from my tumblr

what to do when your favourite band is breaking up

If you’re just tuning in, let me be the first to tell you that I LOVE The Black Crowes. No, really … if I could marry a band, they would be it. In my mind, the music Chris & Rich Robinson create together is all I need to get by. So you can imagine the sinking feeling I’ve had this past week, ever since the boys announced an ‘indefinite hiatus’ after this year’s tour. I feel like I’m losing my best friend and one of the reasons I live. And I know that sounds overdramatic and silly and maybe even affected, but I feel that deep within me. Last year, I saw the band seven times, during which I met the boy I like and made some amazing, amazing friends, including T&S. This year feels so different, knowing the band could be apart five … or ten … or more years. I really want to be in the moment. To enjoy every second I get to see them. To have a year of experiences and memories connected to this band that really did change my life. And so, I’m going to see them twenty-two times. I wish it could be more but you guys know I’m a lawyer and work does call. Before this hiatus was announced, I had already mapped out two shows in May in Southern California as well as an epic four show roadtrip in July through Northern California, Southern Oregon and back home to Northern Nevada for their show on Independence Day! That’s six. To that, I’m adding:

* Chicago in August
* Denver in August
* New Mexico in September
* Nashville in September
* Austin in September (for my birthday!)
* Halloween in New York City
* Portland, OR, Seattle and Reno in early December
* Vegas in December
* and their six final shows in San Francisco the week before Christmas

Noticeably absent is November, when they’ll be back East and in the South. Trust me, I started researching how one even gets to Fayetteville, Arkansas before deciding that I had to draw a line somewhere. And yet, I feel like this is not enough? But this is it. And I’m already counting the minutes until my first TBC show of 2010. I love life.

For now, a video from a few weekends ago, with the promise of more to come!

Tied Up And Swallowed

Tied Up And Swallowed has been played 90 times live and was released on Tall. Tied Up And Swallowed is not necessarily one of those songs I probably loved the first time I heard it . . . but like many TBC songs, it grows on you. Actually, I have Steve Gorman to thank for wanting to write about Tied Up And Swallowed today because SG played it on the intro to his sports podcast on Friday, reminding me how much I love this song!

Crowesbase details that:

This song evolved from the live-only original song You're Such A Pity. At some point between the end of the 1990-91 tour and the second leg of The High As The Moon Tour, the song was rearranged with all new lyrics except for the "everybody says you're such a pity" line.

It was one of the first songs recorded for Tall, and then rerecorded numerous times with alternate outros and backing vocals. It ended up as the bonus track on the German version of Amorica and was released on Tall from The Lost Crowes.

Tied Up And Swallowed is just one great sounding song with some of the most sexual lyrics Chris has ever written. In fact, this song is definitely sounds to me like it could be off Lions. I guess in that way it just reminds me of Lickin', a song I will definitely be talking more about soon! Definitely a "harder" TBC song and yet, so so good!

I forgot I found you tied up and swallowed
A mess with the magic and the knot
You touch my teeth and say you like the way I bite ya
Sin, skin, sounds wrong but it's not

Chorus:
Everybody says that you're such a pity
Well baby, they, they ought to know
Everybody says you're such a pity
Tell ya baby, they, they ought to know

Touched from up above and touched between your legs
But which one, baby, burns
So you've been touched so many times so many ways
Come on baby, who gets hurt

Chorus

Chorus

Miracle To Me

Miracle To Me is off Lions and I can't believe it but I've been listening to Lions a lot lately! A friend just sent me a bunch of rarities and unreleased TBC and for some reason, there were some really great Lions gems so here I am! One note of housekeeping before I talk about Miracle To Me though -- I am still working on my reviews of Vegas and my two GLORIOUS nights at the Fillmore so I promise you will have them soon! But, back to Miracle To Me: it's been played 61 times live, mostly on the Lions tour.

I'm actually surprised that I never got into Miracle To Me before-- it really is right up my alley. That is, Miracle To Me is another one of those honest, heart-breaking, soul-searching, pretty ballads that I typically love from TBC. In fact, this line is maybe one of my favourites, ever: Tell me why have you been crying / Why won't you look me in the eye. There is just something in Chris's voice when he sings those lines . . . it almost makes me tear up. But, really, all of the lyrics are gorgeous . . . and I'm beginning to "get" Lions? Stranger things have happened!

Also check out the original video below . . . ummmmmmmmmm so glad Chris got over that phase!

Come on off of your rooftop
Come on down to the street
Well I've got something to tell you
Your secrets I will keep
Tell me why have you been crying
Why won't you look me in the eye
I'm just trying to help you
And I just need to know why
Please won't you let me try

Be my secret, be my joy
Be a miracle to me
Be my lover, baby be my friend
Be a miracle to me

Want to sleep in your moonglow
In my mind your smile I keep
Head over heels I go
Like a dream from a peaceful sleep
This time I know I'm in deep

Be my secret, be my joy
Be a miracle to me
Be my lover, baby be my friend
Be a miracle to me

Cold Boy Smile

Cold Boy Smile has never been released by TBC but has been played 23 times live. It's also on the Brothers of a Feather album and DVD that Chris and Rich released together from a live, acoustic performance at the Roxy. Oh, and Cold Boy Smile is an amazing song! I don't know how I went so long without absolutely loving this song but once again, here I am . . . in love with yet another TBC song.

