Out Friday, December 15th is a deluxe edition of “The Southern Harmony and Musical Companion,” The Black Crowes' chart-topping sophomore album from 1992. Released May 12 of that year the 10-song set debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 on its way to double-platinum sales. It also launched four No. 1 Rock chart singles — “Remedy,” “Sting Me,” “Thorn in My Pride” and “Hotel Illness.” It was a successful follow-up to the band's 1990 debut “Shake Your Money Maker,” and frontman Chris Robinson tells us that he considers it the most crucial album in the Black Crowes' catalog:
“I think it's our, you know, 'Shake Your Money Maker' is the most popular and is important, but I think 'Southern Harmony' is probably overall the best record we ever made, in a one. It's the one, Rich was just saying it solidified the Black Crowes and what we would become, what we would do good, bad, indifferent.” :24
The deluxe edition of “Southern Harmony…” features the original album remastered by Chris and his brother, guitarist Rich Robinson, and album producer George Drakoulias. It includes a “More Companions” disc of unreleased outtakes and B-sides — including “Miserable” and a cover of Ann Peebles' “99 Pounds” — and a previously unreleased 1993 concert in Houston.
The Robinsons regrouped the Black Crowes in 2019. The band has since toured and released an EP called “1972” that features covers of favorite songs from that year.
The Crowes were picked to open for Aerosmith's Peace Out: The Farewell Tour, which played three shows during early September but was postponed due to frontman Steven Tyler's voice issues. New dates have not yet been announced.