Customer Reviews

The Black Crowes - Freak N Roll into the Fog

5 star:		(29)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

There has been much talk of the death of rock and roll in the last couple of decades, but I disagree. Like most elements of our world, rock music has evolved, and it has morphed into different sounds and different genres. The purest form of rock music, however, has been kept alive in recent years - almost exclusively - by the Black Crowes.

Maybe the best thing about this concert DVD is that it is truly representative of a standard Crowes show. Most of their shows consist of a good cross-section of songs from all of their recordings, as well as an unreleased cut or two, extended jams, and a couple of choice covers thrown in. The Crowes are known for never playing the same show twice, and quite simply, this band doesn't know how to not bring it strong each and every night. This is not a band that needs to hide behind stage theatrics nor excessive effects to entertain. To coin a phrase, it's simply the music that does the talking. Each Crowes concert is a unique experience unto itself, and this DVD is lightning in a bottle.

Having been a fan of this band since the beginning, I can state with confidence that the band is hitting on all cylinders at this point in time more than any other. Chalk that up to life experience, a new maturity, or something else, the Crowes are peaking at a time in their career when most musical artists are looking at their best days in the rearview mirror. The Black Crowes are choosing to write new history, and inviting everyone along for The Song.

Hit the lights, light your favorite incense, and turn up your surround sound. Rock and roll has many forms, but in its purest form, it is the truth, and the Black Crowes are the truth.

...long, lingering shots of the band and of individuals; not the herky jerky, quick pan and switch of most concerts. This one is spot on and brilliant, EXCEPT...except for the grainy homemade stuff, like the guys walking the streets during the incredible groove the band is in performing MY MORNING SONG. I would MUCH rather have watched Marc Ford, Rich Robinson, and Steve Gorman onstage than some amateur video doodling. I was honestly in another world listening to that song...it's THAT trippy!

This is a great...make that GREAT...show. For the price, it's a steal, and, unlike many of the over 200 concerts I have on DVD, this one will find its way to the player many times. Whether you're experiencing it alone, or playing it over or under a party, it's a no-brainer...and this is coming from someone who gave up on the Crowes after the second album. Imagine that!

I think it's selling the Crowes short to put too much energy into comparing them to their musical influences. They are one of the best ROCK & ROLL bands since 1990 - period. We are fortunate to still be able to see them live. I must thank the honchos at the record company who finally signed off on a BLACK C R O W E S DVD! I've seen so many amateur video of the Crowes in concert and been lucky to see them in person 30+ times. It will be fantastic to own a full-length pro-shot Crowes DVD.

Get ready for The Black Crowes!

It is impossible to put into words where the Crowes fit into the history of Rock & Roll, and that's mainly because there's never been anyone who does EXACTLY what they do.

From the liner notes:
""It would be one thing to competently reproduce others past glories but what really puts the Crowes in the same category as the Beatles and Stones is the quality of their own material."

This DVD will make you feel good - it's just that simple. I can't believe you can get this much value for $10. The band could have charged 3 times that, and I wouldn't have blinked an eye. Everyone is in top form on this disc, and the performances are incredible. This band can make even the most grizzled and jaded music listener smile from ear to ear. Buy the disc, and then go see them live - it will change your life.

I just found out last Friday while surfing the net that The Black Crowes had a New DVD Concert released just a few weeks ago. I'm a long time fan, I own all there albums. They were the most honest band in Rock 'n Roll.

I've been missing their signiture sound for too many years now. Last album I enjoyed was By Your Side from 1998. Did not really care for Lions. Like most average fans, they like the "good" stuff from the the first few albums. I'm no different.

I bought the disc this weekend and gave it a full listen Saturday night. The quality, High-definition picture was excellant! Sound was also very good. I only have Stereo in my veiwing room so can't comment on the 5.1 surround sound, but it's all offered: DTS Digital Surround Sound, Dolby 5.1 Surround sound and Dolby digital Stereo.

This Performance will Not disappoint! Clear vocals, good imagery and lighting, etc. Song selection, like I said before, is targeted towards the early fan. Lots of material from the first four Crowes albums including "No Speak, No Slave, Wiser Time, and Seeing Things". Great acoustic versions of "Cursed Diamond" and "She Talks to Angels". As it should be. Usually in concert, unless a song is brand new and being presented for the first time on a tour, "acoustic" songs become "soft electric" numbers. Not Here.

Other high-lights are a horn section, The Left Coast Horns, who add just the right support to a number of tracks, and also go into some extended jams with the band that border on Jazz expressionism. I liked it!

