When the Black Crowes first went national, around 1990, the band became a walking/talking critical argument. Were Chris and Rich Robinson inspired revivalists, introducing rock and blues verities rendered with credibility and conviction to a new generation? Or were they figurative grave-defilers, cynically sucking off the corpse of rock glories past for the entertainment of aging fans who loved claiming that they dug a new band and didn't care that it didn't actually sound new?

The Black Crowes have certainly escaped the lethal tag of Stones imitators, since when they began; the influence was less than subtle. Today's Crowes remind one almost of a Grateful Dead vibe - perhaps due to the looseness and a slightly warmer sound, or a lingering effect of the short tenure enjoyed by Chris Robinson in Phil Lesh's band? They bring their new sense of a groove, in addition to a bunch of new songs, to the Ulster Performing Arts Center in Kingston this Friday, September 18. To those lurking around Levon Helm's barn last March, the songs are old friends by now, since the band recorded the soon-to-be-released record out on Plochman Lane.

The six-piece band - which now includes ace North Mississippi Allstars guitarist Luther Dickinson, plus two backup singers - tends to play sets a tad shorter than traditional jam-bands, but that might be a good thing: A get-to-the-point type of approach just might work.

Tickets are $45 general admission and $42 for Bardavon members. They can be obtained at the Bardavon box office at 35 Market Street in Poughkeepsie, (845) 473-2072; at the UPAC box office at 601 Broadway in Kingston, (845) 339-6088; or via TicketMaster, (800) 745-3000.