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The Band
The Band
1969
Wikipedia
Reviews
Like a review? Give it a thumb up to help us display relevant reviews!I wasn’t expecting much when I saw I had an album made in 1969. What a fool I was. I was hooked from the opening to the closing track. Each song had a unique sound to it while still being one piece of the complete puzzle. Up on Cripple Creek was extremely catchy while King Harvest was my favorite. I knew after my fourth listen of the day that this was a resounding five stars. I can’t think of a single flaw to say.
A folk rock masterpiece. Every song has just the right amount of twang and dirt without it turning into outright country. The Band really gets rolling and there’s not a bad track on the album.
absolutely cozy and lived-in well-deserved classic. plays like your favorite pair of jeans. fav track: the unfaithful servant
The Band's first album, Music from Big Pink, seemed to come out of nowhere, with its ramshackle musical blend and songs of rural tragedy. The Band, the group's second album, was a more deliberate and even more accomplished effort, partially because the players had become a more cohesive unit, and partially because guitarist Robbie Robertson had taken over the songwriting, writing or co-writing all 12 songs. Though a Canadian, Robertson focused on a series of American archetypes from the union worker in "King Harvest (Has Surely Come)" and the retired sailor in "Rockin' Chair" to, most famously, the Confederate Civil War observer Virgil Cane in "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down." The album effectively mixed the kind of mournful songs that had dominated Music from Big Pink, here including "Whispering Pines" and "When You Awake" (both co-written by Richard Manuel), with rollicking up-tempo numbers like "Rag Mama Rag" and "Up on Cripple Creek" (both sung by Levon Helm and released as singles, with "Up on Cripple Creek" making the Top 40). As had been true of the first album, it was The Band's sound that stood out the most, from Helm's (and occasionally Manuel's) propulsive drumming to Robertson's distinctive guitar fills and the endlessly inventive keyboard textures of Garth Hudson, all topped by the rough, expressive singing of Manuel, Helm, and Rick Danko that mixed leads with harmonies. The arrangements were simultaneously loose and assured, giving the songs a timeless appeal, while the lyrics continued to paint portraits of 19th century rural life (especially Southern life, as references to Tennessee and Virginia made clear), its sometimes less savory aspects treated with warmth and humor. [Source: https://www.allmusic.com/album/the-band-mw0000192897]
Robbie Robertson found a way to position himself as the leader of The Band. The front man if you will. The alpha of the group, despite the fact that he NEVER SANG LEAD on any of their songs. And we're talking about a band - THE Band - that had three great lead singers. In fact, legend has it they even had to mute Robbie's mic during The Last Waltz because he just couldn't harmonize with Levon and the boys. Apparently Robbie's plan was to make sure the other 4 members of The Band soaked themselves in booze and drugs while he remained sober and took all of the songwriting royalties he could. But just look at that photo of The Band on this album's cover. Who do you think is the leader of this motley group? Certainly not the dude on the far right who looks like a cross between a substitute high school teacher and a failed character actor. No way. It's the gruff lookin' fella out front on the left. The singing drummer, who would also take turns on the mandolin and guitar. The one who would play Loretta Lynn's father in Coal Miner's Daughter and Jack Ridley in The Right Stuff. He's also the one who sings lead on The Band's best songs. Levon Helm deserved better, or at the very least some of the spotlight Robbie Robertson refused to give anyone but himself. Tune in for next time when I talk about why The Last Waltz soundtrack should be on this list, perhaps in place of Music From The Big Pink. But make no mistake: This is the country rock you're looking for. Better than anything by The Byrds or The Flying Burrito Brothers. It's as close to a perfect album as any on this list. I listened to the Deluxe Edition on Spotify because that's just who I am. I'm a completist. Maybe that's why all my friends call me Whiskers.
Dylan established the style of songs described by Greil Marcus as 'weird old america' on his John Wesley Harding album and Basement Tapes, but The Band pushed it to a whole new level with their first few albums. I find it staggering that this album exists, its magic.
Critics may refer to the band as being contemporaries of the Beatles, Rolling Stones, etc. but I think that’s a bid generous. This is good for what it is - early American / southern rock. I’m sure they are fun to watch jam but this didn’t really do it for me
The longer I listen to albums on this list, the more I'm starting to doubt my own ability to recognize good songs. I keep getting albums like this where the only songs I really like are the ones I've already heard. Feels like I'm good at recognizing music but not critiquing it. "Up on Cripple Creek" and "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down" are 5+ stars but everything else is a 3. 3.5 stars overall.
