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analysis w/e 14.5.11 |
DVDs out 9.5.11 |
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@ DVDfever Youtube |
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May 11 2011 
DVDfever co uk
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Still rockin’ 20 years on… with new line-up. Coming up to 20 years together and 20 million albums shifted to date, hairy rockers The Black Crowes (possibly) start a new trend. Their latest offering Before The Frost was recorded ‘live’ in front of an intimate audience (mostly fans) at Levon Helm’s studios The Barn in Woodstock N.Y. late Feb early March 2009 – distant clapping between tracks is left in for good measure. Methinks Silver Arrows Records has a real winner on their hands here. This is a real return to form to the days of classic rock, which is a relief, after the much maligned Warpaint of last year.
The Black Crowes hit the big-time with album Live At The Greek (with Jimmy Page circa 2000). Much like their heroes Led Zeppelin, ‘The Crowes’ as they’re known to fans, like to mix and match their repertoire – a bit of boogie a la The Band / Little Feat, (Kept My Soul) southern rock (A Train Still Makes…), bluesy guitar solos (Been A Long Time) , acoustic ballads (with violins The Last Place…) with mandolin picks (What Is Home?) being a massive nod to Led Zep, country ballads with dollops of pedal steel (Apppaloosa) and a propensity for jam ‘freak-outs’ (check the fab seven minutes plus Been A Long Time Coming….amazing) makes them a unique band with plenty of skill and diverse styles at their disposal. Unusually, they’ve even indulged in a bit of indie dance funk (think Blondie) on the catchy I Ain’t Hiding a great potential single, though not representative of the rockier touchstones of the whole album – but showing a greater breadth to their repertoire than before – though dazzling solos keep it a Crowes thing. Despite working with a new line-up original members (only songwriters) the Robinson brothers – Chris and Rich – have turned the ‘newish’ Crowes into a formidable band. “I think we fulfilled a musical commitment to continue on the golden road of artistic independence. Approaching 20 years into our careers, we still are ambitious enough to push ourselves to create something unique that we have never done before.” – Chris Robinson 2009. The verdict: Outstanding!
Weblink: blackcrowes.com
The full list of tracks included are :
As of April 2009, Blu-rays and DVDs reviewed by the editor are watched on a Panasonic TH-37PX80B 37" Plasma TV with a Sony BDP-1500 Blu-ray player and played through a Yamaha DSP-AX820 amplifier. PC games reviewed by the editor are on:
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Review & concert pics copyright © Elly Roberts, 2004-2010.
