Reviews (page 2 of 12)
So good
both an important record, and a really good one to listen to. (there are many "important records" that have become a tiresome listen down the years). great voices, especially, but also a really organic feel in every performance
My kind of mess.
I wanted to say something short and cheeky. But then I thought about it. And like. The Band is SO underrated among the my 2000's generation. Their first 3 albums are absolutely fantastic. "Music From Big Pink" has the seldom legitimate claim of being the first album in a genre. Pretty well invented Americana music, with its mix of rock, country, western, folk, and blues styles. Also popularized the whole Big Pink thing, with countless acts trying to find and record at their own Big Pink - a communal house of creativity, music, friendship, and work. The who's who of music have consistently cited The Band as an influence, and they still have their fingerprints on modern Americana, folk, and alt-country acts 60 years later. All that being said, the music here is really good too. Like "The Weight" and "I Shall Be Released" are classics for a reason. But stuff like "Caledonia Mission", "This Wheel's on Fire", "Chest Fever", "Long Black Veil", and "To Kingdom Come" are all great songs played by five great musicians. For what it's worth, and as a Canadian, I think Robbie Robertson is one of the most underrated musicians of all-time in today's world.
i always forget i like this (the) band
An unexpected 5 for me but this album is great.
A certain early Steely Dan quality to this and it was superb from start to finish. Had only heard Long Black Veil and This Wheel's On Fire before, and they were covers, so this was great!
Surprised I never listened before. Greater than great!
Another album I grew up with - every song is a winner.
If you were around in the late60s, this music was the music that defined that era. The 60s had its own special sound.
Rating: 4.7/5 Short Review: Warm, lived-in, and quietly powerful. Feels like music that already existed before it was recorded. Simple on the surface, but emotionally deep without trying to prove it. Favorite Track: “The Weight.” It just unfolds naturally. Feels like a story you’ve always known.
Another really good, low fi jazz album. The weight was the best choice for the A track, otherwise would also have been a good fit.
The more I listen the more I appreciate The Band. There's some great songs on this album. 4.7/5.
5/5 any day of the week. What a great record.
Absolute classic. The Band would be the best American group of all time if 80% of them weren't Canadian.
Heroes of a generation.
Great album. Easy four stars. You know. I am bumping up to five stars.
Too important to rate it anything less.
Je sais pas trop c'est quoi leur formule magique, mais ça groove vraiment d'une façon magnifique The Band. Le tone de Robertson, le straight-forwardness du drummer... Évidemment mes prefs sont The Weight et I shall be released, mais j'aimerais y revenir pour apprivoiser les autres. Tout ça m'a donné le goût de réécouter Planet Waves (ce que j'ai fait).
The band: 5. Un de ces groupe là! Trop d’aspects nostalgiques.
Great. ❤️
Déjà écouté avant. Top : The Weight Flop : In a Station
The Band is by far the best name these guys could've picked for themselves. First, they were Bob Dylan & The Band, but then they stopped working with Bob Dylan. Some member (probably drunk) probably looked to the other guys and went "Well, no more Bob Dylan. Guess we're just The Band now" and everyone loved it. They really stuck it to Bob Dylan, too. As much as I love his music, he probably wishes he could do stuff this good. The Band has this really emotional yet infectiously fun feel that only they can nail as well as they do. Just the fact that Long Black Veil and Chest Fever are right next to eachother on this album shows what I'm talking about. A really sad story into a really kickass organ solo. That's ignoring the other 9 songs on this album. They're all incredible and as incredibly varied as that pair.
I fucking love the band
TODAS AS BANDAS DE FOLK + R&B queriam copiar 9/10 THE WEIGHT!!
One of the most confident debut albums of all time. Music From Big Pink was influential to some of the biggest players in the industry, from The Beatles to Pink Floyd. It rightfully deserves its revered status.
1 good song I had in my queue before this list, never heard the rest of the album, pretty good 👍
Get your cannonball to take me down line.... Caledonia Mission is a great song. And The Weight is one of the greatest songs in the canon of folk/popular music. The vocals from Rick, Levon, and Richard as they mix and on their own are simply wonderful. Not a bad tune on this record.
Near flawless folk rock with big melodies and big heart.
This album slaps. I love the blend of genres
I know it's not really the point of this but I love when it gives me an album I know and love. Probably the best rendition of 'i shall be released' I've listened to and the cover art is the coolest. I have this album on CD and it's an easy reach for me.
Classic soft launch of an entire sub genre. Not sure how much they owe to Dyla stylistically, or vice versa, but this is great stuff.
An amazing album, some true classics here. Take a load off fannie is enough for repeat listening, but discovered the others is just icing. Amazing rythyms and vocal, great backing, just an all rounder great album.
This album broke up Cream and they still wouldn’t let Clapton in. Perfect album. It’s a shame we can only give it a 5.
This album is pretty good. It's such an enjoyable one. It's not fantastic, but all the songs are great, and that makes the album flow really quick. The Band has very good albums, I prefer their self-titled record, but this one is also a very nice one. So, even though I'm not impressed, I am more than delighted.
Holy fuck this was good (100/100)
This is one of the best debut albums of all time. The composition and production sounds so modern in a good way, especially considering this album is from 1968. Everyone in this band has a beatiful voice.
5/9
War ein schönes rundes und ruhiges Album.
Great album!
Glorious. The melodies, harmonies, musicianship, storytelling, all peak. The Band sound so professional and competent, but don’t lose any heart and soul. There’s just a warmth to their sound that’s hard to define and impossible to ignore. Just lovely.
Wonderful mix of a little bit of everything that sounds fun. Lots of ideas and tonal differences between songs but through it just sounds like the band had fun, with hits that I wasn’t aware of.
Amazing record. What a great band The Band is!
Timeless
Это определенные 5 из 5. Музыка не надоедает, можно слушать в любом настроении. Смесь рока и джаза, очень душевно и подойдёт почти под любое событие
Super soulful and slow
Album #33: Music from Big Pink - The Band Genre (W): Americana, roots rock, country rock Singles: The Weight I have listened to this album twice before. Thoughts: This is a solid roots rock album, being one of the first. I love the lyricism and the overall folksy feel to it (it comes from Big Pink, hence the title). I wish more albums like this one were created today, but maybe I have rose-colored glasses on. Favorite songs: All of it!!
I think I've only rated an album a 5 upon first listen one or two times here. The songs on here are undeniable with Weight landing about dead center. I liked The Band before, but this takes them to new levels for me. Just gorgeous work.
Perfect American music
Holy shit
very enjoyable
Day741 - i would love to be in the room when these great song writers have to decide what goes on the album, and after that fight who gets to be the lead singer.
chill
It’s the band. It’s great. Full stop. The Weight sounds like it is from a completely different album compared To the tracks that came before it. I did not expect long black veil here. Fantastic album
Always cited as a game changer, and to an extent I can understand. Overall slightly prefer the second album.
Music from Big Pink is the absolute best album to ever come out of Canada in my occasionally less than humble opinion. The Band who released this iconic album is not the best group to ever come out of Canada (that would be Rush) but no other album comes close to this level of absolute perfection. It's scary good. It sounded like nothing else upon release and while its influence is vast and can be heard in various bands in various genres (Alt. Country, Americana, Roots Rock, Country Soul, Country Rock, Folk Rock, etc.) it remains a rare no other album sounds like this masterpiece. Roger Waters called it "the second most influential album in the history of Rock N Roll" with only Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band topping it. If he's wrong, it's not by much. The Band then known as The Hawks were Dylan's backing band for his US tour in 1965 & his world tour in 1966 and would record well over 100 songs in the basement of the Pink House and this their debut album in 1967 (released in 1968, Basement Tapes was finally in 1975) Bob Dylan painted the album cover. This whole 1001 Albums project exists because of albums like Music from the Big Pink- it's something everyone with even a passing interest in music should absolutely hear before leaving this mortal coil and if there is an afterlife you will look back fondly at your time on earth & the first time you heard Music from the Big Pink.
