“Thanks for being open-minded about who’s on the stage and who’s not. This is cool for me, because it’s new, it’s old and we’re heading in a new direction,” offered Rich Robinson, founding member of the Black Crowes and the heart of of his current band, the Magpie Salute, during their mammoth set at Boston’s Wilbur Theatre on August 3rd. A set, which indeed did include Crowes hits, deep cuts, covers by the band’s influences and even a few nuggets from his and singer, John Hogg’s short-lived tenure together in the brilliant outfit, Hookah Brown.
Waiting in line, the Black Crowes die-hard fan base, could be overheard discussing the Magpie’s recent shows and set lists, favorite songs, their own experiences and what they were hoping to see and hear during the night’s set to come. And yes, they were also discussing the aforementioned who was going to be on stage and who was not, including the tragic loss of keyboardist Eddie Harsch, to whom Rich Robinson always lovingly referred to as “Ol’ Weird Ed” and as one of his best friends. As the line moved past security and into the theater, the loyal die-hards firmly set up shop against the stage, claiming their spot for the next three hours.
As a trusty stage hand waved a rather large hand-held torch, which resembled a Cheech and Chong-sized joint, to light the sticks of incense that lined the front of the stage, the audience cheered as they knew it was time for the show. The house music cut out, the lights dimmed and the back line of the Salute sauntered out before Rich, John and fan-favorite Marc Ford took to the front of the stage with smiles and waves, much to the audience’s delight. With a few noodles on Ford’s and Robinson’s guitars, the band did not waste any time in kicking off the set with a hat trick from the Black Crowes’ catalog. Robinson’s feedback and toggle-switch intro to “Midnight” got the set off to a blistering start. The majority of the audience sang along to “Halfway”, especially during the chorus. “Hotel” was a great nod to the Southern Harmony-era with Marc Ford effortlessly recreating his bluesy and heartfelt lead work.
“Old lady” brought a Marc Ford & the Neptunes track into the mix. It was followed by “I Remember”, a track from Robinson’s solo efforts. Both songs were appreciated by those who knew them, but a roar emitted from the crowd as Robinson laid into the nasty opening riff to “Omission”, a gritty, unreleased Hookah Brown track that went straight for the jugular. Hogg showed his cards as he belted out his introspective lyrics over the meaty riffs that Robinson has become known for. Bassist Sven Pipien and drummer Joe Magistro bolstered this heavy rocker, by not holding back on their respective instruments in the least. “Omission” had been receiving local radio airplay and was a staple in Hookah’s live sets. It was killer then and it was even more so now with the powerhouse ensemble behind it. Magpie ended the first section of their set with a pair of covers by the Allman Brothers Band and the Rolling Stones before switching their game up a bit as they prepared for an acoustic set.
Ford, Hogg and Robinson all shined as they peeled through Little Feat’s “Roll Um Easy” and their take on Rod Stewart’s “Gasoline Alley”. Hogg’s gravelly voice was, and has always provided, a perfect compliment to any Stewart piece that he’s performed. The band beautifully put their spin on “How Much for Your Wings”. But, when it came to “Better When Your Not Alone”, technical difficulties with Ford’s rig only added to what could be best described as discombobulated. Ford did get his guitar confusion straightened out in time for an aggressive, wah-saturated solo on his Les Paul, but there was something awry as a whole. Maybe it was the heat. It was brutally hot inside the theater and one attendee passed out during the song and had to be carted off by several house staff and security.
Magpie changed gears once again to a full-on electric set for the rest of the evening with another double shot of Ford’s and Robinson solo tracks and another pair of covers by R.L. Burnside and Pink Floyd. All of the members of the band, got a few moments in the spotlight to solo for a bit before Floyd’s “Fearless” – which fit right in with the setlist as it neared it’s conclusion with three deep cuts from the Crowes, including the festive “One Mirror Too Many”, which found those in attendance offering their vocal support throughout.
However, the party was not over. Robinson took a moment to interject, “So, this is when we’d walk off before an encore. But, we’re gonna skip it. You guys knew we were coming back. We just started this and, thank you. We’ve all been in the same rooms a lot, right? Thanks for being open-minded about who’s on the stage and who’s not. This is cool for me, because it’s new, it’s old and we’re heading in a new direction. So, we thought we’d play this for you.” And, the band could not have chosen two better songs to end the final set. The ten-piece ensemble masterfully bestowed two more Southern Harmony gems upon the gracious audience. “Sometimes Salvation” and the juggernaut “No Speak No Slave” were glorious. Both numbers allowed for all members of the band to shine, including the gorgeous and soulful voices of Kat Ottosen, Adrien Reju, and Crowes alum – Charity White. And if the the crowd wasn’t riled up enough already from Ford’s “Salvation” solo, “No Speak No Slave” literally had the audience jumping up and down, raising the roof and shaking the theater to it’s foundation. Ford’s and Robinson’s dual lead, with third guitarist Nico Bereciartua who admirably soldiered through the rhythm role, put the icing on the cake for many.
Rich Robinson, who is always busy with his art, whether it be his music or his painting, always manages to remember his and his respective band’s fans. The Magpie Salute’s performance came across as a selfless gift to them. Though not completely polished just yet, this group of friends on stage were clearly relaxed and confident as they performed for nearly two hours in the Wilbur’s stuffy theater. Robinson and Co. could have played it safe and filled the set with the Crowes’ hits. But, keeping true to themselves and actually true with their own band’s traditions, they put smiles on all of the audience’s faces with a small sample of hits, plenty of fan-favorite deep cuts and stellar renditions of songs that inspired them to become the musicians that they are today and thus, providing a high-quality performance that did not lack in quantity. For that, Magpie, we salute you!
