Lions (CD - 2001)

The Black Crowes: Chris Robinson (vocals); Rich Robinson (guitar, bass); Audley Freed (guitar); Eddie Harsch (keyboards); Steve Gorman (drums).

Additional personnel: Craig Ross (guitar); Don Was (bass); Maxine Waters, Oren Waters, Rose Stone, Julie Waters (background vocals).

Recorded at Montana Rehearsal Studios, New York, New York.

This is an Enhanced CD, which contains both regular audio tracks and multimedia computer files.

Personnel: Christopher Ross (guitar); Maxine Willard Waters, Oren Waters, Rose Stone (background vocals).

Audio Mixers: Chris Lord-Alge; Chris Ribando; Don Was; Adam Olmsted.

Recording information: Montana Rehearsal Studios, New York, NY; Theatre 99.

Photographer: Zoren Gold.

To truly appreciate a Black Crowes CD, one must immerse oneself fully in the band's down-and-dirty milieu. Throw any and all sensitivity to current musical trends out the window and step into a timeless realm of rootsy, southern-tinged blues-rock that carefully straddles the dividing line between Zeppelinish riffing and neo-soul. Foregoing luxurious studio surroundings, the band transplanted itself to a renovated vaudeville theater in New York City for the recording of LIONS. The results don't offer as many memorable hooks as BY YOUR SIDE, but make total sense in the context of albums such as AMORICA and THREE SNAKES AND ONE CHARM.

With LIONS the Atlanta natives tread on some familiar territory while adding some fresh sonic footprints to their legacy. Gone is the punchy, poppier approach that producer Kevin Shirley influenced on preceding works, as control room legend Don Was (who along with guitarist Rich Robinson tackled bass chores in the absence of Sven Pipien) takes the helm for a warmer, if not retro vibe. minimize