A concept album, a former Crowe and a beloved ballroom

My review of Clint Morgan’s concept album about the lives and sometimes redemption of criminals kicks things off this week, followed by a review of Rich Robinson’s latest solo album and consideration of a documentary about Detroit’s Grande Ballroom finishes things off.

‘Scofflaw,’ Clint Morgan (Lost Cause Records, ☆☆☆☆☆)

This June 17 CD (probably available in other formats) is pianist/singer/songwriter Clint Morgan’s second release and it’s a concept album about people from good homes who end up on the wrong side of the law.

The 18-song album was co-produced by Morgan, Kevin Johnson and Rob Thorworth. Guests include vocalists Maria Muldaur and Diunna Greenleaf and many top-tier players, including drummer Jerry Roe, bassist Dave Roe, guitarist Kenny Vaughan and multi-instrumentalist Jim Hoke.

Covers (“Wild One” & “Wanted Man”), originals (“D.B. Cooper Blues,” “I Don’t Know Where to Turn,” “Bad Man Blues” and “The Face In The Mirror”) and a beautiful version of “Softly and Tenderly,” a duet with Muldaur, are my favorites. Greenleaf’s vocals are outstanding on several songs.

If you like piano-powered music including boogie, rock, jazz and more, here’s one for you with songs about famous criminals.

‘Flux,’ Rich Robinson (Eagle Rock Entertainment, ☆☆☆☆)

This June 24 CD (probably available in other formats) is the brand-new album from former Black Crowes guitarist Rich Robinson, coming after a raft of Robinson re-issues earlier in the year.

Robinson is joined by drummer/percussionist Joe Magistro, keyboardists Matt Slocum, Danny Mitchell and Marco Beneveto, bassist Zak Gabbard and backing vocalists John Hogg and Danelia Cotton.

The songs have a lot of chords but simple melodies. However, there’s nothing here as catchy as the best of Robinson’s live-in-the-studio “Woodstock Sessions” series.

The beautiful “For To Give” is my top tune. Other favorites include “The Upstairs Land,” “Music That Will Lift Me,” “Ides of Nowhere” and the mostly solo “Time To Leave.”

Guitar-sound junkies and fans of medium- to slow-paced electric folk tunes will enjoy this album, though it’s certainly not “less is more.”

‘Louder Than Love: The Grande Ballroom Story,’ directed by Tony D’Annunzio (MVDvisual, ☆☆☆☆)

This June 10 DVD tells the story of the Grande Ballroom, which was the center of the gritty and hard-driving Detroit music scene in the late 1960s.

This is a great program because it illustrates the importance of the Grande to Detroit bands and to British bands who solidified their U.S. market share with shows there.

Opened by former teacher Russ Gibb, the hot second-floor ballroom featured a house band (the MC5), the Amboy Dukes and other Detroit bands, then The Who, Cream, Jethro Tull and many more during its heyday.

Gibb,Wayne Kramer, Ted Nugent, Alice Cooper and many others share their memories and awe in this nifty program.

This story was originally published June 24, 2016 at 10:40 AM with the headline "A concept album, a former Crowe and a beloved ballroom."