Reviews (page 3 of 13)
"The Band" is the second studio album by Canadian-American rock band the Band, also known as "The Brown Album." The music is categorized as roots rock, folk rock, country rock and Americana. The album is considered loosely a concept album with songs focusing on people, places and traditions associated with an older version of America. The Band is Robbie Robertson (guitars), Rick Danko (bass, fiddle, trombone and vocals), Levon Helm (drums, vocals, guitar, mandolin), Richard Manuel (vocals, piano, drums, sax, harmonica) and Garth Hudson (organ, clarinet, piano, accordion, Sam's, trumpet, bass pedals). The album hit #9 in the US and had universal acclaim. In 2009, it was inducted into the Library of Congress for its artistic significance. "Across the Great Divide" opens the album. Piano, guitar, bass, drums, horns and an organ bringing an uplifting feeling. Richard Manuel on lead vocals as he sings about a wife who has a gun on him. The fight eventually ends and he wonders where the gun went. Levon Helm takes the vocalist lead on "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down." An acoustic guitar and great backing vocals. It's a first-person narrative from the viewpoint of a young confederate soldier on the last day of the Civil War. Helm takes the lead again on "Up On Cripple Creek." The MVP on this song is Garth Hudson who's playing a clavinet through a wah-wah pedal giving this song some funk. A soaring organ. A trucker is contemplating going back to his wife or not. They deliver a few simple bluesy rockers in "Jermima Surrender" and "Lookout Cleveland." Not every song has a detailed story. The album closes with "King Harvest (Has Surely Come)." Manuel back on lead vocals as he tells the tale of a poverty-stricken farmer. The band brings the funk and soul with an organ, electric piano and Robertson's guitar. Robbie rips through a great solo. Nice ending song. Each song on this album brings something whether it's an emotional, a heartfelt, a loneliness, a funky or a rockin' feel. The multiple vocals work really well and deliver some excellent choruses. The instrumentation is impressive and adds to the vibe or tone they're rying to create. A classic in every sense of the word.
We blijven nog even hangen in de jaren 60, en in Canada. En daar hebben we weinig problemen mee. The Band, vond het altijd een prettige groep om naar te luisteren, maar sinds 'The Last Waltz' gezien te hebben klikt het volledig. Het debuut ''Music From Big Pink'' zag de band zichzelf bevrijden van zijn ondersteunende functie voor verscheidene tours van Bob Dylan, en de wereld maakte kennis met de exceptionele songwriting van Robertson, de breekbare én kostbare vocalen van Manuel, de aanstekelijke energie van Helm, de groovy ritmes van Danko, en de curieuze duizendpoot Hudson. Naast dat je natuurlijk kunt stellen dat het brein van het ensemble Robbie Robertson was, is het toch de verfijnde balans die The Band zo speciaal maakt. De multi-talenten, die zich per nummer in een andere rol lijken te kunnen schikken, creëren een bruisende vibe. Het eerste album kent de sterkere individuele momenten en songs, maar deze plaat leeft. Het is het kloppende hart van Noord-Amerikaanse rootsmuziek, en knalt bijna uit z'n voegen door de synergie die de mannen te weeg brengen met elkaar. Ik kan er moeilijk de vinger op leggen wat het is, of het de productiewijze is, of het de studio is, of het de instrumenten zijn, maar het klinkt allemaal zo lekker en organisch. Zelfs zwakkere songs - waar er echt wel wat van zijn - klinken gewoon verrukkelijk. Neem 'Jawbone', an sich een beetje een rommelig nummer, maar sonisch gezien echt om je vingers bij af te likken. Een soort garage-folk, als dat wat is. De tweede helft van het album heeft meer van die nummertjes die niet echt helemaal uit de verf komen, los van het fijne geluid. Maar het is ze vergeven na een haast perfecte eerste helft van de plaat. 'Across the Great Divide' stroomt over van die aanstekelijke energie, en altijd weer een big smile op m'n gezicht als de blazers hun intrede maken. 'The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down' is één van de mooiste verhalen van Robbie Robertson, en benadrukt de centrale positie van deze groep in de Americana. En nauwelijks bijgekomen van de eerste paar songs, komt de catchy groove van 'Up On Cripple Creek' langs met de genadeklap. Gedverderrie wat een smerig fijn nummertje. En wat deze groep zo'n onuitputtelijke bron van muzikale energie maakt is dat de country groove van Levon Helm daarna omslaat in de introverte en intieme delivery van Richard Manuel in 'Whispering Pines'. Wat een hidden gem, de 'I Shall Be Released' van dit album. Zoals gezegd is wat volgt niet zo onnavolgbaar als kantje 1, maar de band doet nog wel een waardige toegift met de laatste twee nummers. 'The Unfaithful Servant' laat zien dat het een album met vele smaken is, waar Danko zorgt voor een welkome lead. Om vervolgens de cirkel rond te maken met de rootsrock banger 'King Harvest', wat zorgt voor een krachtig einde van een hartstochtelijke tour door Americana cultuur, genres, historie en folklore. Muziek klonk zelden zo zalig als op deze plaat, en ondanks dat er wel een paar fillers op staan is de flow fantastisch. Heb je even zin in uptempo ragtime ritmes en funky country, dan zijn de songs met Helm achter de microfoon daar. Of ben je even toe aan wat meer sereniteit? Dan is Manuel nooit ver weg. Een beetje van beiden, en je komt uit bij Danko. En dat allemaal verbonden door de levendige vertelwijze van Robertson. Ik ben voor het eerst echt geheel overtuigd dat dít hun beste album is, en dat je als luisteraar getuige bent van een bijzondere studio-sessie. PS: De fabelachtige productie staat op naam van dezelfde man als de gene achter 'Songs of Leonard Cohen', dat ook al zo puur klinkt. Hij is niet overleden, of iets dergelijks, dus het lijkt me toeval dat ze nu beiden achter elkaar langskomen. 9/10 Highlights: Across The Great Divide Up On Cripple Creek Whispering Pines King Harvest (Has Surely Come)
The Band was één van de eerste LP's van mijn collectie, en daar was een goede reden voor. The Band zijn bazen! De muzikaliteit is onwijs. De plaat swingt heerlijk en ik vind het genieten dat ze veel meerstemmig zingen. Dat ze van leadzanger wisselen voegt ook wat toe, de variatie tussen de nummers wordt groter. Levon Helm heeft een echte countryrock stem, de stemmen van Danko en Manuel zijn warmer en daarmee een welkome afwisseling. Misschien is het het feit dat the Band een begeleidingsband was en daardoor veel aandacht legt op de ondersteunende partijen. Deze zijn echt hard, ze zijn scherp en hier en daar zelfs swingend. Wie of wat zingt is daardoor ook van ondergeschikt belang. En schijnbaar moeten we blij zijn dat Robbie geen microfoon had om in te zingen. Het gerucht gaat dat bij the Last Waltz zijn microfoon niet stond aangesloten omdat het hem niet lukte in harmonie te zingen. Gelukkig schrijft hij goeie songs, want die zijn ijzersterk. The Band zet een sterk staaltje countryrock neer. Ik vind dit hun sterkste album in de breedte. Music from big pink kent wat meer zwakkere momenten. Dat is bij deze plaat niet aan de orde, er zit sowieso energie in de nummers. Deze plaat past goed bij een zomers zonnetje maar kan je ook op een donkerkoude je de benodigde warmte geven. Ik ben fan. 9/10 Highlights Across the great divide Up on cripple creek The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down Jawbone
descubrimiento
Another perfect album by The Band. The brown album is my favorite
The Band is underrated in modern music. Levon and Robbie were both genius's. I love this album. I love The Band. A never skip for me
Absolutely brilliant. Immensely talented musicians playing a pastiche of Americana--deeply familiar and new at the same time. I never tire of this album.