Best
Makes me feel like I’m sitting by a fire in the Smokey’s
Great Album
I could listen to this on repeat until I die.
This album is just about perfect. This is a "debut album" sort of like Ichiro Suzuki was a "rookie" in 2001. Technically accurate but context is necessary.
From my favorites
The album is a multifaced cube of character. Simply put, I haven't heard such a good album in a while that effortlessly plays with different directions and genres. Manuel's soulful vocals add an incredible dimension to the songs, making them evergreen, while the harmonization of Robertson, Rick, and Helm achieves the ultimate goal of creating infectious pop numbers, which shows the level of synergy these guys had, even if they didn't quite got on when the mics were turned off. Instrumentally, each member contributes in their own way: Garth Hudson might be the best organ player I've heard, which makes the bulk of my enjoyment of this album, while Levon's simple drumming style contrasts with the experimentation of the other members (who add a little bit of everything, from funk, garage rock licks, RnB and gospel), playing the role of a monolith around which the others revolve and creating the foundation for the songs. Of course, lyrically, there are moments that touch upon some urban myths and American legends, but to a much lesser extent than what will be present on the next album. Mostly, the album resides in this intimate sphere, providing a brief glimpse into the atmosphere in which this album was created. Summarizing what is found here could be precisely reduced to one word: intimacy. With this unique album, The Band shows us a side of music that wasn't particularly prevalent then, especially not in the mainstream, with its themes of heartache, resilience, and the human experience. I'm extremely pleased that this album has been recognized as a significant musical success, as one of America's most important musical achievements, and as an album that stands strong even today.
Dette er vel brått det mest countryaktige albumet til The Band, og det var en stor innflytelse for både countryrockere og band i helt andre sjangre. Det var motstrøms da hippibevegelsen begynte å ligne hovedstrøms. Da alle skulle gjøre de mest spaca greiene, med lange låter og dilldall, tok The Band det helt ned. Jeg syns til og med det er modig å starte et album med en låt som "Tears of Rage". Den har ikke starterenergi, men akkurat her er det kanskje poenget? I The Band-katalogen har jeg holdt konsertalbumene høyest, og den selvtitulerte oppfølgeren har flest av favorittene mine. Men Music From Big Pink er virkelig et flott album. Jeg tror til og med plata kunne klart seg uten "The Weight", men det er selvfølgelig best at den er der. En av all time beste låter. Selv om The Band på dette tidspunktet var uløselig knyttet med Bob Dylan, så står de helt på egne ben. Joda, han har malt coveret og skrevet "This Wheel's On Fire" og "I Shall Be Released", og er medskribent på "Tears of Rage". Sånn sett hadde de mye å bevise, og de innfrir, og har en enorm selvtillit, spilleglede og kameratskap mens de gjør det. Jeg tror den eneste låta som ødelegger stemningen litt er "To Kingdom Come", som låter fjollete, men som er irriterende catchy også. Det kan også nevnes at jeg pleide å være med i Facebook-gruppen: The Band is called The Band because they are THE Band
Classic!
Good audio
Yes! One of the recordings that kick started a generation.
We don't deserve The Band. They are the perfect sixty's representation of Americana. 4.5/5
Goo Goo
Fem killar går in i ett hus och trycker på rec. En timme senare har de spelat in elva framtida klassiker. Bara så där. Inga omtagningar. Riktigt så gick det väl inte till. Men få skivor kan som Music from Big Pink ge den känslan av att musiken bara uppstår, lika enkelt och naturligt som genialt, som sprungen ur en uråldrig källa.
Nice blues rock album, at first i was a little offput by the vocals, but its really soothing and a compliment to the album. I would really like to highlight the tracks Caledonia Mission and The Weight, i feel the chemistry between all of the members to shine through the most in this track, they just really know how to wield those instruments in a way that it feels like a ride through the sunset, 9/10
Well what can i say really, the dons, its The fucking Band. Multiple listens to this today, The Weight is one of the best songs of all time. Tears Of Rage comes in at #2, and is an unbelievable opener. 5.0/5.0 Best Song: The Weight/Tears Of Rage
No notes. Its a perfect album, and not even their best. 4 Canadian Dudes and 1 American created the Americana genre. Its such easy listening, Richard Manuel and Rick Danko have two of the most beautiful voices of all time. The whole band is so talented and this album is just amazing. I don't think there is a more influential song than The Weight either, it might be the greatest bit of songwriting ever.
I've listened to a lot of the band, but never this album together, fucking incredible, and I didn't realize that Richard Manuel was so involved at first, singing a lot, and writing a bit. That motherfucker may have well had the best voice in rock. Tears of Rage does slow song intensity like no one ever has. Garths organ/electronic experimentation, levons drumming, and singing somehow, danko singing, robertson clean and tasteful. The world didn't deserve these guys.
Great album. Americana at its best or rather Canadiana.
Holds up
This is a really special album to me. It was one of my dad's absolute favourites, it was playing constantly. And it's really good. I'll always love the Band and this might be their best.
Really awesome
Real Americana music that is really deeply invigorating and original. This album has everything the mid 60's enthusiast wants without all the pretensions and you can feel the earth under your feet and know you have found nirvana.
Loved it
Absolutely one of my favorite albums from one of my favorite bands. Who knew a Canadian band could be so good at capturing the American sentiment so well.
This album feels so warm and cozy, like someone’s wrapping a warm blanket around me, handing me a hot drink, it’s an amazing feeling
I fucking love The Band.
Amazing album, definitely worth listening to again
Just magnificent. The Weight is among the greatest songs ever recorded, and then throw in the likes of Tears of Rage, Chest Fever and Long Black Veil and you’re on to a winner.
I have to do a backward exercise, putting myself in the late 60s, and then I realize how this album would be one of the first to mix genres like country, rock, folk, blues, and so on. Some tracks feature distinctive storytelling and a musical style that defies genre boundaries. "The Weight," "I Shall Be Released," "The Long Black Veil," and "We Can Talk" offer different narratives that evoke emotional and social themes. "Tears of Rage" was co-written with Bob Dylan. In fact, The Band emerged as a distinct group after backing Bob Dylan on his 1966 tour. Finally, I'm not going to pick a favorite because what I really liked about this album was the rich vocal harmonies, versatile instrumentation, and the mix of genres. A curiosity: The album includes the iconic song "The Weight" (track number 5), which gained greater popularity after The Band’s performance at Woodstock and its inclusion in the film "Easy Rider." Wow!
Nice swing in "Tears of Rage", pretty moving! In a Station is a superb ballad too, I'm really digging this album. It was cheesy but it is for sure a classic, I'm glad I found this album out. Way better than their self titled.
Love it. Own it.
One of the best of all time
Not having listened to this in a long time I was struck by how it really sounds like a bunch of friends just jamming and having fun playing music together. The Weight is obviously a classic. But there’s more to this record than that - Tears of Rage, We Can Talk About It and Long Black Veil are the other standouts for me.
