Blues
The Black Crowes already possess one of the beefiest sounds in rock. Add legendary Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page and now you're talking about thick-cut steak. Recorded in October 1999, this double-disc slab will certainly stick to your ribs, chock-full as it is of burly, brawny riffs, and it is as flavorful as it is filling. Without question, the pairing of Page and the Crowes sounds as strong on your player as it does on paper. Page's playing is more focused and incisive than it has been of late, the Crowes sound energized and inspired by the esteemed guest, and Chris Robinson makes a fine Robert Plant. The Zep covers, which account for 14 of the 20 tracks, stay close to the original arrangements--you can sing along most of the way based on your knowledge of the Zep studio albums. At first, this may seem disappointing, but it becomes clear very quickly that this method is preferable to any heavy-handed reworkings. And they smartly include a few lesser-known tracks as well ("Sick Again" and "Ten Years Gone" from Physical Graffiti and "Out on the Tiles" from III). The real payoff, however, comes with the half-dozen blues covers, which sound looser and more alive than the Zep tunes. This set isn't innovative, surprising, or adventurous, but that's precisely where its charms lie.
By Marc Greilsamer.
**
Following a successful collaboration at a 1999 London benefit show, it made perfect sense for Jimmy Page to invite the Black Crowes to be his back-up band for a mini-tour later that year. Recorded during a pair of sold-out shows at Los Angeles' Greek Theatre, these sets are dominated by Led Zeppelin tunes, along with a mix of classic blues nuggets and covers of Fleetwood Mac and Page's first group, The Yardbirds. (Due to contractual obligations, no Crowes songs are included here).
Chris Robinson's soulful singing ably fills in forRobert Plant's caterwaul, particularly with the sinister "In My Time of Dying" and the bluesy drawl of Willie Dixon's "You Shook Me". Guitarists Rich Robinson and Audley Freed provide stellar sounding layers of depth behind Page's playing,whether on the chiming "Hey Hey What Can I Do", or the hard-hitting swagger of "Nobody's Fault But Mine". From the non-Zeppelin material, the Crowes and Page soar on covers of theB.B. King shuffle "Woke Up This Morning" and the Chicago blues stomp of Jimmy Rogers' "Sloppy Drunk".
**
Jimmy Page- Guitar
Chris Robinson- Vocal
Rich Robinson- Guitar,Vocal
Steve Gorman- Drums
Ed Harsch- Keyboards
Sven Pipien- Bass
Audley Fred- Guitar
**
CD 1
01. Celebration Day 3:42
02. Custard Pie 5:18
03. Sic Again 4:34
04. What is and What Should Never be Woke up this Morning 5:26
05. Woke Up This Morning 4:14
06. Shapes of Things to Come 3:09
07. Sloppy Drunk 6:05
08. Ten Years Gone 6:30
09. In my time of Dying 9:33
CD 2
01. The Lemon Song 8:59
02. Nobody's Fault But Mine 6:41
03. Heartbreaker 5:50
04. Hey Hey What Can i Do 3:30
05. Mellow Down Easy 5:20
06. Oh Well 4:10
07. Shake Your Money Maker 4:25
08. You Shook Me 8:25
09. Out On The Tiles 3:39
10. Whole Lotta Love 5:34
**
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