The Current-July 2008 Feature Story 2

The Black Crowes Fly In To Currentland

By Regan Henson

I doubt anyone would hold it against you if you admitted that you thought The Black Crowes had disbanded a couple of decades ago. Why would you think any different? It’s not like you ever hear any new music from the band on the radio. And MTV? Come on. If I were a wagering man, I would bet a dollar that the last Black Crowes song you heard on the radio (Regular radio, not satellite. That’s cheating) was something off of their 1990 debut album, Shake Your Money Maker. I’ll even take it a step further and guess the actual song. Was it “Hard to Handle?” That’ll be a dollar.

Truth is, The Black Crowes are doing just fine, thank you. Sure they’ve had their hard times. Declining record sales, constant personnel shifts, the four year “hiatus”, Kate Hudson, but like most great bands, the Crowes have always managed to brush aside all obstacles and focus on the music and, most of all, their incredible live shows. This summer fans in Currentland will have two chances to see the band strut its stuff when The Black Crowes Euphoria or Bust tour rolls into Tulsa to rock the legendary Cain’s Ballroom in Tulsa on July 23 and then on August 14 when they make their way to Fayetteville to play the Arkansas Music Pavillion. You didn’t really think they’d broken up, did you?

The Black Crowes are currently on tour in support of their latest album, Warpaint, which was released earlier this year. It’s the band’s first album in seven years, and the first on their own Silver Arrow Records label. It’s essentially a reunion album for founding members, and siblings, Chris and Rich Robinson, but it’s also a rebirth of sorts for a band that has fought to maintain its independence over the course of its almost twenty year recording career. The album has received critical praise, aside from the two star review Maxim writer David Peisner gave it. Trouble is, Peisner wrote his review without ever having heard the album. Perhaps Peisner thought the band had disbanded a couple of decades ago, too. Maxim has since issued an apology, and The Black Crowes have continued to play sold out shows to fans who could care less what some magazine writer has to say anyway.

If you thought the Crowes had disbanded, well, you should have been paying more attention, because the band’s show at the Cain’s Ballroom on July 23 is sold out. If you really, really want to go, just head down to 423 N. Main in Tulsa and maybe you can find a scalper. You’ll probably pay more than the $45 face value, but I bet a dollar the Crowes would say it’s worth it. Or you can wait until August 14 and make the short trip to Fayetteville where they’ll play the Arkansas Music Pavillion. Tickets range from $40 to $85 and can be purchased by calling (877)837-6616 or online at www.arkansasmusicpavillion.com.