Come on now
This is one of my favourite albums. Discovering the plaintive, folk-drenched sounds of The Band crystalized my lifelong love of roots/folk-rock/Americana (or preferentially, Canadiana, on this side of the border). It was life-altering in the subtle way that art improves and undergirds our lives. This is another record that I shouldn't rhapsodize too much -- there's been enough ink spilt on its account. Just give this a listen. Keep an ear out for the harmonies and for the strains of each band member's contributions bleeding through: Levon's traditional folk from the South; Garth Hudson's conservatory training; Robbie's fire; Rick Danko's obvious R&B influences (and his utterly unique vocal timbre) and the pure, uncut sadness of Richard Manuel. It's not easy to write a standard. They've written several -- two ('The Weight', 'This Wheel's On Fire' with Dylan) and stole a third ('I Shall Be Released' is a Dylan composition but it belongs to The Band and Richard Manuel in particular) on this record alone. If you've ever heard some lazy, jangly bullshit, it was probably trying to get to this place.
I rode into Nazareth.
A staple of the Band's catalogue. Oh, and the origin of the Ab Fab theme!
I listened to this on a drive from Tallahassee to Jacksonville after a weekend of visiting a friend. The only song I had heard before was “The Weight.” How I didn’t know any of the others is anyone’s guess, because this was fantastic. I keep mental notes of my favorite songs per album, and each song here could have been my favorite.
Fuck yeah love this album shoot your load on Annie for free
One of my favorites and really enjoyed revisiting it again
Depth of no ordinary work of art
One of my favorite records of all time
The greatest.
I guess it's not my favourite album by The Band but it'll do!
Classic!
Jag bara älskar den. Kanske skulle "the Weight" eller "Long black veil" ligga först, (eller "Chest fever"), men oavsett, det här är MÄNSKLIG MUSIK, musik av människor för människor.
Garage Americana. If not the best debut album, certainly top 3. I’ll let you know the others if/when they generate
A defining album of roots rock. 5 stars
In the first few seconds of this album The Band demonstrate their signature skill - the ability to make something completely new and make it sound so familiar and natural. On Tears of Rage, Robbie's guitar effect sounds unlike anything I've heard before and, despite hearing the song 1000 times had never asked myself, until yesterday, "what instrument is that? how did he get that effect?" Another stunning debut, no blemishes. I will hear arguments against their cover of I Shall Be Released. Hard to be objective on this one but what stood out is Danko was basically the lead singer. I've always thought of Danko as the sort of goofy, off speed pitch, and Helm as the true great vocalist. Helms talent definitely pops when the Weight hits. Apologies for another Sean/Frank story - we went to a party in Providence when we were probably 19. After a long night of partying we played The Weight in a small room to roaring applause (from two guys) and I looked down and the guitar I was borrowing was covered in blood from not using a pick. The next morning we left early and shortly after our departure the house got robbed at gun point. Great album!
I'm at a work event here I'm supposed to be networking but instead Im hiding in the corner just to say that I think 'the weight' is probably, measure for measure, my favorite song. I don't know why - the lyrics are hard to parse, the structure is repetitive and the progression is basic, but something about that song just gets me every time. I think it's either the floor tom right before 'put the load put the load on me' or the falsetto vamping after 'put the load on me' - something in that whole interchange is just buried in my soul. Rest of this album similarly great - especially 'tears of rage' and 'chest fever.' Somehow both loose and idiosyncratic while also never seeming like a note is out of place.
Prior to the first album we heard (The Band) I had only done the greatest hits - have really been missing out. This is one of my favorite new discoveries so far. Such an impressive debut - no skips for me. Interesting to read that Dylan did the artwork - he had offered to sing but wanted them to stand alone musically. And they sure do!
Timeless. Classic.
A personal favorite for decades. It's absolutely foundational to the music in my life. I'd give it 10 stars if I could.
This is a favorite of mine. This was the only album of The Band that I'd heard for the longest time. Obviously, they have a ton of great songs on other albums, but this one is almost a "best of" for me, personally. Everything just sounds great here. There's a bit of a ramshackle feel to it, but everything is exactly where it needs to be. Standout Track(s): Tears of Rage, To Kingdom Come, The Weight (duh), Chest Fever, I Shall Be Released
# In-Depth Review: The Band's *Music From Big Pink* - A Revolutionary Debut ## 🎵 Introduction and Background *Music From Big Pink* is the debut studio album by **The Band**, released on July 1, 1968. Although the group had previously backed Bob Dylan on his 1966 tour (as the Hawks), this album marked their official emergence as a distinct artistic force. The album was named after the pink house in West Saugerties, New York, where members of The Band lived and collaborated with Dylan on the infamous Basement Tapes. Despite not being recorded entirely at Big Pink, the album captured the spirit of those formative sessions, blending roots music with a singular vision that stood in stark contrast to the psychedelic excesses of the late 1960s. ## 📝 Lyrics and Storytelling The lyrics on *Music From Big Pink* are a masterclass in storytelling, drawing from **American folklore, biblical allegories, and personal narratives**. The album opens with "Tears of Rage," a poignant song co-written by Bob Dylan and Richard Manuel, which explores betrayal and disillusionment through the metaphor of a parent-child relationship. Other highlights include: - **"The Weight"**: Inspired by Luis Buñuel's films, this song uses symbolic characters (e.g., Fanny, Miss Anna Lee) to explore themes of burden and morality. - **"Long Black Veil"**: A classic murder ballad about secrecy and sacrifice, where the narrator refuses to reveal his alibi to protect his best friend's wife. - **"I Shall Be Released"**: A Dylan-penned hymn about hope and redemption, delivered with haunting falsetto by Richard Manuel. The Band’s lyrics often feel timeless, as if they were passed down through generations rather than newly written. This quality is reinforced by their **raw, conversational delivery**, which avoids the pretensions of contemporary psychedelic lyricism. ## 🎶 Musical Style and Performances Musically, *Music From Big Pink* is a **genre-defying blend** of country, rock, gospel, blues, and soul. The Band’s sound is characterized by: - **Rich vocal harmonies**: The album features multiple lead vocalists (Manuel, Danko, and Helm), whose voices intertwine in a way that feels both rustic and sophisticated. Tracks like "We Can Talk" showcase their call-and-response style, described as "one voice for all". - **Instrumental versatility**: Garth Hudson’s organ and Lowrey piano work (e.g., the iconic intro to "Chest Fever") add classical and psychedelic textures, while Robbie Robertson’s economical guitar solos and Levon Helm’s solid drumming anchor the songs. - **Dynamic arrangements**: The Band avoids traditional verse-chorus structures in favor of **impressionistic, flow-like compositions**. For example, "Tears of Rage" builds from a mournful dirge into a sweeping orchestral passage, while "In a Station" combines poetic lyrics with melodic introspection. The result is an album that feels both familiar and revolutionary, as if it were simultaneously excavating the past and inventing the future. ## 🎛 Production and Sound Produced by **John Simon**, the album was recorded in two weeks across studios in New York and Los Angeles. The production is notable for its: - **Live, organic sound**: The Band insisted on recording together in a circle without studio baffles, mimicking the communal feel of their basement sessions. This approach captured their "elastic interplay" and created a sense of intimacy. - **Minimal overdubbing**: Unlike the heavily produced albums of the era (e.g., *Sgt. Pepper’s*), *Music From Big Pink* prioritizes authenticity over perfection. The vocals are often "ragged and weary," and the instruments retain their natural textures. - **Controversial remixes**: The 2018 50th-anniversary edition features a remix by Bob Clearmountain, which some critics argue disrupts the album’s mystique by isolating instruments