Black Crowes find their way home
By: Tom Lanham
Special to The Examiner
November 26, 2009
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| Concept album: The Black Crowes latest effort, “Before the Frost ... Until the Freeze,” follows a man’s journey from the country to the city and back. (Courtesy photo) |
It’s the proudest moment a rock ’n’ roll parent could wish for: Not only is Chris Robinson’s 5-year-old son, Ryder, starting to sing in perfect pitch, he’s also announced plans to follow in his father’s footsteps.
“He told me his band name the other day, which, I have to say, is one of the coolest names I’ve ever heard,” The Black Crowes frontman says. “He said, ‘Dad, I’m going to start a band. They’re called Black Tusk.’ And I was like, ‘Far out! I might just take that from ya for one of my projects!’”
Robinson — who, along with guitarist brother Rich, brings the band to The Fillmore for a five-night run next week — has quite a few irons in the fire already.
Last year, the group launched an official-bootleg Web site, www.liveblackcrowes.com. Recently, it waived major labels and christened its own imprint, Silver Arrow Records, which just issued the rustic “Before the Frost.” The comeback album contains a free-download card to access a second disc, “... Until the Freeze.”
The band also released a DVD documentary of said sessions called “Cabin Fever.”
Ryder is Robinson’s child with his ex-wife, actress Kate Hudson. But he and his new bride, Alison Bridges, are expecting a daughter in January.
His once-mercurial relationship with his sibling, which derailed the Crowes from 2002 to 2005, has matured into Zen-like acceptance.
“Rich and I love and respect each other very much,” the vocalist says. “But the reality is, just as people, we’re not great friends. We don’t have dinner together, our families don’t hang out. But when it’s time to communicate, we can transcend our social differences and create something that’s very unique.”
That could be “Before/Until,” a 20-track concept album revolving around, Robinson says, “a pastoral country person who leaves the shady grove like anyone who needs answers and ends up in the city on songs like ‘Kept My Soul’ and ‘Make Glad.’ Then he finds his way back home, but as a different person.”
It’s also a metaphor for The Black Crowe’s turbulent two-decade career.
The set was recorded live at Levon Helm’s barn studio in Woodstock, N.Y. For a month last spring, the band would rehearse new material during the week, then tape intimate recitals of it for fans on weekends.
Now comes the tour to support it all.
“It’s tough being away from your kids,” says the 42-year-old Robinson. “So the one thing I want to instill in my children is, ‘My dad wasn’t away just screwing around; my dad was completely committed, because music is important!’”
IF YOU GO
The Black Crowes
Where: The Fillmore, 1805 Geary Blvd., San Francisco
When: 8 p.m. Tuesday-Wednesday and Dec. 6; 9 p.m. Dec. 4-5
Tickets: $51.50
Contact: www.livenation.com
