The visionary masterminds Counting Crows brought an emotional vibe to ’90s Alternative Rock that drove them phenomenal heights and praise for years to come. Highly accomplished, they reached multi-platinum status from the get-go with their debut album in 1993, August and Everything After, and built an even larger audience after the hit “Colorblind” went to the big screen in the 1999 film Cruel Intentions. Now all these years later they are still going strong touring and recording new music. Promoting their seventh studio album, Somewhere Under Wonderland, released in September of 2014 via Capitol Records, they have been on the road non-stop through the Summer and Fall of 2015. Amdist it all, on Tuesday, August 18th it was time to stop at the sold out show at the JBL Live at Pier 97 on the Hudson River Park, near the famous Intrepid, in New York City. A stunning Summer evening, many trekked out to the West Side, moving away from the horrendous rush hour crowd, to escape and indulge in the serene musical bliss. As the sun settled down and reflected off of the Hudson, this was the perfect occasion to see nineties superstars, Counting Crows, and supporting them for the show was New York locals, Citizen Cope and Hollis Brown.
Fans walked towards this hideaway, where delicious food trucks were lined up filled with a variation of treats from fish, ice cream, grilled cheese, and of course beer. There was ample space to choose from, whether hanging out back with the delicious goodies or walking up close to the stage. For those super-early birds, they were lucky to have caught this young Rock-n-Roll group, Hollis Brown, as Mike Montali (vocals), Jon Bonilla (guitar), Dillon DeVito (bass, backing vocals), Andrew Zehnal (drums), and Adam Bock (keyboards, backing vocals) took the beautiful stage. From Queens, New York, Hollis Brown has been climbing up the scene since their formation in 2009. Promoting the latest album 3 Shots, released in May, they performed tracks such as “When the Weather’s Warm,” “3 Shots” and “Sweet Tooth” to enhance the scenery of the Hudson waterview. Hopefully they will comeback soon at a later time for fans to hear more of their interesting sound.
As the sun set for the night, Brooklynite Citizen Cope (Clarence Greenwood) gracefully brought in a performance of relaxation. Previously signed under major labels such as RCA, Citizen Cope decided to change gears and create his own label in order to maintain his creative freedom and control, which brought him to independent label, Rainwater Recordings. Opening for acts including Dave Matthews Band, Citizen Cope has received adorations from a growing fanbase through the years. After having a few albums released, including the latest, 2012’s One Lovely Day, Citizen Cope came out with plenty of material to engage the crowd.
Hooking the audience with his soothing tunes such as “If There’s Love,” “Let the Drummer Kick,” and “Bullet and a Target,” the area was filled with energy. Admiring the crowd, Citizen Cope continued with “Hurricane Waters,” “One Lovely Day,” “DFW,” “Son’s Gonna Rise,” and “Sideways.” In his opening slot, the charming Citizen Cope lit up the area and left fans ready to hear the headliner of the night, Counting Crows. The full band will be on tour for more headlining dates this Fall so check them out.
The audience filled up fast and a few fought to maintain their spot, anxiously waiting to see Counting Crows make their way to the stage. Fans shouted as Adam Duritz (lead vocals), Dan Vickrey (lead guitar), David Bryson (guitars/vocals), Charles Gillingham (accordion,/keyboard,/piano), Jim Bogios (drums), David Immergluck (guitar/pedal steel guitar/ banjo,/mandolin/ vocals), and Millard Powers (bass) took their places upon the platform. The audience was in for a treat as they stood underneath the stars gazing at the stage during the pristine performance. Duritz’ vocals reached across the park as fans from a variety of ages cheered and sang along to the classic “Time & Time Again,” from 1993’s August and Everything After. Hitting into the latest “Elvis Went to Hollywood,” the band received a great amount of praise from the audience, especially with the impeccable lighting and use of LED’s shimmering out towards the crowd. On top of it all, the sound quality remained sharp as it stretched across the Hudson.
Fans were star-struck once “Mr. Jones” sprung in, which brought many to the pivotal nineties as though time never passed. Executed flawlessly, immaculate percussions and guitar riffs during “Scarecrow” and “Goodnight Elizabeth” were met by the crowd’s hollers of approval. Duritz conversed with the crowd as they screamed in delight. He stated, when he ripped off songs from his and Charlie Gillingham’s old band, mentioning how he did not have much back then, Vickrey and Gillingham gave songs and waited eighteen years to put out the music, as they went into the Tender Mercies cover, “Mercy.” Thereafter, a few members in the crowd raised their cellphones in the air for a quick photo as the classic “Omaha” rung in. Their music remained at a prime level, as though it came from the original recording, especially when “Mrs. Potter’s Lullaby” played. Duritz described the next track about someone who leaves home in order to do something crazy for themselves as they moved into the fresh tune of “Cover Up the Sun.” Gillingham’s piano excellence continued with an exquisite sombering emotion during The Romany Rye cover of “Untitled (Love Song)” and “Children in Bloom.”
Moving into a brief acoustic set, the stirring piece of “Possibility Days” followed with “Blues Run the Game.” Transitioning back to their electronic gear, the Joni Mitchell cover of “Big Yellow Taxi” from 2002’s Hard Candy began. Duritz described the next, newer piece as a track about simply being out of your mind when they went into “Earthquake Driver.” Slowing down, to a pace that warmed many hearts that evening, the sentimental “A Long December” chimed in, and fans shouted along with the infamous “Na na na na, na na na na, yeah.” As their entire musical career was sublimely displayed, it was time to close their set with “Hanginaround” from 1999’s The Desert Life.
Many stuck around, enjoying the entire evening, when after a few quick moments, it was time for the encore set. Cutting in with the hit single of “Palisades Park,” many cherished this moment as it escalated to the acclaimed “Rain King.” Keeping the crowd happy as they embraced the lyrics, “Holiday” officially closed the night. Duritz thanked everyone for selling out the show and gave a shout out to the openers that night in New York City as they put on a joking antic with the classic hit from The Mamas & the Papas, “California Dreamin’.” As the band left, they promised all that they will return, since they currently reside in the area
After an evening with an uplifting energy and alluring performance, it was proven that Counting Crows’ musicianship is worth seeing live. Many concertgoers walked out feeling incredibly happy, and a some even stayed nearby to converse about the beautified music that was displayed that evening after the show concluded. It is not too late to see these guys as the tour continues throughout North America until October 11th and makes a stop on Long Island at The Paramount in Huntington September 4th.
their songs are just awesome and near to heart.