On Tuesday April 2, the Robinson Brothers with guitar extraordinaire Jackie Greene in tow (replacing No Miss All-Star frontman Luther Dickinson) led the rock and rolling Black Crowes to a rousing performance in front of a sold out Capitol Theatre in Port Chester, NY.

Three songs deep I turned to my wingman Jim and said Chris Robinson either took too much or too little of whatever he’s using to prop himself up…


Then like a dark and rumbly thunderstorm that rolled in so quickly over a big sky…


The Black Crowes came to life.  “Thick N’ Thin” was strong then the turning point…”Hotel Illness”…Bam! 


By the sixth song I was smiling from ear to ear. Swaying in a very Iggy Pop/Mick Jagger-like style (see second video clip below), Chris Robinson pushed the band to take the songs more intense and louder than studio versions of the familiar Crowes hits.


Here is a clip of “Remedy” from the show.

Relix was there too (review in June edition) for the Crowes first US show in more than 3 years.  I just read their piece and they love the “Wiser Time” solos as well.

The 18 song set (click here) was robust…my personal favorites were “Soul Singer”, “Been a Long Time (Waiting on Love)” and “Wiser Time” (click the video below)…which is the song when each musician stepped into the solo spot light…this is where I gained new respect for Rich Robinson as a guitar force.

Although hardcore Crowes fans did not seem to fall in love with him…I must say that I really enjoyed Jackie Greene’s low key, but confident and unique ax man style.  He reminds me of relief pitcher who knows his stuff is great without all the hoopla (can you say Mariano). (See opening riff of “High Head Blues” video click here.)

Their show closer cover of the Deep Purple hit “Hush” (3 song encore) was a great way to send home the crowd buzzing with nothing but praise.


I feel very satisfied that I caught the Crowes and got a real taste of what makes them such a rock and roll powerhouse.


TBR friends…Flap your wings.  


The Crowes certainly did!