Whatgives?

Once again, no one from the band or management is talking about the change in plans. Instead, publicists refer the media to a past management statement: “This is a new era for the Black Crowes. They?re doing what they want to do; they?re playing what they want to play, all on their own terms.”

As almost everyone in America knows, 2006 was a bumpy year for The Crowes. Just one week before last fall?s tour, they fired their keyboardist. Then their longtime guitarist quit. Publicists privately say that the various reported romances of Kate Hudson, Goldie Hawn?s daughter and Chris? ex-wife, are why the brothers shun interviews.

But the brothers will talk about some of their regrouping, including their “Birds of a Feather” acoustic gigs last year that resulted in a recently released CD and soon-to-be-released DVD.

During both the live and televised shows, the brothers Robinson reached deep into their Black Crowes catalog, performed songs from their respective solo works (Chris? “Someday Past the Sunset”; Rich?s “Forgiven Song”) and performed some new songs (“Magic Rooster Blues,” “Cold Boy Smile”). College newspapers have written superlatives about the shows, while the mainstream media have taken more of a wait-and-see approach.

That suits Rich Robinson, who makes it clear he?s in it for the music, just fine.

“It?s great to present these songs the way Chris and I wrote most of them almost 20 years ago,” Robinson said. “To have our fans sitting in on such intimate musical moments was an honor.”

Once again, though, no one is saying what the fans should expect at the upcoming shows, including the Baltimore date.

Like the media, fans need to wait and see.

IF YOU GO

The Black Crowes

» Venue: Sonar, 407 E. Saratoga St., Baltimore

» Time: 7:30 p.m. Tuesday

» Details: $45; 410-547-SEAT; www.ticketmaster.com