In early 2002, the Black Crowes posted a cryptic message on their website stating the band was "taking a hiatus." This translated to founding member and drummer Steve Gorman leaving the band and Chris Robinson dabbling with a solo debut. In the meantime, brother Rich went through tapes of the band's 2001 tour to compile the two-CD collection LIVE. The result is a 19-song collection that draws from all the band's studio albums (minus 1999's criminally underrated BY YOUR SIDE). Casual fans will be thrilled by killer versions of radio hits like "She Talks To Angels" and "Twice As Hard" while die-hards will undoubtedly have flashbacks to live shows past thanks to in-concert favorites "Sting Me" and "Remedy."

Mixed in with newer material like the effervescent "Soul Singing" and sassy "Lickin" from the band's last studio outing LIONS are welcome obscurities from AMORICA ("Cursed Diamond") and THREE SNAKES AND ONE CHARM ("Girl From A Pawnshop"). Unfortunately, the Crowes played it safe in choosing to go with their hit version of Otis Redding's "Hard To Handle" rather than throwing in one of the more eclectic covers they've been known for.

Rolling Stone (9/5/02, p.74) - 3 stars out of 5 - "...A double live album boasting the dirty fidelity and bong-happy abandon of Humble Pie's PERFORMANCE - ROCKING THE FILMORE, the Faces' COAST TO COAST and the Rolling Stones' LOVE YOU LIVE..."

Q (10/02, pp.100-1) - 3 stars out of 5 - "...Tight, but comfortably loose...they prove themselves one of the best live bands of the last decade..."