Warpaint (The Black Crowes album)
Encyclopedia
Warpaint is a 2008 album by blues-rock
band The Black Crowes
. Released on March 3, 2008, it was the band's first studio album in almost seven years, and its first with new members Luther Dickinson
and Adam MacDougall
, as well as the first to be released on the band's own Silver Arrow Records label. Despite its predecessor selling more copies, Warpaint debuted 15 spots higher in the United States.
and Eddie Harsch
in September 2006, The Black Crowes enlisted Paul Stacey
and Rob Clores
to handle lead guitar and keyboard duties, respectively. Adam MacDougall
replaced Clores just before the Warpaint sessions began, and Paul Stacey returned to the producer’s chair with the hiring of Luther Dickinson
of North Mississippi Allstars
to play guitar. (Aside from a couple of appearances in September, Dickinson didn’t join the band on the road until the release of Warpaint, leaving Stacey to play the remainder of their concerts in 2007.)
Though the band had debuted new songs sporadically in concert since reforming in 2005, none of them were included on Warpaint, with only the intro of "Movin’ On Down the Line" having been performed for a live audience (as part of a jam in the middle of "Soul Singing"). It was a conscious decision to leave the road-tested songs behind; as Chris Robinson told Rolling Stone
, "I wanted to show people where we are now." Rich Robinson
wrote the music and would send CDs to Chris, who would add the lyrics and their melodies.
In July 2007, the band gathered at Allaire Studios in the Catskill Mountains
of Upstate New York
to record, finding that the remote setting contributed to the relative ease of recording.
According to Chris, so as not to lose "the dynamic of the group, the dynamic of music and the balance within that", the tracks were recorded live, with few overdubs. Only one take was necessary to capture "Evergreen", while "Whoa Mule" was recorded outdoors. The atmosphere and the band’s approach allowed the sessions to be completed in just three weeks.
Various band members have also spoken about the contributions of Dickinson and MacDougall. "Sometimes when new people come in it brings so many positive changes", said Rich. "Adam came in and tried out and everyone was impressed, but when we got into the studio everyone's jaws dropped."
Sven Pipien remarked, "The beauty of Luther is more than any note he's playing is the feeling behind that note. He was saying exactly what we want to say, and the same thing goes for Adam. Eddie [Harsch] is not the easiest guy to replace but Adam is his own man AND he fills those shoes really well."
in its March 2008 issue prompted The Black Crowes' management to issue a press release denouncing the publication,http://www.blackcrowes.com/Release_MAXIM.html as no promotional copies of the album were distributed, meaning only the single edit of "Goodbye Daughters of the Revolution" could have been heard before the review was written. The story was picked up by the Associated Press
, and preceded an exchange in which Maxim apologized to its readers and The Black Crowes' management slammed the magazine's editors for not apologizing to the band.http://www.blackcrowes.com/maxim_2.html Black Crowes' manager Pete Angelus then followed up with an open letter to Maxim and its editorial director, James Kaminsky.http://www.blackcrowes.com/OPEN_LETTER_TO_MAXIM.html
The writer of the review, David Peisner, claimed in an interview with the Los Angeles Times that he'd been assigned to write a preview of the album, and that his writing had been presented by Maxim as if it were a full review. With the magazine facing increased criticism over rating unheard albums, including one by rapper Nas
, Kaminsky promised that future previews will be labeled as such.
, except where noted.
The picture disc vinyl version of the album includes a bonus 7" disc with "Here Comes Daylight" and "Hole in Your Soul". These tracks are bundled with the iTunes version of the album, as well, though "Hole in Your Soul" was only available if pre-ordered.
According to Crowesbase.com, the band's official archives website, four other songs were recorded, and they were titled, "Movin' On" (different from "Movin' On Down the Line"), "Ready For Rain", "Natural Born Turn It On", and "Share My Blanket". No word on whether these will be included on future releases.