and adding studio chatter. ## 🧠 Themes and Meaning The album’s themes revolve around **nostalgia, loss, community, and redemption**. Songs like "The Weight" and "Tears of Rage" grapple with moral and emotional burdens, while "I Shall Be Released" offers a vision of transcendence. The Band’s music evokes a **mythic America**—a world of small towns, shared histories, and collective struggles—that felt increasingly relevant in the tumultuous year of 1968. This nostalgic yet forward-looking perspective helped define what would later be called **Americana**. ## 🌍 Influence and Legacy *Music From Big Pink* had an **immediate and profound impact** on the music world: - **Inspired peers**: Eric Clapton and George Harrison cited the album as a key reason for abandoning psychedelia in favor of roots-oriented music. Clapton even considered joining The Band. - **Pioneered Americana**: The album’s blend of genres laid the groundwork for roots rock and Americana, influencing artists from Wilco to My Morning Jacket. - **Critical acclaim**: It was ranked #34 on *Rolling Stone*’s 500 Greatest Albums of All Time (2020 edition: #100) and continues to be hailed as a masterpiece. ## ✅ Pros and Cons ### Pros: 1. **Revolutionary sound**: The Band’s fusion of genres created a template for alternative country and Americana. 2. **Emotional depth**: The lyrics and vocals are raw, honest, and deeply moving. 3. **Cohesive yet diverse**: The album balances rockers ("Chest Fever") with contemplative ballads ("Lonesome Suzie") without losing its narrative flow. 4. **Historical significance**: It offered a antidote to the psychedelic era’s excesses and remains a touchstone for authentic, roots-based music. ### Cons: 1. **Uneven pacing**: Some critics argue that the album lacks flow, with weaker tracks like "Lonesome Suzie" feeling like filler. 2. **Vocal limitations**: Robbie Robertson’s singing on "To Kingdom Come" is occasionally shaky. 3. **Remix controversies**: The 2018 remix disrupts the original’s murky atmosphere. ## 🎤 Conclusion *Music From Big Pink* is a landmark album that defied the conventions of its time. Its lyrical depth, musical innovation, and production authenticity have ensured its status as a classic. While not without minor flaws, its influence on rock, country, and Americana is undeniable. As Roger Waters of Pink Floyd noted, it is "fundamental to everything that happened after it". For listeners seeking an album that is both historically significant and emotionally resonant, *Music From Big Pink* remains essential listening.
I've never heard of this band before this. Deep dive, incoming. 5 stars
great
Classic…
5/9
One of my all time favourite albums
Great Canadian band
Although I slightly prefer the follow-up, this one is still absolutely perfect. Magical, even. Many groups tried to copy this record, but it's impossible to duplicate. 5/5
a great debut album with a nice mix of songs including the classic "The Weight." I recently visited Levon Helm's boyhood home in Marvell, Arkansas
Did you know that Bob Dylan painted this album cover? Did you know Bob wanted to actually sing on this record? Would've been sick - but thankfully he gave The Band room to shine on their own. They got together to create the Basement Tapes - but i just love the fact that this iconic album was created, and also, an ode to such a special place. Such an easy listen - and an incredible debut record.
Love it. Great americana sound
The quintessential Americana album. Really hard to think of another album that threads together rock and roll, country, folk, blues, soul, and gospel so comprehensively. Phenomenal, I could listen to The Weight on a constant loop, but the whole record is just terrific, Caledonia Mission and Chest Fever are underrated.
I still listen to this classic from beginning to end The way they alter instruments and vocals was amazing. 5 extremely talented musicians with the Genius Garth Hudson holding it all together
4.6 - Just fabulous, the weight is one of the best ever songs
(većinom) Kanađani snimili remek djelo southern rocka
❤️
Long time favourite, influenced so many things, but great in its own right as well
Great album! Excellent song writing and musical composition!
The Band definitely has something organic that is tough to put your finger on and almost impossible to duplicate. This album is a classic.
There’s a reason they’re called THE band
I've always been a big fan of The Band and this has some of their classic songs. They have such a good sound and the album was a fun listen. I love the lyrics and the vocals.
Sometimes you take the truly great albums for granted. This has some exceptional hits, The Weight, Wheels on Fire & I will be released. Hangs together as a cohesive unit.
Another one of those "had no idea this is where those songs come from" albums. Great stuff.
In the late 60s a generic-sounding Canadian outfit (who looked like they stepped straight out of the 1800s) called The Band holed up in a big pink house in New York state with Bob Dylan for a year and made huge amounts of music. This album was the result (Dylan even painted the cover). The album that shook Eric Clapton "to the core", and drove a departure away from the current trend of psychedelic rock. A mixture of dirgy, messy tracks fusing country, rock, folk, soul and much more - where the sum is greater than its parts. The Band are perhaps best immortalized in Martin Scorsese's concert documentary "The Last Waltz" (along with a raft of guest stars) - and to pick a favourite from their debut album is perhaps missing the point, but "The Weight", "Chest Fever", "This Wheel's on Fire" and "I Shall Be Released) are my personal picks!
This is a classic album of its time and love it all
One of the best to ever do it. Songs are so dense with each member bringing something unique to it. I prefer the next album but this is still a 5.
All 11 songs on the album have a different feel, a different vibe. The multiple singers coupled with the near perfect musicianship take you on a 40 minute journey. What a ride!
The tone is just exquisite, with such a loose, rangy, epic feel. Perfectly orchestrated too - like Bob Dylan (in this era) but with more gifted vocals. Instant favourite.
Give me the Band on a desert island - live - and I’d never want to leave. I was skeptical after the first three songs, but after the turnaround at ‘The Weight’ it was all aces! A couple of new faves for me (“Chest Fever” and “We Can Talk”) and a bunch of comfy old standbys plus what may be the best folk song ever (I don’t think I need to name it).
An album that’s seeped into my DNA. I find it hard to believe there was a time in history when this album didn’t exist. Beautiful.
Agree with all the other 5-star gives.
When it comes to revolutions in music, we often tend to flock towards the most obvious and familiar; the kind that has long rattled the senses and reverbrates settings to this day and when it comes to the Canadian-American makeup that comprised The Band, they only needed one to completely upend rock as they saw it. Things had gotten hedonistic and overtly psychedelic to the point of parody and overexposure; it had seemed that there was now a point of no return. As soon as the needle hit the groove, San Francisco had been dethroned as the it capital of the rock world; it was now the rustic, homely, nondescript place called Woodstock where there stationed a house that gives this album its name. If they had ended things here, Music From Big Pink would still cast a long shadow and leave the deepest of impressions that would be hard to shake off. Listeners in the past fifty plus years have been wishing to have been flies on the wall during that time of blissful musical alchemy ever sense.
One or two misses but everything else is so good it doesn't matter
Old weird America gut checks the excesses of 60s psychedelia, and though it rocks, all that mournful organ and cracked three part singing are lonesome, strange, and sad. I mean, hard to think of another album that has more tragic opening and closing songs.
This is great. I've listened to it less over the years compared to their self-titled album, but still hugely pleasurable and influential. Went back to watch Scorsese's The Last Waltz last year, which is a great end (or starting) point for The Band. Back to the Basememt Tapes after this.
A perfect album. I loved every minute of this. The balls they had to open with the first son, astounding! The way the vocals play off with each other, the organ sound in the background. It's so soulful and unique. Can see how this influenced so many bands to come.
Better than Coldplay
Listened before?: Yes! Love this album, have a copy in my car right now!
Crunchy dusk music from a house in the woods. A moment in time.
