Counting Crows

Options
2

Comments

  • Wobbie
    Wobbie Posts: 31,238
    clearly....a bit of a tortured artist. :shock:

    0811090547454731110_7980_v1.jpg

    all these awful live versions you're talking about :? ....Across a Wire (1998) had great live versions...but maybe that was the band the OP remembers.

    finally:

    sidesho_bob_2.gif
    If I had known then what I know now...

    Vegas 93, Vegas 98, Vegas 00 (10 year show), Vegas 03, Vegas 06
    VIC 07
    EV LA1 08
    Seattle1 09, Seattle2 09, Salt Lake 09, LA4 09
    Columbus 10
    EV LA 11
    Vancouver 11
    Missoula 12
    Portland 13, Spokane 13
    St. Paul 14, Denver 14
    Philly I & II, 16
    Denver 22
  • josevolution
    josevolution Posts: 31,540
    They have allways sucked in my opinion ....
    jesus greets me looks just like me ....
  • locked
    locked Boston Posts: 4,048
    I loved them up thru the lbum with Mrs. Potter lullby and Hanging round,,

    Not a big fan odd Hard Candy but Sundays and Saturdys iIS a return to their greatness in song writing.

    unfortunately their ability to translate songs in live setting (which used to be their strong suit) is gone , fini.

    The reason, Adam Duritz... he can't sing like he used to seems to be burned out with touring and has taken to wearing wig of fake dreadlocks.

    Not sure why people hve been raising the "he doesn't sing the songs like the originl version" he hs been doing tht since 1992 ever since Van Morrison told him it was the only way not to "get bored" singing the sme songs every night (another gret vocalist who butcheres his orginals live)
    its suppose to be some kind of jazz ethic.

    school dismisseed!

    ;)
    "This here's a REQUEST!"
    EV intro to Chloe Dancer / Crown of Thorns
    10/25/13 Hartford
  • goldrush
    goldrush everybody knows this is nowhere Posts: 7,787
    Probably the most frustrating live band around, Adam Duritz would do well to go back and listen to their records and re-learn the vocal melodies. I saw them live a few years back and he basically changed every melody, to the point that it prety much killed any sing-alongs. Now I'm all for a bit of improvisation, but he sounded more drunk and incoherent. Here is Mr Jones from the show I was at, fucking woeful:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z8rjGB3lR7s
    Hmm, I was just about to post my own video of this exact same performance and say how much I loved it! :D

    I've seen them 4 or 5 times over the years and I have always been blown away by them. I love the fact that Adam changes the melodies and lyrics live, it's part of the theatrical way that he performs and it makes each performance unique in my opinion.

    He's been doing it since the early days (on the Across a Wire album "Round Here" has lyrics from "Have You Seen Me Lately?" and the introduction to "Mr. Jones" includes lyrics from "Miller's Angels" and "So You Wanna Be A Rock & Roll Star") and I guess it's one of those things that you either love or hate.

    For what it's worth, this is my Mr Jones video and I'm only posting this to show how much energy the crowd put into singing every word. It certainly didn't feel like he killed the sing alongs:
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qb__16I4RcM
    “Do not postpone happiness”
    (Jeff Tweedy, Sydney 2007)

    “Put yer good money on the sunrise”
    (Tim Rogers)
  • facepollution
    facepollution Posts: 6,834
    goldrush wrote:
    Hmm, I was just about to post my own video of this exact same performance and say how much I loved it! :D

    I've seen them 4 or 5 times over the years and I have always been blown away by them. I love the fact that Adam changes the melodies and lyrics live, it's part of the theatrical way that he performs and it makes each performance unique in my opinion.

    He's been doing it since the early days (on the Across a Wire album "Round Here" has lyrics from "Have You Seen Me Lately?" and the introduction to "Mr. Jones" includes lyrics from "Miller's Angels" and "So You Wanna Be A Rock & Roll Star") and I guess it's one of those things that you either love or hate.