Some of these songs suffer for having superior performances on the Last Waltz, but the album is superlative all the same.
A yearning for Americana of old. This is the second of two showcases for why The Band are in high contention for being the best band of the 60's
Always a consistent point of view, but never felt one note or stuck in a box. A lot of songs we like sound like this- you can really hear how massively influential The Band is.
Excelent album! Added to the favourites. Accross the great divide and whispering pines are my highlights
An awesome album. Lots of songs I knew but didn’t realize were on this album. Will listen to most of this album again soon
Top quality all the way through. Not a well song on the album and some absolute classics.
10th September 2021 Supposed to listen to this on Friday but ended up listening on Monday morning when back at home to work for the week. Has an immediate place and sound, so easy and fluid but grooves when it needs to. Love it.
I liked this one, as I anticipated I might. It was nice background music for what I was doing around the house, and it was a genre that I enjoy.
This is amazing. I know this is one of those albums that just gets better the more familliar you get with it. I am considering just giving it a 5 because I know I'll regret if I don't have it as one of the greats. I love the cover too :)
I have listened to many of these songs before but a new song from this album is 'whispering pines'. The album is good for this time of year and just overall amazing.
I first bought this when I was 19 or 20 off the back of Colin Larkin's 1000 best albums by and hated it. Found it really slow and boring. Unsurprisingly given I was into sixties psych, garage and pop at the time. It's fair to say my taste has evolved since as a few listens over time has shown this to be a corker of an album that brims with warmth and mighty fine musicianship. Best tracks are 'Across the Great Divide', 'Rag Mamma Rag' and 'The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down' (the opening 3 numbers). All in all, superb Americana.
I was skeptical about it (the name is too postmodern for the music The Band plays) but there are some gems. Up on Cripple Creek is my fav.
I love love love The Band. This album is an all-time classic. I still probably like their first album (Music from Big Pink) better, but I'm definitely in the minority with that opinion. They're both classics. While Up on Cripple Creek and The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down are the most well known songs on this album (deservedly so) my favorites are When You Awake and Rockin' Chair. So great. 5 stars.
This album is an all-time forever favourite of mine. It gives you everything in perfect measure. It's emotional yet ebullient, earnest yet flip, folksy yet full of soul; it's a masterclass in storytelling and songwriting. It takes the listener on an incredible journey of good ole' times with quirky characters through wholly visceral places. It's amazing how pleasantly relatable and fun it can be one moment and how swiftly it turns deep and contemplative. Helm's vocals have always been the standout for me, he has a way of evoking deep emotion so easily while maintaining this unique twangy cool. Every note drips authenticity. He's so convicted about everything he says; I believe him and I feel like I know him intimately too. It's remarkable the way he can open up and draw you in to his world in the same breath. I just love this album so fucking much "... and I dig it!"
The gold standard for roots rock/Americana. Just impeccable songwriting and musicianship.
It's the band! 5 stars for Levon Helms voice alone. Great album, though a little uneven. Music from the big pink is still there best.
Great album by a great band. If I’m being honest I’d give this a 4.5 because it does drag a bit at times but the highs are too high to give this a 4. Up on Cripple Creek is one of my faves by them with a fantastic groove. Look out Cleveland, the night they drove old Dixie down and King harvest are also highlights. What an excellent group of musicians.
10/10, I think I like this one even more than Big Pink, I mean, it’s hard to beat Tears of Rage but the Deluxe Edition of this has a really fun live version so either way it’s a dub this album kinda feels like a guilty pleasure since I wouldn’t call myself a country fan but Bob Dylan and The Band just hit different, ya know?
This was always on rotation at our house growing up. My dad and I share this band together as a favorite. Always makes me think of him.
My favorite Band albums are Big Pink and Rock of Ages (Don't Do It best cover ever), but love Cripple Creek and Jawbone. I want to dislike The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down, problematic at best, racist at worst, but Levon's vocal is so incredible, it hurts my brain!
