"Before The Frost" and "Until The Freeze", released in 2009 was one of The Black Crowes' most massive musical endeavors ever. It is actually two different records. One was an actual, physical CD, while the other, had tracks that fans who bought a copy of the first record, could download and burn to a disc. There are two themes (electric and acoustic), on each record. Although, the two kind of intertwine each style. All the songs are originals with the exception of one cover tune. The record was also, (boldly), recorded live at shows in front of a live studio audience at Levon Helm's home studio in Woodstock, New York. There was a DVD made chronicling the sessions as well.
Helm did not play on the record, however, one of his band members, Larry Campbell, contributed on several of the myriad of stringed instruments he's skilled at, along with main guitarists for the Crowes (Rich Robinson and Luther Dickinson). There was another percussionist on some of the track as well. All these songs were written once again by both Chris and Rich Robinson, the lyrics painting vivid pictures in listener's minds and retaining a very rootsy feel, blending genres of rock, blues, country and soul. This is a hallmark of many Crowes records including the release before this one (2008's "Warpaint"), that was also chronicled on this blog.
The album artwork even hearkens to a theme of being in harmony with nature. On one side, a blue sky with lush green grassland and forest, and on the other, the same theme, with the use of darker shades of green, a slightly more cloudy blue sky, and, a lone black crow, soaring through the air. The electric end of this album is more restrained than some other Crowes albums in terms of improvisation. But, it's still well pronounced, and there is a definite groove going on with many of the tracks. The acoustic numbers are mellow and thoughtfully written. The Robinson brothers have an uncanny knack for songwriting and this album could very well showcase their best work.
They do a masterful job of making the songs accessible to listeners and allowing those listeners to paint the vivid landscapes in their own minds. This album (remember, one is a digital download that is a part of the record), is worth listening to, just for the quality of songwriting both lyrically and melodically. There's a widespread diversity in the songs, too, from jangly country ballads, to funky disco jams, to straight up, in-your-face, guitar driven blues rock. Here's the track listings for both records.
The Black Crowes: "Before The Frost"
1. Good Morning, Captain
2. Been A Long Time (Waiting on Love)
3. Appaloosa
4. A Train Still Makes A Lonely Sound
5. I Ain't Hiding (a disco, dance track, reminiscent of some '80s Rolling Stones material)
6. Kept My Soul
7. What Is Home (a great, acoustic, introspective number, penned and sung by Rich Robinson)
8. Houston Don't Dream About Me (another country influenced number)
9. Make Glad
10. ...And The Band Played On
11. The Last Place That Love Lives (yet another acoustic, country flavored ballad featuring resonator guitar, mandolin, and fiddle)
The fiddle might also be a slight reference to Celtic music, which early country music owes it's roots to, in a way.
The Black Crowes: "Until The Freeze"
1. Aimless Peacock (an acoustic track with Middle Eastern influence also containing harmonica, fiddle and electric bass). Rich Robinson plays sitar. This song also evolves into a jam and has lyrics.
2. Shady Grove (another electric number with catchy lyrics)
3. Garden Gate (a pure bluegrass number)
4. Greenhorn (an acoustic track with harmonies on the intro and a beautiful melody that progresses to include electric guitar and electric piano in a jazzier section before returning to harmonies and the main theme and the end of the song.)
5. Shine Along (a song that hearkens back to the roots of both blues and country with acoustic instruments, and lyrics that remind one of Robert Johnson or Charley Patton. A cross between bluegrass and blues.)
6. Roll Old Jeremiah (a pure country, story song, about a roaming troubadour, with Larry Campbell playing pedal steel guitar, Luther Dickinson on mandolin, Adam MacDougall on piano, Sven Pipien on upright bass, and drummer, Steve Gorman, on brushes)
7. Lady of Avenue A (a mournful country ballad of lost love and probably of a short-term relationship that still meant a lot).
8. So Many Times (a brilliant rendition of a song originally penned by Stephen Stills. This is the lone cover track on either of these albums.)
9. A Fork In The River (an introspective song that closes the record, but, has the lyric, "a fork in the river, is where we begin"). It could be the beginning of a new chapter in the Crowes career even though they are on indefinite hiatus as a band right now.
This album will satisfy any fan of the Black Crowes and will also pique the interest of someone who might just be interested in a unique interpretation of songs that fit perfectly into the cannon of what American roots music is all about. For those reasons, this is a worthwhile recording to listen to and enjoy. It's not so much about the Black Crowes as a band. It is more about their ability to write provocative and captivating songs, and choose others as covers that have much meaning to their listeners.
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