File/Neil Zlozower
Why does time immortalize some bands who were once a big deal and significantly diminish others?
For example, the first three Black Crowes albums are every bit as good as the first three albums by any other big rock act from the early-90s. But while groups like Nirvana and Pearl Jam are now legends, the Crowes have become a footnote in mainstream culture at best. And at worst, forgotten.
Is this because the Black Crowes' singer – wiry, hip-shaking Chris Robinson - didn't die at age 27? Is it because the Crowes developed an antagonistic relationship with the two trend-setting music media organizations back then, MTV and Rolling Stone, instead of becoming their darlings? Is it because "Southern Harmony" isn't as sonically hardwired to the '90s as "Nevermind" or "Ten"? Is it because Robinson dislikes his brother/Crowes guitarist Rich Robinson and drummer Steve Gorman so much the musicians couldn't come to terms for a 25th anniversary tour that would've likely reminded fans and press why this band is special?
The above reasons all likely have something to do with the Black Crowes’ current status: the most underrated major band of the ’90s.
The Crowes’ soulful swaggering rock, as heard on hits like “Jealous Again,” “She Talks to Angles” and “Remedy,” could have made this Atlanta-founded act their generation’s Aerosmith or Rolling Stones. Instead they became one the biggest cult bands of the last 25 years, their music getting weirder and slower, although there were some late-period sparks. And now, The Black Crowes are disappearing into the mist.
I recently spent a few days going back through the Crowes’ extensive catalog and ranking their hits, deep-cuts and officially released obscurities. As a fan since age 18 and having seen more than 30 concerts by the band from 1990 to 2013, I was very familiar with their work. But after the group officially broke up in early-2015 (there’d been previous hiatuses but this one felt final), I hadn’t listened to their music much. After 25 years as a Crowes superfan, I was ready to explore and obsess-over some other bands.
However, after revisiting the Crowes’ catalog – particularly confident debut LP “Shake Your Money Maker,” sophomore thunderbolt “Southern Harmony and the Musical Companion” and the druggy/sexy “Amorica” – I rediscovered this isn’t just a band worth remembering. The Black Crowes are a band worth revering.
By Matt Wake
126. 'Come On'
Album: "Lions" Released: 2001
High-wattage empty calories.
125. 'No Use Lying'
Album: "Lions" Released: 2001
DayGlo sex-rock that turns bitter on the chorus.
124. 'Ozone Mama'
Album: "Lions" Released: 2001
The lean rhythm track and harmonica solo are effective; the rapping on the verses, less so.
123. 'Better When You're Not Alone'
Album: "Three Snakes and One Charm" Released: 1996
A jangly, scruffy Valentine.
122. 'Losing My Mind'
Album: "Lions" Released: 2001
One of the few Crowes songs featuring a string arrangement; it would've been cool to hear the band explore orchestral sounds more often.
121. 'Miracle to Me'
Album: "Lions" Released: 2001
A well-penned love song, but producer Don Was and the band should have pushed for a better take.
120. 'Make Glad'
Album: "Before the Frost...Until the Freeze" Released: 2009
A kinetic Persian rug jam that wouldn't sound out of place on a vintage Traffic album.
119. 'Heavy'
Album: "By Your Side" Released: 1999
Hey the lyrics may not be Bob Dylan level, but the vocals, drums and guitars are razor sharp on this flirty rocker.
118. 'Shady Grove'
Album: "Before the Frost...Until the Freeze" Released: 2009
In an era when other artists were making a big deal about releasing music through phones or video games, the Crowes recorded this studio LP live in front of an audience, putting a focus on flesh-and-blood musicianship.
117. 'Smile'
From the "Wiser for the Time" live box set Released: 2013
Late-90s acoustic outtake anchored by starry electric piano on this official live release.
116. 'What Is Home'
Album: "Before the Frost...Until the Freeze" Released: 2009
Plaintive CSN&Y-worthy folk-rock with a rare lead vocal from Crowes guitar-god Rich Robinson.
115. 'Then She Said My Name'
Album: "By Your Side" Released: 1999
When Columbia Records signed The Black Crowes in the late-90s, it was pretty obvious the label was trying to turn the band into the new "comeback-era Aerosmith," even pairing them with Aerosmith producer Kevin Shirley and A&R guru John Kalodner, for the Crowes' "By Your Side" LP.
