Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » The Black Crowes: Croweology
The Black Crowes: Croweology
ByIn hearing this two-CD set, it's essential not to compare these new arrangements to the previously recorded versions, if only because the only carryovers in the current lineup remain in the form of founding siblings Chris and Richie Robinson, as well as loyal drummer Steve Gorman. That said, the durable nature of some tunes, such as "Jealous Again," results in a take not altogether different from its precursor---except that this version sounds equally legitimate with the finger-picked guitar by both Rich Robinson and guitarist Luther Dickinson, of North Mississippi Allstars, plus salty barrel-house piano from estimable keyboardist Adam MacDougall, who's never afraid to strut his stuff when given the chance.
To his great credit, vocalist Chris Robinson sounds not a whit self- conscious in his vocal stylings on cuts like "Remedy," all the more laudable since here, as in most cases on Croweology, the backup singing of Charity White and Mona Lisa Young remains, albeit sparingly. As evidenced on this moving version of Gram Parson's "She," Robinson has turned himself into an absolutely indispensable component of this edition of the Black Crowes, though no more or less so, perhaps, than Gorman: he reaffirms his grasp of the role of a percussionist in the band largely by demonstrating an intuitive grasp of the dynamics of his co-musicians and the needs of the material.
It's notable tooespecially in light of Brothers of a Feather: Live at the Roxy (Eagle, 2007)that Rich Robinson is flourishing in his role as the unsung hero of the group; his willingness to defer to Dickinson and MacDougall as principle soloists seem to only enhance his participation to the fullest as a rhythm player. And it's well to remember he's credited as the composer of all this original music for which his brother wrote the lyrics.
Like the rest of the band, bassist Sven Pipien's playing is full of surprises, captured with clarity through producer Paul Stacey's unadorned mix. In the performance of songs like "Hotel Illness," the entire sextet sounds deeply engaged in a way it so often didn't on earlier recordings, where the musicians didn't totally nail the tunes. The Crowes continue to take chances here too, engaging in streamlined, focused improvisations like that of "Wiser Time," into which they draw Bob Dylan's sideman Donny Herron. His presence on pedal steel changes the texture of the music and the atmosphere of the listening experience, all the while maintaining the spontaneity of the recording concept.
With The Black Crowes planning a hiatus of indefinite length following the tour that in large measure mirrors these acoustic interpretations, they have not only reinvented themselves with a flourish, but also reclaimed their often-turbulent history with a bravado equal to the collective panache of these performances.
Track Listing
CD1: Jealous Again; Share the Ride; Remedy; Non-Fiction; Hotel Illness; Soul Singing; Ballad in Urgency; Wiser Time; Cold Boy Smile; Under a Mountain. CD2: She Talks to Angels; Morning Song; Downtown Money Waster; Good Friday; Thorn In My Pride; Welcome to the Good Times; Girl from a Pawnshop; Sister Luck; She; Bad Luck Blue Eyes Goodbye.
Personnel
The Black Crowes
band / ensemble / orchestraChris Robinson: vocals, harp, guitars; Rich Robinson: guitars, vocals; Steve Gorman: drums, percussion; Sven Pipien: bass, vocals; Luther Dickinson: guitars, mandolin, banjo; Adam MacDougall: keyboards, vocals; Donny Herron: pedal steel, lap steel, banjo, fiddle; Charity White: background vocals; Mona Lisa Young: background vocals.
Album information
Title: Croweology | Year Released: 2010 | Record Label: Silver Arrow
< Previous
Spark Of Being: Expand
Next >
Mirror
Comments
About The Black Crowes
Instrument: Band / ensemble / orchestra
Related Articles | Concerts | Albums | Photos | Similar To