The Black Crowes - August 27, 2009 @ Bank of America Pavilion

While "Before the Frost...Until the Freeze" is not to be officially released until next Monday, some 2500 fans got a very generous preview last night when the "Stuck Inside Utopia Tour" rolled into the bank of America Pavillion.

The blues-rock band took the stage at 8:45 PM, opening with "Good Morning Captain", which is the opening track on the forthcoming album; this song segued into "Make Glad", another track off the new album. From here, at least every alternating song was a new track, and while the audience wasn't familiar with these yet to be released songs, the songs were really well received because they were meant to be played live. After all, "Before the Frost...Until the Freeze" was recorded in front of a live audience at Levon Helm's barn in Woodstock, NY.

Chris Robinson's vocals were strong throughout the night, and they were well enhanced by his ability to harmonize with the backing vocalists. His harmonica abilities also added a unique touch to many of the early songs in the set. On guitar were Rich Robinson and Luther Dickenson, who used both acoustic and electric guitars throughout the night. While Rich is a founding member of the band, Luther Dickenson has only been playing with the Crowes for about two years. However, Dickenson's performance last night would have been able to fool any non-diehard into believing that he has been with the band for the past two decades.

While the audience was enthusiastic about the new material, which made up the lion's share of the two hour set, they responded best to "She Talks To Angels", the acoustic driven first single from 1990's Shake Your Money Maker.

The Levon Helm Band's one-hour opening set featured songs from his recent release: "Electric Dirt." While he himself was not to sing under doctor's orders, he nonetheless sat at the front of stage left with his drums as he faced some dozen bandmates. He remained an important presence as his fellow band members, including daughter Amy Helm, took over the vocals . In addition to playing songs from the new album, the band covered the Grateful Dead's "Tennesse Jed", and pulled out songs from The Band's catalogue such as "Chest Fever" and "It Makes No Difference."

Setlist:

1. Good Morning Captain
2. Make Glad
3. Let Me Share The Ride
4. Houston Don't Dream About Me
5. Whoa Mule
6. Shine Along
7. Appaloosa
8. She Gave Good Sunflower
9. High Head Blues
10. I Ain't Hiding
11. What Is Home
12. Movin' On Down The Line
13. A Train Still Makes A Lonely Sound
14. Sometimes Salvation
15. Twice As Hard
16. Been A Long Time (Waiting On Love)

Encore:

1. She Talks To Angels
2. Shake Your Money Maker