LIVE: THE BLACK CROWES wsg Dirty Honey – July 29, 2021

Venue: DTE Energy Music Theatre

City: Clarkston, MI

Date: July 29, 2021

Review and Photographs by: Todd “Toddstar” Jolicoeur (www.toddstarphotography.com)

When The Black Crowes announced a reunion tour of sorts, I couldn’t wait to check them out, especially once they announced it would be wrapped tightly around the anniversary of their debut Shake Your Money Maker.  Adding to the power of the package, they announced newcomers Dirty Honey to the tour to help set the tone and mood.  Without much fanfare, the quartet known as Dirty Honey took their respective places on stage and kicked their portion of the evening off with “Gypsy” and we were off and running.  The songs were tight, and the band moved through their set with precision and attitude, but that of a cohesive unit that knew what they were doing and how to please the crowd, which they did from song to song.  This being my second time seeing the band, I was totally impressed by how tight they were with touring halted last year. Next up they rolled into “Break You,” one of my personal favorites of their material.  The guitars and vocals swirled nicely in the mix while the drums and bass anchored the track (and the entire set) on a solid rhythm foundation that allowed them to crank through rocker after rocker.  A cover of Aerosmith’s “Last Child” demonstrated the bands ties to their roots and influences while allowing them to put their own sonic stamp on the classic.  They worked through other tracks from their repertoire before getting to another favorite “Rolling 7s” to close out the set.  It isn’t often an opener has time to move through so much music, but when you are determined and making a statement, you truly let the music do the talking and that is exactly what John Notto (g), Marc LaBelle (v), Corey Coverstone (d), and Justin Smolian (b) did on a great rock-filled Thursday evening in Detroit.  I cannot wait to see these guys do this and grow from year to year, tour cycle to tour cycle, and album to album.

While the stage was converted for The Black Crowes to present what they had planned, you could feel the electricity in the air as the moment neared for the headline portion of the evening to hit.  With amps, drums, and monitors in place, we watched as the band convened together at a makeshift speakeasy style bar that was set up stage right.  A well-placed juke box was approached, a quarter tossed in, and Elmore James’ 1962 rocker “Shake Your Money Maker” blasted through the venues sound system as the band took their spots and guitarist Rich Robinson entered the spotlight and played that familiar lick that opens “Twice as Hard” from the bands 1990 debut and the venue seemed to explode.  Within moments, a shadow emerged from behind a BC branded umbrella on the drum set and we finally see the Robinson brothers together on a Detroit stage as Chris makes his way to the microphone.  I must be completely honest — it was difficult photographing the opening numbers in the set as I wanted to just dance and sing along like I did in 1990 when I first heard the track.  This sounded as good tonight as it ever did, and it gave me hope that rock and roll was alive and well and kicking ass on stage just north of Detroit.  As “Jealous Again” rolled into the set [the band is playing the album in sequence to celebrate 30 years of its release] we realize how good these guys really are live and their music has stood the test of time.  Chris and Rich played off each other without crowding and you even got momentary moments of joy when you would see them playfully smile at and with each other realizing how special this moment and tour are.  With a killer backing band in place – Sven Pipien on bass, Isaiah Mitchell on guitar, Joel Robinow on keys, and drummer Brian Griffin – these guys delivered the songs and set with precision.  “Sister Luck” was another shining moment in the set as the tempo was slowed without losing any of the evening’s intensity or fun.  The rest of the album played through perfectly with “Hard to Handle” being another of those moments that will stick with me for a while as it seemed to strip away the years and give me the good feeling I had when digging into the album back in ’90.  Crowd favorite “She Talks to Angels” was exactly what you thought it would be and featured one of the biggest sing-a-longs of the evening as everyone joined in.  The rest of the disc was cranked through and then it was on to the other hits portion of the evening which kicked off with “No Speak No Slave” followed by my all-time favorite Crowes tune “Kickin’ My Heart Around.”  I could hardly contain myself during this one.  I love the heavier handed bottom end as well as all the slide guitars.  One of the best one-two-three punches of the evening arrived when the band tore into “Thorn in My Pride,” “Sting Me,” and “Remedy.”  With balls and swagger, the band sent everyone into the evening with a fitting rendition of “It’s Only Rock ‘n’ Roll (but I Like It).”  I say this a lot, but DO NOT MISS THIS TOUR.  This is a phenomenal night of rock and roll to get you moving and live in the moment.

THE BLACK CROWES SETLIST: Twice as Hard – Jealous Again – Sister Luck – Could I’ve Been So Blind – Seeing Things – Hard to Handle – Thick N’ Thin – She Talks to Angels – Struttin’ Blues – Stare It Cold – No Speak No Slave – Kickin’ My Heart Around – Sometimes Salvation – Wiser Time – Thorn in My Pride – Sting Me – Remedy – It’s Only Rock ‘n’ Roll (but I Like It)

DIRTY HONEY SETLIST: Gypsy – Break You – The Morning – Tied Up – Last Child – Heartbreaker – Down the Road – The Wire – California Dreamin’ – Another Last Time – When I’m Gone – Rolling 7s

[Show as slideshow]

FULL SET OF THE BLACK CROWES SHOW PHOTOS HERE

THE BLACK CROWES LINKS:

OFFICIAL SITE

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

INSTAGRAM

[Show as slideshow]

FULL SET OF DIRTY HONEY SHOW PHOTOS HERE

DIRTY HONEY LINKS:

OFFICIAL SITE

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

INSTAGRAM

TOUR DATES

Category: Live Reviews, Photo Galleries