It might be difficult to understand or recall the brilliance of The Black Crowes because they have been out of the spot light for quite a while. While they continue to make great music, they do not get the radio play they did in the halcyon days of their youth.
While the brothers, Chris and Rich Robinson, formed The Black Crowes in 1984, it was not until 1990 that they released their debut album “Shake Your Money Maker”. The cornerstone of their debut was the rocking cover of Otis Redding’s “Hard to Handle”. Their sound was unabashedly reminiscent of The Rolling Stones and classic bands such as “Humble Pie” and “The Faces” before Rod Stewart started hawking the “American Songbook” to your mother!
No other album released by The Black Crowes would have the commercial success of their debut, musically; they have put out solid music for twenty years. Since their debut, the band has had a revolving door of musicians. The one constant in the band has been the “Brothers Robinson”.
In 2002, the band went on a brief hiatus for three years. During this time, Chris pursued a solo career and released two albums “New Earth Mud” and “This Magnificent Distance”
In 2005 The Black Crowes regrouped for a live show at San Francisco’s Fillmore, which was released as a DVD “Freak ‘N’ Roll … Into the Fog”. Shortly after that, they released “The Lost Crowes” two previously unreleased albums packaged as a two disc set.
Throughout the years, The Black Crowes have stayed true to their music and did not succumb to the pressure of passing musical fancy such as the delightful “Hair Metal” disaster, sorry Kip Winger and Warrant. Their constant touring also kept them in front of the masses and helped keep them relevant as they stumbled commercially.
The Black Crowes Discography
- Shake Your Money Maker
- The Southern Harmony and Musical Companion
- Amorica
- Three Snacks and a Charm
- By Your Side
- Lions
- The Lost Crowes
- Warpaint
- Before the Frost/Until the Freeze
Top 5 The Black Crowes Songs according to Butler (Albums listed to right of song):
- She Talks to Angels (Shake Your Money Maker)
- My Heart is Killing Me (The Lost Crowes)
- Appaloosa (Before the Frost)
- Thorn in My Pride (The Southern Harmony and Musical Companion)
- Jealous Again (Shake Your Money Maker)
Reacquaint yourself with The Black Crowes and let me know what you think.
The Black Crowes music is available is available on iTunes, record stores and www.theblackcrowes.com
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Music you should be listening to! 