Honestly mostly avoided The Band because they were Dead-adjacent (a bunch of my hippie coworkers like TGD and these guys, so scared me off). There's a lot more pulse here, as opposed to TDG, so I don't feel the comparison is *that* just. Good blend of blues, folk, rock, and maybe a little bit of southern rock and creole. Favorite tracks: "Jemima Surrender", "Up On Cripple Creek", "Rag Mama Rag"
Some songs I could recognize, but otherwise feels like a standard good-quality folk rock album from the time. Solid, but not exceptional.
I haven't listened to a lot of 60s-70s rock for a while... Listening to The Band, I'm surprised how much more 'unified' their sound is, compared to modern tracks. Every instrument sounds more together, more at peace with each other in the mix, than a lot of the modern stuff.
Easily recognized the influences on rock bands after. Especially the grateful dead riffs. The beginning of the album eases into their sound with songs that reflect pop rock of late 60s. By the middle of the album is when I was really drawn in to a new unique jam sound. I feel this is when The Band is at their best, mixing rock and a little country with a blues jam style.
Old time pseudo-Americana fronted by mostly Canadians shouldn't work this well, though like most things of its vintage the politics and social sensibility haven't aged perfectly.
This album made it feel like I was at the end o a 90s movie and everything was going to work out. Very nice
Country rock about being American and having your barn burn down. Some really awesome use of 7ths and unpredictable chord changes. Pretty cool band. Completely new to me. Love the first track across the great divide
The bigger hits on here I know and like but don’t love. I can see how this was a big influence though. Some of the tracks were pretty forgettable. I bet these guys were super fun live. 3.5 stars
If “Unfaithful Servant” is the next to last song on your album, then you can name your band whatever the hell you want.
Better than I had expected, albeit a little plodding in places. I do like a singing drummer.
New a few of the songs before listening. Album matched expectations. A top album. Can see why they are referenced as an influence for so many that followed
This is definitely my type of music. I’ve always love The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down, but it was nice to hear the rest of this album. Very ragged folky bluesy sound.
Already loved songs off this album, whole thing was pleasurable. Would give 4.5 if possible
Pretty good! I was having a stressful day and this helped put me in a better mood. Fave song I think was Across the Great Divide.
Started strong, catchy songs and decent tunes. Seemed to have a bit of everything rock related (county, blues, ballad, folk) Would listen again.
A bit too soft and country for me personally, but I enjoyed this album overall. Favorite Track: When You Awake
Sublimació de les aportacions del primer disc. Protoamericana i arrels del folk americà passat pel filtre dels 60. Sense la frescura de 'Music from Big Pink' ni els seus aires improvisats, però amb cançons més treballades i millor acabades. No hi són 'The Weight', ni 'Tears of Rage, ni 'I Shall Be Released'... però sí que estan 'The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down', 'Up on Cripple Creek' o 'Across the Great Divide'...
I never liked the Band. Still don't. So I can't give this album 5 stars. But I appreciate the artwork and musicianship here. Wide range of instruments and sounds, decent two or three part harmonies. Some real solid songwriting. The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down and Up on Cripple Creek are deserved popular songs. Whispering Pines, Rockin Chair, and King Servant were nice songs I didn't know about. Rag Mama Rag reminded me why I don't like the Band.
I have heard "Music From The Big Pink" and "The Last Waltz" a few times, so I am pretty familiar with the Band. The vocals always grated on me a bit. I'm not sure which singer it is, but he always sounds overly whiny. I know I should let that go. I mean, if I like Neil Young and Ian Anderson's vocals, this guy should be up my alley. But there's no forcefulness there. Then there's some of the songs... "Jemima Dancer" and "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down" are definitely problematic (God, I hate that word.) songs today. At least "The Night" is a better song. "JD" is not that good to begin with. It's a good first effort by the group, but they definitely went up from here in their later efforts. They are NOT a group I have to get every 50th anniversary super deluxe edition set for, but a good comprehensive set would be good for me. I'd give this a good 3.7, minus "Jemima Dancer" (wow, what were they thinking?"
