Warpaint Live [PA] (CD - 2009)

Personnel: Chris Robinson (vocals, guitar, harmonica); Rich Robinson (vocals, guitar); Sven Pipien (vocals); Luther Dickinson (guitar); Adam MacDougall (keyboards); Steve Gorman (drums, percussion); Charity White, Monalisa Young (background vocals).

Liner Note Authors: Michael Klausman; Tomoyuki Yamazaki; Michael Klausman.

Recording information: 03/20/2008.

Photographers: David Lloyd ; David Lloyd; Dave Lloyd.

In the grand tradition of famous rockers who go through a break-up and drop a career highlight (see: BLOOD ON THE TRACKS-era Dylan), Chris Robinson responded to the disintegration of his tabloid-gracing marriage to Kate Hudson with WARPAINT, the Black Crowes' best album since 1992's THE SOUTHERN HARMONY AND MUSICAL COMPANION. With more memorable hooks and passionate performances (Robinson can phone in southern-rock-soul better than anyone, but there's no mistaking his real emotional wear-and-tear on WARPAINT), the album sounded even better on the road as evidenced by this two-disc live companion piece.

Disc One presents WARPAINT in its entirety and in sequence though brought to soaring heights by the dynamic guitar interplay of Rich Robinson and new recruit Luther Dickinson (whose slide grittily re-ups their southern rebel streak.) Disc Two branches out with some earlier tracks (notably "Bad Luck Blue Eyes Goodbye" from SOUTHERN HARMONY), traditional blues romps, and classic rock covers such as Moby Grape's "Hey Grandma." Among the latter is a killer version of EXILE ON MAINSTREET's "Torn and Frayed," a Crowes' admission (altogether unnecessary) that they do indeed worship the Rolling Stones. Every track is culled from the same March 20, 2008, show in Los Angeles.

More memento than major statement, 2009's WarPaint Live -- available as a DVD and a two-CD set -- finds the Black Crowes running through their 2008 comeback Warpaint in its entirety during a gig in Los Angeles, adding a five-song coda of covers and Crowes classics. Warpaint was a reunion and revitalization for the Black Crowes, their best album in a long time, and much of that renewed energy can be heard in this performance, which manages to be loose and tight, the work of a band comfortable in its own skin and strength. Apart from the closing covers, highlighted by a coolly confident "Torn and Frayed" and a raucous "Hey Grandma," surprises are a bit hard to come by, but that's not a problem because the band never sounds tired; they're engaged, so it's hard not to be swept up in their enthusiasm too. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine minimize