Fans looking to wet their beaks on new Crowrider material may want to venture out to one of the many live engagements the band has lined up for the coming months.
Guitarist Dino Bambino reports that they are laying down tracks for a forthcoming disc and the chemistry with studio owner William Beale has been amazing, but he is quick to note there are myriad reasons the music may not be available for mass consumption soon.
“The studio, 1410 media, is in Willington, Connecticut for starters,” he explains. “And we are all also perfectionists and very meticulous with our craft. Throw in the fact that we all have priors and can’t be on parole at once, and it all gets tricky.”
Despite such restraints real or exaggerated, Crowrider members Bambino, Dave Buscemi, Nicki St. James, and Chris Gaudreau have managed to fill their spring calendar — and be in the same vicinity — for a slew of live dates in the meantime. Last month saw them at Turners Falls’ Between the Uprights and the 13th Floor. On Friday, April 24, Crowrider beelines to Springfield’s Bing Arts Center for a sonic experience with scene stalwart Mark Schwaber and junkyard rock hero Wishbone Zoe.
“It’s super exciting for me because I grew up at the X and used to see movies at the Bing as a kid,” Bambino says. “It’s splendid to see Springfield doing something like that to support the arts. And despite all the members of our band and Mark Schwaber both being around for a million years, we’ve never had the chance to share a stage with him before, so we are all very much looking forward to that experience as well.”
Speaking of Crowes … a couple of recently announced shows suggest that the brothers Robinson of Black Crowes notoriety will not be flocking together this summer.
A couple of years ago, frontman Chris Robinson announced a new project called Chris Robinson Brotherhood — affectionately re-dubbed the CRB by fans — and released two albums in a matter of months. While the CRB also played some 50 shows over a nine-week period, they were almost all within the confines of the Golden State.
Now, in support of their latest release, Phosphorescent Harvest, Chris Robinson Brotherhood has plotted a course clear across the nation this summer, including stops at the Levitate Music & Arts Festival (levitatemusicfestival.com) July 11 and the Lowell Summer Music Series (lowellsummermusic.org) July 17. Just don’t expect them to be arriving in an energy-efficient vehicle.
“Our music will not sell you a Prius, and I like that,” Robinson notes of the new project. “Real success can only come in pursuit of authentic sound. We’re all very committed to this music, beyond money and egos. That’s a unique place to be.”
A little more than one month before that, Robinson’s brother and longtime Crowe bandmate Rich promises an acoustic evening at Hartford’s Infinity Hall (infinityhall.com) June 4. He has enlisted the services of journeyman singer Dave O’Grady. Tix for this show range from $34 to $44.
Since we’ve gone to Infinity, why not go beyond? Or, actually, to a concert much sooner than that. Forced to cancel earlier this year due to a family emergency, the Bernie Williams Quartet has been rescheduled for the Hartford ’Fin for Saturday, April 11. Yes, that Bernie Williams — the very one who patrolled centerfield for the Bronx Bombers for some 16 years and nabbed four Series rings in the process. Apparently he can knock in RBIs and lay down some silky smooth R&B/jazz licks.
Of course, all tickets from the original January performance will be honored for this show. Remaining seats are fetching $60-$80.•
Send correspondence to Nightcrawler, P.O. box 427, Somers, CT 06071; fax to (860) 394-4262 or email garycarra@aol.com.
