Lost Crowes

As a long time Black Crowes fan, someone who was there from the very beginning, hearing Jealous Again on the local radio station and buying their debut album, I really never thought this day would come. NEW Black Crowes material! After all this time, after the disappointment of Lions, the band's breakup, the solo albums, etc. I had pretty much come to terms with what I thought would be all the Crowes music I would ever own.It was not meant to be. You see, I routinely check the New and Future release section of Amazon.com and still remember my excitement that July evening when there on the computer screen it said The Black Crowes: the Lost Crowes. I couldn't believe it! There was even a picture of the cd cover and a short synopsis explaining this was to be a two cd set of "session recordings" by the Crowes in 1997. List price $22.99. I couldn't care less what the asking price was, I wanted this! Well, I began the countdown to the release date: August 29, 2006. Then, as the day got closer I heard that the date had been pushed back? No explanation. Rumors began to swirl about Master Tapes and legal issues. Undaunted, I went into the nearest record store that week to shop, and what did I find? One copy of the the Lost Crowes.After my purchase, I found out I was one of the lucky few to acquire this selection. Seems Rhino records was indeed re-issuing it due to a manufacturing defect. Hummm, that explains why when I put disc 1, the Tall sessions into my cd player it said there was only 10 tracks. And the other disc, which was supposed to have 10 tracks on it, actually had 16! Who cares! All the music was there for me to enjoy. All to myself. The rest of you guys would have to wait another month. Well, it's finally here.Here is what you want to know: The Tall sessions, recorded in the Fall of 1993 in Los Angeles, California. The material from these sessions eventually produced the Amorica album (1994). The Band sessions were recorded in May of 1997 in Atlanta, Georgia. This music is mostly stuff we've never heard, basically New Black Crowes songs. Only one track, #3: If It Ever Stops Raining, sounds familier. That's because it uses the very same guitar riff as "By Your Side", but with different lyrics. This song eventually evolved into the title track, By Your Side.Here is a short song by song description: The Band Sessions - 19971 Paint An 8 - (3:05) Typical rockin' Crowes tunes, great opener.2 Another Roadside Tragedy - (5:31) Another rocker with a nice transition in the middle, slowing down, you can tell the band is kind of feeling their way thru the song.3 If It Ever Stops Raining - (4:45) Unmistakable opening riffs to By Your Side, that sounds like an early version of the song.4 Wyoming And Me - (4:15) slower, acoustic number with horns.5 Predictable - (3:14) Electric, good drums, good guitar solo.6 Never Forget This Song - ( 3:43) Good, typical Crowes song. You get the impression they are trying to work out the lyrics (remember, these are sessions)7 Life Vest - (3:19) A little more laid-back, semi-acoustic track.8 Grinning' - (3:15) Upbeat, almost pop song. Could easily fit on the By Your Side album.9 My Heart's Killing Me - (5:06) Starts out slow, acoustic, with a country cantina feel to it. Strings in the background.10 Peace Anyway - (4:00) A rockin' electric number, with typical Crowes background vocals already added.Total Time - (40:21)The Tall Sessions - 19931 A Conspiracy - (4:39) [Amorica] slightly different vocal delivery with the same lyrics, for the most part. Different guitar solo.2 Evil Eye - (4:20) [3 Snakes] alternate version using different chorus.3 Cursed Diamond - (5:45) [Amorica] only slightly different version.4 London P25 - (3:33) [Amorica] another slightly different version.5 Dirty Hair Halo - (4:50) "New" semi psychedelic tune with lots of wah- wah pedel style guitar.6 Hi Head Blues - (4:20) [Amorica] early demo take with a much more stripped down feel over-all.7 Feathers - (6:40) "New" one of the longer songs. Starts out with a slow, bluesy kind of atmospheric sound. Builds to a mild crescendo, then slows down again, short blues guitar solo, verycool!8 Nonfiction - (4:12) [Amorica] rough demo mix9 Tied Up and Swallow - (4:20) "New" Heavy rocker with lots of guitars.10 Wiser Time - (6:17) [Amorica] slightly longer than original version.11 Sunday Buttermilk Waltz - (2:30) Instrumental, dueling acoustic guitars of Marc Ford and Rich Robinson. Justa shorter version of the 5 minutes they play on the new dvd Freak n' Roll into the Fog (2006).12 Descending - (5:25) [Amorica] slightly slower alternative take as the original version with more piano, less acoustic slide guitar, different chorus sung by the background singers, and a French horn!13 Lowdown - (4:50) this song eventually evolved into Ballad of Urgency off the Amorica cd.14 Tornado - (2:40) "New" a short acoustic song, nothing but a guitar and Chris singing. An obvious demo track.15 Song of the Flesh - (3:44) "New" a groovy, rockin' number with some good harmonica in it. You can really tell this was a "work in progress" as the band works their way thru it, good guitar work, basic lyrics.16 Thunderstorm 6:54 - (4:02) "New" another slow one, with acoustic guitar for about the first minute, then they kick it in a bit. Shifts from a country feel to a more dark sound, then back again. This is a much morefinished product, with string arrangements and polished vocals.Total Time (72:29) Now that's what I'm talking about!! A full disc.Basically your getting 15 New Black Crowes tunes.HIGHLY Recommended for ANY Black Crowes Fan