Great music.
One of my all time favorites. Every song is damn near perfect painting, the musicianship is of another world where acoustic and electric absorb each other into one perfect sonic landscape. Even the album cover speaks volumes and tells a story.
Great Album
Some great songs on this one.
The Band's approach to music is so interesting to me. It's like a cross between The Doors and Lynyrd Skynyrd...and they came out considerably before both of them. There's little doubt in my mind that they're plastered in the "Your favorite band's favorite band" Hall of Fame alongside Television. Favorite track: Up On Cripple Creek
Þvílík hljómsveit. Ég veit ekki hversu oft ég hef hlustað á síðasta valsinn þeirra sem er samantekt á ferlinum en ég mun alveg hlusta á þessa plötu aftur (og aftur...) Þetta er bara algjörlega mitt grúv og ég fæ aldrei nóg.
Very interesting I liked the music
Good old time classic rock and rock.
loved it
So many different instruments. Fun album to listen to, glad to learn more of their catalog beyond the hits.
Classic
I love The Band and I love this album, classic Americana by a group of Canadians and one American. Justice for Levon Helm, I love Robbie Robertson too, but Helm was the soul of the band
Exceptional. One of the greatest folk/americana/rock albums ever made. Every song is wonderful and really transports you to another time. 5/5 One of my favorite albums ever
Ik blijf dit soort Americana maar leuk vinden. Er staat geen hit op (al kende ik The night they drove old Dixie down in een WOII-versie van Jan Rot), maar dat verstoort de pret niet, het zorgt eerder voor een constante luisterervaring. Hits kunnen een album ook verstoren doordat ze zo opvallen.
Chill country bluegrassish vibes
Highlights: Up on Cripple Creek Across the Great Divide The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down
An absolute classic
The Band's eponymous album from 1969 was a landmark release and a total deal changer for popular music. It's still a near perfect album. The unexpected chord changes and the intricate vocal harmonies were a revelation. This album was a huge influence to popular music. (Does Jemima Surrender make you think of Derek and the Dominos?) It had everything, from unusual instrumentation, polyrhythmic textures, gospel tinged harmonies, soul infused funk, and it rocked. Is this the first "Americana" album? In spite of the group only had one American along with 4 Canadians?
Great album, the rythmns were catchy, bass and brass kicked ass and the lyrics were great. 9/10
The textures in the music really make it a rich sounding album for something so folksy. The stories and harmonies add depth and make it pretty unique.
Enjoyed this album. Easy to listen to. Well done. Good songs.
Wow that was great! How did I miss this before?
Pretty damn flawless
This is nice good ole classic rock album. If I’m gonna round up shitty albums I’m gonna round this up to max🤷
Excellent. Brings back memories
One of the finest albums/bands ever recorded ! ! !
Huge fan.
There were quite a few songs that were familiar to me from my youth. Good album!
Awesome classic band!
Easy going, liked the variety and songs have story.
fun
I love the Band, my dad listened to them all the time so there's a lot if nostalgia too. Oddly enough, I'd never listened to this one front to back and I'm glad I have now.
masterpiece, no skips
Hey not bad! Was a fan of cripple creek
excellent. close to a 4 though
I somehow know all of these songs and do not remember listening to the album on my own. My parents must have listened to this a bunch when I was younger. Because of that I have this familiarity with all these songs and really really enjoyed this listen. Ronnie Robesrtson is from around the area I grew up so his songs just kind of feel like home.
The original Americana rock by Canadians (mostly)
Wow. Probably not a 5, but this is a boys having fun album. Just great vibes and great tunes
Dated, but captured a point in time with heart
Thoughts before listening: Another band that I love but only really know the hits. I've seen the Last Waltz a bunch and probably owned a compilation cd of theirs, but I don't think I've heard this album. I'm sure I'll know most of the songs though, and I definitely know that this is considered a masterpiece. Review: Yeah this is awesome. Such a great album. The hits are some of the best songs of all time with The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down and Up On Cripple Creek. I remember the first time I ever heard these songs when my roommate in college took a music history class and started playing them...and I loved them immediately. These songs feel timeless as if they should have existed for years before the Band actually wrote and recorded them. I forget just how much I love the Band. They were looking back to older music styles with country and jazz elements in their sound while still very much being a contemporary 60s rock group that played at Woodstock. Outside of the hits this album has so many absolute classic deep cuts: Across the Great Divide, Rag Mama Rag, King Harvest, etc.
Such a great album! I had three of their cd’s when I was a kid. One of them being their greatest hits. I have never heard this album before. I think I never bought it because five of these songs are on the greatest hits. Strangely enough, Moving in Stereo is not one of them, but it might be my favorite Cars song. I forgot how enjoyable this band is to listen to.
10/10
Great
This is what I want to hear on classic rock stations. Great listen.
DA FUCKIN BEST
The Brown Album is really awesome. Just knew 2 songs of them. And totally forgot about them over the years. Big contributers to the rock genre. Personal Top3 in no order: Rag Mama Rag The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down Up On Cripple Creek
A classic and a perfect fall album!
The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down is problematic, but besides that The Band was fantastic and this album is a great example why. So good. I’ve listened to this album many, many times. I was planning on giving it a 4, but changed my mind after re-listening.
This is a prime example of peak musicians at peak power. There are few wrong notes on this album; the ethereal, gauzy tone of “whispering pines” might be a bit much, but even then Richard Manuel and Rick Danko’s haunting vocals make it worthwhile. This is one of the tightest albums by one of the tightest bands. Epic.
Perfect. One of my favorites
The second album by The Band still stands out as one of their most cohesive. Unlike, Music from the Big Pink, they also wrote all the songs on this album, making it more like a true debut. Drawing influences predominantly from country music, but also Cajun and even jazz, The Band becomes completely themselves here. This album also generated two of their most enduring hits, The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down, and Up on Cripple Creek. This is one of those albums I wish I had on vinyl.
So good!!
All time classic. One of my favourites.
Phenomenal album. Best form their catalogue after Big Pink
Great album. Love the band
Forgot how good this record is...
One of the finest written, and finest performed, albums of all time. Which is better, The Band or Music From Big Pink? Tough one, I don't care. Both albums are brilliant.
