As I type this I'm listening to the recently released "Music From Big Pink" in all it's remastered glory.This and the following "The Band" CD in my humble opinion are essential recordings for any true pop /rock affecianado.To this day I can't recall an ensemble with such versatile musicians and THREE incredible and diverse vocalists. From Richard Manuels' soaring falsetto,Rick Danko's soulful delivery on tunes like "The Unfaithful Servant" and his masterpiece "It Make's No Difference",and finally Levon Helm's southern drawl and gritty work on "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down", "Cripple Creek" and of course "The Weight". Sadly all three of those voices are gone.Manuel,and Danko have both died and Helm essentially silenced by throat cancer.
The upcoming release of "The Last Waltz" is quite exciting,but it raises the long standing issue that Robbie Robertson is taking credit for the bulk of the groups' success. Granted,he was the chief songwriter lyrically,but without the others it's hard to imagine that he could accomplish the musicianship and vocal mastery that is heard on the groups entire catalog.Helm has stated many times that "The Last Waltz" was just another vehicle for Robertsons' ego to push through. A statement that is not without merit. Even on the VHS edition interviews,and non performance footage of the other members is quite a bit less than that of Robertsons'.Nevertheless,the quality of a DVD release will be a welcome edtion in my collection.
Just Taking A Load Off!!
Kyle.
re:The Band
Kyle T.
location: Vaugely summer like Vancouver, BC
listening to: New Belle and Sebastian, 19,000+ songs on shuffle
registered: 2006.01.24
posts: 560
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Kyle T.
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As I type this I'm listening to the recently released "Music From Big Pink" in all it's remastered glory.This and the following "The Band" CD in my humble opinion are essential recordings for any true pop /rock affecianado.To this day I can't recall an ensemble with such versatile musicians and THREE incredible and diverse vocalists. From Richard Manuels' soaring falsetto,Rick Danko's soulful delivery on tunes like "The Unfaithful Servant" and his masterpiece "It Make's No Difference",and finally Levon Helm's southern drawl and gritty work on "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down", "Cripple Creek" and of course "The Weight". Sadly all three of those voices are gone.Manuel,and Danko have both died and Helm essentially silenced by throat cancer.
The upcoming release of "The Last Waltz" is quite exciting,but it raises the long standing issue that Robbie Robertson is taking credit for the bulk of the groups' success. Granted,he was the chief songwriter lyrically,but without the others it's hard to imagine that he could accomplish the musicianship and vocal mastery that is heard on the groups entire catalog.Helm has stated many times that "The Last Waltz" was just another vehicle for Robertsons' ego to push through. A statement that is not without merit. Even on the VHS edition interviews,and non performance footage of the other members is quite a bit less than that of Robertsons'.Nevertheless,the quality of a DVD release will be a welcome edtion in my collection.
Just Taking A Load Off!!
Kyle.
The upcoming release of "The Last Waltz" is quite exciting,but it raises the long standing issue that Robbie Robertson is taking credit for the bulk of the groups' success. Granted,he was the chief songwriter lyrically,but without the others it's hard to imagine that he could accomplish the musicianship and vocal mastery that is heard on the groups entire catalog.Helm has stated many times that "The Last Waltz" was just another vehicle for Robertsons' ego to push through. A statement that is not without merit. Even on the VHS edition interviews,and non performance footage of the other members is quite a bit less than that of Robertsons'.Nevertheless,the quality of a DVD release will be a welcome edtion in my collection.
Just Taking A Load Off!!
Kyle.
