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The Band – The Band
Throughout the Nice Divide
Rag Mama Rag
The Night time They Drove Previous Dixie Down
When You Awake
Up on Cripple Creek
Whispering Pines
Jemima Give up
Rockin’ Chair
Look Out Cleveland
Jawbone
The Untrue Servant
King Harvest (Has Certainly Come)
Having backed Bob Dylan on the Isle of Wight Pageant, the quintessential Canadian backwoodsmen rented Sammy Davis Jr’s mansion within the Hollywood Hills and knocked off their second magnum opus.
With an album containing The Night time They Drove Previous Dixie Down (a success for Joan Baez), Up On Cripple Creek and the bouncy Rag Mama Rag, the beardy quintet paved the way in which for rootsy rockers all over the place.
Robbie Robertson established himself because the group’s director, casting his bandmates to sing roles intrinsic to the character of songs that attain deep into some storied, semi-mythological previous: Richard Manuel excels on Throughout The Nice Divide; Levon Helm was by no means extra highly effective than on the Civil Battle lament, The Night time They Drove Previous Dixie Down.
A flawless assimilation of blues, soul, R&B and extra, and a touchstone for each Americana act that adopted. Though not essentially the most profitable act of the period, they have been arguably the hippest.
Each week, Album of the Week Membership listens to and discusses the album in query, votes on how good it’s, and publishes our findings, with the intention of giving folks dependable critiques and the broader rock neighborhood the prospect to contribute.
Different albums launched in September 1969
- I Acquired Dem Ol’ Kozmic Blues Once more Mama! – Janis Joplin
- Then Play On – Fleetwood Mac
- New York Tendaberry – Laura Nyro
- Abbey Highway – The Beatles
- At Dwelling – Surprising Blue
- Get Prepared – Uncommon Earth
- 2 Ozs of Plastic with a Gap within the Center – Man
- Canned Wheat – The Guess Who
- 4 Sail – Love
- Love Chronicles – Al Stewart
- Good – The Good
- Noah – The Bob Seger System
- Rock & Roll – Vanilla Fudge
- The Aerosol Gray Machine – Van der Graaf Generator
- Spare Elements – Standing Quo
- A Step Additional – Savoy Brown
- Supersnazz – The Flamin’ Groovies
- These Issues Too – Pearls Earlier than Swine
- Quantity Two – The Mushy Machine
What they mentioned…
“The Band have been four-fifths Canadian – drummer Levon Helm was from Arkansas – however their second album is all American. Guitarist Robbie Robertson’s songs vividly evoke the nation’s pioneer age (“Throughout the Nice Divide”) and the Civil Battle (“The Night time They Drove Previous Dixie Down”), whereas reflecting the fractured state of the nation within the Sixties.” (Rolling Stone)
“Now, when folks take into consideration the Band, the most typical reference level is The Final Waltz, Martin Scorsese’s iconic live performance movie concerning the group’s would-be farewell present in 1976, by which Robertson is positioned on the heart and Manuel is barely seen. Hierarchy had lastly been imposed. And but the ability of the Band’s second file is such that it may make you overlook all of that for about 40 minutes.” (Pitchfork)
“The Band overflowed with expertise. From the Civil Battle (The Night time They Drove Previous Dixie Down) to the plight of farmers (King Harvest [Has Surely Come]), Canadian Robertson channeled Helm’s (the group’s solely American) particular person expertise and data into roots pop/rock with tooth. The outfit spent almost a decade refining its sound and with the modestly titled The Band, reached arguably the top of its profession.” (American Songwriter)
What you mentioned…
Steve Pereira: The Eric Clapton story is that he says he heard The Basement Tapes and beloved the free sound and pleasant environment. He clearly wasn’t referring to the 1975 album, nor the bootleg, Nice White Marvel, which contained a few of the recordings, as that was launched in 1969, after Cream cut up up. He have to be referring to some demo tapes that received despatched out.