Home spun , organic and totally singular. Weaving disparate sources together beautifully. Perfection.
I was 15 years old when I first heard this album and fell in love with it after my first listen. A great blend of rock and country.. It's just a very good album.
Love The Band. Love this album
Un excelente disco de americana, con canciones sumamente recordables y performances muy buenas. Un disco, también, sumamente influyente para la escena de indie-country que se generaría posteriormente.
Grab a fresh julep, a rickety old rocking chair, and sit back on the porch with the best mountain boys this side of West Virginia. It really feels criminal that I'm not more familiar with The Band. I grew up on bands that ran in the same circles as them, I've read interviews and seen documentaries about how important they were to the musical landscape, shit, Helm is this seminal figure in music, yet I couldn't name 5 of their songs. I guess that's all going to change now. This album is tremendous. It feels like it's always been there, hanging out in the background just waiting for me to discover it. It gets just a touch weird (which I love) with tracks like Jawbone, but is rooted in traditional Americana. I'll definitely be revisiting this one often.
Absolutely love this album! You can’t beat a band that has three vocalists who all have an excellent and distinctive style. Everybody is firing on all cylinders instrumentally and they blend so many different genres together.
Amazing, one of the best Canadian bands.
Another one of the albums which is major part of my musical dna. King Harvest, man. What a fricking song. If it was the only good song on the album this would be a five star album. But all are classics. The instrumentation. The voices. The songs. This is F*ck of music. You listen to it and say 'f*ck off. What else is this good?' There’s maybe 25 albums that are this good. 'Dixie' is one of the best songs about the defeat of the South in the civil war, written by a Canadian just over 100 years later. Its only real rival is 'my fathers gun' written by a couple of Englishmen. Rag mama rag, rocking chair. Just F*ck off. Poor tragic melancholy Richard Manuel. He of the voice of an angel, the subconscious of a demon and a fine piano player. Garth Hudson, a prodigy, a multi instrumentalist, a musical genius. When they say that the band combined played 26 instruments between them, Garth plays about half of that. Levon Helm. The voice of the south, and one of the trio of great sixties shuffle drummers - Ringo and charlie watts being the other two. Rick Danko: he of the dark eyes, different harmonies and world changing bass. And Robbie. Wrote the songs and played the guitar like nearly no one else. The album that preceded this one broke up two of the biggest bands - famously Clapton flew across the Atlantic and thought he could demand his way into the band. They said no. He leaves Cream and joins Delaney and Bonnie and friends. I also think George harrison looks at how things were run, and the Beatles start to lose their pallor for him. This album is better. This is what the Byrds and the flying burrito brothers tried to do. That they failed to get there isn’t really a reflection on them. This combination was unbeatable. If you doubt it, look at the solo careers. Some fine stuff. But nothing to this standard. Levon’s dirt farmer is about the best of it and it’s great but … For me, The Brown Album is beyond criticism. 25 stars.
This album was released in 1969, about six months after Dylan released Nashville Skyline. The participants in the 1966 Dylan Goes Electric world tour were now all down- home boys. It was a few years before I heard this record, but the singles from it were all over the radio in the early 70’s. Amazingly, Up On Cripple Creek & The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down were a double - A- sided single that just about laid down the formula for what is now known as Americana. That single was followed by more of the same with Rag Mama Rag, though the plaintive flipside, The Unfaithful Servant, showed the other side of what The Band had to offer, & indeed the beauty of this album. The other two great songs here are the opener & closer. Across The Great Divide is a fantastic tune to begin the album with - it has multiple meanings - they almost called the album America. There’s an idealism in the song that contrasts starkly with the closing track, King Harvest(Has Surely Come), regarded by some as Robbie Robertson’s greatest composition. Sort of a what unions promise but can’t always deliver (I worked for a union for 20 Years). The band is great. The voices of Helm, Manuel & Danko are exceptional. Great record.
Amazing album.
-Didn’t write a BL- AL: very cool folk rock album. My favourite one we’ve had so far. Pretty much all bangers on here. Inclusion of the organ juxtaposing the guitar very fun FT: “the night they drove old Dixie down”, “up on cripple creek”, “whispering pines”, “Jemima surrender” 5/5
Just a joy
ok adam it's good
The Band hit the feeling of the expanse and history of America and the complexity of the American dream better than any of their peers or many that would come after. Always surprising to me that they were mostly a group of Canadians, but I suppose it’s the natural landscape that drives so much of the sound here. Whispering Pines is one of my all time favorite songs and the centerpiece of this album, with Richard Manuel’s beautifully tragic voice flowing over it, to me it’s the ultimate Band track. This album reminds me of a road trip through the Adirondacks.
An oddly important album for me despite how rarely I listen
So much soul and warmth. It’s music that is living and breathing. Only knew the intro break of “Up on cripple creek” from Gang starrs sample for “beyond comprehension”, but what a fantastic track! I might be overreaching with five stars, I don’t love every track, but there is just something magical in the dynamic between the musicians on this album.
Absolutely loved.
One of the seminal albums of the period and my favorite of theirs. They are one of the few groups that can legitimately claim to have changed the course of popular music. So many classic songs and an almost perfect album.
Real guitar, drums, piano and organ. Pretty much the perfect band configuration. Sounds like a bunch of guys getting together to sing a bunch of old folk songs and weird story songs. Kind of rough and ragged, but that adds to the charm. It sounds like they are making stuff up as they go along, but it is way too complex to do that. I was flirting with a lower rating due to "Jawbone", but after a second listen I liked the weird song about a criminal. Not sure why The Band is not cancelled for "The Night the Drove Old Dixie Down". I don't think you can mention the old south anymore without cancellation. They should edit out all the references to the south and rename it "The Night Something Bad Happened in my State". I was thinking 4.5 on my first listen, but I will upgrade to 5.
I will try not to pontificate too much about my favorite album of all time. 12 songs, none of them sound alike, but the whole album is extremely cohesive, right down to the brown cover and sepia toned photo of them on the cover. As someone I once heard said, this is the most Americana album of all time… by 4 Canadians and an Arkansan. This band has 3 of the top 50 singers of all time, and Robbie Robertson could write a song that would perfectly fit one of them, or all 3 at once. All 5 of them are experts of their main instrument and could play each other’s instruments just as well. Just like the Beatles, they’re such a tight band because they spent just as many years on the small-town bar circuit as they did as famous rockstars. A band deserving of the title “The Band.” I’m a thief, and I dig it.
This is one of the greatest
What a great album No jams or screaming vocals, just straight ahead great musicianship. These guys traded vocals and instruments throughout this masterpiece album. This one sets the standard for Americana.
Undeniable masterpiece
Album is the definition of a masterpiece. It has every part of a perfect album rocking tunes, soft tunes, epic tunes, and tunes that just make you happy. The skills and power of Each of the 3 lead singers All have amazing voices.
Dude, this rocks!
A perfect record to play when wanting to hear the sound of 1969
The perfect blend of Americana. First heard this album about 30 years ago, and have loved it ever since. Was delighted when it popped up here for me today, and took the opportunity to listen to it again twice.
