| Track by Track Review
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| Disc 1 |
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Jealous Again
Although I have been a fan for 20 years, this song was never a personal favorite off the debut album Shake Your Money Maker. However, this new acoustic version adds more life and warmth to the song. Although Chris Robinson’s voice still has that sneer, it’s more from a place of experience and knowledge of life on the road. Adam MacDougall’s keys seem crisper than the original version as well. Robinson’s adlibs on this also add more warmth than the original studio version, which after comparison seems hurried. Luther Dickinson’s and Rich Robinson’s guitar work is much more interesting than the original. |
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Share The Ride
Another song which, I feel, needed improvement over the original version, they succeeded again. The clapping at the beginning and the picking just adds so much to the piece at the opening and throughout. This song off Three Snakes and One Charm, was good, but the previously mentioned additions, along with Chris Robinson’s harmonica playing add so much more warmth. The pace is slowed and more care is taken in the production and you can hear the difference. The band clapping at the end is a nice touch. |
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Remedy
Steve Gorman’s cymbals open this one well. Then the picking takes over with great organ work from MacDougall in a supporting role. The was always one of the band’s best songs off Southern Harmony and Music Companion, but MacDougall really adds more glue with the new organ sounds. Chris Robinson’s slower delivery and the ladies supporting background vocals really add depth to one of the band’s best classics. Chris Robinson sounds more relaxed throughout this album, and spends more time getting every minute of the feeling of each of these tracks. They don’t seem as rushed as they did when they were younger. They really squeeze out every essence of the piece. |
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Non-Fiction
Amorica is still my favorite Black Crowes album and to a great deal due to this song and, of course, “Wiser Time.” Again, MacDougall’s keys and Chris Robinson’s delivery really add so much warmth to this version. Rich Robinson’s and Luther Dickinson’s guitar weaving is so perfect and can only come from all of the touring they have done in the last couple of years. It’s a shame they are going on hiatus. They seem to be working so perfectly in unison. Hope they don’t lose that timing which sometimes takes bands decades to perfect. Chris Robinson’s voice has matured and sounds even more powerful than it did on the original. The “never very far,” mysterious vocals he adds to this version along with MacDougall’s keys, are timeless and something that easily makes this one of the best songs on the album. The eerie percussion work at the end adds so much mystery. |
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Hotel Illness
Another of my least favorite songs off (SH&MC) that takes on a whole new sound with this version. When I first read the track list, I saw this coming right before three of my favorites off all time. But they surprised me in every way. Chris Robinson’s harmonica is an excellent entry point. His vocals are cool and full of mature swagger. “You can’t say nothin’ with a Novocain tongue,” is still one of my favorite lines from this song and he delivers it well. MacDougall’s dynamic keys and the dual tandem of Rich Robinson and Luther Dickinson rocking with riffs really brings life to this song. Some of these classics needed to be slowed down a bit to drain their essence. |
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Soul Singing
Hearing this song live for the first time last year and watching the band, the backing ladies and the fans response have rocketted it to one of my top three Black Crowes’ songs. This version brings all the power this band can deliver without the electric sound. Chris Robinson never misses a moment to deliver the message and feeling of the lyrics and music. The improvised guitar work from Luther Dickinson and Rich Robinson adds to the power of this nearly gospel hymn. |
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Ballad In Urgency
How can you improve perfection? Number one, make it even longer. That was a nice surprise. Add some more instruments to strengthen an already powerful ballad. Chris Robinson slows down his delivery and, again, puts full feeling into each note. The echo – like slide guitar effects are eerie and epic. You just don’t want this one to end. But then we’d never get to my favorite of all time. Together these two songs are as powerful to me as some of the best music I’ve ever heard. They are two of the many reasons Amorica is right up there in my top 10 albums of all time. MacDougall’s piano is perfect and will bring back memories of some of Elton John’s best early work. Rich Robinson and Dickinson’s guitar work blend so well with Gorman’s stomping in the background. |
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Wiser Time
The king of the hill, this is my favorite Crowes song of all time. Now, this version is almost five minutes longer. The guitars and that early sunrise sound are just the perfect way to open an epic. The transition from “Ballad in Urgency” is also well timed. The acoustic sound timed perfectly with that piano improves what I thought could never get any better. The country twang from the slide guitar adds to the sound of the journey so well. Chris Robinson sounds even better than the original, taking more time to deliver each note with feeling. MacDougall really takes this excellent piano song and makes it his. The richness of the sound is dynamic, and I never want it to end. Luther Dickinson and Rich Robinson are given even more time to improvise and they add so many dimensions to the piece. It is a song I’m sure every band wishes they had in their arsenal and this one just unleashes all the power of control on this one giving their fans over nine minutes of wonderful pleasure. Yes, it’s hard to describe this one. Better to listen to it. “On a good day / I wish it was everyday / We can part the sea.” This song is the proof. |
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Cold Boy Smile
I first heard this song off the Brothers of a Feather live album Chris Robinson and Rich Robinson did together, and I must admit I did not like that version much. So I wasn’t expecting this to be good. Whoa, was I wrong. Again they turned this into one of my favorite tracks on the album. The slow opening delivery of patted drums and cymbals from Gorman followed by MacDougall’s keys interwoven with acoustic and electric guitars really dynamically changed this for me. The opening alone is one of the best on the album. But Chris Robinson does a much better job singing on this version. Rich Robinson supports as he did with his brother on the live version and together they add so much warmth to the cut. The slower delivery and slide guitar supporting really make this a great surprise and stand out on the album. The brothers really do sing in harmony on this one. |