The album is even more varied and dense, with a few more classics of their ragged, debonair style, taken a little from 1920s town bands, a little from barrelhouse entertainers, a little from country bands and a little from 19th century minstrels. (7/10) FT: The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down, Up on Cripple Creek, Jawbone
A classic of course. I much prefer Music from Big Pink. I wish that they rocked harder at times on this album. 4 🌟
Excellent storytelling mostly about the south of past/present supported by folk, blues, and rock rhythms. Old timey sound with classic keys/organ and guitar up front with commanding drums and bass turned way up. Funky finish with King Harvest. Real focus on building a scene with characters and details. Drove old Dixie down, cripple creek, jawbone
I wouldn't have guessed this was written in 69. Not every song was for me but overall I enjoyed it.
Loved the honkey tonk elements of this album, definitely don't hear that much anymore. Cool album overall.
I've always loved The Band for their super-hits I knew but haven't really delved into their catalog. Similar to the Dead, they're a funky romp - country, blues, folk, rock, all mixed together. I didn't really love everything on this album but it was a great listen.
Take a load off Annie is a 5 star track for me, overall a great album that had bent my ears out of shape
Reminds me of Grateful Dead... couldn't listen to it all but I'll surely give it a try again soon
I certainly have some familiarity with this album. I used to hear it in the 1970s at my aunt’s and uncle’s house as my older cousins were very much into music like this. The songs I know fairly well are “Up On Cripple Creek” and “The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down.” The rest I couldn’t specifically identify but they feel familiar. I am not always predisposed to love the sort of rustic-rock of the late 60s/early 70s but I often do like it once I hear it. Still I liked most of the songs and will be happy to revisit this again. Some of the standouts in addition to the two monster hits mentioned previously include “Rag Mama Rag,” “When You Awake,” “Whispering Pines,” “Rockin’ Chair,” “Look Out Cleveland” and “King Harvest.”
Four stars An all-time classic, and an album which still holds its own many years after it was released. Beyond the great songs this record can boast about, what's really interesting is how The Band's second effort also works like a subtle concept album about America's Civil War, here seen from the vantage point of ordinary folks. They should have called it *Across The Great Divide*, after the opener. But then again, The Band were never really good to find names, were they? As is usually the case with those classic albums, I won't write a full-blown review here given that others have already written wonderful stuff about them and there's not much I can add that I feel could be relevant and interesting. *The Band* is just a timeless gem for anyone who has even a remote interest in sixties and seventies music. Go and listen to it a.s.a.p. Number of albums left to review or just listen to: more than 900, I've temporarily lost count here Number of albums from the list I find relevant enough to be mandatory listens: approximately a third so far (including this one) Albums from the list I *might* include in mine later on: another third Albums from the list I will certainly *not* include in mine (many others are more important): the last third Albums I might not be the best person to judge, but that I will probably include in my final list: 3. That, I remember.
This album just has a classic feel to it. Really easy to listen to and not much wrong with it. I also feel there wasn’t necessarily anything standout about it compared to other classic rock, but it taps into a nostalgia I think a lot of people probably hold for classic rock without having even heard any of the songs on the record. I will say though, I’ll probabaly listen to this album more and more because it’s such a good album to drive to.
Nodded along right from the start, very folksy without being country, great guitar work in the background. Very enjoyable.
A solid offering of bluesy folk rock. Not quite a 5 for me, but it's still up there. Personal Favorites: Up On Cripple Creek, Whispering Pines, Jawbone
There’s no lack of late 60s - early 70s folk rock on here. This one seems like a particularly good example though, with a wide range of styles and influences: blues, rock and roll, honkytonk, even some yodelling in there. The funk pushed it to a 4 for me.
Very solid americana rock album that does not show real signs of age. There are some mediocre points (Rag Mama Rag, Jawbone), but the album is pretty consistent start to finish. Dixie is the strongest, but plenty of other earnest songs that make an enjoyable listen.
I liked this album. I knew a few songs already, and the others were good too. I had a degenerate gambler uncle who used to play at Cripple Creek in CO. He was always humming or singing that song. Brings back some good memories, RIP Uncle Dan.
This hit a good spot for me. I really like the piano and harmonies. Also recognized a few of the songs.
