammond joined Charlie on a few songs and grabbed an electric guitar for these songs. John said he was ‘going to take advantage of this fine band’ and do one of the songs off his new album which was the Little Milton track Everything Gonna Be Alright. Definitely a high point seeing those two men in their 60’s, blues masters, on one stage totally grooving out for awhile. The mutual admiration and friendship they have shared through the years was obvious. > Charlie and John have now left our shores once again, but I don’t think you’ll have to wait too long to hear one or the other or maybe both of them someday soon. Charlie will soon be in the studio with Ben Harper which is bound to be a good ‘un. > Also keep your eyes out for a release that will see the light of day soon by a band that includes Charlie, Luther, Jim and Cody Dickinson, Chris Chew, Jimbo Mathus, and others under the name of The New Moon Jellyroll Freedom Rockers. Down home blues, pure and simple.

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