Kerrang review February 1997 

 Review at London's Garage 2/22/97

 by Liz Evans
 Kerrang 3/8/97

 	[submitted by Steve Witty]


  THE BLACK CROWES

  Highbury Garage,London,Saturday,February 22

  5/5

  More usually spotted in large venues across the world,with the
full-on production treatment and rock star splendour,tonight The Black
Crowes are squashed up onto the small stage of London's Garage to play
two friendly,acoustic sets.Beers are flowing,hips are swaying and
large groups of happy punters are not above bellowing along with
vocalistChris Robinson.Thee atmosphere is akin to that of your best
friend's party - chilled out,laid back,and very,very cool.
 Kicking the first show open at around 6pm,the Crowes amble straight
into the spine-tingling 'She Talks To Angels',spinning out the
bittersweetness through a gentle treatment.'Better When You're Not
Alone' sounds extra tender,'Spider In A Sugar Bowl' sends the already
crazy crowd crazier,'Bring On,Bring On' and 'Good Friday' lose none of
their poignancy,while 'Jealous Again' lands reviving punch after the
potent southern feel of 'The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down'.Ending
with a couple of Gram Parsons,'Hot Burrito No 1' and 'Hot Burrito No
2',the Crowes disappear beneath a wave of tumultuous applause,off to
replenish themselves before the second set.
  Where the first show was bustling and excitable,full of mainly
mature rock fans all wired up for an early start to a heavy night on
the town,the later show is more mellow,although still fit to burst
with enthusiasm.The set is completely different,as you'd expect,but
the band look just as relaxed.Perched on stools,behind screens of
smoke,guitarists Marc Ford and Rich Robinson are cool
personified,while Chris rattles the maracas and snakes his hips like a
flowered-up messiah.Coursing through 'Remedy','Ballad In
Urgency','Cursed Diamond',and the beautiful 'How Much For Your
Wings',you get the impression that this band could play for a thousand
nights and never tire of their countrified blues.
  While The Black Crowes' festival rock is perfect for sunny fields
and large auditoriums,the intimacy they generate from a low-key affair
such as this is absolutely awesome,and not something anyone who was
present at either of tonight's shows will forget.Stars they may well
be,but first and foremost the Crowes are music-makers,and this forges
stronger bonds than any kind of drug-addled ego.Many an
internationally successful band would do well to take note.

Most Rocking Moment:First show-'Better When You're Not Alone';Second
show-'Hard To Handle'.

Least Rocking Moment:The odd bit of long winded jamming.

Best Onstage Quote:The usual love and peace burblings from the broadly
grinning Chris Robinson.

Verdict:Like stumbling across your favourite band playing at a mate's
party.