Black Crowes Chicago 4-19-24

[Travis]

Got a text yesterday from a buddy of mine in St Louis I hadn’t seen in years (but we still stay in contact every week or 2). He’s driving up today to see The Black Crowes at the Aragon Ballroom with an extra ticket and asked if I was free. Long story short: I’m going. 

I would classify myself as a casual fan of the band. I didn’t buy any of their albums but I wouldn’t skip them when their songs came on the radio. I did check out their new album. Gave it a full listen 3-4 times and it’s pretty solid. Plus, live rock n roll with a friend is not something I’m gonna pass up. 

We got general admission but the Aragon is not a huge venue so we should still get a decent view. I’ve seen a handful of bands there over the years (original G3 in ‘96, Megadeth/Motörhead back in ‘13…) and it’s a cool place. 

I’ll post some pics and a review probably tomorrow morning…

[cmatthes]

I’ve gotten to catch the Crowes (and CRB) a bunch of times over the years - even got to hang with them a couple times before Tom Petty shows when they were opening.  I’m a casual fan, and wasn’t planning on seeing them here in DC in a couple weeks.  Fortunately, a friend is coming up from Carolina to catch the show, and invited me, so I can’t pass that up!  So far, everything I’ve seen and heard has been REALLY good!  
Looking forward to your show report!!

[Travis]

Show was good. We were close to the stage so had a great vantage point. Only issue was this old couple in front of me grinding on each other the whole time and he kept using me for leverage so he could hump his woman without falling over backwards. 🤦🏻‍♂️

Opening band was a local trio called “Glyders.”  Girl on bass, guitarist singer used a beat up Tele he said he “found in the trash” all night. Decent little band. Had some good grooves. Nothing extraordinary, but good enough as an opening act. 

The Crowes came on and played their hits which I knew, a few tracks off their new album I was slightly familiar with, and plenty of songs from their back catalog that as a casual fan I didn’t know. Overall, it was a solid rock n roll show. 

Wall of guitar amps (heads and combos). Not sure how many different ones they used cuz I could tell that the majority of combos had no speakers in them. Looked like Nico was using a Reason combo and Rich was using a head I couldn't quite make out. 

Tons of guitar changes between the two, almost every song. Bunch of SG's, Teles, a LPJr, Firebird, Gretsch, etc.  I think my favorites were Nico's Firebird and Rich's black Tele. 

There was another couple in front of me. Maybe 5-10 years older than I am. Looked like they’ve got a couple of daughters with them of drinking age. 

Guy aims camera to take a selfie, wife gets in it. I notice that with the angle, my head is framed perfectly between theirs. 

So, I do what anyone would do. 

I stick my tongue out and look directly at the camera. 

Well, after he takes the pic, he looks at his phone. He immediately turns back to me and starts laughing.

I got a fist bump from both mom and dad. 

I rule…

[Travis]

[Travis]

 

Edited April 20, 2024 by Travis

[Travis]

[Tortious]

4 hours ago, Travis said:

Rich was using a head I couldn't quite make out. 

 

 

Him and his guitar tech apparently started their own amp company. https://www.muswellamplification.com/

[Disturber]

Edit: gave the album a 2nd spin, sitting with a cup of my famous java infront of the speakers. I like it much more this time. It sounds like Rich album, more than Chris. Lots of cool guitar riffs. I could not stand Chris Robinson Brotherhood with that organplayer that kept hoola hootin' on the keys through every song. But this album actually r o c k s. 

Again, still think that Rich and Marc Ford's Magpie Salute had more of the old school TBC vibe that this album lacks.

Everytime I've seen a Youtube clip of Chris on stage he is trying to look like he did in 1995. It reminds me of that friend in high school who had a really embarassing dad, who had a bit much to drink on Saturday evenings - dancing around in the living room making the whole family uncomfortable. He needs to grow in to his age or get in shape. He looks older than Mick Jagger. 

I still hope that they will bring back Gorman and put their hearts in it for real, not just their wallets, and pick up where Before the Frost left us. 

Gormans Trigger Hippy are great, if you have not checked them out.

Edited April 21, 2024 by Disturber

[Travis]

2 hours ago, Tortious said:

Him and his guitar tech apparently started their own amp company. https://www.muswellamplification.com/

Thanks for the info!  This is the head that had the lights on and looked like it was hooked up. Seems like a similar aesthetic to what’s on that website…

 

[princeofdarkness56]

Looks like a great venue to see a band. I’m done with hockey arena’s and large outdoor places. 

[BubbaVO]

21 minutes ago, princeofdarkness56 said:

Looks like a great venue to see a band. I’m done with hockey arena’s and large outdoor places. 

