Black Crowes Channel '70s Glory

[mp3] Black Crowes "I Ain't Hiding"

As admitted previously, we've never been massive fans of the Black Crowes. Not to say they aren't a fantastic American band, but there just wasn't anything for us to immediately connect with in their music; it always felt a little distant. Yet, after reading more about their upcoming double-album package "Before the Frost..." and "Until The Freeze" our interests were significantly piqued. 

The Black Crowes will release Before the Frost... on Sept. 1, 2009 on their own Silver Arrow Records in conjunction with Megaforce Records. The second half of the double album ...Until The Freeze, will be given away for free exclusively through a unique download code which is included in Before The Frost… as a thank you to their fans. Both albums (20 songs) will come out on  limited edition vinyl which the Crowes will also release on Sept. 1.

To read what get's us really excited about this record and to see tour dates, click after the jump. 

The Black Crowes can be counted as one of the greastest American rock and roll bands still in existence, and perhaps one of the best ever. Yet, their songs always seemed geared to some other audience, that mainstream radio crowd. We never really felt welcome. Luckily for us, it was all still great music. Yet, on the Before The Frost... project, it seems the Crowes have sought a different aesthetic. They have always channeled classic rock and blues motifs, but it seems that the band is taking a more organic and direct approach to writing and music. They retired to our hero Levon Helm's home studio in Woodstock to record these records in front of an intimate live audience. It seems an attempt to tap into the creative roots found in some of the 70s' greatest country and blues records. Live recording, rural setting, organic writing, and great musicianship, are a long lost staples, rare in the realm of modern pro-tools, city-centric bedroom recordings. Not that that's bad, we just need something to refresh us now and again. Here's hoping the full album (waiting to hear all of it) can live up to the lofty ideals set forth by the band, and by the writing in this post.

TOUR DATES

Tue, August 25 Vienna, VA Wolf Trap/The Filene Center
Wed, August 26 Hyannis, MA Cape Cod Melody Tent
Thu, August 27 Boston, MA Bank of America Pavilion
Sat, August 29 Atlantic City, NJ Borgata Event CenterSun, August 30 Baltimore, MD Ram's Head Live
Mon, August 31 Lancaster, PA American Music Theatre
Wed, September 2 New York, NY Rumsey Playfield @ Central Park Summerstage
Fri, September 4 Westbury, NY Theatre at Westbury
Sat, September 5 Asbury Park, NJ Stone Pony Summerstage
Sun, September 6 Virginia Beach, VA American Music Festival
Tue, September 8 Bridgeport, CT The Klein
Wed, September 9 Jim Thorpe, PA Penn's Peak
Fri, September 11 Utica, NY Saranac Brewery
Sat, September 12 Rama, Ontario Casino Rama
Sun, September 13 London, Ontario Centennial Hall
Wed, September 16 Providence, RI Lupo's
Thu, September 17 Burlington, VT Higher Ground
Fri, September 18 Kingston, NY Ulster Performing Arts Center
Thu, September 24 Oklahoma City, OK Oklahoma State Fair
Fri, September 25 Huntsville, AL Big Spring Jam
Saturday, September 26 Nashville, TN Ryman Auditorium
Mon, September 28 Oxford, MS The Lyric
Tue, September 29 Knoxville, TN Tennessee Theatre
Wed, September 30 Charlotte, NC The Fillmore
Fri, October 2 Asheville, NC Thomas Wolfe Auditorium
Sat, October 3 Atlanta, GA Chastain Park Amphitheatre

Happy Birthday Levon!

Yes folks - today is the one and only Levon Helm's birthday. He's 69. Anyone who knows us knows how much we love Levon and his amazing cannon of work, so we're not even going to go into it. You can read our review from one of his Midnight Rambles HERE.

Levon is celebrating his 69th year with the release of Electric Dirt, another amazingly strong collection of vintage Americana songs. Electric Dirt expands the sonic palate from Helm's previous Grammy winning effort Dirt Farmer. Electric Dirt finds Helm drawing more upon his stellar horn section as well as on his chorus of back-up singers including daughter Amy Helm. While the back-up singers can at times sound grating (not sure why) - Electric Dirt's greater emphasis on the soul and R&B chapters of the Americana catalog succeeds for the most part. It's hard not to love everything that Levon touches, but we would have to give it to Dirt Farmer by a nose over Electric Dirt. Yet, for anyone familiar with Levon's work, in The Band or otherwise Electric Dirt is clearly a must buy. It comes out June 30th on Vanguard Records. Happy birthday Levon!

Levon Helm's Midnight Ramble w/ Charlie Louvin 10/25/08

Admittedly, it's been quite difficult writing about my trip to Woodstock, NY to see rock legend and full-on American icon, Levon Helm, play practically in his living room during one of his famed Midnight Rambles. How does one sum up a truly amazing night of music? Not to mention seeing one of their formative musical heroes live and in the flesh, all while sharing this experience with only a handful of other folks? As Stark friend and Brooklyn musician Tim Emmerick put it, "it's the rare, once in a lifetime opportunity that you are able to experience more than once."

Full feature and photos of Levon's house after the jump...


