Black Crowes frontman Chris Robinson, his band still on extended hiatus, will make his solo debut on October 22nd with the release of New Earth Mud. Robinson recorded the set, his first solo effort, in Paris this spring with his friend Paul Stacey producing and playing in the backing band.

"It's really soulful and rootsy," Robinson says of the new material, written mostly after the Crowes announced their break in January. "It's definitely more subdued -- either funky sounding Neil Young or folksy Steely Dan. The Black Crowes was always a collaboration, of me writing the lyrics and doing the arranging to [brother, guitarist] Rich's music. This is all my thing, the way I feel -- things I probably brought to the Black Crowes but now are able to come to the front in the lyrics, and just in the vibe."

"As proud as I am of what the Black Crowes did," Robinson continues, "I can't really say that it was always fun. And this time it was -- it was just really easy to write these songs, to sing these songs. I couldn't be happier with it. Now I'm anxious for people to hear it, people who just really like music, to see if it makes them feel the same things that I feel."

Robinson and Stacey will tour in advance of the release beginning August 15th in Seattle. The outing, on which the two will play acoustic sets, will wrap up August 28th in Toronto.

The Black Crowes, meanwhile, do have an album to release -- a live set Rich Robinson culled from two of the band's last shows together last October, due out August 20th.

Chris Robinson tour dates:

8/15: Seattle, Showbox
8/17: San Francisco, Bimbo's 365 Club
8/18: Santa Cruz, CA, The Catalyst
8/19: Los Angeles, El Rey Theater
8/21: Salt Lake City, X-Scape
8/22: Boulder, CO, Boulder Theater
8/24: Minneapolis, Quest Club
8/25: Chicago, Park West
8/27: Detroit, St. Andrews Hall
8/28: Toronto, Phoenix Concert Theater

AUGUSTIN SEDGEWICK
(August 13, 2002)