Chris Robinson Brotherhood – May 15th – Cervantes’ Ballroom

Posted on by Brian Turk
Estimated read time 4 min read

 

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The Scene: Cervantes’ Masterpiece Ballroom was buzzing as the room filled just before 10pm. Freak flags were flying Rocky Mountain high, and two flags representing the Chris Robinson Brotherhood nation, and the altered states it presides over, hung as a backdrop on the stage. What you get with CRB is a guided trip through the evening and heavy dose of pensively paced psychedelic rock and roll with a hint of country shuffle, and believe me, everyone in attendance were ready for their hit.

Chris Robinson Brotherhood: The Chris Robinson Brotherhood sauntered onto the stage, gave greetings, waves and smiles, then announced that “There’s A Good Rockin’ Tonight”. Well, we heard the news, we shimmied in our dancing shoes and we all tuned into the vibe CRB was broadcasting. The CRB sound is mellow as a mushroom and cool as a cucumber, with subtle punctuations that that make you jump before returning to a steady groove.

After rocking, we rolled into “Roan County Banjo” before heading to the Badlands. “Badlands Here We Come” started with a haunting intro by key player Adam Macdougall, and drummer Tony Leone kept perfect time during the roadtrip worthy song. Leone’s timing is a reflection of the time he spent playing Levon Helm’s kit when Levon would move to mandolin at his Midnight Rambles, and we all liked what we were seeing. Tony Leone is a relatively new addition to CRB, but he seems as if he has been part of the brotherhood forever

“About A Stranger” introduced us to the slower side of CRB before “I’m A Hog For You” got us getting filthy with bluesy funk, like prankster pigs in a pen ready to play. We wallowed in the grimy groove while grunting and rubbing up against each other in the packed ballroom, just trying to get enough of each other’s love…and the shit got sexy.

“Meanwhile In The Gods” came in like a rock anthem with Neal Casal’s guitar riff and Leone’s pounding drums, then eased into a sublime serenade. “Tulsa Yesterday” kept us in third gear before kicking into overdrive with “Hard To Handle”. “Hard To Handle” brought the crowd to frenzy, not only because Black Crowes fans were getting what they wanted, but because CRB crushed it. The tone was more akin to the way the Grateful Dead played the song, and the stretched out jam halfway through was funkalicious, making us realize this wasn’t CRB playing a song that the Crowe’s had a hit with, but they were creating something totally different. CRB is the soul of Chris Robinson and his Brotherhood, and even though Robinson has played this song to tens of thousands in arenas, it captured just as much energy in a room of 1,000.

After a brief set break, we all started “Boppin’ The Blues” like something was going around. We didn’t look for a cure, but kept leaning into indigo with “Tomorrow Blues”. “Get Out Of My Life Woman” brought the pace back up, and inspired the crowd to move. Originally recorded by New Orleans legend Lee Dorsy, CRB brought a Texas roadhouse flavor to the tune, while still focusing on the funky soul of the song.

“If Your Wheel Don’t Roll” let us catch our breath as “Train Robbers” came like a thieves in the night before we were awoken by “Vibrations and Light”. A “Beggars Moon” rose over the crowd and we were bathed in “Sunday Sound”. Even though CRB gave the crowd two great sets, the show was far from over, and CRB was cheered back onto the stage for a fluid Grateful Dead nightcap. The “Big River” flowed past “Catfish John” standing on it’s banks, and the CRB ship sailed on to it’s next destination.

Chris Robinson Brotherhood is a band by definition, and a great one at that, but the term “brotherhood” more aptly describes what happens on stage. CRB has nothing to do with Black Crowes, but defines itself independently with a signature sound. Robinson is a Rock and Roll king no doubt, but he is proudly wearing  CRB like a crown while turning the tide decades into his career, and we are all grateful when he holds court. The Crowes may be no longer, but this next chapter for Robinson is being penned beautifully.

Energy: B
Musicianship: A-
Sound: B+
Stage Presence: A-
Set/Light Show: B

Overall: A-

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Brian Turk

Brian Turk grew up in the shadow of the Catskill Mountains, near Woodstock, NY. He comes from a family of music lovers, audiopliles, Dead Heads and avid concert goers.The musical magic that can only be created in the Catsklills, both past and present, is what Brian cosiders the epicenter of his music addiction. The music of The Band, and most recently The Levon Helm Band, is the soundtrack of home for him. Brian's mother took him to his first concert at 5years old...it was Johnny Cash and Roseanne Cash at Jones Beach Amphitheatre. For Brian, music is a family affair. He feels the same way about live music...we all convene to celebrate together.

Brian's writing life started when he wrote his favorite author, southern fiction writer Clyde Edgerton, a fan letter at age 13. When most kids were idolizing baseball players and television, he was worshipping writers and musicians. The two became friends and Clyde shared his craft with Brian. The next year Brian attended Duke University's Young Writers Camp. This is the extent, of what Brian considers, his “formal” training in writing. From then on his goal was to capture snapshots of life through words.

Brian has been involved with live music in various facets over the years, and combined with his enthusiasm and love for Denver's music scene, he creates a vivid description of what he sees and hears. If you see him out at a show, dancing with a notebook in hand, say hello.

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