Znany i lubiany krazek The Band w wykonaniu The Band, ktory byl ich drugim studyjnym albumem z roku 69, kanadyjski zespol ktory zostal zhamerykanizowany przez dekade tourowania z Dylanem w pewnym czasie samemu zaczal tworzyc wlasnie materialy, chociaz czesto czerpani tez z dylanowych kawalkow, eponimiczny albumik moze byc sluchany jako konceptowy krazek o ludziach i myszach, wiec mocno hamerykansko sie go slucha majac przed oczami moonszajny, linczowania czy unionizujacych sie farmerow, teksty zachaczaja o tematy przyziemne, ale nie zabraknie mniej przyziemnych problemow jak samotnosc pod sosenkami, czy lustowanie na farmie, zespol ktoremu podczas koncerowania z Dylanem zarzucano popowosc stworzyl cos tak folkowego i nie czuc tutaj forsowanego obrazu, a slychac prawdziwych brodatych lesnych dziadkow, w sklad ktorych wchodzilo pieciu czlonkow, z ktorych najwiekszy wklad w proces tworzenia liryki i muzyki mial pan Robbie Robertson, creditowany w wiekszosci trakow, a grajacy takze na gitarkach, akustyku i elektryku, bogate klawisze i pianinko wnosi Richard Manuel, drumowane bylo przez Levona Helma, bas w wykonaniu Ricka Danko, ktory ma takze udzial na skrzypcach i puzonie, ale prawdziwym multiinstrumentalista grupy byl Garth Hudson, klawisze, klawikordy, saksy, trumpety, wiec brzmienie jest na tyle bogate, ze jedynym muzykiem sesyjnym byl producent plyty John Simon, to wlasnie to bogactwo brzmienia najbardziej kieruje banda bardziej w rocka niz w folka, a moze rocka pomalowanego w folkowe historie, ktore jednak mnie kupuja, bo jestem suckerem takich klimatow, dodatkowo wokalnie trzech czlonkow bandy ma swoje utwory, wiec nie jest rowniez nudno pod tym wzgledem, bo o dziwo, ze trzy kawalki ktore najbardziej mi pasuja na plejke z tego dwunasto kawalkowego zestawu naleza do trzech roznych wokalistow, od Helma up on the cripple creek, dankowy when you are awake i king harvest od pana Richarda, chociaz wszystkie glosy lubia sie pojawiac razem jako backujace chorki, wiec albumik osluchany kolejny raz, ale tak samo dobry jak zawsze
"The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down" and "Up On Cripple Creek" are my favorite tracks. This is a timeless album.
The third album by The Band that we got and it's another good one, although not quite as great as Music From Big Pink. Still, it's a pretty great mix of americana, folk rock and rock'n'roll that hits the right spots. Good songs, good musicianship and enough variety to stay engaged throughout the album. This gets a thumbs up from me.
Ok this is gonna be late 60s folk rock for sure. And it is but not as super folky as I expected. It's not bad or good, it just is. Rock n roll and perfect harmonies etc etc. Boring by about halfway through, but not shit so 3/5.
Honestly, I liked the rest of the album way better than their most popular song, The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down.
I like 'The Band', rock music. But it has something country to me. Did not know they were the band of Bob Dylan.
Goes all over the place, every song is so different it feels like a compilation. "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down" and "across the Great divide" stand out tracks. Hard to judge it without an appreciation of the times.
Rustic beards. Best Tracks: Rag Mama Rag, The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down, King Harvest (Has Surely Come)
Immediately sounds like a bunch of white dudes robbing black music of the time. Soul, blues, OG R&B etc (like Otis Redding). It's good music, but can't help but feel a bit like it isn't original. Developed though as the album went on, became more folly and Bon Dylan-esque, some good sounds. Jemima Surrender was decent. 3. 5 / 5.
Тоже батя-рок, но уже с более негативной коннотацией. Тут уже отец на шашлык жарит, а скорее неторопливую зарядку. И при этом мешает читать. Между делом спрашивая: "Нравится? Но это же суп-пер". В таком батя-роке тоже есть мотивы, которые быстро усваиваются, но при этом они довольно скоро начинают бесить, а не подталкивать к напеву всуе. А то, что не бесит, оно хоть вроде и приятно, но на душе не оседает. Волею выходных вынужден слушать этот альбом чаще, чем слушал бы в будни. И вот после нескольких славных заходов начал уже сильно надоедать. Это раз на 4-5-ый. За такое четвёру ставить - уже грех. Но и вовсе парашу ебенить - хейтерство. Сойдусь с собой на тройбане. P.S. Наименования коллективов, что метят в безликий минимализм, вызывают некое отторжение. Особенно когда "the" в начало ебенят. Возможно, вьетнамские флешбеки по урокам английского. С The Beatles у меня таких проблем нет, так как "Beatles" - выдуманное слово, а с Queen нет, потому что, собсна, "the" не завезли. Группа "группа", конечно, вызывает некоторые приятные ассоциации с партией "Партия" Внука Елькина, но также и неприятные ассоциации с рок-группой "Рок-группа". Так же, как второй парень слева напоминает и Николая II, и Варга Викернеса.
