NASHVILLE |
DATE: DECEMBER 1, 2010
FROM: MITCH SCHNEIDER/TODD BRODGINSKI
THE BLACK CROWES
EARN ACCLAIM FOR THEIR ‘CROWEOLOGY’ TWO-CD SET
AS BAND GETS READY TO GO ON AN INDEFINITE HIATUS AT THE END OF THIS MONTH
WITH EPIC SIX-NIGHT STAND IN SAN FRANCISCO AT THE FILLMORE DECEMBER 12-19
“…the Robinson brothers–singer Chris and guitarist Rich–and their best-ever lineup, with Mississippi guitar shaman Luther Dickinson, are going out on a high: a two-CD set of live-in-the-studio performances of songs from across their catalog…the arrangements spread out the way the band has played many of the songs on recent tours. The 18-minute medley of ‘Ballad in Urgency’ and ‘Wiser Time,’ both from 1994's Amorica, are a blast of '68-Fillmore adventure at Workingman's Dead volume, while the double-time gospel section in ‘My Morning Song’ recalls the impromptu pleasures of Delaney and Bonnie's 1971 acoustic-jam record, Motel Shot. Croweology has classic-rock radio staples like ‘Remedy’ and ‘She Talks to Angels,’ but the album is much better than a greatest-hits affair – it's a reason to go on.”
As music fans prepare to say “goodbye to the bad guys” later this month when THE BLACK CROWES go on an indefinite hiatus, the band is definitely going out on a creative peak: not only with expansive three-hour live electric/acoustic shows that will include an epic six-night stand in San Francisco at The Fillmore December 12-19, but with their first-ever double album of all-acoustic material, CROWEOLOGY. Since its August release (via the band's label Silver Arrow through Megaforce Records) and throughout the current tour, it has been steadily earning acclaim as an essential album by THE BLACK CROWES worth studying for both longtime fans and newcomers alike.
It features 20 brand-new recordings captured in 2009 at Sunset Sound Studios by producer Paul Stacey in Los Angeles: these are newly sculpted arrangements of their best-loved songs and the band’s catalogue picks, underlining their multi-tiered vision and the musical chops of Chris Robinson (vocals/guitar), Rich Robinson (guitar), Steve Gorman (drums), Sven Pipien (bass), Luther Dickinson (guitar) and Adam MacDougall (keyboards).
Here are more critical sound bites in praise of the 20-year retrospective CROWEOLOGY–priced at the cost of a single album and available on vinyl and as an iTunes LP.
“…A happy-trails present to fans and entry point into a farewell tour…it is fun, a loose revisiting of Crowes songs resculpted in a good-natured, gather-round-the-campfire style. These old horses sound glad to be let out again (especially ‘Jealous Again,’ a fizzy ‘Let Me Share the Ride’ and the gospel rave-up ‘My Morning Song’), and age, smoke inhalation and a high-profile breakup have given Chris Robinson’s voice a sadder, more expressive rasp. A side benefit here is in revisiting tracks like ‘Girl From A Pawnshop’ and ‘Soul Singing’…”
—Jeff Vrabel, Paste, August 6, 2010
“…either thoughtfully reworked, or so loose-limbed that the original recordings become jumping-off points for country/folk jamborees…”
–Jordan Zivitz, Vancouver Sun, August 6, 2010
“…singer Chris Robinson’s unforgettable voice has never faltered. In its strongest moments, a band like this could have stood tall amongst its elder peers of that decade [the '70s], and their brand of classic rock still holds sincere and true in a time when most popular music falls by the wayside.”
–Jonathan Kosakow, Popmatters.com, August 9, 2010
“Picked and executed with obvious passion and care, this set shines a light on both the widely-known (‘She Talks To Angels,’ ‘Jealous Again,’ ‘Remedy’) and deep catalogue cuts (‘Downtown Money Waster,’ ‘Soul Singing,’ ‘Morning Song’), finding gospel inflection and sparkling freshness in highly personal numbers like ‘Ballad In Urgency/Wiser Time’ but also the well-worn hits. The intention behind this career-spanning assortment is clear-to offer a succinct idea of what constitutes Black Crowes Music–and the band succeeds beyond expectation. Even diehards will likely find much to love in these warmly massaged variations, which continually offer small, subtle surprises to the attentive ear. More than anything, one comes away with the sense that there's still a lot of life left inside this music and the folks who make it.”
–Dennis Cook, Jambase.com, August 6, 2010
“Popular rock songs like ‘Jealous Again’ and ‘Remedy’ sound as energetic as the electric original versions, while tunes like ‘Hotel Illness’ and ‘Good Friday’ take on a whole new life thanks in part to singer Chris Robinson’s blues harmonica playing. Even some of the band’s lesser known tunes, such as the country-tinged ‘Ballad in Urgency’ and mandolin-infused ‘Cold Boy Smile’ find a second, if not better, life here.”