We all know concerning the demo tapes as a result of varied bands recorded and launched songs from The Basement Tapes from 1968 onwards (Julie Driscoll with This Wheel’s On Hearth for instance). He favored the environment a lot that he went out to Woodstock to satisfy the band, with a view to asking if he might be a part of them.
However when he received there, he discovered he had little in widespread with them, and that they weren’t as pleasant and laid again in actual life as they’d sounded on the demo tapes with Dylan. So he went again to the UK and fashioned Blind Religion as a substitute. And Clapton thought-about Blind Religion to be the English model of The Band.
Henry Martinez: A bitter Rolling Stone evaluate additionally contributed to Clapton’s choice to finish Cream, however I can see The Band influencing the sound of his self-titled 1970 debut and particularly his solo output beginning in ’74. The road from this Band album to the The Final Waltz is effectively value following if you happen to’re new to them. It isn’t nearly Robbie Robertson; it was a gifted assortment of characters who all introduced their totally different strengths. Effectively value a hear.
Steve Pereira: As regards The Band by The Band. I really feel it is a stable, worthy, respectable album. But it surely’s additionally considerably boring and boring. The Band behind and with Dylan are a gritty little band. Little in the way in which of character, however definitely first rate backing musicians. By themselves they preserve that really feel of a stable, respectable band. Although (except taking part in reside) they do find yourself sounding extra like a bunch of expert session musicians than a correct band. They’re a band in want of a charismatic entrance man.
Respectable, stable songs on the album, which just like the debut, Music From Massive Pink, feels like they got here out of the recordings which ended up on The Basement Tapes. I suppose if people like The Basement Tapes they will like this album. But it surely’s all so dour for me. And Americana isn’t a style of music than holds any curiosity for me. I wrestle to see the real distinction between Americana and American folk-rock and country-rock. Besides that it lacks pleasure and life. And is reasonably old school. The subsequent 12 months Elton John launched Tumbleweed Connection – for me John’s best (sadly missed). Now that is an important exploration of the Americana style.
Greg Schwepe: As a music aficionado, I’ve at all times been positive to take a look at bands or albums which are typically acknowledged as classics or influential indirectly to different artists. Form of like, if you happen to’re actually a music geek you need to personal a replica of Rumours, Resort California and Again In Black kind of factor.
So, I needed to do the identical factor with The Band a number of years in the past. Figuring out how Eric Clapton was a fan, and their involvement with Bob Dylan, I made a decision to offer them a hear. And, throughout a live performance marathon on a music associated TV channel I watch, I most likely noticed an advert for The Final Waltz, in order that most likely nudged me a bit of. After buying some album by The Band (both a compilation or launch that I can’t bear in mind), I did my due diligence to see what the fuss was about.
And to let you know the reality, I used to be a bit of underwhelmed. And I used to be disenchanted that I used to be underwhelmed. After I received previous the 3-4 songs that really did radio airplay I simply didn’t “get” The Band. Bunch of gifted musicians, however the remainder of their stuff didn’t appear to click on with me.
And when The Band’s second album received chosen for this week’s evaluate, I assumed I’d take one other hear and check out tougher this time. However alas, the identical outcome. A couple of songs actually, actually caught with me; the funky Up On Cripple Creek, and the bluesy chugging Jemima Give up. The remainder of the album, effectively, possibly Americana isn’t my factor for essentially the most half.
7 out of 10 for me on this one. Influential band with albums that influenced and moved lots of people, however simply not me.
John Davidson: Not my cup of tea. Although lord is aware of I’ve tried through the years. I do like southern rock and the occasional nation rock tune crosses over however this one simply sounds dated to me.
Clearly a bunch of gifted musicians and a few first rate songs which have entered the general public lexicon, however total it is a no.
