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The Black Crowes are heavily inspired by the old 70s rock bands. And they never had the urge to change that. Their new album ‘Warpaint‘ sounds very similar to their first album ‘Shake Your Moneymaker’ back in 1990. Now they are touring again to support the new album. What do they sound like live after 20 years?

The Black Crowes at Heineken Music Hall Amsterdam, 11 April 2008

Well more or less like in 1990. But like their album it never sounds old or outdated. I think their new album is one of the best they have produced in years. It has some good songs with nice grooves and never sounds old or boring at all. This is exactly the feeling you get when they play live. They still play very good music. Okay, so maybe their biggest hits are from the first two albums, but even those have escaped the ravages of time. They sound as if they were recorded last week. Probably the band can thank themselves for that.

It is obvious that the guys on stage are very fine and professional musicians. But similar to their music it’s “what you see is what you get”. No fuss but honest plain old rock. Big fat grooving songs alternated with slow intimate blues songs. They play many songs from the new albums, but there’s also room for old time favourites. All completed with everlasting jams, solos and guitar battles. Singer Chris Robinson still has this incredible voice: hoarse like a crow but with a force that can touch you in your inner soul and will give you goose bumps from time to time. Guitar players Luther Dickinson and Rich Robinson take turns in playing solos or sometimes challenge each other in genuine guitar battles. One may argue if maybe old 70s style rock is starting a come-back. New bands like Wolfmother say they get their main inspiration from that era. I think 70s bands like Led Zeppelin and their music have never left. And the Black Crowes prove that they are here to stay for a long time as well.