A Counting Crows concert is akin to that epic, 2 AM, post-party conversation, that before you know it, then sun is up and your life has changed. Let me digress...

The conversational tone of the concert was present from the opener of "Round Here". The band as a whole seemed intent on letting the songs communicate their thoughts, emotions, realizations, and wisdom gained through connecting with every note and word. They most certainly were searching for something. I wasn't quite sure what it was that they were approaching, until mid-set, with "Goodnight Elisabeth". They were looking for a catharsis. To be unburdened with some sort of weight. As that song ended, and they sprung into "Mrs. Potter's Lullaby", the Crows, seemingly reached an epiphany. The musical conversation flowed in personal (because, in reality, these songs are all personal conversations) peaks and valleys, reaching from the ground ('Colorblind'), to the sky ('Return Of The Grievous Angel' - a Gram Parsons cover from their new record), to the hand that will lift them up, and send them on their way again, with a better understanding of what lies ahead (a spectacular interpretation of "Rain King"). Think about it: connecting with someone/searching for something/catharsis/epiphany/getting up and moving on. Sort of like that 2 AM, post-party conversation that changed my life. Or yours. Matter of fact, all of us. Sounds like something we all need, sometimes. - Jay Ingstrup

www.countingcrows.com

Photos by Lazlo
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