THE BLACK CROWES AND OASIS TRIUMPHANTLY LAUNCH THEIR TOUR OF BROTHERLY LOVE

FROM: MITCH SCHNEIDER/TODD BRODGINSKI/LATHUM NELSON

THE BLACK CROWES AND OASIS TRIUMPHANTLY LAUNCH THEIR 'TOUR OF BROTHERLY
LOVE' TO ENTHUSIASTIC AUDIENCES AND CRITICAL ACCLAIM

The "TOUR OF BROTHERLY LOVE" got off to a rousing start on the West Coast with co-headliners THE BLACK CROWES and OASIS delivering non-stop rock &' roll to wildly enthusiastic fans. The 18-city North American trek, featuring the best of American and British live rock, kicked off May 11 in Las Vegas, rolled into Los Angeles May 14 and 15 for two powerful sold-out nights at the Greek Theatre and runs through June 11 in Boston, with three sold-out shows at New York City's Radio City Music Hall (June 7-9) on tap.

In the May 16 USA Today review of the first Los Angeles show, Mike Snider wrote: "As allies, The Black Crowes and Oasis are in the midst of executing a well-coordinated rock 'n' roll campaign." Noted the Los Angeles Times: "The Black Crowes…and Oasis, two of rock's reigning brother-led bands, have each come close to self-destructing due to fraternal friction, but Monday's co-headlining show at the Greek Theatre suggested that both acts can (and have) overcome their differences."

Beyond sets by THE BLACK CROWES and OASIS-with an opening performance by Spacehog-the concerts have been closing with members of THE BLACK CROWES and OASIS uniting onstage to perform a cover song. So far, the supergroup have played Fleetwood Mac's "Oh Well" (Las Vegas); Pink Floyd's "Lucifer Sam" (Santa Barbara); The Bee Gees' "To Love Somebody" and George Harrison's "I Dig Love" (May 14 and 15 respectively in Los Angeles).

Some of those in attendance for the tour's two-night stand in Los Angeles were: Kate Hudson, Goldie Hawn, Kurt Russell, Bonnie Raitt, Rod Stewart, Rob Zombie and members of The Red Hot Chili Peppers and Foo Fighters.

In his USA Today review, Mike Snider also noted: "Frontman Chris Robinson unleashed a ground attack, strutting and shimmying while howling out the band's Southern-flavored tunes. The capacity crowd at the outdoor Greek Theatre stood throughout the 75-minute set which began with two new blues-flavored songs, 'Midnight From The Inside Out' and 'Greasy Grass River'…but the pride of the 'Lion' tunes was 'Soul Singing,' which traversed gospel, blues and rock territory as Rich Robinson provided an uplifting guitar backdrop." Snider continued: "Oasis began a 70-minute assault, firing off its melodic pop salvos in rapid succession. Lead singer Liam Gallagher slugged bottled water and shook a tambourine while stalking the stage like a mischievous child planning his next misdeed. He sounded committed to the cause, however, and his vocals came across especially strong on 'Cigarettes and Alcohol' and 'Champagne Supernova.'…Throughout, Noel provided a solid foundation on lead guitar and handled vocals on 'Don't Look Back In Anger.' Lastly, the band paid tribute to their classic-rock forebears with a raucous version of The Beatles' 'I Am The Walrus.'"

Here are more critical soundbites from other reviewers, thus far:

"Two great rock bands united under the Griffith Park stars…The show was the third stop on what is being touted as the Tour of Brothely Love because both bands are fronted by siblings…But blood ties seemed to matter little once the music started, making clear that Monday night's show was really about the brotherhood of good rock 'n' roll."
— Sandra Barrera, Los Angeles Daily News (May 16, 2001)

"Unity was in full effect as singer Liam Gallagher and Noel happily traded verses and choruses during the soaring 'Acquiesce'…Everything continued to soar from there, whether it was the T-Rex chug-a-lug crunch of 'Cigarettes and Alcohol,' a majestic 'Champagne Supernova' or the wistful, Noel sung 'Don't Look Back In Anger.' Finally, Oasis closed with its bristling cover of the Beatles' 'I Am The Walrus.'…Black Crowes vocalist Chris Robinson was a live wire the moment he strutted onstage barefoot in flares and the group cranked out a slow-churning new rocker, 'Midnight From The Inside Out.' Just watching him flaping those wiry arms and legs around was a jouyous celebration in itself."
–George Paul, Riverside Press-Enterprise (May 16, 2001)

"After the current onslaught of bubblegum pop and ultra-abrasive, neo-metal-rap crossover, this evening of authentic, heartfelt rock 'n' roll was a pleasure indeed…(Oasis) hits like 'Go Let It Out' drifted on an opium cloud of hazy psychedelic melody, while 'Fade Away' had an anthemic power…Oasis also…(performed)… a fine cover of the Beatles' 'I Am The Walrus.'…Highlights of their (The Black Crowes) effervescent set included the mellifluous, Southern-rock-tinged 'Twice As Hard' and the laid-back, plaintive 'Miracle To Me.' The ensemble ventured out into a loose-limbed jam on 'Soul Singing' and took on an unusually sharp-edged atonal vibe for 'Cosmic Friend.'"
–Daina Darzin, HOLLYWOOD REPORTER (May 16, 2001)

The full tour dates are as follows:

###

home