A dress rehearsal for the rest of our lives

That was how Jesus Robinson greeted the crowd at the Starland last evening. Went to see the Black Crowes somewhere in the North Jersey Pine Barrens last night. This was something I have been looking forward to for quite some time. The show was the first time the Crowes played Warpaint for an audience. The new album played straight through, then they came out for the obligatory encore. Goodbye Daughters of the Revolution opened the joint to a raucous start that got everyone moving. Walk Believer walk was next, I am not such a big fan of that tune. Oh Josephine followed. A total classic in the vain of the Crowes bluesy rock Sometimes Salvation vein. Locust St was great. All in all there are eleven tunes on the new album. Eight of them were stellar. Kids, go take your cash out and buy Warpaint. Well worth it.
The show was incredible. The venue was superb. maybe 2,000 people. K-Mad's dad & I made it in after 45 minutes of standing in the cold. We walked right up to 6th row about 20 feet back. We were directly in front of Rich. That dude NEVER smiles.
After my last two shows being seeing the Crowes in very intimate settings, I am quite spolied. To see a show from 20 feet away is unbelievable. You can see the small tattoo's on Chris's hand. The turned up collar on Rich's jacket. The number of rings Sven is wearing. Every finger movement on the guitar equals a note that you here real time. The expressions on the guys faces, the looks of the back-up singers when their channels are too loud. The pained expression of the new keyboardist when he plays. That is how to see a show. To be so close that you are a part of something, not just seeing it.
I need to check out CrowesBase today to see the encore list. Very folky, stuff I have never heard, or heard of. Jealous Again totally ripped. The intro to Wiser Time was unreal. Instead of the basic one, two chord guitar lead-in was a session of six exchanges between Rich & the new guitarist. Then the tore ass right into Wiser Time. Proper road song as the up tempo encore of a new tour. Every member got a solo during the song. Absolutely unbelievable.
My passion for music is as strong as ever and the Crowes have not dissapointed since we all started to Shake our Moneymakers.
Thanks guys.
I wonder what the ASS-CLOWN from Maxxim who did the "review" is doing right now?