Chris Robinson & the New Earth Mud – This Magnificent Distance

When the Black Crowes went on hiatus in 2002, Chris Robinson pursued a solo career, releasing New Earth Mud later that year. That is a good album, but its follow-up, This Magnificent Distance, is even better, rivaling the best of the Black Crowes and Robinson’s side project catalogs. Robinson’s primary collaborator for those first two solo albums was British guitarist and producer Paul Stacey, who had done some production work for the Black Crowes before thier hiatus. Stacey’s most high-profile gig was with Oasis. When the Crowes got back together, he served as co-producer (with the rest of the band) for the Crowes’ brilliant reunion album Warpaint (2008). He is a co-writer on most of the songs on This Magnificent Distance and co-produces the album with Robinson.

This Magnificent Distance foreshadows the jam band vibe of the Chris Robinson Brotherhood, blending rock, blues, folk, country, Americana, and soul styles. Robinson is at the top of his game with his songwriting and vocal performance. Stacey’s guitar playing is muscular, but it is focused on serving the song rather than showing off. The Black Crowes and Robinsons’ side projects have never been particularly original; they are contemporary classic rock. The genius of the Crowes and Robinson is thier excellent execution and craft. I get bored hearing the same old classic rock songs, but I love the classic rock format. The Crowes and Robinson write new classic rock, which appeals to my bored ears.

There is not a bad song on the album, but my favorite is “Girl on the Mountain.” Quick takes on each track:

1. “40 Days” is classic Crowes’ style hard rock.
2. “Girl On The Mountain” is gorgeous folk rock psychedelia and could easily be on a Grateful Dead album.
3. “Mother Of Stone” is blissed-out rock that would sound great on a CSNY album.
4. “Train Robbers” is more dreamy psychedelia. Paul Stacey has a fantastic guitar solo.
5. “Like A Tumbleweed In Eden” is a gentle folk rock ballad.
6. “When The Cold Wind Blows At The Dark End Of The Night” is a power ballad with loud/quiet dynamics.
7. “…If You See California” has a sunny acoustic vibe.
8. “The Never Empty Table” is a piano-driven ballad.
9. “Eagles On The Highway” has a nice Americana feel.
10. “Surgical Glove” is an epic rocker with a Dylanesque vibe.
11. “Sea Of Love” is mistakenly listed as the final (12th) song on the CD. It has a heavy riff in the style of Black Sabbath.
12. “Piece Of Wind” is mistakenly listed as the penultimate (11th) song on the CD. It is classic Black Crowes’ swagger. Tracks 11 and 12 are accurately listed on streaming services.

This is one of my favorite albums in the Black Crowes/Chris Robinson catalog. It has a strong Southern California/Laurel Canyon vibe. I assume Robinson was in marital bliss with his actress wife, Kate Hudson, as there are a lot of love songs here. Highly recommended.