And then there was lead singer Chris Robinson, trading in his subdued Mick Jagger cock-strut for an acoustic guitar and a haunting rendition of the William Bell stone soul classic "You Don't Miss Your Water," which the band countrified much like The Byrds did on their pioneering 1968 country-rock masterpiece Sweetheart of the Rodeo. Those two modes of operation - the rocking and soul stirring Black Crowes had the room on its feet and in a euphoric frenzy.
But then there was the Crowes' third musicial style - THE LONG JAM - which left me and many others flat. Luckily, Dickinson's gorgeous guitar work goosed the snooze numbers. However, many were lost in the haze of copious incense and musical meandering emanating from the stage.
Come to think of it, most of the night's highlights were covers. In addition to a stellar "You Don't Miss Your Water," the group had the house rocking with a jubilant rendition of Bob Dylan's weird-folk feel-good number "Quinn The Eskimo (The Mighty Quinn)." Unfortunately, every time a momentum was forged, a long jam largely smoked out the mojo in the place. Luckily, Ruth Eckerd Hall's cozy confines and superior acoustics made it the ideal venue for some noodling and for as many people who wanted to rock, there were those content to soak up the mellow, sonic excursions.
Complete setlist:
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2008
RUTH ECKERD HALL - CLEARWATER, FL
MOVIN ON DOWN THE LINE
GOODBYE DAUGHTERS OF THE REVOLUTION
WISER TIME
PAINT AN 8
BRING ON BRING ON
WHOA MULE
YOU DON'T MISS YOUR WATER
LOCUST STREET
MIGHTY QUINN
WELCOME TO THE GOODTIMES
(ONLY) HALFWAY TO EVERYWHERE
SHARE THE RIDE
HIGH HEAD BLUES
JEALOUS AGAIN
WOUNDED BIRD
- encore -
SHAPE I'M IN