Rich Robinson Starts Fresh on 'Paper'

06/07/2004 6:53 AM, Reuters


Former Black Crowes guitarist Rich Robinson has wrapped his solo debut, "Paper," on which he handles all the vocal duties for the first time in his career.

Due Aug. 24 via Key Hole Records, the 14-track album features guest spots from former Crowes keyboardist Eddie Harsch and BR5-49 fiddle/lap steel player Donnie Herron, according to Robinson's official Web site (http://www.richrobinson.net).

"I named the album 'Paper' because this is all a blank sheet of paper to me; it's fragile and new," he said in a statement. "For 15 years I wrote for (Crowes frontman and older brother) Chris (Robinson's)' voice, but this is for me."

Tracks set for inclusion are the psychedelic rocker "Places," the dulcimer-tinged "When You Will," the mid-tempo ballad "Forgiven Song" and such Crowes-inspired numbers as "Yesterday I Saw You" and "Enemy." Robinson will also create the album's cover art from one of his own oil paintings.

Robinson will unveil material from "Paper" during a three-week, three-city residency. He will play New York's Knitting Factory Tap Bar on Tuesdays beginning June 29, Philadelphia's Tin Angel on Wednesdays beginning June 30 and Cambridge, Mass.' Brother Jimmy's Barbecue on Thursdays beginning July 1.

In March, the Robinson brothers reunited at the Jammy Awards in New York for the first time since the Crowes' 2002 split. The latter's next solo album, "This Magnificent Distance," is due June 29 via Vector.

Reuters/Billboard