114. 'Houston Don't Dream About Me'
Album: "Before the Frost...Until the Freeze" Released: 2009
Windshield wipers keep time on this deceptively clever country-rocker.
113. 'Kept My Soul'
Album: "Before the Frost...Until the Freeze" Released: 2009
Gritty, groaning blues.
112. 'Lady of Ave. A'
Album: "Before the Frost...Until the Freeze" Released: 2009
Mournful ballad that name-checks a New York street a la many a Ryan Adams tune.
112. 'Greenhorn'
Album: "Before the Frost...Until the Freeze" Released: 2009
Astral folk-music with a shimmering cocktail-jazz guitar break.
111. 'Go Faster'
Album: "By Your Side" Released: 1999
This rocker is too busy on the intro and verses, but Chris Robinson's exciting chorus vocals carry a melodic charge.
110. 'Shine Along'
Album: "Before the Frost...Until the Freeze" Released: 2009
A yearning, solar-activated road song.
109. 'Evergreen'
Album: "Warpaint" Released: 2008
Deep-sea electric-guitars and tie-dyed come-ons.
108. 'How Much for Your Wings?'
Album: "Three Snakes and One Charm" Released: 1996
Although they never really sold-out, the Crowes seem to ponder the price of doing just that on this dreamy acoustic track.
107. 'And the Band Played On...'
Album: "Before the Frost...Until the Freeze" Released: 2009
Call-and-respond vocals between frontman Chris Robinson and the band on this gear-shifting composition.
106. 'She'
Album: "Croweology" Released: 2010
A loving acoustic version of country-rock pioneer Gram Parsons's "She," which the Crowes had covered live since their "Amorica" period.
105. 'Bring On, Bring On'
Album: "Three Snakes and One Charm" Released: 1996
A tripped-out yet focused acoustic strummer.
104. 'Never Forget This Song'
Album: "The Lost Crowes" Released: 2006
The Crowes' 2.0 lineup (Chris, Rich, Gorman, bassist Johnny Colt, guitarist Marc Ford and keyboardist Eddie Harsch) was so musically talented they could make even a partially cooked song sound badass.
103. 'Fork in the River'
Album: "Before the Frost...Until the Freeze" Released: 2009
Harmony-rich American roots-music for the iPhone era.
102. 'Don't Wake Me'
From the "Sho' Nuff" box set Released: 1998
Thunderous, alt-rock leaning "Shake Your Money Maker" outtake in which someone in the studio can be heard saying "Get Chris in here!" as the band starts playing.
101. 'Just Say You're Sorry'
From the "Sho' Nuff" box set Released: 1998
Big guitars, big drums, big vocals on this catchy "Three Snakes and One Charm" outtake.
103. 'I Ain't Hiding'
Album: "Before the Frost...Until the Freeze" Released: 2009
The Black Crowes' disco-period lasted for exactly one song.
99. 'Pimper's Paradise'
From the B-side of the "One Mirror Too Many" vinyl single Released: 1996
Taut, faithful version of Bob Marley's party-girl cautionary tale.
98. 'God's Got It'
Album: "Warpaint" Released: 2008
Concert versions of the Crowes' raucous Rev. Charlie Jackson cover featured skins-man Steve Gorman wearing and pounding a marching-band bass drum.
97. '(Only) Halfway to Everywhere'
Album: "Three Snakes and One Charm" Released: 1996
Hard, tribal funk.
96. 'Mellow Down Easy'
From the "Sho' Nuff" box set Released: 1998
Electric-mud cover of a signature Little Walter blues.
95. 'Go Tell the Congregation'
Album: "By Your Side" Released: 1999
If you've ever wondered what AC/DC jamming with Sly and the Family Stone would sound like ...
94. 'The Last Place That Love Lives'
Album: "Before the Frost...Until the Freeze" Released: 2009
A stark original folk-song that puts tears in beers by the end.
93. 'Lickin''
Album: "Lions" Released: 2001
Rich Robinson manipulates his guitar's toggle switch to get robotic noises on this libidinous single.
