The Black Crowes

1996-09-21 (21 Sept 1996)
Pioneer Center, Reno, NV , USA

Source 1 (tracks 1-12): Sonic Studios DSM-6P w/ 3-way lo-cut filter, position unknown (most likely @ 80hz, middle setting) > Sony WM-D6
Source 2: (tracks 13-16): Sony TCD-D7 with a Crown SASS-P MK II microphone

Transfer: Denon 790R > Kenwood A-522 amplifier > Kenwood GE-622 Equalizer > Audacity (boosting/splicing) > WAV > CD Wave>FLAC

Recorded: First 12 songs Steve Hagar - Last 4 songs Dimitri "Big Wheel" Elias R.I.P. Transferred and edited by Steve Hagar/ballsdeeper, tracked and FLAC'd by Humbug.

Time: 99:45

Set 1:

1. Nebakanezer
2. Share The Ride ->
3. Gone
4. Black Moon Creeping
5. Seeing Things
6. Peace Anyway Jam ->
7. My Morning Song
8. Better When You're Not Alone (1st time played)
9. Blackberry Jam -> Blackberry
10. High Head Blues
11. Stare It Cold
12. Jealous Again
---encore---
13. Descending
14. Crow Black Chicken (1st time played)
15. Good Friday
16. Happy

Notes:
Ballsdeep: So, because as of 2013 (though not asked since) this show was no longer in the ol' BCAA (the only '96 fall show missing, I believe), I decided to give it a proper "once over".

This meant many minute level adjustments (such as losing the encore master and having to get a 1g copy of a recording much further away than the front row seat this was taped from {encore recorded by Dimitri "Big Wheel" Elias, RIP}, lowering handclaps and numerous "between main set and encore" screams)

My 6th time seeing the Crowes, and it was when it all crystallized as to what a powerfully brutal, neo-psychedelic swamp-rock band, with undertones of delicate melodies mixed with tripped-out lyrics they were. I still say that the Reno-thru-Vancouver run was near the top of all '96 shows. they weren't "burnt out" from the bus yet. and it shows. Listening to "Seeing Things", it's almost like hearing it for the first time again. "Gone" is just a razor sharp nunchuck to the gut, the jam into "Black Moon Creeping" is some of my favorite Marc soloing. bar none. *ever*. you hear the opening riff, by Rich, in the far right speaker. then when Marc kicks in with geetar numero dos, your jaw hits the ground. drippyslick riffage, all while staying right in the edges of the cosmic pocket. at times the cymbals get a little bright, then again, Gorman's cymbals were less than 15 feet away. it's literally an aural version of the prime Crowes lineup, right in your face.

This show was the 2nd of the tour, before they'd gotten sick of each other, when they just took the songs to your face like a 10-ton heavy thing, and as the song stayed with you, it also went right through you. when they were actually borderline all cosmos-like, as Chris foolishly thinks his current endeavor is plowing through on it's magic carpet, piloted by owls and gnomes.

Pretty sure Weber didn't spend 4-6 hours on the transfer as did I. that said, not sure if it's any "better" or not, but hopefully you like the results.

TAPED FROM: front row in front of Marc.
6 feet from his dirty sneakers
if you like Marc, you will LOVE the sound of this show

The bulk of the sound is the 'onstage' sound, vs. that of a stack (I was inside the lip of the PA)

Humbug: Steve sent me two versions of this show - this version, which has no Noise Reduction, is my preferred version to listen to. Downside - a little tape hiss in the quieter parts.

Band:
Chris Robinson, vocals
Rich Robinson, guitar
Steve Gorman, drums
Marc Ford, guitar
Eddie Harsch, keys
Johnny Colt, bass