Evan Sanders: Thanks for making The Band the Album of the Week, as my common listening to them has both been The Final Waltz or a biggest hits choice. I feel this album is a superb instance of the Americana motion, which influenced bands from The Grateful Lifeless, The Eagles, and even Southern Rock, with its emphasis on songs that appear to evoke a spot and historical past.
Despite the fact that the album that will get extra consideration is the earlier 12 months’s Music From Massive Pink, I feel the second album higher establishes The Band’s sound. Maybe it’s because all of the songs have been written by the members, reasonably than adapting covers. Songs like The Night time They Drove Previous Dixie Down, Up On Cripple Creek and Look Out Cleveland proceed to be performed within the nice American songbook, deservedly.
I am giving it a 7/10, subtracting a number of factors for a number of songs which are much less spectacular b-sides, and my opinion that the lyrics of The Night time They Drove Previous Dixie Down haven’t aged effectively.
Philip Qvist: album, together with a few their iconic songs, primarily The Night time They Drove Previous Dixie Down and Up On Cripple Creek.
Some nice vocals from Richard Manuel (who additionally contributed to the songwriting), Levon Helm and Rick Danko. That each one mentioned, it’s Robbie Robertson’s songwriting that’s the key right here. A reasonably first rate album.
John Stout: Simply purchased the deluxe version, because it contains the Band’s full set at Woodstock. Music From Massive Pink and this one are the necessities, however Stage Fright is superb too (and comes with a full present from the Royal Albert Corridor 1971 which is totally killer.)
And that is coming from somebody who solely simply began listening to them a few months in the past.
Chris Elliott: In 1984 throughout certainly one of their reformations I “noticed” them at a wierd competition. I used to be 18 and should have succumbed to different temptations and I’ve completely zero recollections of a lot in any respect – together with seeing The Band.
Nevertheless a number of years down the road I lastly received this album and it has been a favorite since. As soon as an entire outlier in my tastes – it is grow to be extra of an indicator of my tastes as time passes.
It has the identical feeling as Uncle Tupelo albeit taking a extra roots strategy. Barely a notice wasted – along with Music From Massive Pink it is a fantastic album. They by no means reached the identical heights after.
An ideal album to stroll the canine – a beautiful album to only waft you alongside. Whispering Pines is a factor of magnificence.
Adam Ranger: I am most likely within the minority right here however I discovered this a bit boring. Nice taking part in, good writing, however I discovered myself, with a few exceptions, a bit bored by the expertise.
I feel I used to be anticipating one thing particular from years of crucial acclaim. I had solely heard these songs on The Final Waltz (a superb reside album that I can simply take heed to anytime)
I suppose for me, the album variations aren’t as energetic.. the exception being Up On Cripple Creek, the most effective tune on this file.
I can respect their affect on condition that this was 1968, and I respect the artistry, nevertheless it’s not an album I’ll revisit shortly.
Mike Canoe: Occasion over, oops, out of time; tonight I am gonna celebration prefer it’s 1869.
I strive one of many Band’s albums once more each few years, however I discover their music as aggressively and pretentiously boring as their selection of band identify. It is as if, on the peak of psychedelia and heavy rock, they made a degree of rocking out as little as doable.
In some methods, they remind me of the Grateful Lifeless however with out Jerry Garcia’s scruffy appeal and the cool cranium emblem. I suppose their musicianship is top quality however not one of the three vocalists or Robbie Robertson’s lyrics draw me in.
The fake ol’-timey The Night time They Drove Previous Dixie Down is all the pieces I dislike concerning the band in a single tune. As inauthentic because the sepia-toned band photograph on the album cowl. If I needed to level somebody in direction of a success, it will be the upbeat Up On Cripple Creek. For a deeper monitor, Look Out Cleveland or Rag Mama Rag.
I’ve pals who swear by the Band’s greatness and have named canine after sure band members. Nevertheless, they continue to be not for me. However I am going to most likely strive once more in a number of years.
Last rating: 8.09 (53 votes forged, whole rating 429)
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