Perfect. Chest fever. Best organ in rock
This is the hundred seventh album I’m rating. I've listened to The Band before and it was pretty good. Adding to my Playlist - Tears of Rage, To Kingdom Come, In a Station, Caledonia Mission, The Weight, We can Talk, Long Black Veil, Chest Fever, Lonesome Suzie, This Wheel's on Fire, and I Shall be Released Not Adding to my Playlist - Nothing. All in all I liked 11/11 songs. Just as good as The Band.
Mysterious rock-gospel-country-soul. I do believe the hype. This is one of my favorite timeless albums of all time.
Those who don't love this just aren't folkpilled and americanamaxxing enough this is genuinely an amazing album.
Не все понравилось, но только из-за двух главных хитов готов влепить пятерку. Хороший альбом, в меру экспериментальный и спокойный в то же время
Ich fand den Sound cool und nickte richtig mit. The Weight einfach ein klasse Song und ich muss sagen das 1000 Albums mich definitiv näher an Country und den klassischen Rock gebracht hat. Gerne wieder wie Ebayer sagen würden! 5
Tears of Rage and The Weight make this album a 5 automatically. It helps that all the other songs are great as well. I do prefer their next album, but this might have higher highs. 5 Stars.
Great start, loved it. Cool hearing what I assume is the original version of I shall be released.
Estuve a punto de calificarlos con UNO, les di una segunda oportunidad, 1968...uhmmm..me cambiaron radicalmente, ahí les va mi 5.
Sloppy awesomeness. Pure, jamming, fucking gold. The Weight is one of the greatest rock songs of all time. On top of that, you've got Tears of Rage, Long Black Veil, and I Shall Be Released. This album was made for drunken sing-a-longs. It's imperfect, which is what makes it so damn good.
The Band is één van de beste muziekgroepen die ooit op onze aardbol hebben rondgelopen. Wat moet het als muzikant weergaloos zijn geweest om met deze mannen te kunnen jammen en muziek maken. Er zit zoveel flow, zoveel muzikaliteit en zoveel dynamiek in de nummers. Omdat ze daarnaast ook nog variëren van leadzanger en welk instrument in de schijnwerpers staat ontstaat er een meer dan één kunstje. Het album the Band is misschien nog iets completer maar als debuut met een fantastische hoes (en met the Weight...) verdient ook deze 5 sterretjes. 8,5/10 Highlights The Weight Long Black Veil I Shall Be Released
I shall be released.
Sweet country soul music, rough around the edges and full up with heart. Goes down more easily than a PBR tinny on a front porch in summer time. This one was the definition of a pleasant surprise.
Another one of my favorite albums of all time, that I have heard a million times and probably don't love as much as used to. But the songs are so good, and the feeling is one of a kind. It is this woodsy/rural type of atmosphere with a sense of doubt and melancholy, engulfed in soul/and a sprinkle of swirling psychedelia. Quite a masterpiece!
absolute gold.
say less, lol
THINKIN: The sonic palate defines and transcends American music. Many voices that mesh into one. Democracy in music. PERSONALLY: Many all timers on this album, ending with I Shall Be Released is unmatched. ALT TITLE: Kingdom Come
They say everything can be replaced They say every distance is not near So I remember every face Of every man who put me here I see my light come shinin' From the west down to the east Any day now, any day now I shall be released They say every man needs protection They say that every man must fall Yet I swear I see my reflection Somewhere so high above this wall I see my light come shinin' From the west down to the east Any day now, any day now I shall be released Now, yonder stands a man in this lonely crowd A man who swears he's not to blame All day long I hear him shouting so loud Just crying out that he's been framed I see my light come shinin' From the west down to the east Any day now, any day now I shall be released Worth listening to the whole album, which is great, for the excellent end track. 5/5
The Weight is already one of the top songs of all time. The rest of the track list could be nothing but white noise and this would be a 5 star album. Luckily, the rest of the songs are good too
were we a serious nation, we'd put rick danko's face on the loonie. "give me five timbits for a danko," we'd say. "sour cream glaze." levon got an elton john song, manuel got the stick shift, robbie got his screwdriver. garth got a twofer with the river AND wayne's buddy. it's only fair.
Unreal songs and even better playing
crazy chester followed me 🫶
Great music. Timeless. Make your way to The Big Pink in NY when in the area.
idc what anyone else says this was BRILLIANT ✋ they're still just as good without Dylan. The weight is a classic, other personal highlights were tears of rage and lonesome suzie but picking favourites was really hard this time. This album is another piece of irrefutable evidence that the late 60s gave us the best music in modern history!
Literally making their name as bob dylan's first electric band im not surprised to find some superficially similar elements and ofc a couple of dylan-written tunes, but what i didnt expect to carry over was the capacity to make me blubberingly emotional for reasons i literally cannot articulate. so unassuming but somehow feels like some kind of earthen magic. wraps around u and lays u on like, some moss or something. the weight is maybe slightly the best song ever made. feels like it has somehow implanted new, pleasant memories into my brain. and man thats a contender for the best album cover ever, isnt it
Highlight: The Weight Nice mix of folk and roots rock with jazz influences.
Most excellent
Outstanding
Love this, such good music. Not my daily go-to, but I will be listening to it again. I know The Weight is overplayed on Sirius radio, but the rest of the album deserves to be heard too!
• 5/5 • Beautiful album - The Weight is obviously the highlight, but every song holds its own • Practically the Platonic ideal of Americana/Roots Rock • The engineering is so in the background that it almost feels live, and they sound like they're having a ball playing together
I Shall Be Released is such a powerful song to me. I liked how this extended album had an Acapella version among the extra tracks.
This is The Band's debut studio album after breaking away from Bob Dylan (though he wrote three of the songs on this). It's a good thing they did that, this is just super enjoyable from start to finish. I don't know that I can pinpoint exactly what I like, but it just feels super listenable. It has this Americana-roots rock thing going, the vocals are strong, the songwriting is solid (it's literally Dylan for some of it, but strong throughout). It feels like the precursor to a lot of the music that I really like a lot, because it probably was. A timeless sound that's quite a bit different from a lot of the other late '60s releases. No notes from me, this was great. Favorite song: The Weight Other: Tears Of Rage, To Kingdom Come, In A Station, Caledonia Mission, We Can Talk, Long Black Veil, Chest Fever, Lonesome Suzie, This Wheel's On Fire, I Shall Be Released 12/2/24
This album no matter which way one looks at it is a solid 5 star. Every song golden. Just one thing. The Weight would have made more sense as the last song, not in the middle.
Simply lovely. Folk goodness that sounds like some dudes jamming
great album. recognized a lot of the hits but had never put two and two together
Lots of good songs and a few truly great ones. Tons of musical ideas happening here. Always happy to listen to the Band
Ground zero for Americana. I forget this is a debut album. Wonderful
Love it. It feels very natural, like I've been invited to a small concert venue to hear a local band. Everybody's having fun and making music they way they want to make it. The Dylan tunes are great and the "Long Black Veil" cover is excellent.
