American/UMe is re-releasing the first four The Black Crowes American Recordings albums on 180-Gram vinyl. Fans of the band will be able to pick up 1990’s Shake Your Money Maker as a single disc, while 1992’s The Southern Harmony and Musical Companion, 1994’s Amorica and 1996’s Three Snakes and One Charm will all be issued as two-LP sets with sound cut directly from masters...

The Southern Harmony and Musical Companion, the band's sophomore album, went to #1 on the Billboard 200 upon its release in May 1992, eventually going double-platinum. American/UMe has, for the first time, released it as a two-disc 180 gram vinyl set.  It was previously released as a single LP in 2004, but only in certain countries. The album was the first to feature Marc Ford on lead guitar, replacing Jeff Cease. The four released singles each topped the Billboard Album Rock Tracks charts, including 'Remedy', (11 weeks), and 'Thorn in My Pride' (four weeks), breaking a record previously held by Tom Petty. The disc also includes the band’s cover of Bob Marley’s 'Time Will Tell'.

While, for me, this album never managed to capture the raw energy of the band's debut LP, Shake Your Money Maker, it's still an impressive collection of songs. Mind you, I still can't understand why 'Remedy' was such a huge hit single. It's bland compared to a lot of tracks in the rock genre and certainly doesn't lodge in the mind.

For lovers of vinyl, American/UMe do a wonderful job of bringing back a much loved classic album. Although, on its original release the majority of listeners would most likely have picked this up on CD as vinyl was dying a slow death.

This is an essential addition to your vinyl collection if you're a The Black Crowes fan.

9

Nick Smithson