The Black Crowes
Waterfront Park
Lake Champlain Maritime Festival
Burlington, Vermont

August 17, 2013

Was the Black Crowes show August 17th Waterfront Park one of the best shows in Burlington's history? Perhaps, perhaps not, but there's no denying the band executed a dynamic set with a confidence and expertise that wholly belies its volatile history, not to mention their on-again, off-again activities of the last decade.

All too often a victim of self-imposed stunted growth during their near quarter century existence, the Crowes have matured dramatically in recent years, thanks in no small part to the musicianship of the now-departed guitarist Luther Dickinson. The band played only one tune from the period of time when the co-leader of the North Mississippi All Stars was in the group, but the sprightly country air, "Garden Gate," began a mini-set of acoustic arrangements that distinguished over two hours of earthy, expansive rock and roll, otherwise replete with more high-decibel material such as "Sting Me."

The Black Crowes have benefited from some association with the jam band scene as well as their Southern rock heritage, but they've never been known as improvisationalists, per se. Yet the surety with which guitarist Rich Robinson stepped forward and commandeered the group, beginning with his appropriately wan lead vocal on Velvet Underground's "O Sweet Nuthin,'" may be the clearest indicator of how the band he leads with his brother and lead vocalist/songwriter Chris has matured without losing any of its stubbornly iconoclastic attitude. Rich Robinson's sweeping chords and sweet harmonics during the striking "She Talks to Angels" was as memorable as the cauterizing edge of his exploratory yet disciplined solos on "Remedy."

His fret board counterpart, Jackie Greene, who first gained recognition from his friendship with