Yes yes yes! Odličan 👌🏻 Jako GDovski, onako kako volim. Uostalom, obrađivali su ih isto, što me ne čudi. Chest Fever i The Weight su mi naj! 5/5, 10/10
Iako je najveći hit ovog benda the last waltz, koji je po meni apsolutni must see (Martin Scorsese direktor), nije ni ovaj album loš Mislim, puno su bolji u tom doku koncertu, ali tamo su isto imali all star postavu, a i bio im je oproštajni koncert pa nije baš fer usporedba Ovdje mi imaju jako grateful dead zvuk, što je meni vrh. Realno, dvije pjesme su baš top, the weight (koja zvuči krivo ako se ne prouče riječi detaljno) i zadnja stvar, I shall be released Ma, kad slušam ovakvu glazbu se zamišljam na svom fiktivnom imanju, kako sa slamom u ustima i šeširom na glavi promatram tikvice kako rastu. Umjesto toga imam cigaru u čvaljama, udaram ovu jebemu tipkovnicu i pitam se šta uopće radim ovdje Desetka
Beautiful mix of psychedelic, blues, and rock music. Singing fits the instruments well, and it's an overall good listen. I'd give it a 9/10.
Incredible album. I kinda forgot these guys were mostly Canadian. Most Canadians are artless chaches who are only good at standing in lines and socializing healthcare. Good for these guys.
An extremely creative album and some of the band's best. Love the cover of the album too and how the mammoth is jamming with everyone else.
This album for me is the genius of community at work. Everybody here is at the top of their game, and the synergy and the joy of playing together is palpable. An island of coherence in an ocean of chaos.
Amazing listen
This album is one of my favorites. I have been a fan of The Band since the mid-eighties when I first watched, "The Last Waltz". Since then, I have increasingly appreciated The Band's music more and more and can see how influential they are to other musicians. The Band was formed by five extremely talented musicians who started as a backing band to Ronnie Hawkins and Bob Dylan. I am glad that they broke away from Dylan, who is a very talented songwriter, but I don't think he is that good of a performer. 5 stars for sure!
this is a masterpiece
I grew up listening to this album and Hanging out in Woodstock/Saugerties trying to get into the Big Pink (apparently, I wasn't old enough). The band was a huge part of my life. This is a great, great album.
Chill, mellow, hard hitting.
I mean, c'mon. It's arguably the best album by The Band. But any album with The Weight, Tears of Rage, I Shall Be Released, Chest Fever, This Wheel's On Fire, and Long Black Veil is probably going to be anybody's best album.
Americana Rock & Roll. A sound all their own. Majestic vocals. Great title for an album and a house.
Whenever I hear The Band, specifically The Weight, I think of the scene in Dawn of the Planet of the Apes when they turn on the hydro dam and the gas station starts working again. From wikipedia: "Bob Dylan offered to sing on the album, but ultimately realized it was important for the Band to make their own statement. Instead, Dylan signified his presence by contributing a cover painting." AND THANK FUCKING GOD. The worst thing that this album does is make you wait till the end of side one to hear The Weight, arguably the most well known song that this group recorded. Side one itself is great, Tears of Rage is a wonderful opener and the variety in vocal performances from different members works really well here. The quality of each of these members of Bob Dylan's touring band really makes you considering how much more talented Dylan's contemporary BAND MEMBERS were as musicians than him. Side two fucks just as hard as side one and has probably the best song on this album, Chest Fever. We Can Talk and Long Black Veil are standouts here too. If The Weight wasn't on side one I would say side two is better bit honestly both halves of this album are as good as eachother. Easy 5/5 from me, will be getting this on LP.
so good, love this album
Great album!
Will this album live up to my memory/the hype? Citizen Cope owes these guys a lot. There's a proto-Southern Rock vibe to this album...so good, but funny that they were all Canadians except for Levon Helm, I guess that's why he's regarded so highly. Caledonia Mission is a great song, really encapsulates the sound of The Band. What can you say about The Weight but that it's an amazing song. Long Black Veil brings it too. They are great storytellers as well and songwriters and musicians. I Shall Be Released is such a great song to close an album on.
The Band came up from the Basement, and from behind Bob Dylan, to record their own album. It is fantastic. So is their self-titled second album. This was recorded in two weeks, live and without overdubbing, per Wikipedia - its strength is the chemistry the band enjoys. Don’t miss the great story song “Long Black Veil,” the strong penultimate “This Wheel’s on Fire,” the jam “Chest Fever,” or the beautiful closer “I Shall Be Released.”
I love the Band so much, this album is a work of art.
Bob Dylan's backing band > Bob Dylan. To borrow a Gram Parsons expression: this is true cosmic American music
The album cover immediately won me over, even before I knew it's Bob's art. The music is adorable, want this album to be among my number 5 family
Easy five for this classic, defining album that led the Americana music movement. All five musicians fantastic. "The Weight" alone makes this album a classic but the rest of the album showcases the bands talents. I will revisit this recording time and time again
“I shall be released” alone is enough for a 5, but this album delivers on all fronts. It’s so loose yet somehow so polished. Great stuff.
A true classic.
I'd heard a lot of songs from this album and knew this album was supposed to be great, but never listened before. And it is great, esp Long Black Veil and the Weight. Gotta give it a 5 on the strength of those classics alone.
Absolutely no complaints. Timeless classic
I think I started listening to this album in the wrong mental state, because I was a bit underwhelmed when I heard the first several songs. I had to take a break and when I came back started listening and really loved this. So I started listening all over again and all was right with the world. This is a really fantastic album. I love the artwork!
So good!
This is the stuff that raised me. Hard to disentangle critical appreciation from sentimentality but I don't even care to try. Banger
Tears of Rage The Weight Chest Fever This Wheel's on Fire I Shall Be Released
Such a great album. I'd heard The Weight before but nothing else. The last few tracks especially I really enjoyed, especially I Shall Be Released and Chest Fever. Will absolutely listen again.
Classic Americana. RIP Robbie Robertson.
I loved it! Beautiful piano and voice, but still a rock album
I could enjoy listening to this once a week for the rest of my life
This was a great listen. Having already heard The Weight I knew these fellas had bangers but man, I liked this a lot more than I thought I would. The vibes I got from this were immaculate. From the bluesy/R&B feel you get the moment you hear the first song to the psychedelic feel you get from the last song. The production on this is just so vibrant and fresh. I'll definitely be listening to this again. May these beautiful soulful men rest in peace. Best - Tears Of Rage, To Kingdom Come, In The Station, The Weight, We Can Talk (MPF besides the one named previously), Long Black Veil, Lonesome Suzie, and I Shall Be Released Worse - NO BAD SONGS 4.50-4.75/5
The Band is one of those artist that just never crossed my radar before. I think that is a great thing as what I would have written them off as dull or just another 60s band. The depth of this album, the vocals.close to perfect
I'm a huge fan of The Band and this one is a classic for me.
Had me smiling the whole time. Such beautiful sounds and the coolest story creating magic in big pink!
Not as good as the brown album but so good. The Weight is perfect.
Only knowing the song The Weight going in, I had some reservations going in, but this is a great album. It has a warm and rich sound with lots of variety. More amazing is that it's from 1968.
Very good. Messy at times but fantastic folky psychadelic. I really enjoy the vocals. Track one sucked me in and I was having a great time until 'the weight' which is the kind of song like 'Our House' from a few albums ago that I've definitely heard before but had no idea when or how. Anyways, 'The weight' is great. Obvious highlight of the whole album. I really liked all the songs and I think the whole thing is beautiful and mystical. The album is tight which is rare for music like this. Considering it came out in 68, this thing holds up great.
Hall of Fame.
Can’t not give this a 5 as it was prob better than Clapton which I also gave a 5 Never made the connection that they did the weight. Great album and favourite song on it was chest fever
Maybe the best music ever made.
The Band have been top of my list to ‘get in to’ for a while, and this didn’t disappoint, I think I enjoyed every track. Controversially, I also quite like the name. When you consider that they were initially Bob Dylan’s backing band, it kind of makes sense. Simpsons: very hard to figure out due to the name
FUCKING UNREAL BANGERS 10/10 LIVE
A classic
Great album; loved it!