I can't imagine why Cold Boy Smile has never been released on a studio album and I'm not quite sure when it was written -- but it made its live debut on April 13, 2006 and was largely played in 2006 so I assume maybe 2005? Regardless, Cold Boy Smile is just gorgeous -- especially these lyrics "Some say that love is the poem of life / Some say that love is the pain of being alive," however I also love love love the chorus. Chris and Rich at their best!

I'll fetch you water from the well
If you sweep all the ashes out into the wind
As we sit by the candlelight again
Two moths that hover close to the light of morning

And how you made this cold boy smile
From the storm you took me weathered, weary and tired
And you showed me the lessons of simple things
How love made this cold boy sing

Some say that love is the poem of life
Some say that love is the pain of being alive
Some say there's nothing on the other side
Some have traded their souls for just a good time

And how you made this cold boy smile
From the storm you took me weathered, weary and tired
How you showed me the lessons of simple things
How love made this cold boy sing

When we are in harmony
When we are in harmony

And how you made this cold boy smile
From the storm you took me weathered, weary and tired
How you showed me the lessons of simple things
How love made this cold
How love made this cold
How love made this cold boy sing

Downtown Money Waster

Downtown Money Waster is off Amorica and has been played 139 times live. As Crowesbase details "The Amorica version, the released version, is acoustic. An electric studio version of this song was recorded during the Band sessions."

Downtown Money Master is a prime example of a TBC that I never really loved until I heard it live. TBC played an amazing jam of Downtown Money Waster at several shows on the Stuck Inside Utopia Tour. Indeed, I got to hear it in San Diego and at one of the Fillmore shows and honestly? SO GOOD!

My favourite lyrics from Downtown Money Waster are "Your only saving grace / Is that I like to taste ya." Really it needs no explanation! The big thing with Downtown Money Waster is the jam -- see below! This song ends up becoming over ten minutes long, and pure heaven!

To my low down downtown
Money waster
Your only saving grace
Is that i like to taste ya
But your flower is spoiled
Too easy to make ya
You got a .38 and your book of revelations
I got a .44 and a load of temptation

I am a rounder, like to round around
Two for one at the store on the corner
Little girl like to drink and sniffin' powders
Like the bars that stay open after hours
Like the boys that go 24-7
Too many late nights and you don't go to heaven

Review of 11/22/09 (San Diego) Show

As I mentioned previously, Becki and I woke up the morning after the Reno show with other plans which we quickly canceled. It was a last minute scramble to book flights, find tickets to the sold out show and find a place to sleep! But, in the end, it was one of the best days (nights) of my life and oh so worth the little sleep and expense!

We flew down to San Diego, booked ourselves into a swanky hotel and not so patiently waited for another show.



We were incredibly lucky to get pass the lines and were some of the first people inside the House of Blues-- great venue! So, that was how I had two TBC firsts. One, it was my first time on the rails in the front row; and two, it was my first set list!



This was definitely one of my favourite shows of the year -- maybe because it wasn't supposed to happen or maybe because of the vibe. Everyone was so stoked to be there and so into the show.

And I finally got to hear Fork In the River and that jamming with Girl From the North Country may be my new favourite, live combination from TBC. So. Perfect.

Unfortunately, security was really strict with cameras in the show BUT! I was lucky to take two great videos!

First, Lady of Avenue A, which nearly broke my heart in its beauty.



Second, from the encore, Shake Your Money Maker. Definitely not my favourite encore but the rest of the show more than made up for it!



Otherwise, I was so impressed with the jam and Downtown Money Waster -- expect a song profile soon! And I loved hearing Welcome to the Goodtimes and Could I've Been So Blind -- so lucky!!!

Stay tuned for recaps from Vegas and my Fillmore dates -- I'll just say this -- they were some of the best days of my life.

♥

Review of 11/21/09 Show (Reno, NV)

This show was incredibly special for several reasons. First, my bff Becki flew out for it; and second, it was in my hometown! I was just absolutely pumped for the show after two months with TBC shows and I knew the venue . . . Let me just say, Grand Sierra did not disappoint!!



This show solidified, for me, that Good Morning Captain is an amazing opening song! It just really sets a great tone and gets the crowd . . .



Of course, the rest of the set list was incredible too!

Good Morning Captain
Under A Mountain
Kept My Soul
Let Me Share The Ride
Appaloosa
Shine Along
Movin' On Down The Line
Black Moon Creeping
Garden Gate
What Is Home
A Conspiracy
I Ain't Hiding
Jealous Again
Been A Long Time (Waiting On Love)
- encore -
So Many Times
Thick N' Thin

Highlights for me were finally hearing A Conspiracy live and hearing Under a Mountain again . . . here's a short video from it:



And then the jams in Let Me Share the Ride and Black Moon Creeping were incredible!! In fact, here's a video I took during the Black Moon Creeping jam:



That's what I love about TBC, songs that I never necessarily marveled over become extraordinary live -- and the jams! Needless to say, this show was so incredible that Becki and I woke up the next morning and spontaneously flew to San Diego for that night's show! Expect a recap soon of that one soon . . .



Also, this guy in front of me took some amazing pictures at the show and you should definitely check them out HERE!!