BAND – THE MAGPIE SALUTE
ALBUM – HIGH WATER I
RELEASE DATE – 8/10/18
LABEL – THE MAGPIE SALUTE ON EAGLE ROCK ENTERTAINMENT
WEB SITE – THE MAGPIE SALUTE OFFICIAL WEB SITE
FACEBOOK – THE MAGPIE SALUTE OFFICIAL FACEBOOK PAGE
TWITTER – THE MAGPIE SALUTE OFFICIAL TWITTER PAGE
INSTAGRAM – THE MAGPIE SALUTE – OFFICIAL INSTAGRAM

The Magpie Salute:

Rich Robinson – Guitars & Vocals

Marc Ford – Guitars & Vocals

John Hogg – Vocals

Joe Magistro – Drums & Percussion

Sven Pipien – Bass & Vocals

Matt Slocum – Keyboards

REVIEW BY – EVIL E – ERIC V

 

I have been following the Black Crowes since their singles “Jealous Again”, “Twice As Hard” and “Hard To Handle” hit the radio and MTV with the latter reaching #1 on Billboard’s Mainstream Rock Tracks charts on 11/10/90. They are one of my favorite live bands out there next to Pearl Jam. There is nothing like going to a show and not knowing what songs you will hear from the opening tune to the last song in the encore. With a combination of amazing musicianship, passion and soul, you have a recipe for a guaranteed amazing show. I have traveled across the USA to see the Crowes many times because of their unpredictable set list and performance. If there was a Crowes show happening, I was there. I can’t count the number of times I have seen them at the Beacon Theater in NYC. Even though the Crowes have been through several line-up changes and a couple of break-ups through their illustrious career, the core line-up of the Robinson brothers along with Marc Ford, Sven Pipien, Steve Gorman and Eddie Harsch (RIP), in my opinion has to be their best line-up by far. With the most recent demise of the band and the under-performing solo music that has followed by both Robinson brothers, you can’t imagine my excitement when I first heard that Rich was putting together a band with his former Crowes alumni Marc, Sven & Eddie. Rounding out the band is John Hogg from Moke and Hookah Brown. Rich was also a part of Hookah Brown which I think is the best thing Rich has done outside of the Crowes family, until now.

The new Magpie Salute album “Highwater I” streets on August 10 via Eagle Rock Entertainment and was produced by Rich Robinson and recorded at Dark Horse Studios in Nashville, TN. It is reminiscent of what the Black Crowes should have been. The first single, “Send Me An Omen,” is reminiscent of early to mid-90’s Black Crowes and had me yearning for more. The album sucks you right in from the opening song “Mary The Gypsy,” with its catchy riff and John’s soaring vocals. Track 2, “High Water,” is a mellow and bluesy tune where John’s vocals really shine. It is reminiscent of “Soul Singing.” Other stand-out tracks are “Color Blind”, “For The Wind” and “Take It All.” “Take It All” is probably the track where Marc’s guitar work stands out the most along with John’s passionate vocal delivery is a recipe for pure perfection.

 

The Magpie Salutes first full length effort of all original material, lives up to the hype and showcases the talent of these well seasoned musicians. It took two years from the inception of the band, but was well worth the wait and leaves you wanting more. In closing I will leave you with these two words…Chris who?

The Magpie Salute Track Listing:

1. Mary The Gypsy
2. High Water
3. Send Me An Omen
4. For The Wind
5. Sister Moon
6. Color Blind
7. Take It All
8. Walk On Water
9. Hand In Hand
10. You Found Me
11. Can You See
12. Open Up