The Black Crowes Album: “Freak 'N' Roll...Into the Fog”

Description :

The Black Crowes: Marc Ford, Rich Robinson (vocals, guitar); Chris Robinson (vocals, acoustic guitar, harmonica); Suen Pipien (vocals, bass guitar); Joshi Marshall (alto saxophone); David Ellis (tenor saxophone); Gavin DiStasi (trumpet); Marty Wehner (trombone); Ed Hawrysch (keyboards); Steve Gorman (drums, percussion); Charity White, Mona Lisa Young (background vocals). <p>Recording information: The Fillmore, San Francisco, CA (2005). <p>Issued around the same time as the two-disc Black Crowes rarities set, LOST CROWES, this 2006 release presents the revered rock ensemble in concert during a five-night stint on their '05 reunion tour at San Francisco's Fillmore Auditorium. Clearly energized after their three-year hiatus, the Crowes offer up a vibrant set that mixes their biggest hits (the melancholy "She Talks to Angels," the down-and-dirty "Hard to Handle") with lesser-known latter-day material (the funky "Let Me Share the Ride," the neo-psychedelic "Soul Singing"). As always, vocalist Chris Robinson leads the band with his own toasted swagger while his brother, Rich, lays down fierce, Stones-inspired guitar riffs that are perfectly complemented by Eddie Harsch's groove-laden keyboard lines. Highlights of the double-disc live set include a raucous take on "Remedy" and a Southern-fried version of the Band's "The Night They Drove Ol' Dixie Down." (Note: FREAK 'N' ROLL is also available on DVD.)

I would love to break it all down and rate each song on this album individually, but there is absolutely no need because every song is awesome. If you are a Black Crowes fan you will not be disappointed. If you are not a Black Crowes fan this album could make you one.

Their sound may be heavily influenced by 70's music, but it is timeless and will survive the ages. Highly recommended

While The Black Crowes have made some amazing studio work (Amorica, Three Snakes and One Charm, and most recently, Warpaint), they have always remained a great live band. Freak and Roll Into The Fog is just that....a fantastic document of one of rock and roll's hardest working bands for the last 20 years at the Filmore in San Fransisco, August 5th, 2005. This 2CD set contains the Crowes at their most exciting, rawest, and most energetic. Chris Robinson's voice is top notch, and the interplay between the guitarists Rich Robinson and Marc Ford is chemistry in the making.

The set begins strangely enough with the rarely played (Only) Halfway To Everywhere, which turns into a funk-soul jam with an incredible guitar solo by Marc. Sting Me and No Speak No Slave are given the royal treatment, and sound more amplified then they do on record. The 11-minute Soul Singing is unbelievable, featuring a psychedelic jam that might as well be a new song. Welcome To The Goodtimes is next, a faitful version with horns added for better emotion. Jealous Again is just good, honest rock and roll.

The real centerpiece though, lies in the 13-minute My Morning Song, one of the Crowes best. A long winding powerful jam erupts in the middle, and the "southern rock and roll preacher" part just seems to last forever, that you don't want it to stop. Finally, when it comes to the chorus, it is highly cathartic and reminds you of why you love this band in the first place.

The second set begins innocently with acoustic guitars, with strange interplay between Rich and Marc on Sunday Night Buttermilk Waltz. Then, an incredible unplugged version of Cursed Diamond is next, with Chris 's powerful emotional singing at front range. She Talks To Angels is next. I never cared for this song, but they do it well here. Wiser Time and Nonfiction (both from Amorica) are also respected well here, the latter turning into a strange Pink Floyd-esque jam with Dave Ellis on soprano sax.

Finally, the Crowes get even more soulful and funky. Seeing Things has to be heard to be believed, a true soul classic. Share The Ride/Mellow Down Easy is 50's blues, Crowes style. Hard To Handle gets no complaints here, and even has a Grateful Dead/Allman Brothers jam tacked at the end. Finally, Remedy brings more of the hit quotion into the set, and is played faithfully. And, as an added treat, the band plays the classic The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down as an encore. This, I think, is one of the best covers I've ever heard, a great rendition that does The Band justice.

This is a fantastic slice of rock and roll pie by one of the greatest rock and roll bands ever. IF you love classic rock and roll done live, get this today!

After picking up their first "live" album a few years back I was very hesitant to purchase this one.

To say the last one was "lacking" would be generous. It was a weak, lazy performance that was recorded and released in poor bootleg quality.

This release redeems any and all faith you've ever had in The Crowes. It's a tight sounding, bluesy, energetic, rocking good show!

The Sound Quality is stellar! If you are a fan of The Black Crowes you need to own this one.