It’s The Band. THE Band. I’ve seen Last Waltz a few times, and I appreciate Levon’s voice too much to give this album a half assed listen. With the exception of the biggest hits, this album is full of excellent melodies and great instrumentals. Great Americana rock. These guys toured with the best and created some absolutely iconic tracks. The album flows so well together. Maybe not the strongest 5 I’ll give, but this album deserves it, all the same.
Literal perfection
masterpiece
zero notes 5/5
Classic
A landmark album very close to perfection. My favorite album by a seminal band. There isn't a weak song on the whole album. Whispering Pines is one of my all time favorite songs.
One of the best albums ever
Super album!!
One of the best
Fantastic album. I love the band. Some new versions of 'drove old dixie down' have been made by modern artists that keep the spirit, but remove any confederate sympathizing (even if the original is clearly just a story...the lyracist was Canadian)
The Band has made a whole string of great albums. This is their best one (most consistent) and another superclassic album on the list (not really comparable to the most recent inclusions)
cool
...maybe I just like 70s music.
Great stuff.
I actually listened to this one as a kid. Very nostalgic. Almost like if the Beatles did funk. Some folk notes
Can't ask for more
Har altid været lidt ligeglad med The Band. Måske ikke nogle helt vildt legendariske enkelte sange, men kæmpe vibe og godt album!
A classic for the ages. A great album from start to finish.
This is one of my very favorites. The Band have such an incredibly full and diverse sound. The opener, "Across the Great Divide", is a romp based almost entirely on the brass section. The very next song, "Rag Mama Rag", is driven by the interplay between the ragtime piano and fiddle. Also, by the way, with lead vocals sung by an entirely different person. And the next song, "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down", is an all-time classic ballad based around a descending-scale minor-key piano chord sequence, plus barbershop backing vocals on the choruses. I mean by this that every song is a new experience, distinct from the one before, and it's like that throughout the CD. I believe that every band member except the organ player (who quietly is the lubricant that makes the whole machine go) sings a song on this CD, and they're all pretty good. They harmonize well with all that vocal talent too - the one that really stands out as being anchored by it is "Jemima Surrender", but it's omnipresent throughout the CD. This record just has everything - it's fast, fun, diverse, smart, super-creative, and just a joy to listen to. I do just that cover-to-cover about once a year. Easy 5.
Growing up my dad liked watching the last waltz and that was my intro to the band. I always liked their greatest hits and this album showed that they’re talented way beyond just those songs. They feel about a decade ahead of their time and it’s a perfect mix of blues and rock. Cripple creek and Dixie down are both excellent and this whole album was excellent too
Really enjoyed The Band even prior to listening to this. Great album here. Was shocked to look at their discography and see that Atlantic City was 24 years after this first full-length album of theirs!
The talent and songwriting is undeniable. 5/5
Really liked the folksiness of this one, will definitely return to it
Great band, great album. A little folk, a little touch of southern "rock". A nice, easy listen.
Just good music to listen on good day.
I mean it’s the band. They’re THE band
Love this album. Up on Cripple Creek is a top song favorite. Is Lake Charles really that interesting a lake that it shows up in this song and Lucinda has an entire song about it?
The album is pretty amazing. I'm only halfway through but it's surprisingly modern while classically country sounding. Love.
This is good. I really like whispering pines. it's a cool vibe, folk rock country ish but not too much. I'm going to listen to it again to confirm but as of now i want to give it a 5. this was good and i appreciate this type of music. I think it can be an album that people of all types of music tastes can enjoy and find value in. I'd listen again
Gosh darnit it's just gawd dang great. Hard to fault
Screw you guys, five stars!
Beautiful, already loved it and great tobget it on a friday morning. A stomp trlhrough the pines.
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.
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?
A great album start to finish. Finally a true 5 for me.
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.
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.
Never trust a man that doesn’t think this album deserves five stars
I’ve been here before but somehow missed the haunting beauty of Whispering Pines.
Come on, it's THE band.
Standin by your window in pain Pistol in your hand
Feel good tunes my parents used to play when i was young.... nice!
Not for me, this type of rock just goes right over my head.
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.
One of the best
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 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.
Great. Folky, harmony. Maybe a favorite
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.
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 :)
Love it
Mumford & Sons should sue
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.
Masterpiece.
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.
Top quality all the way through. Not a well song on the album and some absolute classics.
It's a classic.
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
Excelent album! Added to the favourites. Accross the great divide and whispering pines are my highlights
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
Some of these songs suffer for having superior performances on the Last Waltz, but the album is superlative all the same.
Still sound great
Epic
Didn't listen, but have listened.
Can't go wrong with THE BAND!
Early folk rock masterpiece that invokes the essence of Americana. And it's by a bunch of Canucks...
Come on Dave, this is an all-time classic. Obvious 5 stars.
I feel like listening to too many of these albums in such a short time is really making them all kinda sound the same. This feels a lot like every other album from the 60s I've had to listen to for this, there wasn't really that much to separate it from the other things I've heard. That being said, Jawbone and They Night They Drove Old Dixie Down are both phenomenal songs, so at least it has that going for it. Favorites: The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down, Jemima Surrender, Jawbone
153. The Band - The Band (1969) 7.25.26 Variety: 4 Adequacy: 5 Listenability: 5 Uniqueness: 4 Emotionality: 4 = 4.4 rounded down to a 4 We get to finish off an group's discography, and in order, having reviewed Music from Big Pink earlier on in our quest. That one I ended up liking a bit more than I expected, given all of the annoyances in and around this era of the roots and folk-rock, hippy times. These guys are far less hippyish and more concerned with the Americana aspects, and were legitimately more of a touchstone band than I had thought, even with the reputation as ground zero for the American Roots Rock, taking in all those folk and country influences and stirring them around in their pot. I had mainly been familiar via their hits that still get play, and the super annoying concert film The Last Waltz, which I just did not get, with people seeming to care more about these guys leaving the scene than the Beatles. That one still irks me a bit. But there's still some good will going into this one, so let's see if that can sustain that 4 rating the last one got or maybe even exceed it *fingers crossed* "Across the great divide/ Just grab your hat and take that ride" THE TRACKS Side one "Across the Great Divide" - A great start with Richard Manuel on lead vocals ( their best vocalist in my opinion) on this boogie-woogie piano driven ditty that manages to evoke both classic rock n roll and New Orleans jazz, while feeling soulful and successfully telling a funny little tale of a man possibly begging for his life from a very pissed off lover or wife. How successful he was at the end I think remains up in the air, but the bouncy lightness of the instrumentation against the pickle this guy is in worked really well for me. There are few acts can think of who can get that