I love every song on this album. The Brown Album will always be my favorite though.
Surprisingly, I’m gonna go with a 5. This album feels way way ahead of schedule for 1968 in terms of the general folksy sound that would come to pass by the mid-70s and early 80s; I think the percussion and guitar work are off the charts here. There’s not a single “bad” track on this album either; there are a few that go a little long, but they’re all great listens as far as catching the ear and keeping it engaged. In general, despite being Bob Dylan’s backing band for a bit, it speaks to the talent that Bob Dylan surrounded himself with for them to produce something that feels this sort of influential and groundbreaking with only a small (but still sizable) portion of his musical DNA scattered throughout the record. There’s just some incredibly cool soundscapes here that have aged fabulously for the 55 years since this album came out, and I think that’ll give it a 5 from me.
I adore this album. Stunning musicianship, brilliant songs, and the sheer joy and earnestness the singers throw at the music is a thing of joy and wonder. Pity Robbie Robertson fucked the band over with their royalties for this music, and after the 2nd album, the dynamic and earnestness starts to slip slowly but surely.
Music from Big Pink One of my favourite albums, although I think I may slightly prefer The Band as a slightly tighter album. I remember being a bit underwhelmed when I first heard it but it gradually got its hooks into me and I now I love it. There’s a lot of density and weight to the music with a simultaneous feeling of lightness and airiness, I think due to how great each part of the band is. Levon and Danko are a great rhythm section while I always love Hudson and Manuel’s piano and organ, with the organ work a particular standout on this record, and Robertson’s superb subtle and sympathetic guitar playing. And then vocally they are such a great blend, there’s something about Levon and Richard Manuel’s voices together I love, complemented nicely by Rick Danko’s slightly jittery voice. It’s hard to pick the stand outs but aside from The Weight I love In A Station, Caledonia Mission, Long Black Veil and Chest Fever. It is and always was going to be a 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐️
Precioso!
The Band has only surprised me. The more I listen to it the more I want to listen to it. 5/5
My childhood nostalgia biased lies heavily on this album. My father and I both loved the Band dearly and would listen to this album on cassette in an old chevy suburban while I was on my way to summer camp. I didn't know how much it'd mean some 20 years later. But, aside from that sentiment this album has a little bit of culture and americana for everyone. With borrowed elements from many many other genres. Incredibly unique song writing motifs that reference religious literature, fictional literature, current and modern events as well as historical events. There is alot to love about this album. You'll find something that resonates with you for sure.
I’m a Band stan
Can hear so many other recent songs in their melodies
Old, Weird America is born.
One of the best and most influential mashup of Americana, folk, and Rock and Roll.
So many memories of college flooded back listening to this. Loved it
I was introduced to “The Band” through one of my all time fav big leaguers, Jon Jaso. It was an interaction he had with his manager at the time, Joe Maddon, that was documented in an interview which Joe stated, “I knew this guy was different when I walked up to his locker and he was listening to ‘The Band’”. So of course I dove deeply into their discography and found songs like “The Weight” “Long Black Veil” and “I shall be released”. I hear early Randy Newman in this record, and an influence on early Alabama. This album can’t be anything less than 5 stars because it cemented Jon Jaso as one of my C-list athlete Goats and introduced me to some awesome music at like 14/15 years old. Also, Jon Jaso is literally living on a boat in the Caribbean sailing the world as he sees fit, the modern day Robinson Crusoe. Probably listening to this record on vinyl. How fucking cool is that.
I love the Band! Especially Levon, even though he only sings on one song on this album, the Weight but what a song it is. Listening to this album in the modern era might not sound like anything special but only because it's been copied a 1000s of times.
That’s why I like this thing. Here’s a band I know but only heard the songs you hear on the radio. The album is great. Listened 3 times in a row
Mit diesem Debutalbum nach der Trennung von Bob Dylan als Begleitband setzte "The Band" den Grundstein für den Folk Rock als Genre. Wenige Hits, aber grundlegende musikalische Highlights... ein Album, das Musikgeschichte schrieb.
Amazing record. Always worth a listen. Great songwriting, cool sound, good feel.
I own this album and I love it. Have always been a big fan of Levon Helm’s vocals. The musicianship is brilliant. 4.6
700th album <3 And Canadian content 2 days in a row <3 HL: “The Weight”, “Chest Fever”, “I Shall Be Released”, “Tears of Rage”, “In a Station”, “Long Black Veil”
There still aren’t really any bands that made new music that sounds like timeless Americana as well as The Band. This album was revolutionary in some ways and 100% still holds up.
yeah it's ok
Never get tired of this one. Not much to say other than it’s an obvious 5, and I’ll listen to it again any chance k get. Maybe it’ll come up again on this list for some reason. That would be cool.
Wederom een fijne plaat van deze vrienden van Bob Dylan. En ja, dit soort muziek is een stuk beter te trekken zonder de valse kraakstem van ome Bob zelve. Het albums is vernoemd naar het huis in het bos waar de heren dit in de kelder bij elkaar hebben gespeeld. Luistergenot dat ik voorlopig nog niet zat ben.
Great album - first listen
Fire!
Tears of rage reminds me of “take a load off Fanny”. “In a station”, it has the same “take a load off…” groove. Caledonia mission. This album is just groove. And here is “the weight”. How did one band make an album this good? This album is fantastic
Very few albums are this perfect. The Band had already honed their chops before this debut was released, with many of the group kicking around in other bands beforehand, but once the five of them came together it was pure magic. Garth Hudson’s organ playing and Richard Manuel’s gutting vocals always standout the most to me, but the whole band is so tight, they all make meaningful contributions. Always amazed me too how a group of mostly Canadians captured such an American sound, taking you back to a time and place that is so far in the past it’s sometimes hard to grasp. It feels like the album came out in 1868 rather than 1968. They don’t get more classic than this.
Nice album!
No he escuchado atenta, pero ha sido muy agradable de tener de fondo. Me ha molado el sonido, me lo volveré a poner.
Stone cold classic. Probably take their next album by a hair but still a favourite of mine.
A perfect combination of tunes. Makes me nostalgic for high school and driving around with my dad to job sites.
USDA Certified Organic music. The Band is like a big bowl of well cooked vegetables. It's not flashy but it is just so satisfying. The Weight is obviously an incredible track but really everything from Caledonia Mission onward is great (with Lonesome Suzie as the weakest track in that run and even that one's good).
Terrific album. A must for any collector.
Had a super stressed busy day so my notes here are totally insufficient but I absolutely love this album
Maybe the grandfather record of Americana or Country Rock music. The Weight is one of the greatest songs ever written and the cover of I Shall be Released is right up there as one of the greatest covers ever. Those alone make this a 5 for me. Chest Fever and This Wheel's on Fire don't hurt either.
Look any album with “The Weight” on it deserves a 5. Just a top tier GOATED song. I honestly didn’t know a lot of these tracks which was also fun! Pretty wild how many on here are sung by Manuel or Danko when they are probably the 3rd or 4th most important members of the group. Cash’s cover of long black veil is better but the Bands is still great.