92. 'P.25 London'
Album: "Amorica" Released: 1994
This deep cut brings to mind Alice Cooper singing for Little Feat.
92. 'Garden Gate'
Album: "Before the Frost...Until the Freeze" Released: 2009
Almost 20 years into their career, The Black Crowes' roots ran way deeper than classic-rock, as this effortlessly natural bluegrass composition proves.
91. 'Exit'
From the "Wiser for the Time" live box set Released: 2013
This thrashy kiss-off was a rarely-heard (but electrifying) in-concert nugget.
90. 'Dirty Hair Halo'
Album: "The Lost Crowes" Released: 2006
One of countless examples of The Black Crowes' honey-hole between hard-rock and psychedelia.
89. 'Lay It All on Me'
Album: "Lions" Released: 2001
The shades of "Big Pink" here eventually blur into a windswept guitar coda.
88. 'Diamond Ring'
Album: "By Your Side" Released: 1999
A sweet All Green-style ballad with juicy organ.
87. 'Struttin' Blues'
Album: "Shake Your Money Maker" Released: 1990
The vocals are mixed too low to understand what the hell Chris Robinson is screaming, but the guitars-and-drum strut is hard to resist.
86. 'Aimless Peacock'
Album: "Before the Frost...Until the Freeze" Released: 2009
Rich Robinson breaks out the sitar on this winding mostly-instrumental number.
85. 'Cold Boy Smile'
Album: "Croweology" Released: 2010
Woodsy progressive-rock.
84. 'Greasy Grass River'
Album: "Lions" Released: 2001
Wah-wah guitar waves and head-shop escapist vocals made this a late-period concert showstopper.
83. 'Evil Eye'
Album: "Three Snakes and One Charm" Released: 1996
A slow-motion climb up a misty mountain.
82. 'So Many Times'
Album: "Before the Frost...Until the Freeze" Released: 2009
Beautiful brotherly harmonies.
81. 'Tied Up and Swallowed'
Album: "The Lost Crowes" Released: 2006
Nasty grooves, riffs and vocals, all with bad intentions.
80. 'Cosmic Friend'
Album: "Lions" Released: 2001
Cosmos-kissing hard-rock that opens like a theatre production.
79. 'Roll Old Jeremiah'
Album: "Before the Frost...Until the Freeze" Released: 2009
Ladies and gentleman, say hello to the Blue(grass) Crowes.
78. 'Time Will Tell'
Album: "The Southern Harmony and Musical Companion" Released: 1992
This acoustic Bob Marley cover is endearingly tight-but-loose.
77. 'There's Gold in Them Hills'
Album: "Warpaint" Released: 2008
A fortune-chaser's wanderlust waltz.
76. 'Let Me Share the Ride'
Album: "Three Snakes and One Charm" Released: 1996
A New Orleans flavored hoedown; ingredients include second-line drums, sweaty horns, slide guitar and harmonica.
75. 'Waiting Guilty'
From the "Wiser for the Time" live box set Released: 2013
Monsoon guitars and homesick vocals on this live rarity.
74. 'Virtue and Vice'
Album: "By Your Side" Released: 1999
Mammoth sounding, transportive - as "Kashmir" as two brothers from Marietta, Ga. can get.
73. 'Chevrolet'
From the B side of the "Wiser Time" vinyl single Released: 1994
Hot cover of a Taj Mahal via Lonnie Young & Ed Young blues.
72. 'Young Man, Old Man'
Album: "Lions" Released: 2001
Percussive, 3D funk.
71. 'Sunday Night Buttermilk Waltz'
From the "Sho' Nuff" box set Released: 1998
Rich Robinson and Marc Ford weave spiral tapestries on this acoustic guitar instrumental/"Amorica" rarity.
70. 'Whoa Mule'
Album: "Warpaint" Released: 2008
A campfire song with a dust-covered smile.
69. 'Grinnin''
Album: "The Lost Crowes" Released: 2006
A soulful sparse look into the rearview mirror.
68. 'Could I've Been So Blind'
Album: "Shake Your Money Maker" Released: 1990
A garage-y song reportedly dating back the band's Mr. Crowes' Garden era, with Chris Robinson singing his skinny ass off.
