I think Rich's solo work all takes time to "grow on you" but once it does, look out! I have enjoyed every album he has made so far and Marc Ford's solo stuff is the same way. They both have 2 excellent new albums out and I am not at all surprised by The Magpie Salute.

You need to look at the press release. They were careful to say that they will be performing tunes from Rich and Marc's solo careers along with the Crowes stuff. I think it is a logical progression. Chris was clearly the fly in the ointment. For better or for worse, that classic Crowes lineup made magic from 92-97 but could not keep it together.

Chris will be missed but I think they realize that they can take what they built with the Robinson/Ford lineup and rebrand it and see where it goes. I am tremendously excited about it. Seems like others are too. All 4 shows sold out. I got tix to the Sunday show and can't wait to see what they do with this lineup.

For some great perspective on where Marc and Rich are at right now, check out musician/comedian Dean Delray's podcast Let There Be Talk on iTunes. He did 3 incredible interviews with Marc and Rich over the past year. He got Marc on in February right when he started the kickstarter campaign for the new record, then he had Rich on in September and Marc again 2 weeks ago.

All three episodes should be listened to if you are even remotely interested in the Crowes. First off, Dean is hilarious but he is also a tremendous music fan who is totally enthralled by the Black Crowes. He asks great questions and really gets these two guys to open up.

The 3 episodes are numbers 227, 284, and 295. Check em out!

[Edited on 10/25/2016 by Soup]

I think Rich saw an opportunity to reach more people with his album by getting the Crowes alums together. Two years ago while touring his previous solo album he drew around 100 or so here in Chattanooga. It could have been a one show anomaly, but I'm guessing putting most of the old band back together will draw more to his shows and get his solo music more exposure.

I like Rich's solo work, and each album has gotten stronger as he gets more confidence in his voice.

I did like the Let There Be Talk interviews with Rich and Marc, but I have a love/hate relationship with Dean Delray's show. He gets some great musical guests on and he gets some good information out of them. However, I find his voice to be grating and he's constantly either interrupting the guest or answering the questions for them. It's kind of like the Chris Farley Show from SNL on speed.

He gets great guests so I do listen when he has them on, but there is only so many times I can hear his voice say "I know, right" and finding a place to randomly drop The Mother Hips into each conversation.

Thanks soup for the heads up on these pod casts. I'll be sure to listen when I get the time. To answer jzfunks initial question, I'd have to agree with Wareagle it's all about the cash. I caught Rich's tour for the Ceaseless Sight cd in Charlotte a couple years back and it was the same thing ... maybe 100 people 🙁 I love Rich and genuinely would like to see him succeed. He can write a song. Everyone of the last three cds has some great tunes on them; however, they all seem to be populated by mid tempo grooves of jangly ethereal pseudo psychedelica. Y'all know what I mean. I felt Through A Crooked Sun may have had better tunes, but because of the sequencing of the songs by the time "Station Man" came up the listener may have been put to asleep. Having said that every band that Rich has assembled to tour behind has been great. The one constant being Joe Magistro who's biggest talent may be his loyalty and not his drumming. (Also this could be a problem in the future if this thing goes the way everyone wants it to as a road block to Gorman's return. Also both Matt Slocum and Eddie cause this fan some consternation as well.) The kid who wrote all those great rock riffs I.e. "Stang Me" isn't writing those kind of songs for his solo stuff. Nobody to sing them ... 🙁 As for Chris after listening to what Rich has to say about it that Chris wanted to play guitar. I can understand a little better. I suppose I get tired of doing that spastic dance while the soloist play. It could've been handled better from his point. The fans deserved better ... much better. I actually think Chris harmed his own persona grievously that instead of being some hippie messiah he's just a phony bullsh*t artist living in La La Land. Anyway as always thanks jzfunk for a thought provoking topic. I wish Rich well and will continue to support him. I'm hoping the Magpie can fly as high as the Crowe.