    For what it's worth, this is my Mr Jones video and I'm only posting this to show how much energy the crowd put into singing every word. It certainly didn't feel like he killed the sing alongs:
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qb__16I4RcM

    He's clearly drunk or high in that performance. I've seen them about five times live including both festivals and their own shows, and that was by far the worst. Like I said in my first post, some improvisation is cool, I don't mind him putting bits of other songs in there, I mean Ed does that all the time and it sounds great. However, in that Mr. Jones video he is nowhere near the melody, it doesn't sound special or unique to my ears, it sounds like he's rambling and can't keep up with the song. I was in that crowd and sure everyone was trying to sing along, but they were singing the original melody, it would have been nice if Mr.Duritz had joined us for at least some of it.

    Imagine if Ed started singing Alive in the same dis-jointed way, like it or not, some people want to hear those big songs, and I think it's down to the artists to do them some kind of justice.
  • red mos
    red mos Posts: 4,953
    I saw the counting crows on their recovering the satelites tour and thought it was good. Saying that though, I have never felt the need to see them live again and that was 14 years ago. One time sufficed.

    Like many, just lost interest or the connection. However, they still have a solid fanbase that probably think "Hard candy", "saturday nights, / Sunday mornings is the holy grail of the Coubting crows catalog.
    PJ: 10/14/00 06/09/03 10/4/09 11/15/13 11/16/13 10/08/14
    EV Solo: 7/11/11 11/12/12 11/13/12
  • dcfaithful
    dcfaithful Posts: 13,076
    red mos wrote:
    I saw the counting crows on their recovering the satelites tour and thought it was good. Saying that though, I have never felt the need to see them live again and that was 14 years ago. One time sufficed.

    Like many, just lost interest or the connection. However, they still have a solid fanbase that probably think "Hard candy", "saturday nights, / Sunday mornings is the holy grail of the Coubting crows catalog.

    I actually don't think Hard Candy is too bad. "If I Could Give All My Love To You or Richard Manuel Is Dead" is a pretty awesome song, mind you this is only my opinion.
    7/2/06 - Denver, CO
    6/12/08 - Tampa, FL
    8/23/09 - Chicago, IL
    9/28/09 - Salt Lake City, UT (11 years too long!!!)
    9/03/11 - East Troy, WI - PJ20 - Night 1
    9/04/11 - East Troy, WI - PJ20 - Night 2
  • Along with PJ and Alice in Chains, the Crows were in my holy trinity of favorite bands growing up.

    Today, they suck ass.

    Why?

    cuz Adam Duritz has fake dreads :x
    and there are like 8 band members...and the only original member left is fake dreads
    and because Adam Duritz feels the need to change the way he sings songs live, which in turn makes them suck ass.
    I used to like them too...i know...its sad.
    Mansfield, MA - Jul 02, 2003; Mansfield, MA - Jul 03, 2003; Mansfield, MA - Jul 11, 2003; Boston, MA - Sep 29, 2004; Reading, PA - Oct 01, 2004; Hartford, CT - May 13, 2006; Boston, MA - May 24, 2006; Boston, MA - May 25, 2006; Hartford, CT - Jun 27, 2008; Mansfield, MA - Jun 28, 2008; Mansfield, MA - June 30, 2008; Hartford, CT - May 15, 2010; Boston, MA - May 17, 2010; [EV - Providence, RI - June 15, 2011; EV - Hartford, CT - June 18, 2011]; Worcester, MA - Oct. 15, 2013; Worcester, MA - Oct. 16, 2013; Hartford, CT - Oct. 25, 2013; Boston, MA -  August 5, 2016; Boston, MA - August 7, 2016...



  • Seen them twice and thought they were great. I can see where people would get annoyed where they re-work stuff but in my experiences they didn't go overboard with it. I remember seeing 'Omaha' 'Long December' 'Colorblind' and 'Rain King' and they were just like the originals. The shows I saw were just straight Counting Crows shows though so I couldn't give an opinion on the new Travelling Circus stuff. I also got introduced to the Hold Steady through seeing them as a support which was a bonus. I would go and see them again defenitely.

