Joining them are former Crowes Sven Pipien & Ed Harsch.
I'm looking forward to this. Hopefully some new music will come out of it.
Press release below:
Rich Robinson—singer-songwriter-guitarist and co-founding member of The Black Crowes—has announced the formation of THE MAGPIE SALUTE. It’s an exciting new band that brings together four key members of The Black Crowes—Rich, guitarist/vocalist, guitarist Marc Ford, keyboardist Eddie Harsch, and bassist Sven Pipien—with members of Rich’s own band: drummer Joe Magistro, keyboardist Matt Slocum, and backing vocalists Adrien Reju and Katrine Ottosen, along with some other friends.
THE MAGPIE SALUTE will be unveiled January 19 when they headline the Gramercy Theatre in New York, performing songs from The Black Crowes catalog, solo material from Rich and Marc plus “whatever else may materialize,” says Rich. Pre-sale tickets will be available October 19, followed by the general on-sale October 21: See link below and watch the video trailer here.
http://www.ticketmaster.com/event/00005150D3CD36D9
“The name The Magpie Salute comes from a superstition based in the UK,” explains Rich about the band’s moniker. “There are many variations, but the version I’m drawn to is the belief that if you see a Magpie, you would do well to salute it “to ward off negativity, or to have a good day.” The way you salute the Magpie, based on some traditions is to say ‘Good Mornin' Captain.’ The reason we salute is to show we're unarmed, or what I like to say is ‘we come in peace.’ The Magpie falls within the Crowe umbrella of species, figuratively and literally. Magpies can be black and white which represents the light and the dark. I figured all of these things touch on many aspects of my life and this experience.”
Asked about THE MAGPIE SALUTE’s multiple players and singers, Rich says, “I wanted to try something different. I wanted to hear this music with two drummers, two keyboard players, and multiple singers. I, and everyone involved, love playing music. Not only on our own, in The Crowes and in my band, but playing music in general. We want to make music again together with a fresh perspective. To present this music I wrote in a different light with these amazing players is going to be really special to me.”
Will the Gramercy Theatre show have the songs and improvisational flights that The Black Crowes were famous for? “Absolutely, that's what we do when we get together,” says Marc. “Now the vocal position will obviously be different... it opens other places to go with different singers. The bottom line for me is that we love playing together; we have a respect for what we've done together and for all of the people that want to hear it.”
THE MAGPIE SALUTE marks the reunion of the Robinson and Ford guitar team. (Ford left The Black Crowes after their fourth album and 1997 Further Festival tour.) “The Crowes have had their share of guitar players,” says Rich. “Each one has been really cool to play with and each one has brought their own unique playing to the band. That being said, I personally feel that Marc and I have a very deep musical connection. The way he and I played together on those records really showcases that musical bond. As I get older I realize what a gift it is to play with people with whom you share that language of music.” Reflecting about their deep musical connection, Marc says: “It's one of those things that was there before we met. Musically we were already family.”
The seeds were planted for THE MAGPIE SALUTE in August 2016 when Rich performed in Woodstock (New York) at Applehead Studio where he’s recorded his last three albums. “Sven Pipien has been playing with me on my current tour. So for fun I decided to invite Marc and Eddie from the original Crowes lineup to join us. It turned out to be such a cool, cathartic, and inspirational experience for us all. We all have such a strong musical connection from that band. Most importantly we all have a life's worth of family experience together. We've travelled the world together, seen a lot of far out experiences, playing with our heroes, emotional ups and downs, all wrapped within a very unique life experience, which is the thread that has always kept the connection together.” Marc says about the show at Applehead Studios: “The playing was an amazing second to seeing their faces.”
THE MAGPIE SALUTE chose NYC for their first show because, says Rich, “New York has always been really supportive of me and the Crowes. I thought it would be a great place to unveil this.”
[Edited on 10/17/2016 by WarEagleRK]
Cool news indeed! Thanks for posting!
Hoping this band does some serious touring next year
this is amazing. the ford era of the band is my favorite. i'll be lining up.
cs
looking forward to this
nice, just 1 date announced so far?
WOW that's cool. I wonder if Steve Gorman will sign on at some point.
Oh I'm so down for this! 😛 
That's tremendous news. One can only hope this evolves into something more. Marc ford and rich do make some beautiful music.
WOW that's cool. I wonder if Steve Gorman will sign on at some point.
Steve Gorman has his sports radio show on Fox, so I'm not sure how available he'll be.
This is an interesting .I am just thinking about the timing of this. Rich just released his latest a few months ago and now onto this? Huh. Seems like he kinda of abandon it as far as promotion.
