Poll: Marc Ford or Rich Robinson

durango jon-boy · January 3rd, 2007, 08:26 PM

Who's better? who is your favorite between the two?

Ramblin-Jam · January 3rd, 2007, 08:34 PM

Ha ha ha, there is only one reason that this question exists. That is because for about eight years of cumulative time, Marc Ford allowed Rich to breathe his air, and in reality, I don't know why he allowed him to do so. While they played well together, Rich is a bully, limited in talent, and is clearly the smelly kid in class. He can't keep his mouth closed, literally it is always open, he can't sing, and to look at him reminds me of watching the intro to The Jerk. (With no rhythm and such.)

I am a Crowes fanatic, but I think that Marc, Chris, and Eddie were the ones with extreme talent. To answer the question...Marc Ford.

DougieLove · January 3rd, 2007, 09:53 PM

I think the two of them together are better than either one of them alone.

The Black Crowes without Marc Ford just lack *it*, in my opinion.
Rich Robinson's solo album is good, but again, it lacks something.
Marc Ford's playing in other bands is good, but the Crowes songs just seem to bring something out of him.

I don't dislike either of them - in fact, I'm a huge fan of both - but I think the Crowes are a band where the sum is greater than the parts. And without Marc Ford, Johnny Colt, and Eddie Harsch, there's just something not there.

JTM45blues · January 3rd, 2007, 11:32 PM

Ok, as a long time Crowes fan, I felt compelled to respond...

Rich, is a riff and rhythm MACHINE!!! His fat rhythm tone is extraordinary. And HONESTLY, after sitting and listening to him in Des Moines at the Val Air, I have to give him props for finally developing some pretty decent lead chops. Not great, but they're pretty good, and his slide playing was really good, more of a rhythmic and fills type slide, but still really tasty good stuff. His voice is average.

Marc Ford, as I like to refer to him, is my generation's Duane Allman. Great tasty player, killer slide work, easily the best rock tone in the last 15 years, and always comes up with interesting licks. AND then combine that with the fact that he writes some killer songs, and has a very good rootsy, earthy voice. Go pick up his cd "Its About Time" if you need confirmation of that. That cd is better than almost anything on the last couple of Crowes cds, IMHO, and I really dug their cd of "By Your Side", but his solo effort was flat out amazing.

markophonic · January 4th, 2007, 09:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DougieLove

I think the two of them together are better than either one of them alone.

The Black Crowes without Marc Ford just lack *it*, in my opinion.
Rich Robinson's solo album is good, but again, it lacks something.
Marc Ford's playing in other bands is good, but the Crowes songs just seem to bring something out of him.

I don't dislike either of them - in fact, I'm a huge fan of both - but I think the Crowes are a band where the sum is greater than the parts. And without Marc Ford, Johnny Colt, and Eddie Harsch, there's just something not there.

I'm with DougieLove...but I probably lean towards Marc Ford.

TheGoodTexan · January 4th, 2007, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JTM45blues

Marc Ford, as I like to refer to him, is my generation's Duane Allman.

I think that a better comparison would be our generation's Joe Walsh. And I think that you could even say that Rich Robinson is our generation's Keith Richards.

But I'm not sure how I'd answer that question. I'm always prepared to anwer the more common question of "Who do you like more, Jeff Cease, Marc Ford or Audley Freed?" Marc is the obvious answer there.

But between Marc and Rich? Wow. I'm not sure about that question, really, cause the Crowes will never be a one-guitarist-band.

I enjoy Marc's leads better. But I like Rich's tone a lot. And I like Rich's song writing.

I read something about 10 years ago...not sure where I read it, or if it's true, but it was an interview with Rich where he claimed to have written the music all Crowes original tunes before anyone else, including Chris, even heard them. Said that he would write all the music, and work up demos in his home studio, playing all the instruments. If he had ideas for melodies or lyrics, he might hum them here or there, just as a reference. But it wasn't until that point that he passed along the songs to Chris for lyrics and vocals. When Chris was finished with them, then they'd consider songs for an album and bring in the rest of the band and a producer and hit the studio.

