By Jason Young
In 1992, the Black Crowes had already found success when their song “Remedy” hit the airwaves. One of the exciting new acts of the early ’90s, whose impressive rise coincided with the release of their multi-platinum debut album ‘1990s’ shake your moneymakertriggered the usual demands from record companies for a strong successor.
Once again teaming up with producer George Drakoulias, the young Atlanta, Georgia band, led by lead singer Chris Robinson and younger brother and guitarist Rich, made their way to the comfort of their hometown’s Southern Tracks Recording studio to record Southern Harmony and musical accompanist. With a new line-up featuring permanent keyboardist Eddie Harsch and LA-born guitarist Marc Ford, they recorded 24 tracks straight away in eight days.
An ongoing collaboration with Drakoulias, producer and A&R manager at Rick Rubin’s American Recordings (formerly Def American Recordings), had signed the band and transformed them from their former REM-influenced Johnny Crowe’s Garden into the dark rock ‘n’ rollers Black Crowes.
“We were just looking forward to getting some kind of break,” Rich Robinson recalled in a 2021 interview gold mine. “We had these songs but obviously we didn’t know much – actually we didn’t know anything but our producer George Drakoulias was really patient and cool and we learned a little bit. That’s really what it was about.”
Your collaboration with the producer on Southern Harmony would spawn another string of hits, breaking the previous record set by Tom Petty, who had three hit singles with his album Full Moon Fever.
Under Drakoulias’ leadership, the Black Crowes blended Delta blues, Aerosmith, Chuck Berry and Humble Pie, contrasting with the Seattle grunge sound popular at the time. They placed less emphasis on radio-ready content, instead releasing music that was not constrained by commercialism. Although the critics held their breath, the fans (Gen X) loved it.
“The only thing we didn’t want to be was a formula,” Chris said in a 1992 interview for MuchMusic. “We never wanted to be disposable. Chart success doesn’t really mean anything to me, and when you write music that’s popular and people like it, that’s cool.”
In contrast, the rock ‘n’ roll-inspired yet successful, Shake your money maker sounded polished against the more edgy Southern Harmony and musical accompanist. They opened with the raucous “Sting Me” (their second commercial hit), abandoning the production style of their previous album. “Remedy” (first commercial hit) heralded their move toward a soul-rock revival, while the songs “Thorn in My Pride” and “Bad Luck Blue Eyes Goodbye” slowed the album down to a soulful pace. Other highlights included the autobiographical-sounding “Hotel Sickness” and the angst-ridden “Sometimes Salvation.”
The success of the album’s four singles increased Southern Harmony and musical companion to the top of the Billboard 200, making it a strong follow-up to their debut release. Similar to their first single “Remedy”, “Sting Me”, “Thorn in My Pride” and “Hotel Sickness” they all reached number one on the US Billboard album chart. In 2005, the album ranked #477 rock hard book of magazine, The 500 Greatest Rock and Metal Albums of All Time. The album was presented in guitar world Magazine’s 2006 Top 100 Guitar Albums of All Time list. Directed by Pete Angelus, “Remedy” was added to MTV’s Exclusive Video Playlist through May 2, 1992. The film went into heavy rotation the next month.
Although the band released seven more albums, none had the brave Chris Robinsonof Southern Harmony. Over 30 years later, their second album is hailed by many as their finest moment, capturing an unrestrained young band at the peak of their power.
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