kind of subtle humor to work - Randy Newman, Supertramp, Dylan, Aimee Mann... This was awesome on all levels. Think I have listened to it 4 times in a row now. "Rag Mama Rag" - Levon Helm takes lead vocals on this one and I'm glad for it. Looking ahead at the credits, it looks like these guys realized that Robertson, and especially Danko were the wink links in that regard, and Manuel and Helm seem to get lead on most. Still three Danko ones to come though... Anyway, this was a very fun mix of more New Orleans jazz and country fiddling that doesn't seem to be about much at all, bit that doesn't really matter with how infectious the groove it. Dig that piano solo with the tuba underneath. "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down" - One of, of not the biggest of the Band's hit ( outclassed only by "The Weight" maybe) - it's one I don't hear much anymore, possible for good reason. A song from the first person perspective of a Confederate soldier, full of what on the surface sounds very much like nostalgia and elegy. I've seen it written that this might be a poor take on the material considering most of these guys were Canadians, with Helm being a dyed in the wool Southern boy from rural Arkansas. With him being the singer here though, I think it's a fair cop to be a critical, especially given the dearth of info about any of these dude's politics. In fact it seems like they may have tried to purposefully avoid any such discussions, and I see the term "apolitical" popping up quite a bit in a cursory search. Either way, we get a mournful, very catchy and very detailed bit of musical faux-biography which while still a great song, seems to jave lost quite a bit of its cultural cachet. The combination of the martial drumming, the gospely piano, and Helm's great ( though still very Muppety) delivery make this sound much more epic than its 3:33 run time might indicate. In the hazy fog of my childhood memory I could have sworn this was a full 10:00. "When You Awake" - A fine enough number, that for all intents and purposes is a Country and Western song on paper, but it colors outside of those lines quite a bit, including quite a bit of more traditional folk touches. Danko's vocals are not NEARLY as grating as they were on the stuff from the first album, and while still not amazing, he's playing well within his range here and helped quite a bit by the harmonies. The best part is that down inflection at the end of the chorus, but I think the more I listen to this the more it grows on me. There's something about this one that reminds me a bit as well of "Ooh La La" by the Faces. "Up on Cripple Creek" - Helm is back with another one of their best remembered tracks, though this is not one I ever heard on the radio as a kid. Not sure where I did hear t first, but I still recall thinking how oddly funky it was for the genre. I had to look this up and found that it was a clavinet ( a type of clavichord I think) played through a wah-wah pedal, a few years before Stevie Wonder would improve upon and make this a signature sound. The overall effect is not the oil and water mixture one would expect, but works exceedingly well, and adds bit of sexiness to an already spicy little tale of a truck driver with a .. wandering eye. "Whispering Pines" Manuel takes back the reins for lead duties here, with very fine backup from Helm on a pretty, electric organ driven song where we get much more of a soft rock side that we haven't really seen yet. The gospel influence is strong in pleading vocals as well as the very Procol Harum organ work. Meloncholy slow dance music, that still retains a palpable element of romance. Side two "Jemima Surrender" - Helm with some help from Robertson give us maybe the band's most rollicking, down and dirty number. This sounds like if Lynyrd Skynyrd was a bar band. The combination of the crunchy, nasty saxophone and the lyrics might make even the members of ZZ Top blush a bit. Decent, but not my bag, musically speaking, and veers off the established path a bit too much for me. "Rockin' Chair" - Much folkier, with Manuel back for lead vocals on this very musically on the nose ( the accordion serves to double down on the nautical vibes of the lyrics). The star here though, and the part that keeps this from descending into a straight up sea shanty is the beautiful mandolin playing, and Manuel's emotionally resonant vocals. The effect is that we get successful amalgam that makes the best of its seemingly disparet parts - zydeco-flavored, country, and sea shanty. Lovely. "Look Out Cleveland" - We get a bouncy, soulful rocker with a boogie woogie blues beat that would not have sounded too out of place in the Beatles famous rooftop set, along such songs as "Get Back" and "I've Got a Feeling". Danko again fails to screw the pooch, and actually thought he did a great job here. "Jawbone" - Are we in Bizarro world? What is this mixed up , topsy turvy world where I like the Danko track more than the Manuel one?!! Still, this is ok. It just lacks any real hooks, and is a comparatively boring and understated effort. Manuel still delivers here, but the chorus is the only thing on here that differentiates it from a ton of other , better, bluesy rock numbers. "The Unfaithful Servant" - Damn, I think I owe Danko an apology maybe. He must have done some work in between albums, as he sounds much more solid here, and less like the Squeaky-Voiced Teen from the Simpsons that he did in my memory of that first album. This time, the slight crackle in his voice gives the vocals an emotional weight to this downbeat number, and along with the beautiful playing by all involved, leave us with a very pretty bittersweet sounding number that ends on an unresolved, deflated jazzy note. "King Harvest (Has Surely Come)" - Things end with funky guitars and a dark note, with the sinister vibes of the chorus foreshadowing a tragic tale of sharecropper/ union man ( are there any other kind in music history?) who is very unlikely going to cash in on those hopes of a bountiful crop. All desperation and nervous energy, self-delusion and seeped in dramatic irony of this guy's sure defeat. HIGHLIGHTS - "Across the Great Divide" - "Rag Mama Rag" - "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down" - "Up on Cripple Creek" - "Whispering Pines" - "Rockin' Chair" - "Look Out Cleveland" - "The Unfaithful Servant" - "King Harvest (Has Surely Come)" MIDLIGHTS - "When You Awake" - "Jemima Surrender" - "Jawbone" LOWLIGHTS - FINAL THOUGHTS They did it. They pulled me in despite my reservations, and managed to impress me once again. This time, even more so though, with not a clunker to be seen. This still won't be making my list of favorites anytime soon, but overall all it was a much more varied and capable outing than Music from the Big Pink, and the guys sound more mature and even seem to have taken in more influences in the short period between albums. Though "The Weight" from the debut remains their best I think, the balance on this album, along with the very high quality of the deep cuts push this up into higher four territory for me, where the last was a high three that got rounded up. Even poor, maligned ( by me) Rick Danko upped his game. This was a very pleasant listen, and on top of all of that I seem to have fallen in love with "Across the Great Divide" which is shooting up into a spot in my 5-star playlist. I think I might have listed to that so many times today that it's possible it beat the album itself as far as runtime goes. PLAYLIST ALTERATIONS - Even the middle of the road stuff here is fine, and very listenable FURTHER LISTENING - Before the Flood by Bob Dylan and the Band - Workingman’s Dead by Grateful Dead - The Gilded Palace of Sin by The Flying Burrito Brothers - Bobby Charles by Bobby Charles - Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere by Neil Young - Dr. Byrds and Mr. Hyde by the Byrds
Sometimes it takes listening to some duds to appreciate good music. In this case some poor albums preceded this ones listen. It's like the greatful dead got with credence in a cabin somewhere in the middle of Canada and this was the result. Honestly I can't say i am now a fan of The Band, I didn't love this album that much but the respect of the quality of tunes can't be denied.
greatt
8 - first half is real strong, few duds
Solid album, a lot of it is pretty samesy but it’s good! Always good to hear more from these guys, 4 stars
It's the band, its great music and screams the late 60s to me.its a classic album for a reason.