–Michael Swanger, City View (IA), August 12, 2010
“Croweology is an exquisite slice of Americana complete with acoustic bottleneck slide, mandolin and fiddles all done Crowe-style that never loses its swagger. Compositions like the feel good rock of ‘Jealous Again’ and bluesy tent revival of’ My Morning Song’ get a rootsy makeover that rivals the original recordings, while mid-tempo rockers like ‘Wiser Time’ and ‘Thorn In My Pride’ become a jam vehicle for the band to unleash their instrumental prowess…The Black Crowes’ Croweology captures the band in a more laid back acoustic retrospective that gives the listener a chance to peel away the loud guitars and Robinson brother drama to focus on what they are…a talented rock-n-roll band who write great songs.”
–Jason Rooks, Glide Magazine.com, August 13, 2010
“Croweology serves as a reminder that the Crowes may be one of the country’s most underrated and misunderstood bands… the Crowes simply value old-school musicianship over fickle trendiness: the front-porch stomp of ‘Hotel Illness,’’ the saloon funk of ‘Downtown Money Waster,’’ and the wicked gospel breakdown inside ‘Morning Song’’ are but a few of the instances where the band locks into heavy grooviosity. The band’s current lineup is arguably its loosest and most face-melting…This likely won’t be the last time we hear from the Crowes, but it makes for a splendid intermission.”
–Zeth Lundy, Boston Globe, August 9, 2010
“Croweology is a well-conceived, considerate parting gift to fans before the band breaks up for a second indefinite hiatus. Where some widely successful bands would simply crap out a greatest hits compilation from their back catalogue, the Black Crowes have lovingly retooled a glut of secondary numbers, adding a few hit singles like ‘Remedy’ for flavor. To further distinguish the collection, the band largely dumped electric instruments from the repertoire. The songs convert surprisingly well to the unplugged sound, and in many cases actually improve.”
–Cameron Rasmusson, Missoula Independent, August 31, 2010
“Croweology’ indeed is a cool collection. Though the guitars are generally acoustic, the rhythm section of Gorman and Pipien brings considerable heft to the material, including rockers like ‘Remedy’ and ‘Jealous Again.’ The two-disc set, though, leans more toward the more laid back, country-tinged side of the Black Crowes' catalog. And songs like ‘She Talks To Angels’ and ‘Thorn In My Pride’ translate easily to this more organic setting.”
–Alan Sculley, Daily Herald, August 26, 2010, Provo, UT
"'My Morning Song…You hear the fingers sliding across the strings. Chris Robinson primes the band with a, "You ready?" A Crowes staple, gospel singers, elevate Robinson's rust-filled vocals to a Peachtree strut. Working double-time in a hand-clapping bridge, this track pushes you to slap along. The guitar and piano work is tremendous. It's an acoustic, blues boogie. It's stripped down to the essentials. But it's big music being made."
—Derrick Bracey, The Weekly Surge (Fl), September 9, 2010
"The band breathes new life into the lighter-raising ballad ‘She Talks to Angels’ as front man Chris Robinson’s soulful tones lift the melody to new heights….The musicality is still razor sharp…"
—Liza Mitchell, Eu Jacksonville (Fl), September 19, 2010
Chris Robinson’s rough, Camel-scarred vocals sound thoroughly Dionysian throughout this double-discer. Robinson demos power o’ the pipes in the way he phrases and inflects… the scrumptious groove of Steve Gorman comes through nicely…. the acoustic setting means no guitar stacks to compete with, so instead of mere volume we get the drums’ texture and character, exemplified in über-balled “She Talks To Angels.” …. Rich Robinson stretches every chance he gets, and boy, he gets it on the sitar-like filigrees of “Wiser Time” and the blues curlicues of “Under A Mountain.” Then darn-near everyone, including drummer, harmonica player, and organist, step out on the nine minute “thorn In My Pride.”
— Dave Constantin, Drum Magazine, September 2010
“The real revelation in the acoustic remakes of such classics as “Remedy” and deep album cuts like “Downtown Money Waster” is how- even stripped down to their essence- they hold up as great songs. Highlights include a downtempo “Good Friday” that pays tribute to Pink Floyd, a rousing side acoustic version of “My Morning Song” and Chris Robinson’s changeless ability to peel paint with his voice on “Thorn in My Pride.”
— Bill Murphy, Relix, November 2010
"Since reuniting in 2005 after a four-year layoff, the Black Crowes have been on an impressive tear, earning some of the strongest reviews of their 20-year career for their expansive and fiery live shows and albums like 2008’s “Warpaint’’ and the recent “Croweology,’’ which acoustified songs from the Atlanta-spawned rockers’ back catalog including hits like “Remedy’’ and “She Talks to Angels.’’
–Sarah Rodman, Boston Globe, October 22, 2010
"…culls 20 cuts from their voluminous catalog and gives them often radical acoustic reworkings. It's a joyful reminder of what a rich songbook they've composed and a showcase for the chops and ingenuity of the lineup that's gelled over the past three years – Chris Robinson (vocals, guitar, songwriting), Rich Robinson (guitar, vocals, songwriting), Steve Gorman (drums, percussion), Sven Pipien (bass, vocals), Luther Dickinson (guitar) and Adam MacDougall (keys, vocals)."
–Dennis Cook, Jambase.Com, October 28, 2010
For more information, contact:
MSO 818 380 0400
Mitch Schneider: mschneider@msopr.com
Todd Brodginski: toddb@msopr.com
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