Blues-rock
Blues rock is a hybrid musical genre combining bluesy improvisations over the 12-bar blues and extended boogie jams with rock and roll styles. The core of the blues rock sound is created by the electric guitar, piano, bass guitar and drum kit, with the electric guitar usually amplified through a...
band The Black Crowes
The Black Crowes
The Black Crowes are an American rock band formed in 1989. Their discography includes nine studio albums, four live albums and several charting singles. The band was signed to Def American Recordings in 1989 by producer George Drakoulias and released their debut album, Shake Your Money Maker, the...
. Released on March 3, 2008, it was the band's first studio album in almost seven years, and its first with new members Luther Dickinson
Luther Dickinson
Luther Dickinson is the lead guitarist and vocalist for the North Mississippi Allstars as well as lead guitarist for The Black Crowes...
and Adam MacDougall
Adam MacDougall (keyboardist)
Adam MacDougall was born in August 1974 in New York City, New York. MacDougall is the keyboardist who replaced Rob Clores in The Black Crowes in time to record Warpaint in July 2007. Previously, he was a member of The Ben Taylor Band, and he has also toured with Macy Gray and Patti Rothberg.-Notes:...
, as well as the first to be released on the band's own Silver Arrow Records label. Despite its predecessor selling more copies, Warpaint debuted 15 spots higher in the United States.
Writing and production
Following the departures of Marc FordMarc Ford
Marc Ford , is an American blues-rock guitarist. He's a former lead guitarist of the rock and roll jam band The Black Crowes and the leader of his own bands .-Burning Tree:Ford began his career with the blues-rock outfit Burning...
and Eddie Harsch
Eddie Harsch
Eddie Harsch is a Canadian-American keyboardist and current member of Detroit-based jam band Bulldog. Previously, he was The Black Crowes' keyboardist from 1991 to 2006. Harsch first joined Bulldog during The Black Crowes' hiatus, which lasted from early 2002 to early 2005...
in September 2006, The Black Crowes enlisted Paul Stacey
Paul Stacey
Paul Stacey is a British guitarist and producer, best known for his work with Oasis and The Black Crowes.Paul Stacey's early work included the 1990s band, The Lemon Trees and Denzil....
and Rob Clores
Rob Clores
Rob Clores is a New York based keyboard player who has worked with artists The Black Crowes, Men At Work frontman Colin Hay, Blues Traveler frontman John Popper, Spin Doctors frontman Chris Barron and Gov't Mule leader Warren Haynes.-External links:*...
to handle lead guitar and keyboard duties, respectively. Adam MacDougall
Adam MacDougall (keyboardist)
Adam MacDougall was born in August 1974 in New York City, New York. MacDougall is the keyboardist who replaced Rob Clores in The Black Crowes in time to record Warpaint in July 2007. Previously, he was a member of The Ben Taylor Band, and he has also toured with Macy Gray and Patti Rothberg.-Notes:...
replaced Clores just before the Warpaint sessions began, and Paul Stacey returned to the producer’s chair with the hiring of Luther Dickinson
Luther Dickinson
Luther Dickinson is the lead guitarist and vocalist for the North Mississippi Allstars as well as lead guitarist for The Black Crowes...
of North Mississippi Allstars
North Mississippi Allstars
North Mississippi Allstars is a Southern rock/blues jam band from Hernando, Mississippi, founded in 1996. The band is composed of brothers Luther Dickinson and Cody Dickinson , and Chris Chew...
to play guitar. (Aside from a couple of appearances in September, Dickinson didn’t join the band on the road until the release of Warpaint, leaving Stacey to play the remainder of their concerts in 2007.)
Though the band had debuted new songs sporadically in concert since reforming in 2005, none of them were included on Warpaint, with only the intro of "Movin’ On Down the Line" having been performed for a live audience (as part of a jam in the middle of "Soul Singing"). It was a conscious decision to leave the road-tested songs behind; as Chris Robinson told Rolling Stone
Rolling Stone
Rolling Stone is a US-based magazine devoted to music, liberal politics, and popular culture that is published every two weeks. Rolling Stone was founded in San Francisco in 1967 by Jann Wenner and music critic Ralph J...