I really enjoyed this album. Easy to jam too
After my first listen, I wasn't much of a fan. But the more time I spent with it, the more it grew on me. It's one of those albums that quietly reveals its strengths instead of grabbing you right away. There are a few genuinely great tracks, and the rest of the album is consistently strong. It has a warm, rootsy sound that makes it an easy listen from start to finish. This isn't an album that completely blew me away, but I can absolutely see why it's so highly regarded. It earns a solid 4/5 from me.
Great old sound, would gladly chill to it at a brewery
4/5
The band are iconic for a reason but I think I've listened to The Last Waltz so much that I can't hear the studio versions the same way
Not as good as big pink but still really like this
Took me a second to connect, but once the Band clicked, their sound and vibes offer a great blend of folk and rock.
EXCELLENT
3.5
4/8
I gave Music From Big Pink a 4-star rating, docking points because while the songs were pretty good individually, it didn't feel much like a cohesive *album*. Did The Band improve their album game throughout the following year? Nah, not really. Still solid music though. Great piano playing (if limited in scope) and solid, simple chord progressions. Too simple, maybe. I kind of interpret The Band as an easy-listening group. Because it isn't revolutionary at all, I can't in good conscience give The Band 5 stars – but I would absolutely spin this again at a dinner party. Very CCR-esque. I guess that swampy soul-rock was a bit of a fad in the popular music world in 1969. Light-hearted and not taken too seriously – in most songs, anyway. I trust the vastly different vocal quality in The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down can be explained by the singer putting on an act. A kind of soul-ish persona, perhaps. You don't hear much of that in modern popular music. Up On Cripple Creek has an excellent sproingy bass tone accompanying an otherwise standard high-quality country honk. Reminiscent of the Rolling Stones around 1969-72. Especially with that perfect-5th-interval harmonising, which is hilarious consistent once you notice it. With later songs like Jemima Surrender and Rockin' Chair, we start to get to very obvious B-sides: ones that lack solid hooks, interesting variation within the song, solos, variation on a theme, and so on. (You know, musical aspects that professional musicians developed for hundreds of years.) Still, there isn't a single miss here. Solid solo in Jawbone despite some pretty crappy group vocals. Great closer in King Harvest, which is peppy, biting, and one of the few to use a minor key. The two hits, and easily the two best songs, both contain datedly offensive terms. This probably reflects poorly on our society or something. Insert microcosm analysis here. 4/5 Key tracks: The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down, Up On Cripple Creek, King Harvest (Has Surely Come)
Roots Rock/Folk Rock/Country Rock Favorite Songs: Across the Great Divide, Rag Mama Rag, The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down, Jemima Surrender, The Unfaithful Servant Least Favorite Songs: I’m gonna go with Rockin’ Chair When I told to my mom that I was doing this project, she really wanted me to talk to me about some of the artists that appeared on the lists (Except for rap/hip hop. That’s not her specialty.). So when I told her about The Band, she was extremely excited to see how I would think about this album. Thankfully for her, I did like this album. Honestly, not the biggest fan of the country sound as I don’t like how country sounds for my ears, but I did really like the album. It has some of the energy that goes with it, and The Band has some really great songs. The only thing that I’ll complain about is some of the songs on the album, I didn’t necessarily like how the singer sounded. But yeah, definitely give this album a listen. 8/10
In my early 20s, I lived with two friends in the upstairs part of a Frankenstein-ed triplex. All of the walls and floors/ceilings were paper thin; if one person in any of the apartments moved, you could hear it. This was during a time where we were partying every night, and what with a few local bars within walking distance, we were out all the time. It wasn't unusual for us to stay until the 2 AM closing time, stumble home, and put on records to listen to for the next couple hours (much to the torture of the other inhabitants). At some point, one of us got a copy of The Band's The Last Waltz on DVD, and we watched that every night for three weeks straight, at full volume and especially watching the performance of "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down" over and over and over (I still do both of Kris Kristofferson's fist bumps on cue when those parts in the song come up). The police got called on us a few times for noise violations, and it was such an absolute nuisance that we were one incident away from the landlord evicting us. We made it through our lease and went our separate ways after that, but goddamn those songs are imprinted into my brain. This is all to say, this is a very good album, but it can't top the live performances, which to me are THE versions of this band's songs.
aaaaI've been listening to the hits from this album for half my life, to the point where I take them for granted and they can sound a little corny to me, but when I step back there is definitely a grandeur to them. This time through I liked the lesser-known tracks better, helped me focus more on their sound apart from Dylan and the whole scene. rad1234567890-asasassaaasasasasasasasasasa
If my wife ever leaves me i will listen to whispering pines and then kms! I liked this one waaayyyy more than Big Pink
Got two of their albums within 4 days of each other. For some reason, I think I enjoyed Big Pink a tad more but this one deserves another listen.
I liked this a bit less than I expected to, but I still liked it a lot.
Country bar music 1990
It is definitely one of the greatest albums in Americana, and beyond its major hits it remain catchy as hell. 9/10 [KEEP]
Quite enjoyed it and saved some songs as well.
Really enjoyed this one! Lot of great harmonies and I love the log-cabin feel.
A little country, a little swing. Enjoyable listening.
I really enjoyed this, which was a surprise.
Listened previously. Expectations: High - Verdict: Near Perfect - A stunning collection of songs. Music From Big Pink is a very good album but this is a different kettle of fish. From the very first moment we are drawn into a sepia-tinged, fantastical version of 19th century America. Every single track is fantastic here. Brilliant.
Always enjoyed The Band when come across their music. Let’s see how this album as a whole is. 60s roots rock. Very fun. The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down is a song I’ve liked for a while now. Just a classic sound there. Overall, this is all fun. Just good classic rock. Definitely more that folk rock American sound. Up on Cripple Creek is probably the best known song here and it’s a jam. I feel like the first half is stronger than the back half, but still an overall fun album that I really liked. Somewhere between a 3 and 4. Think I’ll go up to 4. Ends strong on King Harvest.
It's absolutely hilarious that Americana was (mostly) started by a bunch of canucks. One of them indigenous, no less! Everyone should watch the Once Were Brothers documentary, BTW.
I usually think of the Band as a singles band. Their bigger hits are their best songs and the deeper cuts aren’t worth it. Their self titled album at least is very much not that. The whole thing is good and there isn’t a single bad song
This is a distinct improvement over the first album, which is still pretty good. This record has a group of good songs along with really excellent arrangements and performances on the part of the group. I really love the way that the horn and organ arrangements enrich the songs. I also didn't remember how funky this material so often was.
Um folk/country bem executado e muito agradável de ouvir. Tem uma força vocal e sons inesperados bem legais também. CVJ Aria.
Good southern rock. Enjoyed it
Mä tykkään tästä! Ja on entuudestaan tuttu. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
⭐⭐⭐⭐
enjoyed it a lot. great singalong if I knew the words!
