Asbury Park’s storied Stone Pony isn’t the same since Live Nation took over. That cuts both ways. On the plus side, an enormous new stage has been constructed out back, and space has been created for a lot more people to attend the promoter’s Summerstage shows, thus allowing the club to bring major acts to the cradle of N.J. rock and roll. On the other hand, gone is the collegial atmosphere that once made the club an appealing place for members of the large local music scene to hang out, and perform. It was performances by local artists like Bruce Springsteen, Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes, and others that put this club on the map. That seems largely forgotten now. I guess business is business.
Putting all that aside, it was certainly a lovely evening at the Jersey Shore when the Black Crowes came to town. It was my second time seeing the band. I had been very impressed with their performance at the Newport Folk Festival in the summer of ‘08, and I was looking forward to seeing them again. The bonus was that in the interim, guitarist Luther Dickinson (of the North Mississippi Allstars) had joined the band. He promised to be a good addition to the band, and he delivered on that promise big time. Led by the two guitar attack of Dickinson and brother Rich Robinson, and the vocal intensity of brother Chris Robinson, the Black Crowes blew away a capacity crowd on the late-summer evening. (more…)
