Tonight:
5°c
John Aizlewood's rating
, Selfish players
By
John Aizlewood
10 Apr 2008
Nearly 20 years ago, when The Black Crowes began recycling Led Zeppelin and The Rolling Stones, they were a breath of fresh air. Today, the atmosphere is rather more stale: Led Zeppelin have transcended their clones; The Rolling Stones won’t go away and so The Black Crowes’ stock has sunk so low that Warpaint, their first album in six years, emerged via their vanity label.
Last night, terrified of being contaminated by their audience, they played from the back half of the stage. The physical distance (there was a photopit, too) made for a muddy sound and a detached 150 minutes. In fact, I rather suspect The Black Crowes found their audience a hindrance, for they played for themselves and themselves alone.
So, for every moment of transcendent majesty, such as the gospel chorus to Seeing Things (For The First Time), Remedy’s heroic riff or even the new Walk Believer Walk, there were several minutes of dreary jamming (the historical record may well show that the drum solo lasted longer than singer Chris Robinson’s marriage to Hollywood starlet Kate Hudson) which must have been a joy to play, if joyless to listen to. They could have done this in their bedrooms.
Details are correct at the time of publication - please check with venue before booking.
Reader views (11)
Despite some of the negative comments above, I have seen the Crowes 4 times and they never fail to disappoint or bore. From the unique setting that is Brixton Academy, a haze of incense generated an air of anticipation that few bands instill. I admit I'm not a technical musician, I just appreciate good music and losing myself in the moment of songs I've grown up listening to. And I love the jamming..My Morning Song? Amazing. Fantastic band.
- Clare, Plymouth, 11/04/2008 19:28
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Having seen every Crowes London show for the last 15 years I hate to admit that this was the worst. Quite simply without guitarist Mark Ford and Eddie Hersch on keyboards they just didn't swing, Sho'nuff no Georgia funk. Jamming and noodleing is a Crowes pre-requisite but without the passionate guitar interplay they floundered, resorting to the dreaded drum solo. Please get a guitarist Rich can play off, did either of them look at each other all night? Nope. Chris however, was on top form and his soul was singing. It's only comparison with other Crowes shows that I write this and the Black Crowes on a bad night still widdle over any other band on a goodnight.
- Joe Mattey, London, 11/04/2008 14:50
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If you want to hear hard to handle, put on your top 40 radio station. I you want to hear one of the greatest live acts of a generation, enjoy the show (and shut up).
- Paul, Toronto, Canada, 11/04/2008 14:16
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I have to agree with the review, The Crowes seemed to be having a completely different experience from the crowd. Having last seen them over 10 yrs ago supporting the Stones at Wembley, I was really up for this gig. Sadly the night failed to deliver. Did the band not realise that they only got a reaction when the (2) classics came out? Where were 'she talks to angels', 'bad luck blue eyes', and dare I say it 'hard to handle' that would have blown the roof off Brixton? Musical vanity is one thing but at least give the punters a bit of what they came for. Thank God for the awesome performance of Remedy!
- Sam White, London, UK, 11/04/2008 12:34
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Critics on this site hate any obvious showing of musicianship. They'd rather write about hairstyles or fashion. That's why they spend so much time reviewing Amy and Pete. Novelty acts not musicians.
- Al Stuart, Ealing, 10/04/2008 22:51
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I'd pretty much agree with the review - whilst there were excellent goosebump moments, for much of the time 'muddy' is exactly how I heard it; and the solos were definitely dreary, both in terms of there being too many of them, and because they weren't, frankly, that good... I am a musician (both guitar and drums) and I found it all very self indulgent and very disappointing. I shan't bother with seeing them live again.
- Bob, London, 10/04/2008 20:54
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You should really be embarrassed that you make your living writing about music.
You're a hack, and a lazy "writer" to boot.
Try writing a review about the Crowes without referencing the Stones, Faces or Chris Robinson's ex wife. Bet you can't do it.
Have a nice day.
- Mankatocrowe, Minnesota, 10/04/2008 20:10
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Were you at the same concert that I was? It was a great show, the band were on top form, clearly loving every second of the show, as were everyone in the audience. It made a change to see a band playing at the top of their game.
The drum solo? Why not? Steve Gorman is one of the best drummers out there.
The Black Crowes are easily one of the greatest live bands around, but what do I know? I'm just a ticket buying punter. Next time they tour, do them, and their fans a favour.
Stay at home.
- Ben Turner, Cambridge, England, 10/04/2008 19:08
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Since when is it "selfish" for a band to give their all for almost three hours? Those jams you find so offensive are much more demanding for performers than simply reproducing pop songs exactly the same way every night. If you want to hear the CD, stay at home and listen to the CD. The Black Crowes work hard to offer something extra at their concerts. That's what keeps me coming back. Some of us actually love the exhilaration of on-the-spot creativity and this band do it beautifully.
As for your dig about Warpaint being released on a "vanity label", would that be the same album that's given them their biggest chart success since the mid-nineties? I could also point out they've been selling out their recent shows almost as quickly as they can announce them. It's not the Crowes' stock that's sunk low. Your dirty jibe about Chris Robinson's marriage says it all really.
The Black Crowes were fantastic last night. They've become a far better live act than they ever were during their Southern Harmony era.
- Steven Connor, London, UK, 10/04/2008 17:29
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Can't really argue with that review. I actually joked to my indulgent other half that the drum solo would be along soon and when it came she managed to get to the loo and back before it had finished. I doubt the Crowes are winning many new fans at this stage in their career but those they have lapped it up. A full house at £35 a pop can't be bad. When they're good, they're great. When they're bad, they're boring. But I suspect most people there left feeling they got what they came for.
- T O B E, London, UK., 10/04/2008 13:07
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I cannot disagree more with you John! The gig was fantastic, and it was great to see real musicians enjoying playing some great music. The audience were having a good time, the band were having a good time, yes the drum solo may have been a bit long, but he made up for it in the encore.
Dreary jamming? you're not a musician, are you? Stick to the writing and leave concert going to those who appreciate it.
- James Vincent, London, England, 10/04/2008 11:24
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