Good
Great
Full confession with bonus cliche. I’m fairly certain I’d heard each of these tunes - in the 70’s, at the swimming pool or spilling out of a house or car window. As I listened lyrics tumbled out of my mouth, surprising me that I guess somewhere they’ve been preserved in my brain. But! I’d never listened to them as a complete work. This was a game changer. I thought I’d tire or find it repetitive and instead I found it soulful, subdued, at times aching, but with equal parts brilliant keyboard and funky bass lines that reel you in. It can’t be called folk easily, nor necessarily rock but it’s distinctly American. It’s certainly no wonder they were Dylan’s backup before they were The Band. This album speaks to you not just in lyrics but in serving up rural life nostalgia with blues, folk, rock, and even gospel as its ingredients in a tasty dish. There’s no shininess or preachiness, it’s not overly 60’s-fied sentiment or 70’s era clunky. It’s got groove, sentiment, guitar and soul in a way that lets you trace forward from this album to so much later music like the Grateful Dead, the Allman brothers and way more. If that’s to heady for you, I can say this. This album is also perfect for evoking summer in the 70’s on a late summer afternoon in the wide open and will go great will a lazy, cold beer.
Masterpiece. The Weight is on my short list of greatest songs of all time. Tears of Rage, I Shall Be Released
I keep a playlist of covers of The Weight. I think it is one of the best songs in history. 5 stars.
Enjoyed this one!
Awesome album. love it
Amazing album
I really don’t think there are many albums as influential as this one. It came out in the peak of the psychedelic era (1968), and upon hearing it nearly every band changed their sound (Quicksilver Messenger Service, Grateful Dead, Kaleidoscope, etc.). Every song is a banger. The Weight may be the greatest song of all time. A must-listen. Funny how a bunch of Canadiens made such quintessential American music (yes, I know Canada is in North America but you all know what I mean).
Take folk music, and make it rock. And jazz. And soul. And blues. And psychedelic. And then suddenly I like folk music. Funny how that works. Favorite tracks: The Weight, We Can Talk, Chest Fever
Maybe more like 4.5 for me. I like the second album more, in part because the three Dylan songs here aren’t are as good as the Basement Tapes versions.
Even without the inclusion of “The Weight” (arguably one of the most perfect songs ever written), Music from Big Pink is a stunning collection of songs. Folksy, at times impenetrable, they feel almost as though they’ve always existed.
Was doing work to it so don’t remember details but it had fun instruments and vibes and made me stank face a couple times
Amazing insane gives that feeling in my chest that makes it feel hollow and want to scream this music to fill it
Amazing! Loved this album. The voice lead sounds a lot like the lead from The Counting Crows. Knew several songs but didn’t know to whom I was listening. Listening for the 3rd time right now. I had my doubts when I saw the cover art. I was expecting an entirely different sound. This one I will listen to over and over again.
Love
Did you ever milk a cow?
Tears of Rage T-T the vocals are so raw I love it In a Station is so dreamy and psychedelic, even on spotify the recording sounds like an old record I found in the basement The Weight is so good, its clearly a standout on the album Whooooo opening guitar riff in Chest Fever yowza, whoa this song took a turn lol I Shall Be Released beautiful end for the album
The Band are just so so so good, like come on, cool ass folky songs with killer instrumentation? Sick asf
Been a fan of The Band for a long time, but it's been a while since I listened to this album. Much more experimental and less rock-oriented than I remember, and it’s a more downbeat, tragic sounding album than other of their releases. I can imagine hearing this for the first time and being completely blown away: still so fresh and unique, sounding at once of the time and timeless. Songs like This Wheel's On Fire sound like nothing else I can recall in the history popular music. It is utterly amazing to me how full-formed and completely themselves this band emerged, though I guess touring with the likes of Bob Dylan will help in that front. Iwas surprised by the number of Richard Manuel-lead songs there were on this release. For some reason I remember more Levon Helm and Rick Danko. I feel like later releases feature more Helm and Danko lead songs, which isn’t a bad thing. The harmonies here are stunning: blended perfectly to beautiful and emotional effect, with each voice unique and distinct, all without sounding artificial or over produced. In fact, nothing here sounds overproduced: Imagine listening in around the fire somewhere in the old west: sparks dancing in the moonlight, a big jug of moonshine passed around, and the smoke from pipes and cigars mingling with the smoke from the fire as group of grizzled ex-soldiers pour their heart and soul into their music. Of course there are many more instruments here than would fit around your average fire, and you definitely need electricity to achieve many of these sounds, but the sentiment feels right. And just like around the fire, it's best to sink into the music and listen close, as little surprise can be found everywhere. Standout track is unsurprisingly The Weight, but special mention to I Shall Be Released, which has to be one of the great album closers: a perfect capstone, lyrically and musically, to all the preceding songs, while extending the emotional and musical ideas outward.
Is it too much, too Greil Marcus, to say there'd be no Tom Waits without Music from Big Pink? Not just The Band, but that combination of old-timey Americana and pre-psychedelia that Dylan and Danko brought to this specific collection. Appalachia meets Dali. And what would Joan Baez have even sung if not for them and Dylan? I grew up thinking Tears and I Shall were Baez songs--I can still hear my mom humming through the verses she never learned--and when I discovered they were Dylan songs, and then discovered this album at the 2nd Time thrift shop on Main St. in Ventura in 1995, I thought, "you know, fuck Joan Baez" and I traded her and James Taylor LPs (all three of which were my parents' lol, what a dickhead kid) into Salzers for Before the Flood... Twenty bucks Clapton first hearing Lonsesome Suzie was when he first thought, "I could do this shit on my own." There's a through line directly from that opening organ of Chest Fever to everything Journey ever did. This album has two of the five songs I sing to Margot as lullabyes--Long Black Veil and The Weight--and the only reason you can tell they didn't write Long Black Veil is because it's not quite weird enough. I wrote screenplay 15 years ago based on The Weight. I'M NOT THERE had just come out and I thought shit I can do this. I shiver to think how bad it was and luckily it's long lost to the Great Electronic Recycling Bin in the Sky, but just by way of saying how much this shit means to me. Listening to it this morning, besides revelling in all the universal nostalgia and pure joy of this album that I haven't experienced in over a decade, what sounded most new was Caledonia Mission and that rocking railroad cadence, that sense of looking for a fix for all this craziness but not being sure you really want out of it. Same with We Can Talk--not my favorite still, but "It's that same old riddle, only starting from the middle/I'd fix it but I don't know how" almost killed me this morning and I probably would've just kept driving up to Alaksa if I hadn't needed to get gas and take a leak, by which time the spell--fortunately or un-, we'll never know--was broken.
First time listening to more than one of the hits at a time and I double dog dig it. It’s always special when bands are able to capture a vibe like this and all the more so when you find out they conjured it almost from scratch. I’m pretty ignorant when it comes to music history and 100% thought they were a supergroup because they sound like such a blend of the best. I’m impressed to learn it’s the other way around!
Good stuff
This is such a gooood album. My gosh. A+. A must listen.
A lovely warm hug of an album, as comforting as a bowl of soup on a winter day. Washes over you like the ocean on a shore, but further listens really show the skill of the band. I loved it, even more than the other album of theirs that i had a few weeks ago.
I really and sincerely enjoyed learning about The Band as much as I enjoyed listening to this album. Country/soul/rock/blues vibes. Definitely has a nuance of straight basement. Lyrically lovely and overall pretty morose, which is absolutely up my alley as a full-time sad bitch.
4.5 rounding to 5 Just to repeat what I said in discord, I hadn't heard almost any of these recordings but am familiar with most of the songs from campfire jams at music festivals. I don't know if nostalgia is the right word since it triggers recent memories as well as childhood ones, definitely warm fuzzy feelings. As my spouse would say "this is the kind of shit [kcm] would like" XD