Now, GO BUY This Now! and invite your friends over for a treat. Especially if they are not aware that the this DVD is available.

They will be thanking you at the end of the evening.

This DVD blew me away. The HD is crystal clear. The DTS sound will blow you away. The Setlist is straight from heaven. I saw them later at the Alabama Theater from this tour and the only song that is missing here is "Thorn in My Pride" with the incredible drum solo. Other than that, this DVD has it all. The "Sunday Night Buttermilk Waltz" will drop your jaw...I was a little worried about the film shots of the band on the bus and around town they show while the band is playing. I'm not a huge fan of this but they don't over do it so all in all I think it works. I think its best to see that stuff on the bonus footage reel. Wiser Times is amazing. Every song is amazing and the horns really lift you up especially during "Seeing Things". You can tell that the Fillmore has a way of inspiring musicians to play at the top of their game. The bold encore choice is also perfect with the horns. Chris taps into Levon's spirit as he sings "The Night they Drove ole Dixie Down" with the true spirit of THE BAND. That's what this tour was all about...the BAND reuniting for the love of the music. That's what its all about and that's what we as fans love to see and hear.

This one is pretty straight forward - the band comes out, plays their set and then good night. The song selection was representative of the best of the albums with Mark Ford on guitar with a few extras and some from the first album. They did em pretty much note for note with a little jam band stuff in the middle of some songs. I could have lived without the montage segments durning the jams. The back stage extras were OK but not really worth revisiting. A few with Kate Hudson hanging out with the band. This is a good overview of the Black Crowes and a solid performance. I don't regret the purchase and have watched it many times over by this point, as I am a big fan of their music.

Love the Crowes and this is one great show among many they played over the last year or so. Especially liked the inclusion of Morning Song, which for me is their best song generally and most powerful live track as well. That leads to my one problem with the DVD -- cutting away from the stage during the Morning Song jam to show instead some long inane camcorder footage of the band walking around town. Just a total buzz kill. You want to be right there with the band on stage as the jam builds to Chris' scream and the big finish. Camcorder footage distracted from a couple of other jams as well, but this was the worst infraction. The place for this kind of candid footage is in the bonus feature section, where in fact there is more of it accompanying snippets of the band playing "He's Gone" in a loose Jerry tribute (it is SF after all). Otherwise, a solid DVD with a good, clear surround mix and of course the HD picture is a pleasure.

Purchasing this DVD is a no-brainer. The Black Crowes arrived back on the scene in 2005, with their classic lineup. Including Marc Ford on guitar and the excellent Sven Pipien on bass, the band ripped through the late summer and fall concert scene by begining to play epic 2 set shows, which included some of the best jams and overall performances they have ever produced.

Night after night, Ford tore through his signature leads with heartfelt emotion, Steve Gorman provided the ever-solid drumming backbone, Sven Pipien laid down some very tasty grooves, Chris Robinson sang his heart out and guitarist Rich Robinson lead the band through 15 years of great music. They performed a mix of their radio hits and lesser known (but equally as good) die-hard fan favorites. Marc Ford and Rich Robinson even treated fans to singing lead vocals on some awesome cover tunes!

This performance from 8/6/05, a SINGLE night at the Fillmore, is sure to be a prime example of the live capabilites of this insanely underrated American band!!!

- Set One -
(Only) Halfway To Everywhere (w/Horns)
Sting Me
No Speak No Slave
Soul Singing
Welcome To The Goodtimes (w/Horns)
Jealous Again
Space Captain
My Morning Song

- Set Two -
Sunday Night Buttermilk Waltz
Cursed Diamond
She Talks To Angels
Wiser Time
Nonfiction -> Jam (w/Dave Ellis)
Seeing Things (w/Horns)
Hard To Handle -> Jam (w/Horns)
Share The Ride -> Jam -> (w/Horns)
Mellow Down Easy (w/Horns)
Remedy
- encore -
The Night They Drove Ol' Dixie Down (w/Horns)

Even if you are a casual fan of any genre of music, you should fork over the $10 for this sure-to-be amazing document of live music!!!

The Black Crowes certainly never treaded any new territory, musically speaking...and they never claimed to. All they do is play great rock-n-roll, and they do it very well. This relatively inexpensive dvd captures them intimately. The sound is very good, and there are very few cheesy film effects in this dvd. What you get is a classic rock band performing their songs. No gimmicks. For $15 usd, you can't go wrong.