kingly

I went up on the big road trip to see the Black Crowes Wednesday at the Magic City Music Hall in Johnson City, NY. Actually, me and my buddy George. He drove, I played DJ. Took about 4 hours for the trip. I tell you, it was a beautiful ride. Being a flatlander, Im not used to hills and mountains. The ride up 476 and 81 was filled with them. I can only imagine what it looks like in the Fall.

We got to out hotel around 5:15. I was able to send Cindy an email to let her know of my arrival thanks to La Quinta providing a media room for the guests. We made our way down to the Hall around 5:45 and there werent much people at all out front, maybe 30 or so. Was able to get behind the first row leaning up at the barrier. We now had a 2 hour wait before show time. I chatted with my neighbors and met some cool people from the Crowes message board Im on. So it was a definite good vibe at the front. One of them brought his 10 year old son, and this was his 5th show! We got him right at the front so he could see OK.

Crowes actually came on about 10 minutes early. They opened up with (Only) Halfway To Everywhere which blew the roof off! We all had our groove on down front! From there it was straight into Black Moon Creeping (without the traditional Black Moon Jam before it). The 3rd song was a song I was hearing for the 1st time, a cover of Derek & The Dominos Got To Get Better In A Little While. Wow! This one smoked! Such a great tune! Soul Singing followed and it had the great spacey middle jam I love so much. From there we got one of their rarities, Darling of the Underground Press. Nice! Ballad In Urgency > Wiser Time followed. The jam in the middle of the 2 was so intense! Wow, just wow is all you can say! Of course I got misty eyed a bit during Ballad wishing Cindy were there with me.

Next was the cover of Song of Love featuring Rich on vocals. Always like the groove of this one. We got a spacey jam, which was actually led by Chris on 3rd guitar before an epic Thorn In My Pride. I have no idea how Steve was able to do his drum solo. That little venue was filled to capacity and was quickly turning into a sauna. A cover of Neil Youngs L.A. was next featuring Marc on vocals. Man, I though this version smoked my previous favorite version from the Tower 9/30 show last year. The end jam was intense! Nonfiction followed. During the ending, the far away jam part, I got real lightheaded. I think the heat was finally affecting me. Thankfully I spotted George right away and he lead me outside to get some fresh air. I was pissed I missed A Conspiracy and Jealous Again. I recovered enough to make my way back in to get 2 bottles of water and catch the encore which I didnt recognize. Turns out it was a cover of Bob Dylans It Takes A Lot To Laugh, It Takes A Train To Cry. I was way in the back for that one.

Afterwards, we hung out front for a bit then made our way back to the hotel which was only a few feet away. I didnt sleep well at all, never can in hotels. The trip back seemed quicker until we got lost for a bit in Philly. Im just happy to be home safe and sound, now all I need is to catch up on my sleep! A most excellent trip!

P E R F O R M A N C E :
The Black Crowes
17 May 2006 - Magic City Music Hall - Johnson City, NY [ USA ]

S E T L I S T
(Only) Halfway To Everywhere ->
Black Moon Creeping
Got To Get Better In A Little While
Soul Singing
Darling Of The Underground Press
Ballad In Urgency ->
Wiser Time
Song Of Love
Jam -> Thorn In My Pride
L.A.
Nonfiction
A Conspiracy
Jealous Again
- encore -
It Takes A Lot To Laugh, It Takes A Train To Cry

Chris played electric guitar on "Got To Get Better In A Little While"

Rich sang lead vocals and Chris played electric guitar on "Song Of Love"

Chris played electric guitar during the jam before "Thorn In My Pride"

Marc sang lead vocals and Chris played electric guitar on "L.A."

S H O W L E N G T H:
130 minutes