вау, дженерик рок эгейн. на этот раз кантри. ну ничего не сказать, достойно, пошёл ебать свою кузину
Not much to say. Good album but not something I'd listen to regularly. I really only know "The Weight" from their previous album.
Late 60s pop/rock. Similar to the Beatles. Seemed fine, some decent tracks, not my favorite.
Some interesting bits of instrumentation elevate it above generic sixties blues rock and I quite enjoyed it, but I'm unlikely to ever listen to this again.
Can see how they influence bands like The Eagles who also had that Country Rock sound.
Good mixture of rock n roll, folk with a bit of soul. Not too country. Listenable. Not quite a 4
Enjoyed it more than I expected, not being a Dylan fan It's a bit Good Ol' Boys and I can hear how they have influenced so many after them
A bit more AOR/Country/Americana than I usually listen to. I can hear the musicality of the album and admire the audible collaboration between the band members, but it's not really my cup of tea.
Not always what I would pick our, but still a good album. Favorites: The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down, Up On Cripple Creek, Whispering Pines
Before this, my familiarity with The Band pretty much ended with "The Weight," which got played to death on the radio throughout the 70s. I never could figure out why it was such a staple, except the chorus lends itself to drunken singalongs. Listening to this self-titled release provides a clearer picture. The Band is a roots-rock band, mining pretty much the same territory as The Grateful Dead at the time. In fact, I had heard Up On Cripple Creek before and mistook it for a Grateful Dead track. Both bands share a loose (some might say sloppy) approach, with wobbly vocals, but I'd say that's intentional--they're avoiding slickness in favor of feeling and authenticity. Both bands approach various genres with respect, but aren't afraid of modernizing the textures, let's say with a clavinet on Up On Cripple Creek. And like the Dead, they don't restrict themselves to any specific genre like country or honky-tonk, but feel free to borrow from a variety of genres. This album is a modest, low-key effort, which tends to camouflage its strengths. One is that The Band has a real feel for Americana, unlike most modern attempts at the genre. Paradoxically, that makes the then modern interpolations of organ, clavinet, horn charts and so on an enrichment instead of a distraction. Another is that they're equally adept at ballads as rockers and everything in between. Over the course of an album, The Band builds up a ramshackle charm. The problem, if you can call it that, is that this music is comfortable like an old ratty coat. It's not designed to impress. It's meant to envelop you and keep you warm. I can't imagine ever going back to listen to this album from beginning to end, but I am going to put it on my 60s Spotify station.
A mixed bag of an album. Simple rock with a bit of country. Liked "Night they Drove Old Dixie Down" and "Up on Cripple Creek". But "Whispering Pines" seemed out of place on the album in my opinion. Though still enjoyable overall
It's good stuff, but nothing I'd go out of my way to listen to. The classics are certainly good (The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down" and "Up On Cripple Creek").
I’m not a big Americana guy but this album is fun enough. I can understand the significance even if it isn’t 100% for me.
I’m disappointed. I really thought I would like this album more. I’ve dabbled in The Band before and liked them although now I realize it must have been mostly a greatest hits type deal. I like Up On Cripple Creek a lot. The clavinet provides funky greatness reminiscent of Stevie Wonder. Jemima Surrender has some grit to it. The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down is a nice little ditty. Look Out Cleveland has some good energy. The rest of the album is a bit boring, but pleasant enough. An exciting aside to this album is that Martin Scorsese directed The Last Waltz. And that he was co-director for the Woodstock documentary. When learning these nuggets is almost as exciting as the album itself, mediocrity, and thus disappointment, hath be upon me.
Almost a 2 because of any song with lead vocals by Richard Manuel. I much prefer Helm’s voice.
