The Black Crowes: Hampton Beach Casino 06.06.10

The Robinson Brothers are back together to stay.

When you go to a Black Crowes show, you never know what you are going to get.

They are one of the few bands that change their set lists NIGHTLY.

You could have seen them play down in Hyannis on Friday and then see a completely different performance at the Hampton Beach Casino two nights later.

And never be disappointed.

I didn’t see them on the Cape, but damn they rocked the Casino. Rock 101 was broadcasting the show, so the crowd seemed even more amped for the performance.

For those who do not know the Black Crowes, the best way to describe them is by  sticking the Allman Brothers, Lynyrd Skynyrd, and the Rolling Stones into a blender and pressing high speed.

They are bluesy, melodic, and rocking all at the same time.

If you don’t find yourself dancing, tapping your feet, or clapping your hands, you must not be alive.

The Crowes played many songs off their first album.

I saw them five years ago for the first time and they rocked the place. My friend and I called it the best worst show we ever saw. Not because of their performance which was incredible, but because of their set list. We had no idea what most of the songs were and we are big Crowes fans but I guess not fanatical.

The show at Hampton started off  with the Black Crowes playing hits like “Stare It Cold” “Hotel Illness”, “Hard To Handle” and “She Talks To Angels” off their first two albums.

To say the joint was jumping was an understatement.

The floor was actually moving from the sea of humanity grooving to the Black Crowes bluesy beats.

The smell of whacky tabacky was in the air.

Chris Robinson with his 70 lb frame and 60 lb beard, was the embodiment of a front man.

His booming voice and flaring dancing gyrations put the crowd in the palm of his hand.

The rest of the band was as tight as a band could be. They showed their true chops by inserting 10 minutes jams into songs like “Thorn In My Pride.”

Good Ole  Southern rock at it’s best.

They are incredible musicians and I love their style, but I am a greedy fan. I want to hear as many as my favorite songs in two hours. The jam fest was stealing away from my extravaganza of musical selfishness.

However, my prayers were answered!

For the encore, Chris Robinson came out with a guitar which seemed to weigh him down. You almost thought a roadie was going to help him play his axe.

When the band broke into “I Ain’t Hiding” off their new album, “Before the Frost”, I went out of my mind. My aching knees from a night of  wedding dancing quickly became rejuvenated as the music injected rhythm into my tired limbs.

No better way to end a show but playing the song that put you on the map. The opening lick by Rich Robinson of  “Twice As Hard” was a perfect ending to an incredible night of pure rock.

Not hard rock.

Not rap rock.

Not metal.

Just good ole southern fun lovin’rock and roll.

Can’t wait to see them again in the fall when they come back on their “Greatest Hits” tour.

But of course I will complain then too because I didn’t hear EVERY song I love.

That is a disappointment I can surely live with.

Twice as hard as it was the first time…

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