Oh well..this seems like it will be pretty cool . As long as Rich is doing music, its all good with me.
Everyone has a plan, till you get punched in the face,
I just grabbed tix on the presale - this will have to be a good rocking time!
They absolutely need somebody tremendous on vocals, otherwise this is just another really cool show to see. One stellar lead singer and you have yourself a kickass band with more albums and tours. I enjoy the music Chris is putting out but would really love to see Rich turn this into something special and lasting.
Seems like it will be Rich and Marc on vocals maybe with some back-up singers.
They absolutely need somebody tremendous on vocals, otherwise this is just another really cool show to see. One stellar lead singer and you have yourself a kickass band with more albums and tours. I enjoy the music Chris is putting out but would really love to see Rich turn this into something special and lasting.
Love Rich and Marc but they just don't have the vocal range. And without a stellar frontman/ or woman to fill in, Chris will be sorely missed. They added a second and third show - the first two are sold out supposedly.
Luther Crowes was my favorite lineup but the Ford lineups aren't far behind. Was disappointed in how they used Audley - never really turned him loose. I digress. This will be very cool - I'd definitely go see them if I could. Vocals are the least important thing for me at show where the instrumentalists can really play - so lack of a dynamic singer doesn't bother me much. Rich and Marc are both functional vocalists and there are backup singers on board so I think that aspect will be adequate.
I'll be curious to hear Marc Ford. I know he's played out a little with his own bands - but he's kept a relatively low profile since leaving The Crowes for the second time in 2006. There's no real reason to suspect he's lost anything - but after a few years where he was everywhere on the scene I follow - guesting with Gov't Mule a bunch, playing with the Crowes, Blue Floyd, etc - I haven't heard him much at all for like a decade. I know there are reasons why - but I'll be eager to grab a couple shows by this band and hear him play again.
It's interesting to see this band formed at the same as Les Brers is getting some discussion going on this board. Makes for a nice SAT style analogy Les Brers is to Allman Brothers as Magpie Salute is to Black Crowes.
They did stifle Audley a bit but he can't hold a groove or solo like Luther or Marc Ford can. Luther was a great addition to crowes. He was a nice, warm tone and gets a good groove going. Marc Ford also gets a good groove going but he's very soulful and gritty. As good as these musicians will be, somebody with a great set of pipes out front killing these songs couldn't hurt.
Thank goodness we have Les Brers and this new rendition of the crowes. Both bands were the best to see live. With Les Brers, Jack Pearson is so good it makes the whole project worth it. I caught them at wanee. With Magpie salute, time will tell. But you can tell by rich's solo stuff that he created a very large part of what the crowes came up with. My buddy scored a ticket for the Magpie show on Saturday so I guess I'll look for plane ticket and see for myself.
I will wait and see on the vocals. Not to worried about that really. The music will be strong. The last person I would want to see is CR in this band. His name was mentioned a few times here.
I liked all eras of the band. They're last one was a little to laid back for me. Luther was great on it though. If the ABB ever reunited, he would fit the bill perfectly.
Rich mentioned two drummers. Who is the second?
Rich Robinson - Blackwaterside (solo)
Luther Dickinson -Some Ol' Day
Everyone has a plan, till you get punched in the face,
can't wait can't wait can't wait! manomanoman!
and
they need a vocalist. Not a fan of Rich's singing, not for a whole night anyway.
Marc is great for some things, not for others...but they play together so well who cares!!!
want tix want tix want tix now now now
have live loud rock 'n' roll deficit disorder NEED CURE!
Ford's new album an earthy corollary to Rich's polished approach
Ford's new album got rolled in greasy blues and dipped in texas dust before being smoked in country.
Ford's new album got rolled in greasy blues and dipped in texas dust before being smoked in country.
What is the name of Marc Ford's new record, please?
The Vulture - it is very good (it is well stylistically described above).
[Edited on 10/21/2016 by mikesolo]
this 4 night stand completely sold out. bummed!
hope they add more dates
I got locked out of the 1st 3 nights and got the email about Sunday's added show going onsale at 1pm so I bought 4 tix hoping to swap 2 later down the road for one of the 1st 3. At worst I'm in for Sunday.
this 4 night stand completely sold out. bummed!
hope they add more dates
i was hoping this was anew band not a one off thing for this run of shows
"i was hoping this was anew band not a one off thing for this run of shows"
they probably don't even know that themselves, but I'd more than suspect if they are having a blast doing it they will keep doing it. I'm guessing more shows will be announced.