    As for the albums I find Hard Candy up there with there best work. SNSM took a while to get into but I certainly enjoy it now. IMO Desert Life is probably their weakest effort. August is a masterpiece.
    2007 London
    2009 Manchester
    2010 Dublin / London
    2012 Manchester I & II / Berlin I & II / EV: Manchester
    2014 Amsterdam I & II / Vienna / Berlin / Leeds
  • facepollution
    facepollution Posts: 6,834
    I think Recovering The Satellites is probably my favourite, some really good stuff on there. Just listening to Have You Seen Me Lately at the moment, his voice from the bridge onwards is AMAZING, I wonder if he's ever pulled that off live?
  • goldrush
    goldrush everybody knows this is nowhere Posts: 7,787
    Along with PJ and Alice in Chains, the Crows were in my holy trinity of favorite bands growing up.

    Today, they suck ass.

    Why?

    cuz Adam Duritz has fake dreads :x
    and there are like 8 band members...and the only original member left is fake dreads
    and because Adam Duritz feels the need to change the way he sings songs live, which in turn makes them suck ass.
    I used to like them too...i know...its sad.
    Actually, of the seven members that are in the band now 3 are originals (Adam, Charlie and David Bryson), Dan has been with them since just after "August And Everything After" out and, although he didn't officially join until 1999, David Immerglück has played with them since the beginning (including playing on "August And Everything After"). Sorry to be picky but...

    Like I've said before, I like the way that Adam changes the way that he sings the songs live. I'd rather that than he forgets the words to his own songs like a certain other singer that we all love so much...
    “Do not postpone happiness”
    (Jeff Tweedy, Sydney 2007)

    “Put yer good money on the sunrise”
    (Tim Rogers)
  • facepollution
    facepollution Posts: 6,834
    goldrush wrote:
    Like I've said before, I like the way that Adam changes the way that he sings the songs live. I'd rather that than he forgets the words to his own songs like a certain other singer that we all love so much...

    What and Adam doesn't ever forget words to his songs? Sorry but that seems like a really odd statement you're making there - a rambling tuneless vocal performance can ruin a song, far more so than someone forgetting the odd word here or there. I don't want to sound harsh so please forgive me, but it sounds a little bit fanboy-ish, like you'll accept any old shit just because it's 'unique'. Sure some improvisations can work, but some aren't going to work so well. A lot of the time it just sounds indulgent, like he's forgotten who he's there to sing for.
  • Yellow Ledbelly
    Yellow Ledbelly Posts: 3,749
    goldrush wrote:
    Like I've said before, I like the way that Adam changes the way that he sings the songs live. I'd rather that than he forgets the words to his own songs like a certain other singer that we all love so much...

    What and Adam doesn't ever forget words to his songs? Sorry but that seems like a really odd statement you're making there - a rambling tuneless vocal performance can ruin a song, far more so than someone forgetting the odd word here or there. I don't want to sound harsh so please forgive me, but it sounds a little bit fanboy-ish, like you'll accept any old shit just because it's 'unique'. Sure some improvisations can work, but some aren't going to work so well. A lot of the time it just sounds indulgent, like he's forgotten who he's there to sing for.
    We've all seen singers butcher the National Anthem trying to be 'unique' or in the name of spicing it up or showing off....from what I've heard of the Crows live....Adam pretty much slaughters every song at some point or another and it is bad....very bad.
    All I have to do is revel in the everyday....then do it again tomorrow

    They say every sin is deadly but I believe they may be wrong...I'm guilty of all seven and I don't feel too bad at all
  • eyedclaar
    eyedclaar Posts: 6,980
    Mr. America, real men listen to the Black Crowes, not the Counting Crows. You'll thank me on your wedding night. Carry on. This has been a public service announcement.
    Idaho's Premier Outdoor Writer

    Please Support My Writing Habit By Purchasing A Book:

    https://www.createspace.com/3437020

    http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000663025696

    http://earthtremors.blogspot.com/
  • Yellow Ledbelly
    Yellow Ledbelly Posts: 3,749
    eyedclaar wrote:
    Mr. America, real men listen to the Black Crowes, not the Counting Crows. You'll thank me on your wedding night. Carry on. This has been a public service announcement.
    :clap::D:D :thumbup:
    All I have to do is revel in the everyday....then do it again tomorrow

