Black Crowes Singer Explains New Lineup, First Reunion Show Footage Surfaces
When the musical brothers who lead the Black Crowes — singer Chris Robinson and guitarist Rich Robinson — first decided to get back together, they both felt it was best to eschew their former bandmates.
Once the group hits the road for next year's Shake Your Money Maker 30th anniversary tour, the performers will front a whole new lineup, one they debuted in New York City Monday night (Nov. 11). That means frequent Black Crowes contributors such as longtime drummer Steve Gorman and mid-period bassist Sven Pipien aren't participating. It also means not a single member from either brother's solo band will appear. Watch fan-captured footage of the Black Crowes' first reunion gig and see the show's set list toward the bottom of this post.
"That was the first thing Rich and I agreed on," Chris told Rolling Stone in an interview published this week. "We don't want anyone from the solo groups. We don't want anyone from the past."
Perhaps such a dire reorganization was needed after Chris and Rich finally reconvened after avoiding conversation with each other for around five years. Shake Your Money Maker, the Black Crowes' debut, was released in 1990. But when the band broke up in 2015, each sibling went their separate way, writing and recording with respective new groups — Chris mostly with the Chris Robinson Brotherhood, Rich on his solo albums and with the Magpie Salute. Still, speaking on the matter in the present, both recognize the creative power they unlock together.
"I've written hundreds of songs since the Black Crowes broke up," Chris continued, "and I put a band together and he has too. But then we get together and there's just 'a thing.' It's always been our band, and it's funny — through all the trajectory of the good and the bad, the joy and the frustrations — we were laughing, saying the one thing Rich and I can always agree on is, Shake Your Money Maker's a good record."
Rich concurred, "When that record came out, we just went for 10 years … it's so intertwined in your DNA for so long. To get away from it allows me to come back to these songs with a whole renewed appreciation."
The Black Crowes' reunion was first rumored last week before it was announced on Monday. The new lineup features drummer Raj Ojha, bassist Tim Lefebvre, guitarist Isiah Mitchell and keyboardist Joel Robinow.
The Black Crowes, "Twice as Hard" - Live (Nov. 11, 2019)
The Black Crowes, "Jealous Again" - Live (Nov. 11, 2019)
The Black Crowes, "She Talks to Angels" - Live (Nov. 11, 2019)
The Black Crowes, "It's Only Rock 'n Roll" - Live (Nov. 11, 2019)
The Black Crowes Set List - Bowery Ballroom, New York City (Nov. 11, 2019)
"Twice as Hard"
"Jealous Again"
"Sister Luck"
"Could I've Been So Blind"
"Seeing Things"
"Hard to Handle"
"Thick n' Thin"
"She Talks to Angels"
"Struttin' Blues"
"Stare It Cold"
"It's Only Rock 'n Roll (But I Like It)" [Rolling Stones Cover]
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