The Black Crowes
7/14/06
at The NorVA
Gezz, what fun! This was my second BC show. Took mom to the
May 2005 show, which was also at the NorVA. This time they were scheduled to
play at the amphitheater but got moved to the NorVA, which was awesome. Rather
see a show there instead of the amphitheater any day for a plethora of reasons.
Mainly disabled seating kicks ass at The NorVA, right above the stage on the
left. Plus, it has an ultra cool rock feel to it, not too big, painted black,
with this neat crystal chandelier hanging down in the middle of it all.
Brian surprised me a week before the show. “Ivy, want to
go to The Black Crowes?” “What, you said you didn’t like that ‘southern rock’ a
year ago!” He cracks me up, that’s classic Brian for you. It’s fine if he
doesn’t like something, but he’ll totally dog on it and turn around 6 months to
a year later he starts digging it. So we got tickets Thursday, it hadn’t sold
out by then. But by the time we’d gotten there Friday to pick up our tickets,
they had posted Sold Out signs on the windows. A staff lady by the door saw us
picking them up and let us right on in. Very nice, no waiting in the heat! Plus
it gave us time to look at the concert gear before the crowd. Had this nice
shade of blue shirt with a psychedelic lady on the front. Got that one. Seems
like artist or whoever are branching out from the trusty old black concert
shirts. Thank you! Oh, it had a half moon and star, which later mom said was a
symbol of the Muslims. Ha! (Rolls my eyes)
So we got our seats nice and early. “M’am do you know where the elevator is?” “I sure do,” I say grinning. On the way up we talked about Sublime, Eddie Vedder and Kate Hudson with the guy running the elevator. It was cool seeing her last year, across from us on the opposite side of the stage. A smidgen of Hollywood baby! Didn’t see her this time, must be busy promoting her new movie with Owen Wilson. We hadn’t been sitting still for long when Karen and Dave came and sat beside us. They were old friends of my mom’s. I hadn’t seen them in years so it was awesome to see them. They were at the 2005 BC show too, but we had missed them because they had come on the first night. (BC played two nights 2005) I talked to Karen some about my advocacy stuff and Dave chewed Brian’s ear off about the concerts he had seen over his lifetime. Man is a Rolling Stone freak. Seen them 60 times so far, at venues all over the world. There was a cute couple behind the four of us soon to be married. Dave was trying to sell his Rolling Stone tickets in Scotland to them. Ha! Who knows why? Dave got a kick out of Brian when he said that one of his favorite rockers was Alice Cooper and we’d seen him 3 times, once here at the NorVA. I guess he didn’t realize the old fart still tours. He’d seen him when “I’m 18” was popular. He laughed when Brian told that he still does his guillotine act.
There was no opening act and the Crowes didn’t come on
until 9:25. They were jamin for a loooonng time. Sweet. The NorVA rules…no
stupid curfew so the band can play as long as they want. I saw somebody on the
BC chat board their set was 3 hours long! Holy Cow! (With a break midway of
course) I just know we didn’t get home until almost 1:30am. I have to admit,
the set wasn’t grooving me as it did last year until Dave bought us drinks. Ha!
Come on, you can’t enjoy southern rock to the full effect until your throat is
guzzling down a cold beer. Or Jack and Coke in Brian’s case. Thank you Dave!
Karen has skills; she stuck two straws together end to end for my bottle.
(Mental note: need to raid 7-11 long straws supply for my bag on wheelchair)
Chris and the boys were throwin down all night long! It’s a wonder how they
managed to fit on that small stage of The NorVA’s. Three guitarists, a drummer
and keyboardist/organ player whatever. Oh, and during some songs, two back up
singers! Which were lovely by the way. Made sure Brian got a picture of them.
During my first beer this woman grabs my hand. Gawd, you’re ruining my groove!
At some concerts this sometimes happens. People are drunk and just want to
connect with the disabled girl. Whatever. Later she goes over to Brian, tries
to tell him something in his ear. Why do people try to talk during a loudass
concert? Ah, think I answered my own question, because they’re drunk! Brian
later said that he swore he heard her ask him for his phone number. What the
?$#?! Ha! In the last few songs The Black Crowes threw Remedy in. I went wild!
That song is insane live and I had been itching to hear it again live since
2005. I’m so glad they played it.
Afterwards we thanked Karen and Dave. I told them I’d
send them copy of the pictures. I couldn’t possibly make it back home without a
potty break. So there I go again asking staff for a family restroom. Normally
it gets on my nerves asking like a child to use the bathroom, but the good time
music…. and the beer had took the edge off. Hung outside awhile debating with
Brian the difference between buzzed and drunk. “Brian, just stand here awhile,
you aren’t driving my van just yet.” 20 minutes past we start making our way to
our favorite downtown disabled parking spot on Bute Street. Run-ins with silly
drunks wasn’t just over yet. Three people, two men and a lady sporting a black
boa and a tiara stopped us asking for directions. They were looking for
Waterside Drive. Which was right there; go to the end of the street! Ha! Lady
said it was her 50th birthday. Happy Birthdays all around! She
looked damn good for 50 I thought. Before they started off again she placed her
tiara on my head. Aw, how special!
This has been hell of a year for concerts. Pearl Jam my
ultimate favorite band, front row at Def Leppard, and the rockin Black Crowes!
(pictures are kind of blah….had to shrink em for my webpage)
Black Crowes The National - Richmond VA 10/8/08 Pics – not taken by me
HERE Other Concerts Dave
Matthews Band with Autograph
