The Black Crowes

It seems only appropriate that the Crowes' album of new material, After the Freeze..., was recorded live in front of a select group of fans at ex-Band member Levon Helm's barn/studio in rural Woodstock, New York. That's because it may be their rootsiest effort yet, with several songs that wouldn't appear out of place on Music from Big Pink. Its companion CD, ...Before the Frost (available as a free download after purchase of Freeze), collects the more country-leaning songs from the same sessions. Since their re-formation, the Black Crowes have continued to make (despite the overuse of the phrase) music truly "on their own terms" for their fans — media/charts/popular taste be ignored, if not damned. And while finding common ground with classic-rock acts, they aren't simply aping the era's sound, style and denim. Both new efforts also continue to show why adding Luther Dickinson as guitarist could be the most important lineup change the band has ever seen, as his tasty slide and neat notes dominate many songs. For this show, look for Chris Robinson to probably belt out the new track "Houston Don't Dream About Me," in which he vows never to return to the Bayou City for a woman in a cowboy hat who warbles "The Yellow Rose of Texas."