Nine-time Grammy Award Winner Sheryl Crow and her new 10-piece band, The Thieves, shook the golden walls of the historic Tennessee Theater on Wednesday evening with an energetic blend of Soul and R&B. Crow was in Knoxville promoting her new record "100 Miles from Memphis,” a project that was inspired by her influences growing up in a small town in Missouri which lies 100 miles from the musically rich Memphis, Tennessee. When Crow and the band kicked off the evening with Sly & The Family Stone's "Dance to the music," and a smooth song from the new record titled "Eye to Eye," the sold out crowd could tell right away that this was a new Sheryl Crow. The Thieves helped transform Crow's typically mainstream pop/rock sound into something that could have easily come straight out of Stax Records. Fan favorites such as, "My Favorite Mistake," and "Everyday is a Winding Road" were infused with Hammond B3 organ, horns, and background vocals strikingly reminiscent of the great female vocal groups of the 1960's. The new approach to Crow’s classics was well received by the crowd, who sang and danced along with songs like "Soak up the sun," and "If it makes you happy". The highlights among Crow's new material included the breezy "Summer day", the title track from her new record "100 miles from Memphis," and a pleadingly beautiful piano ballad titled "Stop," during which she played solo under a single spotlight.
Crow seemed right at home with her fans, opening up about family life and politics. Her sense of humor was on display as she ad-libbed during her performance of "Strong enough," saying that she wants "somebody who's willing to drive a hybrid, somebody that has a job, or at least wants a job". She also talked about her two small children; joking about being the oldest mom at Preschool. The subject of politics was tactfully mentioned during another new song from the record titled "Say what you want,” where she encouraged her listeners to speak out and exercise their rights as American citizens.
After two hours of performing soulful versions of hit songs and new material, Sheryl Crow and The Thieves capped off a great evening with a spectacular rendition of The Jackson Five’s "I want you back," which left the crowd at The Tennessee Theater saying just that.