Again...I know that's hearsay...since I can't back it up with the interview, but it makes sense to me. And if that is true, the Rich is the cornerstone of the band's original music.

furrfurrfurr · January 4th, 2007, 11:16 AM

Rich has gotten a lot better over the years and without him there would be no Crowes. But Marc Ford is the one who I wish I could play like, for sure.

JTM45blues · January 4th, 2007, 11:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheGoodTexan

I think that a better comparison would be our generation's Joe Walsh. And I think that you could even say that Rich Robinson is our generation's Keith Richards.

But I'm not sure how I'd answer that question. I'm always prepared to anwer the more common question of "Who do you like more, Jeff Cease, Marc Ford or Audley Freed?" Marc is the obvious answer there.

But between Marc and Rich? Wow. I'm not sure about that question, really, cause the Crowes will never be a one-guitarist-band.

I enjoy Marc's leads better. But I like Rich's tone a lot. And I like Rich's song writing.

I read something about 10 years ago...not sure where I read it, or if it's true, but it was an interview with Rich where he claimed to have written the music all Crowes original tunes before anyone else, including Chris, even heard them. Said that he would write all the music, and work up demos in his home studio, playing all the instruments. If he had ideas for melodies or lyrics, he might hum them here or there, just as a reference. But it wasn't until that point that he passed along the songs to Chris for lyrics and vocals. When Chris was finished with them, then they'd consider songs for an album and bring in the rest of the band and a producer and hit the studio.

Again...I know that's hearsay...since I can't back it up with the interview, but it makes sense to me. And if that is true, the Rich is the cornerstone of the band's original music.

I'd be fine with Walsh too... There's even some Jimmy Page in there too, with Ford's aggressive style. He's certainly not afraid to really go for it, which is something I really dig about Marc.

Rich I'd say is like a cross between Ron Wood, and Keith Richards. But IMHO, Keith has the edge for more memorable riffs and is a slightly better vocalist. Rich IMHO, is also a great acoustic player, something that I felt is highly overlooked in this band. I really wished that the Crowes could just get along with their classic lineup, or even the 2005 - 2006 lineup, would be fine too. I miss Ed and Marc alot.

Heather Anne Peel · January 4th, 2007, 02:53 PM

Marc is the best second guitarist the Black Crowes have had, no doubt about it. He is the Mick Taylor to Rich's Keith Richards. But I've seen the band several times with and without him, and they are great either way. Rich is like a hybrid of Jimmy Page and Keith Richards more than anything. And since "Amorica" in 1994, I'd say he is definitely more Page-influenced. His use of open tunings (G, F#, F and E, among others) have given him a unique voice in the Rock realm. He has definitely taken open tunings to another level. Make no mistake: as great as Marc Ford is, the music of the Black Crowes is all Rich's. It is his vision, along with Chris'. Lead players will come and go, but the brothers are the nucleus, period. And, oh yeah, Rich is a pretty tasty lead player in his own right these days.

skiraly017 · January 4th, 2007, 04:56 PM

Please correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't Rich play everything on "By Your Side"? I seem to remember reading that somewhere. No small task if it's true and that album still remains as one of my favorites. The playing and tone is just great.

durango jon-boy · January 4th, 2007, 06:54 PM

"Best second guitarist"?...I don't think so. Solos are way more important than rythym. Marc was first to Richs' second because plain and simple, Marc will out guitar Rich any day of the week. Rich has never done anything guitarwise that Marc couldn't also do. Rich could never cut a solo like Marc can. And "lead players will come and go"? Not like Marc. If you can have a guitarist like Marc, you don't just let him go. Clearly the best guitarist of the last 15 years and I don't know if I can even try to compare Marc to anybody else. I'm not saying he's the best there ever was but his playing is absolutly perfect. If anybody can post a song on here where Marc plays a bum note, I will publicly eat my words.

TheGoodTexan · January 4th, 2007, 07:18 PM

Hey durango jon-boy...please don't get frustrated at what I'm about to say.

Coupla things....

First, I don't think that anyone was calling Marc the "second guitarist" for the Crowes, with respect to ability. I think the second guitarist reference is meant more of as a position within the band. Chris and Rich started the band, therefore Rich will always be the "first guitarist" for the Crowes.

