Mando on New Black Crowes album

[Patrick Market]

Has anyone else had a chance to listen to the Crowes new album, Before the Frost, yet? The liner notes say "Luther Dickinson - gtrs, mando". I was psyched.

However, while I do like the album, the mando content seems to be restricted to the last track, "The Last Place That Love Lives." (Or does someone with better ears detect it elsewhere?) If you're looking for the Black Crowes sound that harkens all the way back to Southern Harmony... (esp. Track 1), then you'll be happy. Otherwise...

It's not as though the Black Crowes have ever been a mando-heavy group, but I was hoping for a little more.

[onassis]

I imagine this smidge of mando content dovetails with Luther's time in the North Memphis Stringband, where he played quite a bit of bluesy mandolin. A bit much to expect a real mando experience with the Crowes, I guess. Still nice to have him with them, though.

[Patrick Market]

Agreed. There may be hope for the future, though, as there are perhaps more country-sounding tunes ("Appaloosa," "Houston Don't Dream About Me," and the one mentioned above---lots of steel on "Appaloosa") on this album than ever before.

[Fretsman]

Has anyone else had a chance to listen to the Crowes new album, Before the Frost, yet? The liner notes say "Luther Dickinson - gtrs, mando". I was psyched.

However, while I do like the album, the mando content seems to be restricted to the last track, "The Last Place That Love Lives." It's not as though the Black Crowes have ever been a mando-heavy group, but I was hoping for a little more.


Have you downloaded the free offering Until The Frost that was offered via card w/code in the regular disc (both are on the vinyl), It's more of what you're looking for, It's got Luther on mandolin w/ Larry Campbell on fiddle, banjo, & lap steel. There's some sweet genre crossing tunes on the second part. Like fine wine they're aging well, I like their rocking stuff but love the overall diversity of their 2 latest offerings ( new one & Warpaint). There will be a follow-up DVD in the future that will have the majority if not all of the Larry content from "Before The Frost.... Until The Freeze". Recorded at Levon's place ifo a small audience. They play legitimate blues and folk when they want. If you like some acoustic yet strong folk check out just the 2 Robinson brothers release Brothers Of A Feather. At it's busiest it's got 2 acoustics & a bass. Sven Pippien comes on & off stage. Nice piece.

I'll post a couple pic's later from 2 recent BC/Levon shows w/both bands supporting new discs. It was a treat to share a room (park) with those gents making those sounds.

[Tim De Young]

Haven't heard it but limiting the amount of mandolin music .... Anyway, I encourage you to listen and enjoy the mandolin playing on Peter Wolf's 2002 Sleepless cd. I don't the mando player's name or background so will enjoy any info shared.

[Patrick Market]

Tim: Thanks for the recommendation. Will do.

Fretsman: Yup. I downloaded it last night, and right you are! ...Until the Freeze is a lot more folk/blues than Before the Frost---a healthy mix of steel and banjo, but still too little mando. All the same, I have been a fan since day 1, and as you mentioned, I also like the direction they seem to be going over time. Mando or not, the Crowes are never dull.

[Fretsman]

I plopped a couple pic's of the recent BC's & Levon Helm show here......

http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/showthread.php?t=52714&page=3

[Fretsman]

Fretsman: Yup. I downloaded it last night, and right you are! ...Until the Freeze is a lot more folk/blues than Before the Frost---a healthy mix of steel and banjo, but still too little mando. All the same, I have been a fan since day 1, and as you mentioned, I also like the direction they seem to be going over time. Mando or not, the Crowes are never dull.

I'm a finicky somewhat complex yet easy music lover. I love all things "Strings", but I want simple good music that makes that priority, no antics with crotch grabbing spandex or silly shinanigins. I just want simple quality mature music that make me the target audience.

I have loved the BC's since I first heard them in '91, They've evolved and are a vast approach rock band, but I've always felt that they were legitimate folk blues rock that paid tribute to the influences we've all shared.

I'm not a downloader kinda guy, but would recommend you checking out the Black Crowes website for DL'ing their shows. One in particular for the mando enthusiasts. I once meant to reply to a what got you hooked on mandolin thread by putting their Wheels version up. I even started a thread about how to upload a song from your media library to a thread post, but never followed up with it (Thanx for the responses).

If you go to LiveBlackCrowes.com and look for their 2 Acoustic shows they did in Town Hall, NYC on 11/3/08 & 11/4/08 they played some sweet folksy roots tunes, one of the nights had their version of "Wheels" with Luther Dickinson on mandolin and I felt it was magic? It's not mando heavy on the whole, but nice just the same. The BC's new disc is nice, It kind of reminds me of a simpler time in music. I made a Marshall Tucker reference somewhere, but it's just a fine blend of deeper sound. I had on some James Taylor (Mudslide Slim) this afternoon and when I heard Riding On A Railroad I thought how special the new BC's disc is.

[Patrick Market]

Thanks for the pics.

