Chris Robinson Brotherhood 11/12/11

I guess an optimist would say that Center Stage was half-full.  Chris and company just couldn't seem to fill the place, but I guess that happens.  The first set was OK, I'm not familiar with his solo stuff but they did throw in a Crowes cover of "Appaloosa."  If I overheard correctly, the entire set list was scattered, or littered, with Grateful Dead tunes.  Wouldn't know, never could get into those guys.  So that gives you an idea of what sound was like all evening.  The second set, after at least a half hour intermission, was really jammy and I damn near left early.  But then they roped me in with a couple more Crowes numbers, including "I Aint Hiding."  Not that that was the reason I went, I wasn't expecting to hear any.  It was at this time I really began to become aware of and annoyed by this guy next to me who apparently thought it would be a good idea to have a first date at a friggin rock show.  He's telling this chick, very loudly, all about his family and I even heard him say his grandparents were in a concentration camp.  Now, far be it for me to make light of the Jewish plight, but this Gentile would have preferred to hear a little more music and a little less family tragedy at that moment.  That's the beauty of a general admission show; one can move around to a spot that isn't next to someone who thinks they're at a random bar listening to house music and not have to go to jail for smacking the Hell out of them.  I hate to go against one of the founding members of one of my favorite bands, but if I had it to do over again, I would have probably gone and seen The Australian Pink Floyd Show that was right down the street at the Fox.  Tickets went on sale for Chris before they announced they were coming to Atlanta.  Damn those double booked days.