Marc didn't come along until the Crowes' second album. The Crowes' first lead player (appearing only on the first album) was Jeff Cease.

Second...

Quote:

Solos are way more important than rythym.

That's like saying, "Paint is way more important than canvas."

Wow. I think that you'll find yourself almost entirely alone with that opinion, among other musicians. I'm a lead-playin-kinda-guy myself, but I'll be the first to tell you...without a solid rhythm section, most bands suck....which leaves the soloist lying flat on their face. ANY solo gets boring really quick without a great rythym section.

Quote:

plain and simple, Marc will out guitar Rich any day of the week.

I would bet that if you asked Marc to comment on Rich's playing, he would honestly say that he's one of the most talented guitarsist he knows.

Quote:

Rich has never done anything guitarwise that Marc couldn't also do. Rich could never cut a solo like Marc can.

It took me a long time to learn what I'm about to tell you. And that is this - playing guitar is not a contest or a competition. It's not about who can play better than someone else. It's about art and about conveying emotions through music. Sometimes an extremely technical lick does the job, sometimes playing a slower, single-note-line has more impact. Playing guitar well is about learning when and where to play what.

ALL THAT BEING SAID Marc is also one of my favorite guitarist to listen to of all time. I think that Audley Freed is probably a more technical player than Marc, but Marc is a much better fit for the Crowes.......but I don't think that Marc would be a very good fit for Cry of Love either.

durango jon-boy · January 4th, 2007, 09:19 PM

To the Good Texan. Fist off, I love your co-worker gripes. Second, I respect what you say. I'm not saying that that no rhythm is necessary. It's one of the most important parts of music and that I know. all I'm saying is in my opinion, with out a couple of good solos in a song, it never really takes off leaving me bored. I know that music is an act in the Yen and the Yang but I'm just at that point in my own playing where a good solo is more important to me than the rhythm. I'll be honest with you, I'm very bitter about the break up because it came one month before the reunion tour was going to be in Flagstaff. It just seems to me and some others that I've spoken to that the Crowes have become a two man show with the Robinsons. It seems to me that they just don't want to share any of the spot light with anybody else in the band. Might as well change the name of the band to the Robinson Brothers Band. I have always believed that in music the band is more important than anyone in it. You know what I'm saying. That being said, thank you for your input and advice, I will take it to heart.

January 3rd, 2007, 08:26 PM	#1 (permalink)
durango jon-boy Banned Tele-Holic Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: The Greatest state of Arizona Posts: 624	Poll: Marc Ford or Rich Robinson Who's better? who is your favorite between the two?

January 3rd, 2007, 09:53 PM	#3 (permalink)
DougieLove Tele-Holic Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Elmendorf AFB, AK Age: 37 Posts: 707 3 Photos	I think the two of them together are better than either one of them alone. The Black Crowes without Marc Ford just lack it, in my opinion. Rich Robinson's solo album is good, but again, it lacks something. Marc Ford's playing in other bands is good, but the Crowes songs just seem to bring something out of him. I don't dislike either of them - in fact, I'm a huge fan of both - but I think the Crowes are a band where the sum is greater than the parts. And without Marc Ford, Johnny Colt, and Eddie Harsch, there's just something not there. __________________ http://www.myspace.com/whiskeydowns

January 4th, 2007, 04:56 PM	#10 (permalink)
skiraly017 Tele-Holic Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Hermosa Beach, CA Posts: 674	Please correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't Rich play everything on "By Your Side"? I seem to remember reading that somewhere. No small task if it's true and that album still remains as one of my favorites. The playing and tone is just great. __________________ "But right now I need a Telecaster through a Vibrolux turned up to ten."

January 3rd, 2007, 08:34 PM	#2 (permalink)
Ramblin-Jam Banned TDPRI Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Arizona Posts: 92	Ha ha ha, there is only one reason that this question exists. That is because for about eight years of cumulative time, Marc Ford allowed Rich to breathe his air, and in reality, I don't know why he allowed him to do so. While they played well together, Rich is a bully, limited in talent, and is clearly the smelly kid in class. He can't keep his mouth closed, literally it is always open, he can't sing, and to look at him reminds me of watching the intro to The Jerk. (With no rhythm and such.) I am a Crowes fanatic, but I think that Marc, Chris, and Eddie were the ones with extreme talent. To answer the question...Marc Ford.

