Black Crowes Are Flying High

In 2013, after many years of putting together an amazing collection of hits, the Black Crowes announced they were calling it quits. Vowing to not speak again, brothers Chris and Rich Robinson had differences that at the time were unreconcilable.

During their hiatus from the Black Crowes, the brothers didn’t remain stagnant. Chris was busy with his band, Chris Robinson Brotherhood. Touring and releasing several albums, Chris was not letting moss grow on his back. Brother Rich Robinson dragged along some former Crowes members and formed his own band, Magpie Salute. They released a couple of rocking studio albums and did some touring but their life was cut short when the following happened.

Fortunately for the many Crowes fans, they were able to patch things up. They announced on the Howard Stern Show they they were back! A massive tour to celebrate the 30th anniversary of their mega-selling hit album, Shake Your Money Maker was in the works. However, just when everyone was ready for this much-anticipated reunion tour, a global pandemic hit. Well, the boys have finally taken to the road and their fans are thrilled! Music Madness was fortunate to catch up with the tour when it rolled through Hartford, Connecticut.

Opening the show were the relative newcomers, Dirty Honey. For those of you not familiar with them, hang on, you will be! Formed in 2017 in upstate NY, they really took the music world by storm a mere two years later. In 2019 the band released their self-titled debut EP. They became the only unsigned artist to reach #1 on Billboard’s Mainstream Rock Chart with their hit “When I’m Gone“. Prior to opening for the Black Crowes, Dirty Honey has opened for notable superstars The Who and Guns N’ Roses. They also played festivals including Welcome to Rockville, Louder Than Life, Sonic Temple, and numerous others.

The band is now out promoting their self-titled full-length release which sounds every bit as dynamic as their live performance. Lead singer Marc LaBelle has the swagger of a combination of Mick Jagger and Steven Tyler and the vocal cords to match. Guitarist John Notto hit the stage wearing sunglasses and a leather jacket which made one believe if Joey Ramone was a guitarist, this would be him. He grew up listening to ’70’s funk and R&B but he has mastered the art of hard the rock guitar. Bassist John Smolian and drummer Corey Coverstone are not as flashy but they hold down the rhythm section with a thunderous roar. The old adage, if you go to a show, make sure you see the opening act because they might be the next big thing holds true. In this case, there is no question, they WILL be the next big thing!

As the sunset, the night shined brightly. The lights came up revealing a jukebox and band members sitting at a bar reminiscent of an old-time speakeasy. “Shake Your Money Maker” by blues legend Elmore James was fittingly the lead-in song for the band to take the stage. They started things off with the album opener “Twice as Hard” as Chris Robinson, adorned in a white suit, swung an umbrella adorned with the band’s logo. He played the role of a Southern gentleman of yore. Rich Robinson stoically took stage left and tore through his riffs like time had stood still.

The entire Shake Your Money Maker album was played with the addition of some of their finest songs. A rousing rendition of the Rolling Stones’ “It’s Only Rock n Roll” ended the impressive two-hour set. The Robinsons were backed by a tight band that, as expected, sounded sensational. Accompanying them was a pair of female singers whose voices rounded out the vocals nicely. Befitting of a show of this magnitude, the lighting was dazzling. It added to the electric feel of the night.

People danced in the aisles with strangers. The crowd joyously sang along. The night was filled with a sense of elation that a hugely attended concert brings. The Black Crowes had returned…. along with a sense of pre-pandemic life!