Freaker Scene: 7/10/09 The Black Crowes @ Basilica Block Party Main Stage Mpls

7/10/09 The Black Crowes @ Basilica Block Party Main Stage Mpls

Seeing the Crowes in my main hometown feels like a dream come true minus the sloppy drunks, of course, that populate the Basilica’s annual urban debauchery fest.

The Black Crowes rock my Minneapolis!

By the time the show started, the crowd had grown huge & started to pack in a little too tight for my comfort. So I backed out to find more room to dance & then fully enjoyed the intensely thrown down performance.

The Crowes crushed it open with an overly potent one two punch consisting of the adrenaline spiked “Sting Me” & the rager “Thick n’ Thin”. Another hardcore rocker followed with “Goodbye Daughters of the Revolution”, “Good Friday” & “Wiser Time”, all of which seem to please the crowd.

Setlist from the stage (Wounded Bird was omitted)

My other outstanding highlights were the heavy “Downtown Money Waster”, spot on “Poor Elijah/ Robert Johnson Tribute (medley)”, along with an old school take on “Hard To Handle”. There may have even been some slightly divine intervening too going on as at one point I saw a small but bright lightning bolt strike the air near the cathedral itself. Luckily no one was hurt.

The 95 minute set entertained the gathered masses tremendously my own self included. Chris Robinson was in top form & it was very clear the whole band was having a complete blast on this occasion. My guitarist friend Luther Dickinson was running hot throughout spasmodically setting ablaze fires everywhere with his detonating riffs. He himself was a high highlight for me.

Chris Robinson * foto: Carbon Silver Photography
(permission pending)

All in all, the Black Crowes delivered the loudly eargasmic body shaking goods of a magnificent display of their powerful unique sound. I loved every minute of it. I wish I could take in the whole tour. Visit: blackcrowes.com

image: mikedubois.net (permission pending)

FreakNote: I must confess that I am slightly disappointed with myself for not, at some point, catching some of the historic Jayhawks reunion show (whom I’ve always loved since the 80’s) on the other side’s stage. Adding to that disappointment: whoever made the decision to put these 2 prolific rock acts at the same time should be fired immediately. And by the way, I’m for hire..