The Black Crowes Sing the Blues

© Dave Vann / RumBum.com

The Black Crowes at Rothbury 09

Saturday of ROTHBURY afternoon was the perfect time to take in some blues. A bit of morning rain cooled the grounds so that the dust didn't kick up so much as people danced and pranced to The Black Crowes around The Odeum to kick off the late afternoon schedule. Chris Robinson and his brethren raked in a large following of rockin' peeps to join in on some smooth, soulful tunes.

The Amorican Dream

The Black Crowes kicked the show off with a twangy, tangy taste of "Wiser Time" off third album Amorica, which explains perfectly how these dudes found their way seamlessly in the middle of Alt/Rock and Blues/Soul with a sprinkling of jam band sugar. The Brothers Robinson (Chris and Rich) add so much depth to the six-piece band, which has a classic feel with a modern component. You can easily pick out hints of Lynyrd Skynyrd, Led Zeppelin and Creedence Clearwater Revival if you listen close enough.

The Black Crowes brought a chill vibe of rock to the house of ROTHBURY, a welcome change of pace on the warm summer day. It was the afternoon of July 4th and a man dressed as Uncle Sam thought the raspy ballad "Thorn in My Pride" was the perfect break for an ice cold beer.

Fun in the Sun

As koozies kept the brewskis chilled, friends threw Frisbees across the green fields as guitar and drum jammed in the foreground. Tie-dye-clad Dead Heads - already dressed for the evening festivities - scurried in to get an early taste of deep Southern chords and keys, and the mood was much more laid-back than one might have expected, given the exciting evening of music that was to come. The gals rolled their bodies to the music with hands in the air and The Black Crowes left that extra sexy feeling lingering in the blowing wind.

As The Black Crowes intertwined a bit of jazz to their repertoire, an even more relaxed vibe spread across the crowd. It was so relaxed that a middle-aged fan brought out her canvas and paints and brushed bright yellows, oranges, pinks and blues back and forth across the canvas, moving her paintbrush to the sound of the music.