Amidst the smell of wood smoke and in the middle of a raging nor' easter, myself, Emmerick and lawmaker Greg Regan, crammed into Helm's home studio for our second ever Midnight Ramble. This time the guest was Charlie Louvin, a full-blooded American icon in his own right. The country music legend played a heartwarming set of songs from the country/bluegrass cannon he has drawn from for more than 50 years. Always the consummate performer, Louvin charmed the audience with witty quips and lyrics about hell, damnation and yes, Satan.

Mr. Helm took to the stage a short time later accompanied by his daughter Amy, ace horn players Steven Bernstein and Erik Lawrence, and master of the musical universe, Larry Campbell. Campbell proved to be a damn virtuoso, dominating every instrument he touched. Sharing the vocal duties with nearly every member of the rotating 10-piece-band, Helm's set included classic Band originals, traditional blues and country songs, and tracks from his Grammy winning, 2007 record, Dirt Farmer.

The audience, comprised mostly of baby boomers, were there for the music. Respectful and focused, they added energy to the room. With the rare exception of the sleeveless and unruly dude in front of us (you know who you are ass), and the chatty, unsettled cast of Rescue Me, the audience knew what a treat it was to be there.

While the entire show provided countless musical peaks, including a full-on New Orleans blues stomp through the audience, the high point of the evening was its quietest moment. Sharing the stage with only Amy Helm, and Larry Campbell on violin, Helm offered a stunning rendering of the song "Anna Lee." Penned by Laurelyn Dossett, herself in the audience that evening, Helm strained under the emotion and power of the composition. It was a stark and poignant moment -- with Helm showing his age and fragility on the stage, yet somehow embodying the strength, power and authenticity that put him the annuls of American musical history. He has clearly earned his place next to his musical heroes Muddy Waters and the great blues musicians of a long-gone era.

What Levon Helm represents, what makes the Rambles so special, is that he is one of the last remaining connections to that lost generation of American musicians. Helm has transcended his place as the drummer for the Band -- he has become something more: A fading specter who has haunted the most vaunted homes of American music. He has played alongside the greatest musicians in the modern era. From ancient roadhouses in the 50s, to Bonnaroo in 2008 -- Helm has done it all, been everywhere, with everyone. Yet, he still pushes on, touring and playing. Some cite financial necessity, which may be valid; yet playing music is all Levon Helm knows how to do. Helm grew up, almost died, and now survives on the road. As visitors to Woodstock, the few audience members get to see that strange intersection of the road and home. What could be more glorious for an aging legend? He brings all the joy's of playing music on the road to his living room. Helm can display his passion, dedication and pure joy for music, leave everything on stage, then quietly retire to a rocking chair in his home, content in his position in the cannon of great American musicians.

November 4, 2008 - Election Day

We, the Stark writers, intrupt your regular coverage to encourage all of our US readers to vote. For Barack Obama -- especially our Pennsylvania readers. We need all of you Bethlehem, PA folks on our side here.

For our UK friends, we know you're all on our team as well.

When we return, look out for coverage from our recent trip to Levon Helm's Midnight Ramble, the amazing new record from Dent May, and an intimate show with McCarthy Trenching. We also weigh in on some larger records including the new Ryan Adams and Lucinda Williams releases. We'll also take a second look at Ponytail via their most recent Halloween show in Brooklyn. Until then...

Vote hard, vote often.

Love,
Stark.

photo credit: Ashley Herriman

Bonnaroo Hangover

Yes, I went to Bonnaroo. Yes, I made it to work this morning. And yes, I have a Bonnaroo hangover. What does that consist of, you ask? Combine heat stroke, a regular hangover and sleep deprivation, add sore joints from sleeping in odd places, mysterious cuts and bruises and sensory overload. Then you're about there.

I can't complain. I went to Bonnaroo for free, had press access and procured an artist pass. Here is a little recap as I come down from the 'Roo:

Who I encountered:
-Jeff Carter of the Philadelphia Flyers, Beatle Bob , The Wood Brothers w/John Medeski, Battles, MGMT, Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Amie Mann, Chan Marshall (a.k.a. Cat Power, who winked and smiled at me), Sigur Ros, De Novo Dahl, Alia Shawkat (Maeby from Arrested Development) and Samuel Beam from Iron and Wine.
Best of performances:
-Metallica, MMJ, Superdrag, Battles, The Felice Brothers, The Avett Brothers, Levon Helm, Adele, M.I.A., The Wood Brothers, Two Gallants, Comedian Louis C.K., Cat Power, Sharon Jones, Sigur Ros, Chromeo and others.
Not the worst, but not the best:
-DBT, The Raconteurs, Pearl Jam, Willie Nelson, didn't stay up for it but Kanye, and Rogue Wave.
Best extracurriculars:
-Swag in the artist area, Sunday morning mimosas, free food and drinks in the radio tent, backstage access, clean Port-o-potties, air conditioned press/artist tent, the photo pit, watching the silent disco, the fire exhibit, comedy tent and more.
Worst extracurriculars:
- The coffee in the press tent, mud, security personnel, $6 for everything, the sun, not getting back stage, the main stages, press bleachers, dodging golf carts and more...