This album is unoffensive and fine. A relic of the past. When I listen to this album, I can't help but feel like I should be driving an old Studebaker toward the west coast with a green frog in the front seat singing "Moving Right Along" https://youtu.be/Q6NQcO9KTBY
I’m a union man… this goddamn album was a bop all the way through. Just groovy, head bobbin’ vibes. Get my cigarette and coffee and let’s go rangle up the crew
To my surprise I rather enjoyed this. I've listened to it a few times and not been particularly impressed, but this time it kind of worked for me. I might even like it.
Bändin paras biisi, The Weight, puuttui, sillä olisi nostanut arvosanaa. Kuitenkin kuuntelun arvoinen ja 2,5* antaisin. Yltää siis kolmoseen
Genre: Roots Rock 3/5 A collection of fake-Southern actual-Canadians, who used to be the backing band for a fake-Southern actual-Minnesotan, Bob Dylan, departs from their touring life and starts writing their own stuff. The harkening back, while a little cringey nowadays (re: The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down), sounds somewhat genuine here, and The Band does a good job of sounding like the olden days in their production and playing style. Not a perfect album, but makes for good easy listening. Up on Cripple Creek is great.
Root-rock jam band with a bit of a honky-tonk feel. It's easy listening with a good vibe and some rich storytelling.
I thought I would like this more. I love their general sound, this southern-fried rock sort of thing, with its fiddles and mandolins and honky-tonk pianos and yodels. I do still love Up on Cripple Creek and King Harvest was a nice new discovery. But I was ready for the album to be over when it ended. I know it was recorded 50 years ago and, at least in my circles and the media I consume, there's not a lot of this kind of stalkery caveman garbage left but I really couldn't stomach the lyrics of Jemima Surrender. ("You can change your name, you can find a new walk, you can change your lock, it's all the same. ... Jemima surrender. I'm gonna give it to you.") After that, I was just tired and sad.
I was not familiar with most of the album, and it was okay. It just struck me as kinda meh... There are some up-beat and funky-ish moments that are fun, but overall not something that I really embrace.
This album clearly had a lot of influence in the 70s. A whole genre of Good Ol' Boy rock was to follow. It has a nostalgic sound, as though many of the songs were old American standards instead of their own new compositions. The instrumentation is a lot of fun, and they switch and blend their voices to a good effect. It also has a bit of that Good Ol' Boy-ness that feels a little uncomfortable nowadays...
Decent classic rock that, 50 years later though has lost a bit of its uniqueness. What's left is good music without any real highlights though
Great sound, I don’t think it can be a bother to anyone. Great passive listening from a very influential band.
Thoroughly enjoyable. Certainly the yearning for the old South was disturbing but the joyful songs about sad things, honesty, equality of instrumentation, Americana made just really pleasurable listening. I had never listened to the Band but I actually liked them more than a lot of classic rock I've heard. It sounds like jamming with friends gone right. I didn't save any tracks from the album but I might listen to more in the future when in the right kind of mood.
I expected folky rock - with organ and from Canada - to make more of an impression, but only heard The Band as high quality background noise.
p176. 1969. 3 stars Yeehaw. Average band play average country rock songs. Well done of its kind I suppose but... just washed over me and left no residual trace. Only a couple of standout tunes, and a lot of the vocals veer into a thin whine far too often. I might be missing something, but on the other hand this album could just be really average.
Nothing super grabbed me but not so bad. Playing catch up with the albums so that’s probably skewing my impression.
Undoubtedly fun and funky, but may be too chicken-friend for my tastes. Personal highlights include “Whispering Pines” and “Rockin’ Chair” and “Look Out Cleveland.”I find the singing sort of labored at times, too, though mostly effective, even if vocal quality isn’t exactly first-rate. (Dylan would be the comp I suppose and vocals hold up well there.) I recognize that this may have been a very “of the moment” record in 1969, but it’s hard to hear that now or judge the music based in terms of social commentary or perceived impact. And anyway Big Pink is considerably better.
It was fun to listen to. Not bad but not really my thing. Folk rock bordering county. Standout tracks: When You Awake, Whispering Pines
This just isn't for me. It's fine, there's nothing bad about it, but I don't see myself ever coming back to this album. 2/5
If I was trying to be purely objective I think I would score this higher, but it's veering a bit too close to country for my own tastes. Not for me, and I can't imagine ever revisiting, but I wouldn't run to turn it off if it came on the radio.