January 3rd, 2007, 11:32 PM	#4 (permalink)
JTM45blues Tele-Meister Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 424	Ok, as a long time Crowes fan, I felt compelled to respond... Rich, is a riff and rhythm MACHINE!!! His fat rhythm tone is extraordinary. And HONESTLY, after sitting and listening to him in Des Moines at the Val Air, I have to give him props for finally developing some pretty decent lead chops. Not great, but they're pretty good, and his slide playing was really good, more of a rhythmic and fills type slide, but still really tasty good stuff. His voice is average. Marc Ford, as I like to refer to him, is my generation's Duane Allman. Great tasty player, killer slide work, easily the best rock tone in the last 15 years, and always comes up with interesting licks. AND then combine that with the fact that he writes some killer songs, and has a very good rootsy, earthy voice. Go pick up his cd "Its About Time" if you need confirmation of that. That cd is better than almost anything on the last couple of Crowes cds, IMHO, and I really dug their cd of "By Your Side", but his solo effort was flat out amazing.

January 4th, 2007, 11:16 AM	#7 (permalink)
furrfurrfurr Friend of Leo's Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: South of Heaven Posts: 2,619	Rich has gotten a lot better over the years and without him there would be no Crowes. But Marc Ford is the one who I wish I could play like, for sure.

January 4th, 2007, 02:53 PM	#9 (permalink)
Heather Anne Peel Friend of Leo's Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Nowhere Age: 45 Posts: 3,000 3 Photos	Marc is the best second guitarist the Black Crowes have had, no doubt about it. He is the Mick Taylor to Rich's Keith Richards. But I've seen the band several times with and without him, and they are great either way. Rich is like a hybrid of Jimmy Page and Keith Richards more than anything. And since "Amorica" in 1994, I'd say he is definitely more Page-influenced. His use of open tunings (G, F#, F and E, among others) have given him a unique voice in the Rock realm. He has definitely taken open tunings to another level. Make no mistake: as great as Marc Ford is, the music of the Black Crowes is all Rich's. It is his vision, along with Chris'. Lead players will come and go, but the brothers are the nucleus, period. And, oh yeah, Rich is a pretty tasty lead player in his own right these days.

January 4th, 2007, 06:54 PM	#11 (permalink)
durango jon-boy Banned Tele-Holic Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: The Greatest state of Arizona Posts: 624	"Best second guitarist"?...I don't think so. Solos are way more important than rythym. Marc was first to Richs' second because plain and simple, Marc will out guitar Rich any day of the week. Rich has never done anything guitarwise that Marc couldn't also do. Rich could never cut a solo like Marc can. And "lead players will come and go"? Not like Marc. If you can have a guitarist like Marc, you don't just let him go. Clearly the best guitarist of the last 15 years and I don't know if I can even try to compare Marc to anybody else. I'm not saying he's the best there ever was but his playing is absolutly perfect. If anybody can post a song on here where Marc plays a bum note, I will publicly eat my words.

January 4th, 2007, 09:19 PM	#13 (permalink)
durango jon-boy Banned Tele-Holic Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: The Greatest state of Arizona Posts: 624	To the Good Texan. Fist off, I love your co-worker gripes. Second, I respect what you say. I'm not saying that that no rhythm is necessary. It's one of the most important parts of music and that I know. all I'm saying is in my opinion, with out a couple of good solos in a song, it never really takes off leaving me bored. I know that music is an act in the Yen and the Yang but I'm just at that point in my own playing where a good solo is more important to me than the rhythm. I'll be honest with you, I'm very bitter about the break up because it came one month before the reunion tour was going to be in Flagstaff. It just seems to me and some others that I've spoken to that the Crowes have become a two man show with the Robinsons. It seems to me that they just don't want to share any of the spot light with anybody else in the band. Might as well change the name of the band to the Robinson Brothers Band. I have always believed that in music the band is more important than anyone in it. You know what I'm saying. That being said, thank you for your input and advice, I will take it to heart.