Clearly they didn't future proof themselves from search engines. This grew on me quickly, started off meh, but I like it!
liked it a lot
Actually quite enjoyed this, will have to give it another listen
I really liked this. It was giving notes of folk, country, and soft rock. I’ve always seen their albums in record stores but never gave them a listen. Added a few songs to my playlist. Definitely a good surprise
Considering the last few 3’s, I actually enjoyed this one a bit more, 3.5 rounded up
quite good
A really great record, though I prefer Music From Big Pink
Listened to many times, including recently after reading Testimony, Robbie Robertson's autobiography (highly recommended). There are two classics on this album, and I like the variety amongst the rest of the songs. But as much as I respect Robertson's ability to handle just about all of the songwriting duties and dole the songs out to the three different lead vocalists in the band, I just don't enjoy the album as much as I'd like to. Going to give it 4 stars for the classic songs which are amongst my favorites of all-time. "Virgil Caine is the name and I served on the Danville train 'Til Stoneman's cavalry came and tore up the tracks again"
Deuxième album qu'on pogne de The Band. L'autre c'était Big Pink; va falloir que je réécoute mais j'ai trouvé que celui-ci est une bien meilleure introduction. Le son 👌 4.49 étoiles
Pretty awesome!
Hey now, this is a really good album.
I really love this record. A fine example of the American/Canadian rock of the 70's that came with different influences from the British blues obsession. Not quite a 5 star, but close.
es un solido 4
Good album.
Being a huge fan of Music from Big Pink, why did I never listen to this one?!! It grew and grew on me as I listened and I went back and replayed some of my favorites right away. 4/5
Not my favorite by them, but their baseline is pretty high
Sorry I took a break I needed time to relax and bounce on Coldplay. This rocked
i love the band!! i've spent a lot more time with Music From Big Pink cause i have it on CD, but this one is also great (maybe not quite as great). my only real issue with it is that, for me, the definitive recordings of Cripple Creek and Dixie are the ones from The Last Waltz. still very good though. robbie robertson you will always be one of my goats
Americana! Sets the blueprint for generations to come
Across the Great Divide - a bah da da dah'y. I feel like this may feel like a different version of Workingman's Dead. It includes The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down which is a great tune of lament. Who doesn't like Up on Cripple Creek. Jemima Surrender was a new track for me that has great harmonies and shared vocals although the theme of the song doesn't quite land in 2026. Jawbone reminds me of a few songs that came out later, oddly enough Dreamweaver being one of them. King Harvest might be my favorite "new to me" song on the album.
These guys are so good. Not a particularly outstanding album per se, but an outstanding group. Their musical talent & capability is massive. They all sing. A very aptly named group. “The” Band indeed. Couple hits on here, but their sound is groovy and true the whole way through.
This album basically creates the Americana genre, no? So much musicality on this, turning bluegrass, folk, and old timey music into something modern and original and retro.
The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down is such an outstanding piece of music. Even if you don't sympathize with Virgil himself the raw emotions about the aftermath of war and loss still cut deep. The rest of the album is good too but a bit forgettable.
Casual misogyny aside this thing is superb
8/10
Buen álbum, con toque de funk que lo hace entretenido de escuchar, bastante bien para la época
Classic album. Must listen!
71/100. A solid and influential folk rock album. While its importance is clear and the songwriting strong, it doesn’t stand out as much today simply because so many others have followed in its footsteps.
4 stars for now but I feel like I could grow to love this. Also naming your band ‘the band’ is like literally the best thing anyone’s ever done
Enjoyed, would give it another go.
The Band has 2 albums on this list and it's a crazy coincidence I got both of them in the span of several days. Now onto review - this sounds just as solid as their debut. "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down" seems to be a real highlight here, a great song. But we will see, probably between 3 or 4 stars again.
Enjoyed this as I always have done. Some great tracks on here. Definitely worth a listen.
Opinion went up during the album. Gevoel dat ik veel invloeden kon horen
the Band followed up Music From Big Pink pretty quickly with a self-titled album much in the same vein. (fans call it The Brown Album.) if you liked that one, expect to like this one just as much, if not even a little more. these are both excellent slabs of folky roots rock with earworm after earworm, this time coming primarily from songwriter Robbie Robertson. one thing setting this sophomore effort apart is its more stylistically consistent tracklist. Bob Dylan isn't a songwriting presence here like he was last time, but his style hangs heavy over the proceedings, especially on the lyrical front. the vocal harmonies sound especially on point this time around ("Across the Great Divide", "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down", "Up on Cripple Creek", etc.); the guitars also get a much more prominent role, particularly on the more electrified B-side. I continue to enjoy the ways the Band injects jazz into their chord progressions, as well as their rotating cast of lead singers (this time around, it's mainly drummer Levon Helm and pianist Richard Manuel). decent 8/10.
7/10 Enjoyed significantly more than I thought I would
Spot on Americana. 4 Star
4.5
This is the good stuff.
i love The Band!
Excellent album, filled with toe tappers.
I don't know much about The Band except for Fanny and her loads, so I had this idea the album would be some quasi hippy dippy southern rock knockoff bullshit. I mean, they're Canadian and Canadians are usually a couple years behind. Imagine my surprise when I realized this isn't the knockoff, this is the real deal that influenced my guilty pleasure crows from the 90's, like Counting Crows and Black Crowes...as well as all those classic rock gods my parents listened to on the radio. It's a solid album and it's why I adore this 1001 project.
Voice of angel. Album was so long I actually died and she greeted me.
Dad had this record when I was a kid and we listened to it a ton. Brings back a ton of memories. Top song Jemima surrender
A subtle lowkey classic.
Only knew some of their stuff, enjoyed learning more!
Every bit of this record was charming. It’s so simple yet such a comforting, cosy folk rock album. Their roots rock approach to songwriting made this a consistently good listen.
A lot of this is pretty fun. Cripple creek is a real jaunt. Whispering pines sounds like something the flaming lips spent a lot of time listening to.i wasn't too keen on rag mama rag and it felt weird that that was chosen as a single. I feel like there are bits in the songs I'm not as fond of that are still good though (like some of the parts in rocking chair even if I don't really like the song). Pretty enjoyable, lots of great bits, but I'm not convinced there a lot of great songs which is a bit of a shame.
This reminds me of fishing from the bridge with my bamboo pole when I was a kid. The warm sun is out, and the fish are biting. If I’m in a movie, The Band is the soundtrack. It’s not enough to turn it up, but for some reason, it just feels right.
9
This is one of those records that I could probably sing most of without listening to it beforehand. I never had a copy, but everybody else did. I'm not a big Americana person in general, but there are a lot of toe-tapping songs with engaging lyrics on here. Much of this is just fun; good songs for sitting on the porch and drinking beer on a hot summer night. But "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down" and "King Harvest" stand out: both are stirring songs. "Dixie" always impressed they Yankee in me that it could make me sympathetic for somebody from the other side. And "King Harvest" is beautiful, with its evocative chorus talking about the sound of wind rippling across a flooded rice field.