Enjoyable and breezy, but nothing super memorable! I prefer the cover version of "Drove Old Dixie Down". A few songs stood out, "Look Out Cleveland" was fun!
Great band but this album is not my favorite offering from them. Huge fan of their live stuff.
Another late 60's Americana/roots/folk/country/blues rock thing I firmly believe I won't listen to (in fact, just listened to the first song).
It's acceptable rock music with Western influences, but it's not particularly exciting and doesn't have anything catchy enough to make me want to give it a second listen.
Basically fine, but not very interesting. Is it honky tonk? It sounds honky tonk. What is honky tonk? Not massively keen. Terrible band name.
Their sound is okay, just a little quiet for my taste. They could be pretty funky if they tried, but they're pretty chill instead, with some base guitar. Probably a 2/5 unless songs 6-12 get better.
A little too old people day drinking in the park for me. Also full of super casual misogyny.
halfway through, dont like this at all so far. okay surprisingly the last 3 tracks were okay. enough to bump it up to a 2.
I like what this album may have inspired, but overall I'm not really a fan. Track 5 has a really cool lick though. Highlights: Tracks 1, 3, 4, 12.
I was always a Band fan. This shows me I'm more of a fan of The Band's greatest hits/The Last Waltz. I hate it but this is a 2.5 for me dog.
Funky but in a kind of generic way. Looking at the date, it seems like similar music that I'm familiar with from the 70s originates with this album making it proto-70s funk. neat.
Es un clásico con buenas canciones, cada canción tiene su toque especial, pero creo que no es para mí
I have three 5s in the last 5 days, so I guess I was I my zone and this one took me out of it. For it it was boring and couldn’t listen to it in only one sit
57 The Band - The Band 12 tracks. Too lazy to create a band name never mind about name their album, the music is just as lazy. Little bits of quality surrounded by loads of mediocrity. 2/5
It was an okay experience. Not overly my cup of tea but I respect and appreciate the guitar work and overall songwriting. The couple of singles have certainly grown tiresome over the years, tho they're not without a certain charm of life.
I was just completely bored throughout this album. This album was not fun to listen to for me, sorry.
That took all of my strength to get through. Not my thing. I like a lot of albums from the 60s. So that’s not it. Why all the hype with this? Their last show was supposedly the second coming. 1.75 stars
Lievästi sanottuna vittumainen päivä ja meni levy vähän ohi, mutta eipä siinä tainnut juuri mitään mieltä ylentävää ollakaan....
Medium taste album, pretty similar to the Beatles in some song, but general a vanilla album
Jamais entendu parler de ce groupe. C'est pas que j'aime pas, mais je n'entends aucun intérêt . 2
Honestly, was hard to actually listen. Was just not that interested. The jam shows talent but I just didn't get into it. Is it me? Also, some of the southern, Dixie, references have too much of a weighted past to really enjoy.
Odd to hear a Canadian band sing about dixie... but I guess there is a deep south canada isn't there?
They should change names to The Banned, so nobody ever has to hear of them again. Right? Right? Or The Bland, because of how dull it is, yeah? Nah...but, honestly, it wasn't very good really. 😕
Not digging the bland, Beatles-country-bluegrass-esque fusion here. Nothing memorable on this one.
Currently 4 songs in. I hate it. Currently 8 songs in. Make it stop, this album is the best way to slow down time because it feels like an eternity. Yup. Hated it.
I hate this shit. Absolutely hate it. Every time I think it might get better, it gets worse. I loathe it with every fiber of my being. If there is a hell, certainly it is The Band. But at least now I can say I gave it a fair chance.
The band sucks. Did not like anything they did, at all. Stopped halfway through, couldn't do it anymore.
Welp. This is it. My first 1-star rating. This album is just as interesting as it's name. Boring and not my style at all.
The Band played at my 14th birthday party. They were all stoned and one of them threw up all over my new yellow pullover that my nan had knitted. I can't thank them enough. It was hideous. She was so shit at knitting. A pathetic laughing stock in the needle world. Grandad later divorced her because of her knitting. Honestly, it was so bad. Fantastic at sewing though.
absolute Jizz. the most interesting thing about this generic 70s dirge is that the album cover makes them look like 19th century miners. calm down SHACK, miners with an E. also worth pointing out how shockingly shite their choice of name is. i bet they felt like legends when they settled on that.