The Black Crowes, Southern Harmony and Musical Companion (1992)

A fan’s notes

Breaking out of the gate in 1992, The Black Crowes second album, The Southern Harmony and Musical Companion, went number one on the Billboard chart and sold double-platinum. The Crowes were on a roll.

The first track, Sting me, a foot-stomping riff, a cantankerous boogie-rocking mind blast. Marc Ford announces himself with an excellent solo; when this solo takes off, blasted out from the raucousness, one feels buoyant on a hyper-sonic storm. The backing singers — Barbara Mitchell and Taj Artis, featured throughout the album — are prominent in call and response with lead vocalist Chris Robinson, ‘Can you sting me?’

The second track, Remedy, is the album's lead single. The drums and bass rhythm attack, delivered by Steve Gorman and Johnny Colt, gets the listener grooving in a way that makes them feel good; likewise, the fat and cracking guitars of Rich Robinson and Marc Ford as they engage in a persistent duel guitar attack; deliciously violet-crumble vibes, with the singing on top ‘If you come on like a dream, will you let me show you what I mean?’ Barbara and Taj lifting with Chris on the chorus: ‘If I had a Remedy, I’d take enough to please me’. Is the remedy by way of relief for rock star hedonistic behaviour and excess, or is it more fuel for hot licks of orange flame…