Black Crowes Plan Hiatus

The Black Crowes played a great concert here in Melbourne a couple of years ago and they looked like there was plenty of petrol left in the tank at that point.

That seems to have true and not true at the same time.

The band are approaching their 20th anniversary and to mark the occasion they are releasing a two disc studio album in August titled Croweology, containing new acoustic versions of songs that have spanned the bands career. They will then embark on a tour called Say Goodnight To The Bad Guys which will see them play ninety minutes acoustic and ninety minutes electric.

The band will then go on what they are describing as “an indefinite hiatus”

Speaking to Rolling Stone’s esteemed writer David Fricke the brothers Robinson explained their plan – or lack of a plan as the case may be. . “Two years, five years, 10 years – you never know when you jump into the void,” Chris says cheerfully, when asked how long he expects the band to be away. “This cycle we’ve been on has been incredible. Since the summer of ’07, when we made Warpaint, it’s been the three most fulfilling years I’ve ever had with this band.

“But if we kept going, we might be playing with fate too much,” he adds. “It would be nice to have a 30th anniversary. But we should walk away from this while everyone’s in a good mood.”

“Plus, we all have babies,” says Rich. “I’m expecting one any day now. Chris and Luther just had kids. It seemed like a good time. To me, ‘hiatus’ means there is no plan. We haven’t said, ‘Let’s get back together in 2012.’ And we haven’t said, ‘Let’s not.’ “

Black Crowes New Album Complete

Black Crowes have charted their own path over the past few years free from the constraints of major label record deals. Their independence has allowed them to try another innovative idea with the release of their new album – or should that be albums?

Black Crowes recorded the two new albums over a series of five nights at Levon Helm Studios in Woodstock, New York.

Both are studio albums although they were recorded live in front of a select group of fans.

The first album Before The Frost contains eleven new originals. The second album Until The Freeze has eight new original songs plus a cover  (Stephen Stills’ ‘So Many Times’).

“I think we fulfilled a musical commitment to continue on the golden road of artistic independence,” said Chris Robinson. “Approaching 20 years into our careers, we still are ambitious enough to push ourselves to create something unique that we have never done before.”

Before The Frost will be released as a CD. Until The Freeze will be a download. They will both be released on September 1. Also that day, a limited edition 2LP vinyl will be released featuring both albums.