A cold November evening in Pittsburgh - people moving fast downtown heading for AJ Palumbo Center and the Black Crowes. The Crowes' solid following in the city showed in the long line to collect special fan club tickets at the box office.
Government Mule opened for the Crowes doing a 40 minute, 6 song set. Late arrivals missed a rocking show with a performance exceeding the usual opening act fare.
Changeover to the Black Crowes set was thankfully short with no overblown props and scenery. The band's entry was a simple walk-on, a surprise for those of us used to pyrotechnics and blackouts. The audience rose to its feet and cheered, and the Crowes swung into action. Tapes started spinning everywhere; the Black Crowes are in the forefront of allowing recordings of their conerts, with no special tickets or seating required.
Vocalist Chris Robinson was right on throughout the set nailing song after song. Robinson made the night's performance with that distinctive voice that makes the Crowes instantly recognizable. The rest of the band did not quite have Robinson's energy that night. While musically solid, the band did not connect with the audience as well as expected. Past hits of "A Conspiracy" and "Shake Your Money Maker" were greeted with expected applause, and even the lesser known tracks such as "Pimpers Paradise" and "Stare It Cold" received an enthusiastic reception. The instrumental sections weren't quite as good, as the band just did not seem to have their hearts in things. Reports from other Crowes performances indicate some shows with similar problems while most leave the audience breathless. The tour in support of Three Snakes and One Charm is a typically long, intense one, and the guys may just need a rest. Certainly Black Crowes has the energy to give when they can.
Overall it was a wonderful evening with a good audience and a great show. Chris Robinson has definitely outgrown the Jagger comparisons and has gained his own identity. The band no longer suffers from showing more attitude than talent. Black Crowes has a strong fan base developed from decisions made by the band to provide a good fan club with exceptional seating for members, the decision on taping that lets the fans take home some of the concert, and Internet chats that let fans talk to the band directly. Definitely a good time!
