CRB’s New York run – the last American shows
I’ve written about the Chris Robinson Brotherhood many times before. I feel they’re one of the most unique bands I’ve ever heard, playing music like no one has ever made before, drawing inspiration from the Dead, Rolling Stones, the Byrds, and a whole lot of Bluesy stuff I’m only now becoming familiar with.
I can’t believe this is it. About a month prior, the CRB announced that their spring/summer tour would be pretty much final, before a “hiatus” that would last throughout the rest of this year. We’ll see. Fans “know” it’s over, but you shouldn’t believe everything you read. Anything could happen, but the beloved “Freaks” family treated these last few New York tour dates as the band’s final run in the US, before they depart for a few more weeks in Europe.
The band played four dates around the lower New York area, kicking off with their “album release” party at Baby’s All Right in Brooklyn. A few weeks before, they released their heavily Stones-inspired album Servants of the Sun.
The scene at Baby’s was perfect – super intimate, about 250 seats, all the CRBeings flocking the stage to see the last show. The setlist didn’t stray too far from the one I’d seen a few weeks previously in Richmond, Virginia, although this time the ultra-talented Joel Robinow was covering the keys. The band was great – I told myself this would be my last show, but seeing the Brotherhood is so addictive, I knew I’d be heading out to Long Island for the next night.
The Sunday show was in Riverhead, New York and again, I thought maybe that would be my last. They were perfect, adding a few touches of Big Moon Ritual, The Magic Door and Barefoot in the Head along with showcasing the songs they’d perfected with Joel at the helm from Servants. Jeff performed a stellar bass solo and it was magic. Harmonies were on point for “Someday Past the Sunset,” guitar was insane, the freaks were jammin’ in top form. Guess this might not be my last show after all!
Monday, though, that was the real last one. Crowded inside a tiny community theatre in Port Washington, the Freaks worried that they wouldn’t be allowed to dance but the staff quickly realized who they were dealing with. We rushed to the front, eager to take in all that was left, and it was a lot.
They opened hot with “Rosalee”, the song that I believe is a characteristic anthem of their music, the song I had in the back of my mind, hoping I’d hear it live one more time before the journey really ended. This was what I really wanted – my experience with CRB was hearing the songs live before diving into the albums, and I waited until the Baby’s All Right show to finally give my shiny new vinyl a spin. By the end of the Port Washington show, these songs were in my heart. Vocals were in top form, Joel displayed his confidence and prowess, Jeff smiled shyly while he nonchalantly delivered cosmic basslines, Tony banged, and Neal of course ripped so hard a string came off. I bopped and swayed and shook with my fellow freaks.
I’m so glad I made it to these last few shows. Thanks for the friends, the memories, and most of all, the music.
