Copyright 1991 The Seattle Times Company   
The Seattle Times
June 4, 1991, Tuesday, Final Edition
SECTION: ARTS, ENTERTAINMENT; Pg. D1
LENGTH: 465 words
HEADLINE: FOR THE FEISTY BLACK CROWES, IT WAS AN UNEVEN PERFORMANCE
BYLINE: BY PATRICK MACDONALD
BODY:

The Black Crowes and Jellyfish last night at the Paramount Theatre.
     The Black Crowes are so good now, you have to wonder what the
band is going to be like when it reaches its full potential.
     The Atlanta blues-rock group, thrust into prominence on the
strength of its great cover of Otis Redding's rousing "Hard to
Handle," has been heralded as the new Rolling Stones, the answer to
rock's doldrums, a return to the pure, honest rock of the mid '
60s.  
     Last night at the Paramount the feisty young band - fast
becoming the new bad boys of rock - did show a lot of the same kind
of raw energy and engaging spirit of the early Stones, as well as
many of the same R&B and soul-music influences.
     But the Crowes were often ragged and uneven, and their attack
was sometimes half-hearted, as if they were tired or bored with
some of the tunes (including "Hard to Handle.") They came off as a
step above a bar band, which is what the Crowes were only a f
ew years ago.
     However, bar bands can be a lot of fun and when the Crowes got
on a roll - which happened several times during the set, and
reached a peak during the encores - you could see and feel just how
much talent and promise the band has.
     Chris Robinson is the most unaffected, naturally gifted front
man to come along in years, and his brother Rich, and second
guitarist Jeff Cease, are both talented musicians, well schooled in
the blues. The band's rhythm section - drummer Steve Gorman and
 bassist Johnny Colt - left something to be desired, with plodding
rhythms that held the band back. A guest keyboardist, hidden off in
stage right, added a lot with churchy organ and honky-tonk piano.
     The band played most of its only album, "Shake Your Money
Maker," plus several new songs, including a Stonesy one called
"Kick the Devil Out of Me," a clever mid-tempo number titled "A
Thorn in My Pride" and an uncharacteristically mellow "My Morning
Son
g." A drawling, moody tune from the album, "Sister Luck," was one
of Chris Robinson's finest moments, showing that he's more than
just a gritty belter.
     The encore built up steam, starting with the slow, haunting
song about addiction, "She Talks to Angels," followed by a
surprise, a cover of the Allman Brothers' "Statesboro Blues,"
delivered with style and respect, and finally "Jealous Again," with
Chris
 Robinson at his powerful best.
     Robinson also popped onto the stage to join opening band
Jellyfish, singing "I Want to Stay Home" with drummer-vocalist Andy
Sturmer. The San Francisco band showed a lot of flair, in covers
like Paul McCartney's "Jet" and in originals, including the infe
ctious closer, "All I Want Is Everything."
GRAPHIC: PHOTO ROD MAR / SEATTLE TIMES: GIFTED LEAD SINGER CHRIS
ROBINSON OF THE BLACK CROWES WAS SUPERB AT THE PARAMOUNT LAST
NIGHT.