Home > Rock

03/05/2020

Brothers Of A Feather at Doug Fir on 03/04/2020 Photos

By BRENT ANGELO //

The year was 1987 when brothers, Chris Robinson and Rich Robinson began writing the music that would become the Black Crowes’ first record, “Shake Your Money Maker”. Those early stripped-down songs written in their parents’ house would grow into a full band production. In 1989, the album would be released to the masses. Radio played songs like “Jealous Again” and “Twice As Hard” in heavy rotation. The Black Crowes were embraced by music fans and even the critics as well. “Shake Your Money Maker” would go on to sell over five million copies, saw its singles do well in the single’s charts and put the Black Crowes on the rock n’roll map.

The Black Crowes would tour the world with bands like ZZ Top and Heart and would soon find them headlining their own shows. When the bands released its following album, The Southern Harmony and Musical Companion, the album went right to #1 . The album once again spawned numerous radio hits like “Sting Me” and “Remedy”. The band’s music was evolving, building a larger fan base and proving that they were a live force in rock n’ roll. The band went on to make Amorica (1994), Three Snakes and One Charm (1996) and By Your Side (1999). In 1999, Jimmy Page of Led Zeppelin joined them onstage at a gig and they hit it off. They would go on to play a pair of shows that led to a live album release and a true tour. The Black Crowes would follow that collaboration with Lions (2001), Warpaint (2008), and Before the Frost...Until the Freeze (2009). There were hiatuses and band member changes throughout that time. The brothers were also growing apart. Artistic differences, the fight for controls in the band were taking the toll on the brothers. The Black Crowes would sadly call it quits in 2015 due to their personal differences.

The Robinson brothers would go in solo directions after. Chris would form the Chris Robinson Brotherhood and Rich would release a solo album before forming the Magpie Salute. Social media and music news circulated the bad blood between the brothers regularly. It was sad first seeing the family bond broken and second rock fans had lost a great rock n’ roll band in the feud.

However, in 2019, the brothers thankfully made their peace with each other and they would announce their reunion. The 2020 reunion would be in support of the 30th Anniversary for “Shake Your Money Maker”. The brothers decided to do something special first. Under their side project name, Brothers Of A Feather, Chris and Rich Robinson mapped out a eleven city acoustic tour that had only nine US dates and Portland was one of the lucky few. The shows were quick sell outs and for good reason.

Black Crowes fans cheered loudly when they first took to the Doug Fir stage. It was special seeing them reunited again and in such an intimate space. Having the show all acoustic was a real treat too. At the Black Crowes core is Chris and Rich’s songwriting. These two are at their best together and th songs shined in the acoustic environment. Chris’s voice was strong, his stage energy was high and he was a crack up at times telling funny road stories from back in the day. Rich on the other hand was quiet, intense and critical of his craft. It’s easy to see how much he cares about the music he makes. The brothers are so different as people, but they really make music magic together.

A few highlights included “Thorn in My Pride” and “She Talks To Angels”. As an extra bonus for Portland fans, Peter Buck of REM joined them for a two-song encore. The Brothers Of A Feather acoustic tour was not only a special event for Black Crowes fans, but the show seemed to really reconnect the brothers. It was great seeing the brothers back on stage together, happy, and once again making music together again. The full band will be back in September at the Sunlight Supply Amphitheater. The Black Crowes are flying high again.



Brothers Of A Feather (Club Tour)
Doug Fir Lounge
Portland, Oregon
March 4, 2020

Setlist

Jealous Again
Hotel Illness
Wiser Time
Thorn in My Pride
Nonfiction
Whoa Mule
Girl From a Pawnshop
Twice as Hard https://youtu.be/DqbGjfAV0L8
Descending
Soul Singing
She Talks to Angels
Remedy

Encore
7 Chinese Bros. (R.E.M) with Peter Buck https://youtu.be/0NQvigWWDog clip
Femme Fatale (Velvet Underground) with Peter Buck



BROTHERS OF A FEATHER 2020 TOUR DATES. (Sold Out)

February 12 - London, UK - OMEARA
February 15 - Amsterdam, NL - Paradiso Noord
February 19 - Boston, MA -Brighton Music Hall
February 21 - Philadelphia, PA - The Foundry at The Fillmore
February 23 - Atlanta, GA - Terminal West
February 25 - Nashville, TN - The Basement East
February 27 - Chicago, IL - Lincoln Hall
February 29 - Austin, TX - Antone's Nightclub
March 2 - Denver, CO - Ophelia's Electric Soapbox
March 4 - Portland, OR - Doug Fir Lounge
March 6 - San Francisco, CA - The Chapel

Comments