It still blows my mind that it’s been 20 years since the Black Crowes released their debut album “Shake Your Moneymaker.” I was in 10th grade living here in Atlanta, GA and I can honestly say that they were a band unlike any that were out at the time. In a time where hard rock and heavy metal was actually commercially successful and really cheesy pop music ruled the charts, The Black Crowes showed up looking like a bunch of vagabonds and sounding like The Rolling Stones and The Faces in a time when I was just discovering these bands. I was so into the fact that they were doing their own thing and I literally played that debut CD to death.
The Black Crowes announced earlier this year that after this tour they would be taking an indefinite hiatus to take some time off and enjoy life off the road. I knew this was going to be a special tour and while it would be bittersweet there was not doubt in my mind that my boys would be going out on top. So there I was. 20 years later at the age of 37 and sitting inside the Tabernacle in Atlanta to say goodnight to the bad guys.
The energy in the Tabernacle was electrifying and when the houselights dropped to a deafening roar from the crowd I just knew that everybody was along for this ride. Opening with an acoustic set that started off with “Jealous Again” was like bringing it around full circle somewhat. Opening their last show in Atlanta for sometime with their first single from 20 years ago was a surprise and brought everyone to their feet. Opening with this particular song was a great way to prove just how timeless Black Crowes songs are. This song sounded just as fresh and new as it did 20 years ago but was played with the mature attitude of a band that has earned their place as one of this generations greatest rock & roll bands. The acoustic set featured an amazing cover of The Rolling Stones’ “Torn and Frayed” and the old school b-side “Darlings of the Underground Press” but it was “Ballad In Urgency > Wiser Time” that brought the house down. The exchange of sick, face melting guitar playing between Rich Robinson and Luther Dickerson kept building to a climax that had Chris Robinson letting out a huge scream that had everyone going absolutely nuts before going back into the final chorus to bring the song to a close. All I could do was shake my head in disbelief that this was a band about to call it quits. Knowing that this might be the last time I hear these songs live made me realize that I had heard probably the best version of them that I had heard to this day.
In the last few years, the Black Crowes lost two very popular members in guitarist Marc Ford and keyboardist Eddie Harsch but the new guys seemed completely at home and compatible with this band. It seemed virtually seamless as Luther Dickerson just tore into song after song like he was there from the very beginning and keyboardist Adam MacDowall brought a Garth Hudson (of The Band) vibe to the Crowes. This lineup really had me feeling that they were the closest thing to The Band that our generation would ever see. The electric set that these guys played was yet another testament to the timeless music they have created over the years. Classics such as “Blackberry” and “Thorn In My Pride” proved to stand the test of time and the band even managed to bring in some classic covers such as “Fearless” by Pink Floyd and Joe Cocker’s “Feelin’ Alright” which were perfectly at home in this stellar set. “No Speak No Slave” was the song that would truly bring the house as Chris Robinson delivered a vocal performance that would make Joe Cocker jealous. Closing the night out with Rich Robinson singing “Oh Sweet Nuthin'” by the Velvet Underground was great way to bring this night to a bittersweet closing.
20 years is a long time to do anything and for 20 years The Black Crowes have been the soundtrack of my life. I could probably use a Black Crowes song for each stage of my life and make one epic movie. They started out as a young rock band trying to make their mark and are ending as a band that has made a mark bigger than anything they could have ever imagined. The music these guys have made over the years has moved me, inspired me, made me smile and made me cry. Saying goodnight to the bad guys on this particular night was a hard thing to do. An old friend of mine said to me once, “Don’t say goodbye. Good bye is forever. Just say so long!” So Chris, Rich, Steve, Luther and Adam I bid you all a so long. Thanks for a really good time!
November 20, 2010 – Tabernacle – Atlanta, GA
– acoustic set –
JEALOUS AGAIN
HOTEL ILLNESS
TORN & FRAYED
BALLAD IN URGENCY ->
WISER TIME
GARDEN GATE
COLD BOY SMILE
GIRL FROM A PAWNSHOP
DARLING OF THE UNDERGROUND PRESS
ROLL OLD JEREMIAH
SHE TALKS TO ANGELS
– electric set –
CURSED DIAMOND
SOUL SINGING
BLACKBERRY
I AIN’T HIDING
TITLE SONG
FEARLESS
THORN IN MY PRIDE
GOODBYE DAUGHTERS OF THE REVOLUTION
REMEDY
NO SPEAK NO SLAVE
– encore –
FEELING ALRIGHT
OH SWEET NUTHIN
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