    They say every sin is deadly but I believe they may be wrong...I'm guilty of all seven and I don't feel too bad at all
  • Wobbie
    Wobbie Posts: 31,238
    eyedclaar wrote:
    Mr. America, real men listen to the Black Crowes, not the Counting Crows. You'll thank me on your wedding night. Carry on. This has been a public service announcement.
    my feminine side likes the CCs; my masculine likes the BCs. :shifty:

    i know, i know....eyed and the most interesting man in the world don't have feminine sides :?
    If I had known then what I know now...

    Vegas 93, Vegas 98, Vegas 00 (10 year show), Vegas 03, Vegas 06
    VIC 07
    EV LA1 08
    Seattle1 09, Seattle2 09, Salt Lake 09, LA4 09
    Columbus 10
    EV LA 11
    Vancouver 11
    Missoula 12
    Portland 13, Spokane 13
    St. Paul 14, Denver 14
    Philly I & II, 16
    Denver 22
  • dcfaithful
    dcfaithful Posts: 13,076
    eyedclaar wrote:
    Mr. America, real men listen to the Black Crowes, not the Counting Crows. You'll thank me on your wedding night. Carry on. This has been a public service announcement.

    The Black Crowes fucking own...
    7/2/06 - Denver, CO
    6/12/08 - Tampa, FL
    8/23/09 - Chicago, IL
    9/28/09 - Salt Lake City, UT (11 years too long!!!)
    9/03/11 - East Troy, WI - PJ20 - Night 1
    9/04/11 - East Troy, WI - PJ20 - Night 2
  • goldrush
    goldrush everybody knows this is nowhere Posts: 7,787
    goldrush wrote:
    Like I've said before, I like the way that Adam changes the way that he sings the songs live. I'd rather that than he forgets the words to his own songs like a certain other singer that we all love so much...

    What and Adam doesn't ever forget words to his songs? Sorry but that seems like a really odd statement you're making there - a rambling tuneless vocal performance can ruin a song, far more so than someone forgetting the odd word here or there. I don't want to sound harsh so please forgive me, but it sounds a little bit fanboy-ish, like you'll accept any old shit just because it's 'unique'. Sure some improvisations can work, but some aren't going to work so well. A lot of the time it just sounds indulgent, like he's forgotten who he's there to sing for.
    I didn't say that Counting Crows were perfect, or that I'd "accept any old shit", but I have never been disappointed at a Counting Crows show and I enjoy the way that Adam Duritz sings live. As I said in my first post, it's just one of those things that you either love or hate. The OP and others here clearly hate it but that's their opinion. If that makes me sound "fanboy-ish" then I apologise for having a different opinion to you. Peace.
    “Do not postpone happiness”
    (Jeff Tweedy, Sydney 2007)

    “Put yer good money on the sunrise”
    (Tim Rogers)
  • goldrush
    goldrush everybody knows this is nowhere Posts: 7,787
    dcfaithful wrote:
    eyedclaar wrote:
    Mr. America, real men listen to the Black Crowes, not the Counting Crows. You'll thank me on your wedding night. Carry on. This has been a public service announcement.

    The Black Crowes fucking own...
    ...yes sir, they certainly do! :D
    “Do not postpone happiness”
    (Jeff Tweedy, Sydney 2007)

    “Put yer good money on the sunrise”
    (Tim Rogers)
  • facepollution
    facepollution Posts: 6,834
    goldrush wrote:
    If that makes me sound "fanboy-ish" then I apologise for having a different opinion to you. Peace.

    No the differing opinion isn't what makes it sound fanboy-ish, it's that you're ignoring the fact that sometimes the improv is going to be good - even better than the album version, and sometimes it will be worse. What it seems like you're saying, is that you don't care what it sounds like as long as it's different to the original, and sounds 'unique' to that show.