The Magpie Salute is an exciting new band that features musicians who have played together for decades throughout various projects and share a musical bond. The band brings Rich Robinson, the guitarist and co-founding member of The Black Crowes, together with two key members of Crowes fame - guitarist Marc Ford and bassist Sven Pipien - alongside drummer Joe Magistro and guitarist Nico Bereciartua. The Magpie Salute also boasts a fine cast of vocalists, including lead singer John Hogg (Hookah Brown, Moke), former Crowes singer Charity White and background singers, Adrien Reju and Katrine Ottosen.
The album is a thick, heady trip of rock bliss that feels organic and natural. This sound is succinctly captured on the soul-rock churn of “Comin’ Home,” where Ford and Robinson are back to their old ways weaving golden blues licks together amidst blossoming organ and gospel melodies. The live setting lets the band really flex its muscle and it really takes advantage of stretching out the jams to reach their potential, like on the clairvoyant, blues-as-jazz gem “Goin’ Down South” and Bob Marley’s “Time Will Tell,” which is transformed from gentle tune into a rejoicing sing-a-long of The Band’s persuasion.
- Tahoeonstage