67. 'My Heart's Killing Me'
Album: "The Lost Crowes" Released: 2006
Heart-tugging Americana.
66. 'Wounded Bird'
Album: "Warpaint" Released: 2008
For the "Warpaint" album, the Crowes found a sweet-spot between Chris Robinson's propensity for barefoot lyrics and Rich's talent for skyscraper guitars.
65. 'Predictable'
Album: "The Lost Crowes" Released: 2006
The angular verses harken back to the band's beginnings as gangly R.E.M. worshipers.
64. 'Walk Believer Walk'
Album: "Warpaint" Released: 2008
This slide-guitar howler sounds like it dates back to the beginning of time, but it actually came out the same year as a bunch of Coldplay, Lil Wayne and Kanye West LPs.
63. '99 Lbs'
From the "Sho' Nuff" box set Released: 1998
Absolutely smoking "Southern Harmony" era cover of a song by one of the band's key early inspirations: British boogie-rockers Humble Pie.
62. 'Downtown Money Waster'
Album: "Amorica" Released: 1994
Live-too-fast saloon blues.
61. 'Been a Long Time (Waiting on Love)'
Album: "Before the Frost...Until the Freeze" Released: 2009
Incense-scented guitar hypnosis.
60. 'Grows a Rose'
From: "By Your Side" CD single Released: 1998
Electrical-storm grooves and skyscraping chorus make for a B-side superior to many tracks that made the full-length "By Your Side" album.
59. 'Blackberry'
Album: "Three Snakes and One Charm" Released: 1996
The Black Crowes finally wrote their own "Hard to Handle" with this hip-shaker.
58. 'Under a Mountain'
Album: "Three Snakes and One Charm" Released: 1996
Contains the fantastic, unwashed and slightly dazed chorus: "So I'm under a mountain/Stuck to this mattress/Perfume and Valium"
57. 'Title Song'
Album: "Live" Released: 2002
Unreleased in studio form, this blues-metal song is the kind of rarity that thrilled fans who followed the band to multiple shows on a tour, when it was played live.
56. 'A Conspiracy'
Album: "Amorica" Released: 1994
An electric-magic rebuttal to the band's critics.
55. 'Wyoming & Me'
Album: "The Lost Crowes" Released: 2006
Features the brilliant Chris Robinson chorus lyric: "You're empty like Wyoming and me."
54. 'Only a Fool'
Album: "By Your Side" Released: 1999
A little seen Weird Al Yonkovic-directed music video promoted this Stax-injected jewel.
53. 'Cypress Tree'
Album: "Lions" Released: 2001
A glowing, shape-shifting highlight from the Crowes' most uneven studio album.
52. 'Welcome to the Goodtimes'
Album: "By Your Side" Released: 1999
On the otherwise glam "By Your Side" LP, the Crowes brought things back to a rootsier sound on this wintry number.
51. 'Kickin' My Heart Around'
Album: "By Your Side" Released: 1999
This 100 mph Dixie-rocker about a good thing gone bad will singe your eyebrows off.
50. 'Gone'
Album: "Amorica" Released: 1994
A snake-charmer in rock band clothing.
49. 'Lifevest'
Album: "The Lost Crowes" Released: 2006
Infectious twangy thump that somehow went unreleased for a decade.
48. 'She Gave Good Sunflower'
Album: "Amorica" Released: 1994
A love-crush spun into longhair boogie.
47. 'Tornado'
Album: "The Lost Crowes" Released: 2006
From the shelved 1994 "Tall" album sessions, a hayseed lark in which Chris Robinson invites the listener to "help yourself out to some of my disaster."
46. 'A Train Still Makes a Lonely Sound'
Album: "Before the Frost...Until the Freeze" Released: 2009
A road-weary and heart-dented return to Faces/Rod Stewart pub-rock.
45. 'HorseHead'
Album: "By Your Side" Released: 1999
Fire-breathing riff-rock that sounds like a job application for the tour and live album the Crowes did with Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page a year later.
44. 'Sting Me'
Album: "The Southern Harmony and Musical Companion" Released: 1992
This Sly Stone influenced jolt opens the best Crowes' best studio album and was often electrifying in concert.