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Under A Mountain
One of my favorite songs off Three Snakes & One Charm. The original has a lot of electric power, so this is a stripped down version. However, more of the power of Chris Robinson’s lyrics and vocal delivery can be appreciated here. It’s not much of an improvement, but this song belonged on this album, and it is a good way to close this first CD of the set. |
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| Disc 2 |
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She Talks To Angels
Another one of the best songs the Crowes have ever done, this time it’s slowed down and concentrated to its inner elements. Like a bottle of expensive whiskey, it just slides down perfectly. MacDougall’s keys, the dual guitars, violin and Chris Robinson doing what he does best all complete the picture. The delivery is much more subdued and MacDougall’s keys really drive through more than the keys on the original. Gorman’s drum salute is wonderful. |
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My Morning Song
This takes on a whole new power equal to that reserved for “Soul Singing.” Coming off SH&MC, this was always great and contains some of Chris Robinson’s best lyrics on that album. But the jamming Luther Dickinson and Rich Robinson do on this is just magnificent. MacDougall’s keys glide as the second half of this extravaganza takes off. The second half of this song takes on that spiritual/gospel quality we all remember from some of the best songs of the 60s and 70s. It is the first single released for free off the Black Crowes website as an enticement, and it thoroughly delivers. Again, improving on perfection is one of the things to expect from this collection of some of the band’s best songs over their career. |
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Downtown Money Waster
The fact that so much of Amorica is included on this compilation tells you that the band recognizes its value. This is another great version of a classic. Gorman’s drums just kick this off so well followed quickly with violin, guitars, wonderful keys and Chris Robinson’s harmonica and vocals. That swagger is back and the harmonica plays a more important role than it did on the original. The violin also helps to add to the flavor along with the banjo and mandolin picking. This is blues at its finest. At the end the band laughs at capturing the perfect take.
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Good Friday
The "Under a Mountain" / "Good Friday" combo (from TS&OC) is one of the highlights of the band’s middle years. Both are fantastic songs. But the dreamy keys and synth effects added to this version, along with MacDougall’s organ notes and, of course, Chris Robinson’s signature harmonica really drive this version. The band slows down the pace but takes away none of the fire that surrounds this song. It is heavy and they keep it that way in this acoustic version. The support from the ladies helps Robinson deliver the sincerity of the lyrics. |
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Thorn In My Pride
Here is another of those songs that no Crowes compilation would sound right without. It is one of their biggest hits. This version really eclipses the original in the same way the new “Wiser Time” version improved on perfection. Chris Robinson has lost none of the power he delivered with this song on SH&MC. It’s slowed down with MacDougall’s keys. But the Rich Robinson/Luther Dickinson twofer combo just brings out every exciting note of this classic. Chris Robinson’s harmonica solo will bring back memories of the Ozark Mountain Daredevils. The guitar picking will make one think of the best of Led Zeppelin’s acoustic songs. Each band member is given the chance to shine, and they all take full advantage of it. The ladies singing in the closing help lift the song to that spiritual/gospel level. |
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Welcome To The Good Times
There are not many songs here that come from By Your Side, but leaving this off would have been a crime. This is one of the best party songs ever. It’s more fun than most bands could wrap into four minutes. Missing is the solid drumming masterpiece Gorman performed on the original. Gorman’s drums there made it sound like a real parade. This version is more violin, guitar and organ.
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Girl From A Pawnshop
Slow bass opens this before the acoustic chimes in. Then we hear that wonderful mandolin. The addition of that instrument really makes this version better than the original. There is more sympathy along with the violin on this telling than on the original (off TS&OC). Chris Robinson and the ladies do a great job with the vocals, driving the power and warmth of the song. The guitar work is better than the original. This is a very different rendition than the one they originally recorded. |
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Sister Luck
Another great song off SYMM, “Sister Luck” is perfect for this acoustic set. The feeling of the song really climbs through Chris Robinson’s lyrics and vocal delivery. The guitar work is again better than the original. MacDougall and Gorman provide perfect rhythm and support as the rest of the band drives this one along. |
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She
This is one of those unreleased classics the band has played on many a tour. So it is a welcome addition for those of us who have never heard it. It’s a another great Chris Robinson lyrical story. It has a very countrified sound resembling much of the bluegrass influence heard on Until the Freeze…. |
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Bad Luck Blue Eyes Goodbye
This is another great song off SH&MC which fits so perfectly as the closer (on the CD version) of this album. More great piano and fantastic guitar work are offered on this classic. The harmony from the ladies in support is wonderful. Chris Robinson is right on target with his delivery of these sentimental lyrics. |
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Boomer’s Story
An extra offered on the iTunes version of this album, this is a cover of Ry Cooder’s classic. Chris Robinson has so much fun with this song. I’ve heard that this was a sentimental favorite of the band on tour. It’s nice to have, but I would have preferred an acoustic version of “There’s Gold in Them Hills,” “Greenhorn” or “Miracle to Me.” |
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Willin’
Here is another extra offered on the iTunes version of this album. This Little Feat cover is also supposed to be a favorite of the band on tour. They all do a great job on the song. This one was definitely worth having, especially the way Chris Robinson delivers the lyrics. |
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