Hey guys this is great discussion about some great musicians so I appreciate that. I have to say of course this Magpie project is motivated by cash. That is the same motivation I have for getting up and going to work each day too. That being said, I think when they all played together in Woodstock in August it probably lit the fuse. I'm just looking forward to seeing where it goes. I think they can have a modest amount of success and certainly play the same size venues that Chris' band plays. I never really got into the CRB. A little too hippyish for my taste. If Marc and Rich can pick up where they left off the sky will be the limit. They are both competent enough vocalists to pull this off. It will get interesting if Gorman wants back in. I say go with a two drummer lineup with Magistro playing percussion if that happens.

I have the last 3 studio albums (through a crooked sun, Ceaseless Sight, and Flux) and like them all. I think Ceaseless Sight is my favorite but they're all very good.
I saw Rich with his band in 2014, solo acoustic 2015, and with the band again this summer. His singing has definitely gotten better and he puts on a great live show with interesting covers and a good mix of his solo stuff. No surprise but I thought Sven on bass added a lot.
Agree about the draw - he has been in small, intimate venues in NE. Better for the audience but I'm sure he would like a larger crowd.
Can't wait to hear his next project with Ford.

Real quick I gotta stick up for my boy Dean Delray. I think what you hear in his podcasts is someone who is not a professional broadcaster or interviewer but has somehow found a way to get great guests on his DYI interview show. Dean is a hard worker who has unbridled enthusiasm and passion for all of the guests he gets. He doesn't care about that passion coming across on the show. I actually enjoy that part of it. He's one of us.

As I said, Delray gets some great musical guests and gets far more out of them than a non-fan would. I just think he steps on stories that the guests are telling a little too much. However he pretty much keeps them on music which is great. Most podcasters don't have a game plan and miss out on opportunities to get more out of their guest by just asking the same questions they are always asked. Marc Maron would ignore their whole music career just to find out if they hated their dad.

I honestly think the thing that bothers me most is his accent, that's the grating part.

Like I said, it's a love/hate thing. Glad he's out there getting these interviews, I just wish he would back of on the interruptions.

I loved Marc Ford's story about not having any of his gold records, but he did keep his NAACP award for the Ben Harper album with the Blind Boys of Alabama.

Also for Crowes fans a year or so ago he interviewed Steve Gorman, so that should be out in his archives as well.

He has also had recent interviews with Paul Janeway (St. Paul & The Broken Bones), Joe Bonamassa, Jerry Cantrell & Butch Walker that are worth checking out.

[Edited on 10/25/2016 by WarEagleRK]

Also, oddly enough Lance Armstrong has a podcast called The Forward and he's recently had Jason Isbell, Ryan Bingham & Ben Harper on and those were pretty good interviews as well.

Good call on the Gorman interview that's a good one too. I forgot about that one!

Flux has been my album of the year. Didn't expect it either as I wasn't into his last couple solo albums too heavily.

Lots of cool production tid-bits as well. Can't get enough of "Life."

Blooby

Thanks for the heads on on the Podcasts. Here is one from a few months ago Rich did with Adam Carolla.

If anyone has other music podcasts to recommend, I would be very interested.

Adam Carolla's Take A Knee Podcast W/ Rich Robinson
Rich joins Adam as his guest on Take a Knee for a discussion about music, life, the journey from The Black Crowes to Rich's new album FLUX.

http://richrobinson.net/news/428312/adam-carolla-s-take-a-knee-podcast-w-rich-robinson

Chris was mentioned again and to be honest, I rather have him not involved in this. Marc, Rich and anyone else will do just fine. Anymore, I enjoy Rich's work outside of the BC just as much.

This is probably one of my fav songs of his . Great kicking jam and he has a couple of breakdown/musical interlude jams that are just as sweet as ever. Listen to the whole thing if you get a chance. Awesome melodies,phrasing,riffing,soloing...gives me chills!!!

Rich Robinson - "Know Me" | Live at Telluride Blues & Brews Festival 2015

Rich Robinson - The Way Home

Rich Robinson - Blackwaterside (solo)

I agree that they may be better off to let The Black Crowes rest in piece. Not banging on Chris but he really can't sing in that register that well anymore and these guys are good enough that they can take what they accomplished musically and build on it. Can't wait to hear it!

all of the solo stuff by marc, chris and rich is great plus trigger hippy

"The whole I'd (way) greater than the sum of its parts.) Matthew.