Just Stooie sent this in:
This was, with a doubt, the best Black Crowes performance in years.
Two sprawling sets, the first all-acoustic, delivered as advertised: 1992's "Remedy," a No. 1 Billboard Album Rock Track, was served up out of the gate and instantly galvanized the crowd; the rarity "Tornado," fleshed out with a Floyd Cramer-esque piano lilt and extended lap-steel lead by guitarist Luther Dickinson from its 2-minute, 41-second recorded running time, delighted Crowes completists; the first of several covers, the Rolling Stones' languid "No Expectations," was a treat given the originators themselves rarely have performed the song live and the Crowes have the innate ability to fully inhabit the songs they choose to appropriate; and the gospel-revival breakdown added to concert staple "Thorn in My Pride" had the venue sounding and feeling more Sunday morning than Saturday night.
Considerable mention must also be made of the boundless energy and consummately tasteful drumming of Steve Gorman, who exerted as much effort bashing congas and other percussion in that first hour-plus set as his traditional kit.
The second set commenced after 10 p.m. with their unreleased hard-rock gem "Exit," and by evening's end (shortly before midnight), the repertoire would include more familiar radio tracks ("She Talks to Angels," "Hard to Handle"); a transcendental instrumental segue between Amorica's "Ballad in Urgency" and 'Wiser Time"; and the disparate encores of the Velvet Underground's "Oh! Sweet Nuthin' " and Little Feat's "Willin.' "
A brief Axl Rose-type moment threatened to disrupt the momentum of the gig's goodwill when, during the rendering of "And the Band Played On," Chris seemed intent on zeroing in on a disruptive attendee in the audience, but play on they did and without missing a beat.
Yes, it would seem the Black Crowes finally relented to give the people what they want ... and then said goodbye.
Set list:
Acoustic set:
Remedy, Hotel Illness, Whoa Mule, Tornado, No Expectations, Thorn in My Pride, Driving Wheel, Downtown Money Waster, She Talks to Angels, My Morning Song
Electric set:
Exit, P.25 London, Ballad in Urgency, Wiser Time, Oh Josephine, Stop Kicking My Heart Around, Hard to Handle, And the Band Played On
Encore:
Oh! Sweet Nuthin', Willin'
Thanks Stooie.
As we wind down 2010, we want to take this opportunity to tell each BPD member how much we appreicate you and how we are committed to working even hareder in 2011 to give you the best backstage experience possible.
