Here’s a bit of bitter sweet news… The Black Crowes will be releasing an acoustic album, Croweology, but it comes with a price: they will be going on an indefinite hiatus.
How long is “indefinite hiatus?” According to an interview he gave to Rolling Stone, “Two years, five years, 10 years – you never know when you jump into the void. This cycle we’ve been on has been incredible. Since the summer of ’07, when we made Warpaint, it’s been the three most fulfilling years I’ve ever had with this band.
“But if we kept going, we might be playing with fate too much,” he adds. “It would be nice to have a 30th anniversary. But we should walk away from this while everyone’s in a good mood.”
So although I’m excited about the album, I’m saddened by the hiatus news. The Crowes are one of my top 5 favorite bands and I’ve become accustomed to their constant touring. I was lucky to catch a few of their shows at The Ryman, and I was even luckier to get to not only jam with drummer Steve Gorman, but to also hear him lay down drums on two songs that I co-wrote on Bo Bice‘s album, See the Light.
Man, I love them Crowes.
Croweology will be released on August 3rd and is a 2-disc set that will feature acoustic renditions of choice songs from their extensive catalog. This collection celebrates the 20th anniversary of their debut album, Shake Your Moneymaker, and will be priced as a single-disc to thank the fans for 20 years of support.
I’m excited about this album, especially because “My Morning Song” will be included. That song has got to be one of the most elevating songs ever written.
The band will hit the road on August 13th for the Say Goodnight to the Bad Guys tour. This may be the last chance to catch them for a very long time (or a very short time but why take the chance?) so if they come near you, I would go. They’re coming to the West coast in December… I just might take a road trip to the Vegas show. THAT would be cool.
I remember when the Crowes took a break back in 2002. I didn’t think they would get back together again for a very long time, but it only took three years. They came back with some of their most exciting music and capped it off with a most excellent Before the Frost. Chris and Rich Robinson did release the Brothers of a Feather live album that was essentially an acoustic album of Crowes songs (plus covers), but Croweology will be a full-band experience. Sweet!
So to mark this occasion, I’ve reposted their 2008 VH-1 Unplugged performance. This taping includes the current lineup and it sounds GREAT. Make sure to catch them perform on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno on August 3rd and then Jimmy Kimmel on August 4th.
Check out the Rolling Stone article on Croweology, the tour, and the hiatus here.
Your Dig-It Downloads:
Download: The Black Crowes VH-1 Unplugged Full ZIP
Download: Sting Me
Download: Goodbye Daughters of the Revolution
Download: Soul Singing
Download: Locust Street
Download: Walk Believer Walk
Download: Wiser Time
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This is one band I have never seen live and it makes me quite sad. Every time they have been around here I have had a conflict and of course when they are here next I will be in Cali. I will have to try to see them in September when they are in TN, maybe it will be a birthday present to myself!!
I saw them live a few years ago. Swap, I think I got you a shirt from that show. I love them, and my ipod has everything you gave us over the years to download. Thanks again.
I fear there are no tix to be had in Nash :(
I love the VH1 show you posted.
I also love the artwork for the new album. Very cool.