Can’t go wrong at the Aragon 

[Travis]

24 minutes ago, princeofdarkness56 said:

Looks like a great venue to see a band. I’m done with hockey arena’s and large outdoor places. 

 

2 minutes ago, BubbaVO said:

Can’t go wrong at the Aragon 

I’ve really begun to prefer the smaller venues over the stadiums and amphitheaters. The Aragon was one of the first venues I ever saw a concert in so it holds a special place in my heart. 

[BubbaVO]

2 hours ago, Travis said:

 

I’ve really begun to prefer the smaller venues over the stadiums and amphitheaters. The Aragon was one of the first venues I ever saw a concert in so it holds a special place in my heart. 

Same. 

[Travis]

Set list…

[mrjamiam]

Thanks for the review and pics.  They played "Twice as Hard" for you, lucky dog.  They didn't when I saw them a few (several?) years ago.

[Brooks]

Casual fan here, too. I recognize 8 tunes in the list, all old. The wall of non matching amps is not a good look, esp w/ empty cabs and Marshall MG heads, what's the point? Gormans book was a great read, he tells a good story, and the bros come off like real dicks in it.

[Brooks]

Just now, Brooks said:

Casual fan here, too. I recognize 8 tunes in the list, all old. The wall of non matching amps is not a good look, esp w/ empty cabs and Marshall MG heads, what's the point? Gormans book was a great read, he tells a good story, and the bros come off like real dicks in it.

EDIT to say I do love the tune Wiser Days

[cmatthes]

On 4/20/2024 at 4:19 PM, Disturber said:

Edit: gave the album a 2nd spin, sitting with a cup of my famous java infront of the speakers. I like it much more this time. It sounds like Rich album, more than Chris. Lots of cool guitar riffs. I could not stand Chris Robinson Brotherhood with that organplayer that kept hoola hootin' on the keys through every song. But this album actually r o c k s. 

Again, still think that Rich and Marc Ford's Magpie Salute had more of the old school TBC vibe that this album lacks.

Everytime I've seen a Youtube clip of Chris on stage he is trying to look like he did in 1995. It reminds me of that friend in high school who had a really embarassing dad, who had a bit much to drink on Saturday evenings - dancing around in the living room making the whole family uncomfortable. He needs to grow in to his age or get in shape. He looks older than Mick Jagger. 

I still hope that they will bring back Gorman and put their hearts in it for real, not just their wallets, and pick up where Before the Frost left us. 

Gormans Trigger Hippy are great, if you have not checked them out.

Elduave and I actually walked out of a CRB show in a small venue here outside of DC many years ago.  I'm trying to remember why, but as two BC fans, that was a bit unexpected.

[JGale]

Was it the ole “Jazz Odyssey” thing again?

[BruceM]

On 4/20/2024 at 5:24 PM, Travis said:

 

I’ve really begun to prefer the smaller venues over the stadiums and amphitheaters. The Aragon was one of the first venues I ever saw a concert in so it holds a special place in my heart. 

I haven't been there in over 40 years, but I'd love to go back.  Tubes '78.  Talking Heads '79.  Patti Smith '80.  Ah, the good ole days.

[tommy p]

On 4/20/2024 at 10:41 PM, Travis said:

Set list…

 That is a good set list.  Nebekenezer, Horsehead, and Thorn in My Pride are a few of my favorites, and this is one of the few bands that I don't mind hearing the "hits" from.  Did they do the big Zep-like ending to Twice as Hard?  If you know what I'm talking about, that was some unexpected coolness from one of the shows I saw.

3 hours ago, cmatthes said:

Elduave and I actually walked out of a CRB show in a small venue here outside of DC many years ago.  I'm trying to remember why, but as two BC fans, that was a bit unexpected.

I have walked early on exactly ONE show in my life, and it was a Black Crowes show.  I've seen them about 6 or 7 times but this particular show was when Chris had decided they were going to be a jam band.  I don't mind extending a song or two but not EVERY GD ONE.  They were playing 20-minute versions of almost nothing recognizable so eventually I said "Fuck this." and hit the road.  I wonder if that was the same thing you and Dave experienced.

[Cboss]

On 4/25/2024 at 11:45 AM, Brooks said:

Casual fan here, too. I recognize 8 tunes in the list, all old. The wall of non matching amps is not a good look, esp w/ empty cabs and Marshall MG heads, what's the point? Gormans book was a great read, he tells a good story, and the bros come off like real dicks in it.

It looks like The Beverly Hillbillies unloaded their jalopy on the stage, WTF is the point?

[Jakeboy]

Ima thinking Muswell Amps has a Kinks thing happening….