The Black Crowes Bring "Freak n' Roll" to DVD

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"Freak n' Roll...Into the Fog" in stores March 21

By Ian Rice
Arts and Lifestyle Editor


For years, fans of the Black Crowes have been pining for an official video release from their heroes, yet nothing had seen the light of day. Sure, there was the excellent documentary "Who Killed That Bird Out On Your Window Sill?" from 1992, but that is long out of print and shows little footage of the band doing what they do best: performing live. Besides, the band was still embryonic at that point, not yet having released "The Southern Harmony and Musical Companion" and really coming into their own. Luckily, the band has answered the call and unleashed their first in-concert DVD, "Freak n' Roll...Into the Fog" this month. And, as it turns out, the wait was more than worth it.


Filmed during one night of the band's five night stand at the legendary Fillmore in San Francisco, "Freak and Roll" captures one of the best performances from their entire "All Join Hands" reunion tour (following a three year hiatus in which its members pursued solo projects). From the opening blast of "(Only) Halfway to Everywhere," featuring the Left Coast Horns, it is clear that the band is on top of its game and boasts its best line-up yet. The Crowes fire through one classic after another, giving their back catalog a thorough workout. Fan-favorites are abound, including smoking renditions of "My Morning Song" and "Let Me Share the Ride." The band's taste is covers is also represented nicely, as they make classic tracks like Joe Cocker's "Space Captain" and The Band's "The Night They Drove Ol' Dixie Down" their own with passion and conviction. Even the FM-ruined hits like "She Talks to Angels" and "Hard to Handle" are given a fresh workout, still sounding interesting and vibrant even after being heard so many times. Unlike bands such as The Rolling Stones and Pink Floyd, The Crowes have not sterilized their most well-known tracks after so many setlist appearances, allowing them to still sound interesting when performed.


The highlight of the film comes with the acoustic opening of the second set, which sees Chris Robinson, Rich Robinson and Marc Ford gently running through deep album cuts ("Cursed Diamond") and obscure b-sides ("Sunday Night Buttermilk Waltz") before the full group returns to the stage for subdued versions of some of the band's more poignant numbers ("Wiser Time," "Seeing Things"). It is during this stripped-down portion of the show that each member of the band individually shines, making it all the more clear that this is a band that is still on top of its game fifteen years after their debut. Also overtly obvious is the talent of guitarist Marc Ford, whose blazing leads and muted colorations prove that he is the quintessential lead player for The Black Crowes and his rejoining the band was the best move they could make.


In a world of over-produced pop and unoriginal rock, it is refreshing to see a band like the Black Crowes still receiving attention. With more performances like the one included on "Freak n' Roll," the music world might just be able to take a few easy breaths with the knowledge that there are still bands out there that care about the music and give it all they've got when in concert.


Tracklisting:
1) (Only) Halfway To Everywhere
2) Sting Me
3) No Speak No Slave
4) Soul Singing
5) Welcome To The Goodtimes
6) Jealous Again
7) Space Captain
8) My Morning Song
9) Sunday Night Buttermilk Waltz
10) Cursed Diamond
11) She Talks To Angels
12) Wiser Time
13) Non Fiction
14) Seeing Things
15) Hard To Handle
16) Let Me Share The Ride
17) Mellow Down Easy
18) Remedy
19) The Night They Drove Ol’ Dixie Down