, "I wanted to show people where we are now." Rich Robinson
Rich Robinson
Rich Robinson is an American musician and founding member of the rock and roll band The Black Crowes. Along with older brother Chris Robinson, Rich formed the band in 1984 while the two were in high school...
wrote the music and would send CDs to Chris, who would add the lyrics and their melodies.
In July 2007, the band gathered at Allaire Studios in the Catskill Mountains
Catskill Mountains
The Catskill Mountains, an area in New York State northwest of New York City and southwest of Albany, are a mature dissected plateau, an uplifted region that was subsequently eroded into sharp relief. They are an eastward continuation, and the highest representation, of the Allegheny Plateau...
of Upstate New York
Upstate New York
Upstate New York is the region of the U.S. state of New York that is located north of the core of the New York metropolitan area.-Definition:There is no clear or official boundary between Upstate New York and Downstate New York...
to record, finding that the remote setting contributed to the relative ease of recording.
According to Chris, so as not to lose "the dynamic of the group, the dynamic of music and the balance within that", the tracks were recorded live, with few overdubs. Only one take was necessary to capture "Evergreen", while "Whoa Mule" was recorded outdoors. The atmosphere and the band’s approach allowed the sessions to be completed in just three weeks.
Various band members have also spoken about the contributions of Dickinson and MacDougall. "Sometimes when new people come in it brings so many positive changes", said Rich. "Adam came in and tried out and everyone was impressed, but when we got into the studio everyone's jaws dropped."
Sven Pipien remarked, "The beauty of Luther is more than any note he's playing is the feeling behind that note. He was saying exactly what we want to say, and the same thing goes for Adam. Eddie [Harsch] is not the easiest guy to replace but Adam is his own man AND he fills those shoes really well."
Maxim review controversy
A review of Warpaint published by MaximMaxim (magazine)
Maxim is an international men's magazine based in the United Kingdom and known for its pictorials featuring popular actresses, singers, and female models, sometimes pictured dressed, often pictured scantily dressed but not fully nude....
in its March 2008 issue prompted The Black Crowes' management to issue a press release denouncing the publication,http://www.blackcrowes.com/Release_MAXIM.html as no promotional copies of the album were distributed, meaning only the single edit of "Goodbye Daughters of the Revolution" could have been heard before the review was written. The story was picked up by the Associated Press
Associated Press
The Associated Press is an American news agency. The AP is a cooperative owned by its contributing newspapers, radio and television stations in the United States, which both contribute stories to the AP and use material written by its staff journalists...
, and preceded an exchange in which Maxim apologized to its readers and The Black Crowes' management slammed the magazine's editors for not apologizing to the band.http://www.blackcrowes.com/maxim_2.html Black Crowes' manager Pete Angelus then followed up with an open letter to Maxim and its editorial director, James Kaminsky.http://www.blackcrowes.com/OPEN_LETTER_TO_MAXIM.html
The writer of the review, David Peisner, claimed in an interview with the Los Angeles Times that he'd been assigned to write a preview of the album, and that his writing had been presented by Maxim as if it were a full review. With the magazine facing increased criticism over rating unheard albums, including one by rapper Nas
Nas
Nasir bin Olu Dara Jones, who performs under the name Nas , formerly Nasty Nas, is an American rapper and actor. He is regarded as one of the most important figures in hip hop and one of the most skilled and influential rappers of all-time...
, Kaminsky promised that future previews will be labeled as such.
Track listing
All songs written by Chris Robinson and Rich RobinsonRich Robinson
Rich Robinson is an American musician and founding member of the rock and roll band The Black Crowes. Along with older brother Chris Robinson, Rich formed the band in 1984 while the two were in high school...
, except where noted.
