Search - Black Crowes :: War Paint Live (Shm)

The best way to hear this album.

Parkansky | Morehead, KY USA | 07/10/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The Black Crowes, in my mind, are one of the greatest rock and roll bands of the past 40 years. Their commitment to making their own sound, approach to rock and roll, and endless touring has inspired so many great bands. So, when they finally got back together in 2005, it was a joyous occasion. Of course, it took 3 years for them to muster up an album, but it was worth the wait, as Warpaint ranks among their best work, a classic ranked along with Southern Harmony, Amorica, and Three Snakes & One Charm.



In early 2009, it was mentioned (with very little fanfare) that the Crowes would be officially releasing one of their "One Night Only" shows, where in they play the Warpaint album in it's entirety, along with a few other gems. This was great news, as the Crowes have definetly thrived on playing in front of a live audience.



To me, this is how Warpaint should be heard. Live, with a sense of urgency and magic in the making. Each song gets coated with a little more humanity and each song breathes more. Walk Believer Walk slows to a crawl, feeling more thunderous then on the album. Oh Josephine gets jammed out with a joyous Allman-esque lead work by Luther Dickinson. Wee Who See The Deep is a highlight, with Chris Robinson playing guitar and exchanging leads between Luther and his younger brother, Rich.



The covers and older songs are a joy too. Poor Elijah, the Delaney & Bonnie standard, gets a Crowes treatment with extended guitar solos and wonderful vocal work between Chris and the 2 female black singers, Charity & Mona. Darling Of The Underground Press is pretty kicking too, an older song dating to the Shake Your Moneymaker days.



Bad Luck Blue Eyes Goodbye is one of the most moving songs I've ever heard, and in it's live setting, it's an absolute joy. Don't Know Why, Torn & Frayed, and Hey Grandma all get the Crowes treatment. Excellent country-tinged harmonies, throbbing rhythm, and extended amazing guitar solos. It's what the Crowes do best, and continue to do so 20 years down the line.



This is a superb live document of a band back in the game. Buy it now!"

Indeed!

M. Lenda | Boulder, CO | 07/05/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I am a huge fan of Warpaint. I never really followed the history of the Black Crowes very much and was pretty unaware of any hiatuses they took along the way. The very southern and somewhat country feel to Warpaint sold me right away. Before I knew it, I had listened to it a dozen or so times within a couple weeks.



So not a few hours ago, I'm browsing the local CD/Vinyl shop and looking for an artist with the last name of Adams. I don't find what I want, so on my way back down the aisle, I see "BLACK CROWES" and figured, hey, why the hell not check it out. I saw a few copies of Warpaint, and suddenly, in the back: Warpaint Live.



Sold.



I actually first got out my iPhone (/nerd) to come here and check out the reviews. (I also wanted to make sure it wasn't just the studio Warpaint with 6 extra live tracks on the second disc.)



So far into my first listen, the mix is tight. They have recreated all the songs from the studio Warpaint with good faith and accuracy, but with little touches here and there that make it a unique experience. Exactly what I wanted out of a live BC album. Of course, I don't expect it to match the audacity of Freak and Roll, but it's still a good effort. I am not disappointed in the least!"

Great music, great band, good production.

John Schambach | Chicago, IL USA | 05/07/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I am an avid Black Crowes fan and I loved Warpaint. I think it was their most solid album all-around since Southern Harmony. This release is excellent and more than what I would have asked for! Warpaint in its entirety, plus a nice selection of classics and covers!



My only gripe with this album is the quality of the mix. I feel like it has an almost unrealistic ammount of bass, the guitars are quite tinny, and Chris's vocals (vocals in general) get a little buried at times. Granted, this is a live album, however many of the live albums I have purchased from liveblackcrowes.com have way clearer sound than this.



With that said, I still give it 5 stars, because all things aside, it is still a great album.



p.s. Did anyone else have trouble getting this album to play in the computer or cd players? Half of my systems wont read the cds.



- John"