43. 'Bad Luck Blue Eyes Goodbye'
Album: "The Southern Harmony and Musical Companion" Released: 1992
Forlorn and stoned R&B - played loudly.
42. 'By Your Side'
Album: "By Your Side" Released: 1999
A sashaying soul-rock title track from an underestimated Crowes LP.
41. 'Black Moon Creeping'
Album: "The Southern Harmony and Musical Companion" Released: 1992
Hairy guitars, greasy beats and lusty/witchy vocals: The Black Crowes at their Aerosmith-iest.
40. 'Descending'
Album: "Amorica" Released: 1994
A comedown ballad with a sublime piano intro from late great Crowes keyboardist Eddie Harsch.
39. 'One Mirror Too Many'
Album: "Three Snakes and One Charm" Released: 1996
Throbbing psych-rock meditation on the trappings of vanity.
38. 'Appaloosa'
Album: "Before the Frost...Until the Freeze" Released: 2009
A woodsy, yearning composition adorned with pedal-steel curlicues evoking vintage solo George Harrison.
37. 'Nebakanezer'
Album: "Three Snakes and One Charm" Released: 1996
A gnarly - almost grunge-like - guitar tour de force.
36. 'Cursed Diamond'
Album: "Amorica" Released: 1994
A whisper to a scream southern-rock doozy about the dark side of talent.
35. 'Thunderstorm 6:54'
Album: "The Lost Crowes" Released: 2006
Spellbinding mix of paranoia and melody.
34. 'Paint an 8'
Album: "The Lost Crowes" Released: 2006
Serpentine guitar from Rich Robinson and dizzy-head tales from Chris on this 1997 track that didn't surface on record until almost 10 years later. (A YouTube clip of the studio version of "Paint an 8" was unavailable so we used this 2005 live video of the song.)
33. 'Hotel Illness'
Album: "The Southern Harmony and Musical Companion" Released: 1992
A chugging Rich Robinson and Marc Ford guitar romp, with Chris Robinson punctuating his road-life lyrics with tasteful harmonica.
32. 'Sister Luck'
Album: "Shake Your Money Maker" Released: 1990
The young man's blues, 1990 Atlanta style.
31. 'Oh Josephine'
Album: "Warpaint" Released: 2008
A narcotic loner's wistful lament that sounded instantly classic.
30. 'Song of the Flesh'
From the "Sho' Nuff" box set Released: 1998
A shaggy outtake from the "Amorica" sessions.
29. 'Live Too Fast Blues/Mercy, Sweet Moan'
Album: "Shake Your Money Maker" Released: 1990
Barely more than a minute long, this bluesy hidden track brought the Black Crowes' debut album to a breathtaking close.
28. 'Midnight from the Inside Out'
Album: "Lions" Released: 2001
False-start notwithstanding, "Midnight" eventually lifts off into fuzz-blues incandescence.
27. 'Movin' On Down the Line'
Album: "Warpaint" Released: 2008
A track that manages to be both spaced-out and propulsive.
26. 'Goodbye Daughters of the Revolution'
Album: "Warpaint" Released: 2008
Guitarist Luther Dickinson injected this loose-limbed rocker with country-fried licks.
25. 'Feathers'
Album: "The Lost Crowes" Released: 2006
Dark psychedelia that gets an uplift just in time from a melodic chorus.
24. 'Seeing Things'
Album: "Shake Your Money Maker" Released: 1990
A soul-music influenced slow -burner, with keyboards from Allman Brothers/Rollings Stones keyboardist Chuck Leavell.
23. 'Locust Street'
Album: "Warpaint" Released: 2008
A melancholic, mandolin-flecked gem from solid latter-day studio LP, "Warpaint."
22. 'Another Roadside Tragedy'
Album: "The Lost Crowes" Released: 2006
A jammy standout from the shelved 1997 "The Band" recording sessions.
21. 'Ballad in Urgency'
Album: "Amorica" Released: 1994
Segueing on record (and often live) into "Wiser Time," the electric-sitar spangled "Ballad in Urgency" was part of a two-song tandem for the ages.
20. 'Stare It Cold'
Album: "Shake Your Money Maker" Released: 1990
Back when lazy critics were accusing Chris Robinson of ripping off Rod Stewart and Mick Jagger, he was actually channeling Humble Pie's Steve Marriott.
