Freak 'N' Roll... Into the Fog (CD - 2006)

The Black Crowes: Marc Ford (vocals, guitar); Chris Robinson (vocals, acoustic guitar, harmonica); Suen Pipien (vocals, bass guitar); Joshi Marshall (alto saxophone); David Ellis (tenor saxophone); Gavin DiStasi (trumpet); Ed Hawrysch (keyboards); Charity White, Monalisa Young (background vocals); Steve Gorman, Marty Wehner, Rich Robinson.

Personnel: Rich Robinson (vocals, guitar); Sven Pipien (vocals); Joshi Marshall (alto saxophone); Marty Wehner (trombone); Ed Hawrysch (keyboards); Steve Gorman (drums, percussion).

Recording information: The Fillmore, San Francisco, CA.

Issued around the same time as the two-disc Black Crowes rarities set, LOST CROWES, this 2006 release presents the revered rock ensemble in concert during a five-night stint on their '05 reunion tour at San Francisco's Fillmore Auditorium. Clearly energized after their three-year hiatus, the Crowes offer up a vibrant set that mixes their biggest hits (the melancholy "She Talks to Angels," the down-and-dirty "Hard to Handle") with lesser-known latter-day material (the funky "Let Me Share the Ride," the neo-psychedelic "Soul Singing"). As always, vocalist Chris Robinson leads the band with his own toasted swagger while his brother, Rich, lays down fierce, Stones-inspired guitar riffs that are perfectly complemented by Eddie Harsch's groove-laden keyboard lines. Highlights of the double-disc live set include a raucous take on "Remedy" and a Southern-fried version of the Band's "The Night They Drove Ol' Dixie Down." (Note: FREAK 'N' ROLL is also available on DVD.)

This double-disc is essentially the audio component to the DVD of the same name released in March 2006. There are several live documents of the Black Crowes before their breakup especially, but this one shows them at their rawest, with a complete horn section and backing vocalists tearing it up at the Fillmore. It's true, one can listen to the DVDs , but if you aren't one of those people who particularly likes to watch music videos, this might be a better bet. The sound is great, and the performance is positively electric. It starts a little ragged, but that's part of the charm; by the time the band gets to "Soul Slinging" four cuts in, they are burning. Chris Robinson's deep hippie aspirations as expressed on his New Earth Mud solo album get incorporated here without the Black Crowes losing any of their fire, ferocity, or crazy, raw performance antics. Rich Robinson's playing is top-notch, as is the rest of the band's. Check cuts like "Jealous Again" or the cover of "Space Captain." Slip on disc two and get to "Non Fiction," clocking in at over ten minutes, or the closing cover version of "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down," and the belief is in the hearing. If the Black Crowes wanted to prove they were back as a band, Freak 'N' Roll...Into the Fog should be all the evidence one needs. ~ Thom Jurek minimize