I don’t know how I didn’t know about The Band but I sure am glad I do now. They’re a great example of a group that’s better than the sum of its parts. I got the impression that they really enjoyed working with everyone’s strengths. The result is interesting instrumentals, great vocals, and a very healthy amount of variety within their very distinct style. I’m grateful this was on the list.
Absolutely love this record. One of my favorites. Was really nice to revisit. RIP Robbie Robertson!
Very solid album Will I listen to again: 69%
It’s always funny to me that The Band are Canadian. Anyways this album rips and Rick Danko is a great bass player.
This night be the proto Americana/roots album. Listening to it, I could hear how it has influenced so many artists in the last 50 plus years. It is an album about people and places from the past but it also sounds timeless. Love the variety of instruments such as the tuba accompaniement on "Rag Mama Rag." And there are some great deeper cuts like "Jawbone" and "King Harvest Will Surely Come." Just masterful songwriting across the board and a band that could do anything.
The Band at their funkiest. I think this has lower lows than Big Pink but higher highs, too. Up On Cripple Creek is probably my favorite song by these guys, such a tune. And The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down is an incredibly written and evocative song, one of the best American songs period, and easily the best one that was written by a Canadian. I also love Jawbone, that chorus is weird and infectious.
Amazing album. We had it on in the background half of the day. Good vibes!
Svängigt och countryfunkigt i samma låda som Little feat, precis som livet ska vara. Blir höga betyg idag igen. Ett par bjäring låtar får det att landa på en 4a.
Mycket trevligt. Det är omöjligt för mig att inte brista ut i sång när låt 3 och 5 kliver på. Trots det är det bara en svag 4 för mig. Aldrig riiiiiktigt fastnat för The Bands sologrejer förutom såklart den sista valsen. Måste också passa på att utdela ett rött kort till mig själv för att jag hade glömt Van the Mans framträdande där. Naturkraft!
Classic rock done well
Geinig
Bangers. Some fluff
Not sure whether I prefer this or Big Pink, but both are sublime folk rock. This one alternates between beautiful ballads and surprisingly funky rock.
This is pretty good. I never got sick of it.
One of the true foundations of rock music. I can't believe this was 44 minutes it felt way longer? Anyways this was really beautiful at times I may continue my journey with The Band in my own time! Great album! Fav: Whispering Pines Least Fav: Rag Mama Rag
Great folksy rock
Unique sound.
Favorite track(s): Across the Great Divide, The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down, Up on Cripple Creek, Look Out Cleveland, King Harvest (Has Surely Come)
прикольно, оч західно звучить, вайб оленів , the doors і віскі ахха лол. треки які більше всіх зайшли це : across the great divide, rag mama rag, the night they drown old dixie town а фаворіт це буде when you awake найменше всіх зайшло це jemina surrender
This is more like it. Music for a roadtrip
N/A
Good Country, like fallout
nice listen
I really like the sound, especially the bluesy later songs on the album.
This was really enjoyable! This is one that I definitely want to listen to again. 4.5
Roots rock was never as fun as this. Their name always sounds a bit pretentious to me, but they do have the musicality to back up their claim.
A brilliant album from start to finish. Great songs, outstanding playing.
veryyyy goodd (4) unique voice
7 - GOOD
Great album
Twangy, I like it a lot
As a kid listening, I didn't know I was listening to definitive Americana. I just liked the music. Creative, individual, rootsy, singular, varied, historical. Didn't know the forces being unleashed.
Everyone knows the song "The Weight" from The Band but I feel a lot of their other discography goes under the radar. This album is a concept album of America. The songs tell stories of experiences had across the country. Utilizing all kinds of instruments to make it happen, the Band put together a good album that anyone familiar with "The Weight" would be able to get into.
Proto Springsteen. Strong 3.5
What stands out here more than anything is the songwriting. Each song is its own, but there's a mournful throughline that is very compelling. Special shoutout to Old dixie down, whispering pines, and rockin chair.
Enjoyable listen!
Band
Another from my dad. The more I listen the more I realize how much my pops influenced me and my taste in music. I am a proud apple close to the tree 4/5
There used to be a restaurant in my town just called 'The Restaurant'. Always thought it was dumb as hell. Anyways The Band rocks. Cripple Creek and Dixie are obviously the standouts here but the others are fine tunes too.
I kinda dig it
Band band band band
Good stuff
Didn’t know they were Canadian until you said- actually crazy they can get the sound
A rollicking adventure of an album, with a great mix of fun toe-tapping grooves and more contemplative folksy ballads. The raw vocals combined with the rustic instrumentals give the album a real intimate feel that really adds to the experience. The album starts pretty decent and then loses me a bit in the middle before finishing with an incredible 3 track run in the catchy “Jawbone” followed by a beautifully bittersweet “The Unfaithful Servant” before finishing on the funky “King Harvest” which has the stankiest rhythm section; reminded me a lot of “Can You Picture That” from the og Muppets Movie. Strong 4
This is a good album but not sure it’s their best
Good old school sounds that make me think of small home towns and country roads. Easy listening with a sprinkling of turn that one up a little please. Sounds like dr. Hook. Encore
Jeg tror, at det er en form for roots rock, folk country agtig. Det er virkelig godt, for synes ikke det er for meget country så jeg hører mest folk delen og så måske lidt gammeldags roots? Det er i hvert fald et meget godt album, jeg kan virkelig godt lide det. Det har rigtig feel good vibes og kan lyse ens dag op selvom man måske ikke er i verdens bedste humør. Eller påminde en om at det hele nok skal gå og at man i hvert fald har sig selv. jeg har umiddelbart læst at the band faktisk er bob dylans band, men kan ikke helt huske det. Og de blev åbenbart kaldt "the band" og så har de lavet noget musik selv. Ingen frontmand, det er "band-first" med samtlige vokaler osv. Jeg har lært ordet pastiche nu. At noget efterligner stilen af noget epoke, genre osv. Nå der er ikke så meget mere at tilføje, synes det er et godt album og hvis jeg skulle kommentere mere på det, skulle det være noget specifikt omkring instrumenter og spillestil, men så dybt kan jeg ikke lytte endnu føler jeg. Eller også skulle det være noget omkring teksterne. Det er angiveligt lidt novelle agtigt omkring forskellige karakterer som oplever borgerkrig, tragedier, fattigdom, landarbejde, skyld, loyalitet, skam osv.
A really nice and melodic listen.
Standout Songs: Across The Great Divide Rag Mama Rag The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down Up On Cripple Creek Jemima Surrender Look Out Cleveland King Harvest (Has Surely Come)
A lovely album to listen to without a lot of individual hits. Very charming and chill, great representation of Americana.
++: Across the Great Divide, Rag Mama Rag, The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down, Up on Cripple Creek, Whispering Pines, Jemima Surrender, Rockin' Chair, Look Out Cleveland, Jawbone, The Unfaithful Servant, King Harvest (Has Surely Come) +: When You Awake 9,4/10
Americana is not my favorite sound, but I really appreciate this entire decade of Dylan and The Band: genuinely counter-cultural