19. 'Good Morning Captain'
Album: "Before the Frost...Until the Freeze" Released: 2009
This rollicking guitar tangle showed that 19 years into their career the Crowes could still get their ya-ya’s out.
18. 'Girl from a Pawnshop'
Album: "Three Snakes and One Charm" Released: 1996
Some of Chris Robinson’s finest lyrics grace this country heartbreaker.
17. 'Peace Anyway'
Album: "The Lost Crowes" Released: 2006
Recorded during 1994 sessions for a Black Crowes album that was eventually shelved, bell-bottom rocker "Peace Anyway" rides a huge Steve Gorman drum pocket.
16. 'Nonfiction'
Album: "Amorica" Released: 1994
A beautiful, smitten hangover ballad.
15. 'Thick n' Thin'
Album: "Shake Your Money Maker" Released: 1990
Legend has it that’s Crowes drummer Steve Gorman crashing his car into a dumpster at the beginning of this “Money Maker” track, which boogies like vintage Faces.
14. 'Darling Of The Underground Press'
From: B-side to the "Remedy" vinyl single Released: 1992
A slide-driven obscurity and live favorite of hardcore Crowes fans, with lyrics detailing bohemian glitterati.
13. 'Good Friday'
Album: "Three Snakes and One Charm" Released: 1996
A Laurel Canyon-style folk-rock goodbye kiss.
12. 'High Head Blues'
Album: "Amorica" Released: 1994
Woozy, Latin-rhythm get-down culminating in a twisty rave-up.
11. 'My Morning Song'
Album: "The Southern Harmony and Musical Companion" Released: 1992
Snarling, sanctified slide-guitar epic.
10. 'Soul Singing'
Album: "Lions" Released: 2001
Jubilant rocker that became a late-period concert highlight for the band.
9. 'Hard to Handle'
Album: "Shake Your Money Maker" Released: 1990
The loud, swaggering Otis Redding cover (with a guitar solo from future star-producer Brendan O’Brien) that made the Crowes famous.
8. 'No Speak No Slave'
Album: "The Southern Harmony and Musical Companion" Released: 1992
A heavy, swampy rager that gets even wilder when Marc Ford steps on his wah-wah pedal.
7. 'Wiser Time'
Album: "Amorica" Released: 1994
Cosmic-cowboy travelogue that builds into molten hallelujah.
6. 'Twice As Hard'
Album: "Shake Your Money Maker" Released: 1990
The first song on the first Black Crowes album opens with the first of many cool Rich guitar riffs we’d hear, setting up Chris’ howl and catchy, shadowy lyrics.
5. 'She Talks to Angels'
Album: "Shake Your Money Maker" Released: 1990
“She Talks to Angels” didn’t need a power-ballad finale to win us over; just gorgeous open-tuning guitar and powerhouse pipes singing about a mysterious girl who gets dark kicks.
4. 'Sometimes Salvation'
Album: "The Southern Harmony and Musical Companion" Released: 1992
A dramatic junkie saga with a Marc Ford fuzz-guitar solo that always leaves listeners buzzed.
3. 'Thorn in My Pride'
Album: "The Southern Harmony and Musical Companion" Released: 1992
Perhaps more than any other track, “Thorn” crystallized everything that made the Crowes great: sauntering rogue grooves, guitar light and shade, tasty keyboards and killer, gospel-tinged vocals.
2. 'Jealous Again'
Album: "Shake Your Money Maker" Released: 1990
In an era when Guns N’ Roses, Metallica and Motley Crue ruled the earth, “Jealous Again” was a refreshing throwback to bluesier classic-rock.
1. 'Remedy'
Album: "The Southern Harmony and Musical Companion" Released: 1992
As soulful and swinging as hard-rock gets, “Remedy” was the first song in which the Black Crowes sounded only like themselves – and the track remains their best.
File photo
More southern music rankings
Allman Brothers Band: all their classic-era songs ranked
The ultimate ranking of Jason Isbell songs
The 20 best songs ever recorded in Muscle Shoals
The 20 best Southern rock guitar solos of all-time
The 20 ‘most Southern rock’ moments in Southern rock history
Ad Choices