Their 2021 tour is a triumph
With over three decades under their belt, seminal rock outfit The Black Crowes are back in action after previously ending their run back in 2015. Six years and a pandemic later, the rock music giants are in the midst of their comeback tour with very special guests Dirty Honey. Last year marked the 30th anniversary of the band’s multi-platinum debut album Shake Your Money Maker. Now, The Black Crowes are celebrating the album as they should on the road.
Dirty Honey are a breath of fresh air in today’s rock landscape. A wonderful nod to the old school, the band delivers traditional rock ‘n’ roll with tasty licks and serious swagger.
When you first give Dirty Honey a listen, guitarists John Notto’s tone sounds interestingly similar to a couple dudes named Joe Perry and Brad Whitford. That being said, I imagine it’s not random that the band play a killer cover of Aerosmith’s “Last Child” – a telling moment of where their influences are.
Original highlights from their set included “No Warning,” “Heartbreaker,” “Tied Up,” “The Wire,” and “California Dreamin’.”
They wrapped things up with a pair of riffy hit singles – “When I’m Gone” and “Rolling 7s.”
Dirty Honey are great match supporting The Black Crowes. They’d be a great match supporting a lot of other folks like Aerosmith, The Rolling Stones, AC/DC, Guns N’ Roses, etc. But, don’t you think for one second that they’re gonna be an opening act for long.
The Black Crowes wasted no time, treating the crowd to their mega-hit “Twice As Hard” for their opening number. It’s the first track from their landmark first album, and the band proceeded to deliver it in full, in order, to commemorate the LP’s 30th anniversary. Released in 1990, the band missed out on the celebration last year due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Now, The Black Crowes are giving their five-times platinum debut it’s due.
“Hard To Handle” saw the crowd doing their best to sing along with the tail-end Chris Robinson’s fast chorus, and loving every second of it. A gem in the Crowes’ catalog, the track is one of the great rock songs of the last three decades. A gorgeous rendition of the keystone ballad “She Talk To Angels” was a highlight.
After the play-through of Shake Your Money Maker, Richard took a turn on lead vocals for a cover of The Velvet Underground’s “Oh! Sweet Nuthin’.”
Then, the band dipped into their sophomore effort – 1992’s The Southern Harmony and Musical Companion. They pulled out “Remedy,” “Sting Me,” “Thorn In My Pride,” and “No Speak No Slave.”
“Wiser Time” and “Soul Singing” were the lone additions from the latter part of their discography.
They closed out the evening with a stellar cover of The Rolling Stones’ “It’s Only Rock and Roll (But I Like It).”
Despite all their breakups and makeups, The Black Crowes are still one of music’s most enduring acts.
Over the last decade, there’s been a lot of talk about whether rock music is dead or not.
This writer is here to tell you that after what I witnessed tonight, I assure you it’s alive and well.
The Black Crowes: Live Photo Gallery
Dirty Honey: Live Photo Gallery