- "Goodbye Daughters of the Revolution" – 5:03
- "Walk Believer Walk" – 4:39
- "Oh Josephine" – 6:38
- "Evergreen" – 4:20
- "Wee Who See the Deep" – 4:50
- "Locust Street" – 4:14
- "Movin' On Down the Line" – 5:42
- "Wounded Bird" – 4:23
- "God's Got It" (Rev. Charlie Jackson) – 3:22
- "There's Gold in Them Hills" – 4:47
- "Whoa Mule" – 5:45
Bonus tracks
- "Here Comes Daylight" – 3:46
- "Hole in Your Soul" (Joe SouthJoe SouthJoe South is a multi-talented American singer-songwriter and guitarist.-Career:...
) – 3:39
The picture disc vinyl version of the album includes a bonus 7" disc with "Here Comes Daylight" and "Hole in Your Soul". These tracks are bundled with the iTunes version of the album, as well, though "Hole in Your Soul" was only available if pre-ordered.
According to Crowesbase.com, the band's official archives website, four other songs were recorded, and they were titled, "Movin' On" (different from "Movin' On Down the Line"), "Ready For Rain", "Natural Born Turn It On", and "Share My Blanket". No word on whether these will be included on future releases.
Personnel
- Chris Robinson – vocals, harmonicaHarmonicaThe harmonica, also called harp, French harp, blues harp, and mouth organ, is a free reed wind instrument used primarily in blues and American folk music, jazz, country, and rock and roll. It is played by blowing air into it or drawing air out by placing lips over individual holes or multiple holes...
, percussion - Rich RobinsonRich RobinsonRich Robinson is an American musician and founding member of the rock and roll band The Black Crowes. Along with older brother Chris Robinson, Rich formed the band in 1984 while the two were in high school...
– guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
s - Luther DickinsonLuther DickinsonLuther Dickinson is the lead guitarist and vocalist for the North Mississippi Allstars as well as lead guitarist for The Black Crowes...
– guitar, mandolin on "Locust Street" - Steve GormanSteve GormanSteve Gorman is a musician best known as the drummer of the American hard rock band The Black Crowes. He also spent some time as the drummer for British rock band Stereophonics.- Early career :...
– drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person .... - Adam MacDougallAdam MacDougall (keyboardist)Adam MacDougall was born in August 1974 in New York City, New York. MacDougall is the keyboardist who replaced Rob Clores in The Black Crowes in time to record Warpaint in July 2007. Previously, he was a member of The Ben Taylor Band, and he has also toured with Macy Gray and Patti Rothberg.-Notes:...
– keyboardsKeyboard instrumentA keyboard instrument is a musical instrument which is played using a musical keyboard. The most common of these is the piano. Other widely used keyboard instruments include organs of various types as well as other mechanical, electromechanical and electronic instruments... - Sven PipienSven PipienSven Pipien is a musician best known as the bassist of the hard rock band The Black Crowes. He had previously played bass with Atlanta-based Mary My Hope, who released one album on Silvertone Records....
– bass guitarBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
Production
- Paul Stacey – producer, engineer, mixing
- Justin Kessler – Pro ToolsPro ToolsPro Tools is a digital audio workstation platform for Microsoft Windows and Mac OS X operating systems, developed and manufactured by Avid Technology. It is widely used by professionals throughout the audio industries for recording and editing in music production, film scoring, film, and television...
operator, second engineer (studio) - Matt Howe, Justin Lawson – Pro Tools operator, second engineer (mix)
- Pete Angelus – manager (Angelus Entertainment)
- Amy Finkle – manager (Angelus Entertainment, East Coast)
- Joshua Marc Levy – illustrations
- Matthew Mendenhall – photography
- Chris Robinson – collage
Album
| Chart (2008) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| U.S. Billboard 200 Billboard 200 The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists... |
5 |
| Swedish Album Charts Sverigetopplistan Sverigetopplistan, earlier known as Topplistan and Hitlistan and other names, is since October 2007 the Swedish national record chart, based on sales data from Swedish Recording Industry Association .... |
50 |
Singles
| Year | Single | Chart | Peak position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | "Goodbye Daughters of the Revolution" | U.S. Billboard Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks | 33 |