Yeah! Late '90 / early '91, and the guy I interned for (3-7 am every weekday) blasted "Hard to Handle" to keep us all awake. By the end of the '80s, I was afraid that good music just might have been computerized into extinction (the Jayhawks notwithstanding). For me, it was the Crowes that gave me hope.

As I write this, I'm trying to link to that Town Hall show.

I understand your reservations about downloading. My first action after my download finished was to burn it to CD. That said, you really need to hear the tune "The Garden Gate" from ...Until the Freeze. That just begs to be included in the weekly jam session.

[Fretsman]

you really need to hear the tune "The Garden Gate" from ...Until the Freeze. That just begs to be included in the weekly jam session.


I love that tune, heavy violin & mandolin, There's a couple in that vein.

No mandolin, but here's the Letterman appearance from 9/1/09....



Keep an eye out for the DVD version of Before The Frost..... Until The Freeze, it'll have all that and most likely a couple covers they did up in Levon's barn, They do a beautifully rockin' version of Girl From The North Country.

[Fretsman]

Here's a mandolin tune from their last CD.

[Darren Bailey]

Luther plays some electric mandolin on the download album After The Frost. He's been playing this live over the last few weeks too. On the album it struck my ears that an acoustic instrument would not only have sounded more like a mandolin but would have suited the songs better too, but I'm not Luther Dickinson. He plays the mandolin that looks like a little Firebird, can't recall the proper name.
The download album has a much more bluegrass mountain influence, some beautiful songs in there. Their last album, Warpaint, was clearly moving in this direction, and I think the folky acoustic lovers got what they (we) were hoping for with this release.
Also, some nicce fiddle playing and banjo from one of Bob Dylan's old team, they've definately started to grow old gracefully!

[Fretsman]

Luther plays some electric mandolin on the download album After The Frost. He's been playing this live over the last few weeks too. On the album it struck my ears that an acoustic instrument would not only have sounded more like a mandolin but would have suited the songs better too, but I'm not Luther Dickinson. He plays the mandolin that looks like a little Firebird, can't recall the proper name.


I think it was an Epiphone electric mando, I only got a blurry pic of it, The other is of his Fender A. These are from the Central Park show with Larry Campbell and Atlantic City's Borgata.


http://i28.tinypic.com/ibhzs8.jpg
http://i32.tinypic.com/2pq3ssy.jpg

[Darren Bailey]

Yes, you're right, the solid body is an Epiphone, there are pictures of it all over the various band sites. Still not sure about the sound of that thing on the album, but he uses it well and in a way that compliments the songs. I particularly enjoyed your second picture, thanks for sharing.

[Fretsman]

A tune from the last CD Warpaint.




A little unconfirmed info blurb about the new DVD coming out November 24th from the Before The Frost.... Until The Freeze. Mandolins, Banjo's, & Fiddles included.......

Cabin Fever was an innovative recording session where Before The Frost... Until The Freeze was recorded over a series of five nights at Levon Helm

Studios. The sessions were filmed in front of an intimate live audience and allows the viewer into the recording studio with the band. Songwriting sessions are revealed and lots of never before seen banter and behind the scenes footage is shown.

Chris Robinson had this to say about the Cabin Fever sessions:
"I think we fulfilled a musical commitment to continue on the golden road of artistic independence. Approaching 20 years into our careers, we still are ambitious enough to push ourselves to create something unique that we have never done before."

As The Black Crowes approach the upcoming 20th anniversary of their release of one of rock's most influential records, Shake Your Money Maker, which produced such hits as Jealous Again, She Talks To Angels and Hard to Handle, they are time and again hailed as one of Rock and Roll's best live acts.

Song Selection on DVD

Aimless Peacock
Good Morning Captain
Shady Grove
Oh Sweet Nuthin
Garden Gate
Roll Old Jeremiah
Appaloosa
Little Lizzie Mae (exclusive)
What Is Home
Been A Long Time (Waiting On Love)
Shine Along

With added bonus Tracks to be announced:

[Patrick Market]

Thanks again, Fretsman. Great stuff.

My favorite cut is easily Garden Gate. Crosses lines somewhere between being old-timey and western swing. I haven't been able to find #### about it online, though. I've figured out a picking routine, where appropriate, and the chords are a pretty basic E/B progression to chop. Still, places like Ultimate Guitar (http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/tabs/black_crowes_tabs.htm) have nothing on Garden Gate, although tunes like Appaloosa and Roll Old Jeremiah are out there. So, there's hope.

Meanwhile, I'll keep noodling, until better info comes along. :whistling:

[Darren Bailey]

:mandosmiley:I presume you crowes people have seen this...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oVIR21dpIl8

[Fretsman]

Upcoming DVD trailor Pt II......



It's just a little smoke blowing chat between the lead singer Chris Robinson & Mr. Helm, but there will be some good stuff on the DVD, Songs like Garden Gate w/ Larry Campbell on fiddle and Luther Dickinson on mandolin are just phenominal displays of the power of music. It's a diverse offering w/a little genre for everyone.