Despite leaving Raleigh later than anticipated and missing a turn to get to the venue (hey I only lived in Richmond for a year and it'd been 7 months since I'd been back) I got to Brown's Island in time to get a couple of drinks and head to the show. Getting lost and running a bit late I think gave me a much needed adrenaline boost, which I needed knowing Marc and Eddie were gone.
A pretty large turnout, but I wouldn't say it was crammed. I was expecting a show heavy on the "hits" and that's what we got. Unfortunately, but understandably the band rescaled their catalog to strictly songs off the greatest hits album (with the exception of Southern Harmony's Hotel Illness). Let's just say right now, the well isn't deep. This is plenty to satisfy the casual listener, but for us hardcore fans, it wasn't the same. As we were making our way closer, Paul was sounding a bit like Marc on Sting Me, and for a few seconds I thought it was Mr. Ford.
I think Mr. Stacey did a very good job filling in...I watched Rich all night giving cues to Paul. I was on Paul's side, definitely a wrong chord or 2 thrown in during A Conspiracy...but the casual fan was oblivious to what was happening that night.
A friend of mine commented that it looked like Chris was watching Rob and thinking "Do I dig this guy? He's not Eddie, but this can grow on me." And maybe that's what we need, a little time for this lineup to solidify and grow on us.
Missing were Rich and Marc on lap steel, the nightly gem from Dylan's back catalog, or perhaps a nice number from The Band or Gram Parsons. Maybe covering the Dead's "He's Gone" would be too fitting for this occasion. It was straight Black Crowes hits night.
When they started Hard to Handle, the crowd was excited...of course I knew this was signaling the end of the show...all the songs they would've closed with were already played. The crowd stuck around afterwards, even sticking around when the roadies were putting gear up, stagelights were on, and PA was playing music...3 very strong indicators the band had just bid us goodnight.
After the show it felt empty...I was honestly disappointed, I understood why the show went the way it did, but I couldn't help but feel disappointed.
I think I'll still see them in Charlottesville Saturday (2nd row). It felt like the beginning of the end...it's certainly an end of an era.
The Black Crowes
07 September 2006 - Brown's Island - Richmond, VA [ USA ]
Sting Me
Jealous Again
Good Friday
Twice As Hard
She Talks To Angels
Thorn In My Pride
Sometimes Salvation
Wiser Time
By Your Side
Hotel Illness
A Conspiracy
Remedy
Hard To Handle
I would've dubbed this summer as the Summer of the Crowes...with the new releases, the band just gaining momentum and all, there was a lot to look forward to. I'm just sorta sad it ended on this note.
