Providence, RI concert review 11/4/96 Black Crowes concert review The Strand Theater November 4th, 1996 by Scott Weber Everyone's so up in arms about the Providence show on 11/4. Yes, it was a neat setlist, but by far the worst of 9 shows I taped this year and by far the worst show of about 40 Crowes shows I've seen over the years. General admission capacity of 2,800 and they sold 3,200 tickets. The worst non-educated, drunken, rough Black Crowes crowd I've ever seen. I taped Mule next to Marc Ford's PA on the floor and it comes out like a board. Ten minutes before the Crowes go on, I get physically threatened by Providence security that I'd better get my mike stand off the floor or I'll be thrown "the fuck outta here on my head". "We have a job to do, and you might be in our way. Fuck the Black Crowes, security is priority tonight and you have 2 minutes to break down that fuckin' stand or we'll break it for you". It was a heart attack trying to break down and re-set up at the soundboard within ten minutes. I pulled it off, only to have no view of the band and people pushing, bumping and spilling beer over me all night. I was fortunate enough to see soundcheck earlier and chat with Rich. The consensus was that the band has a hunch the show was going to be full of uneducated assholed causing fights, so they weren't going to do hardly any hits or album cuts. The Providence radio station (WHJY) bashed the show the next day because they promoted it and the Crowes played off the wall shit all night!!! Anyway, to all of you true Crowes fans who truly love the music, you wouldn't have wanted to be at this one. Noone would have enjoyed "Thunderstorm" or "Feathers" or "Slow Sting Me", you would've had some drunken Providence asshole hitting you all night. What a bummer for my last show. But there is hope, 11/3 in Amherst was a godsent. Great croud, great sound, beautiful night. And and incredible "Feelin' Alright" as an opener!!!! --Scott Weber--