release date: Jul. 1, 1968
format: cd (2004 SHM issue)
[album rate: 4 / 5] [3,98]
producer: John Simon
label: Capitol Records - nationality: Canada
Tracklist: 1. "Tears of Rage" (4 / 5) - 2. "To Kingdom Come" - 3. "In a Station" - 4. "Caledonia Mission" - 5. "The Weight" (4 / 5) - 6. "We Can Talk" (4 / 5) - 7. "Long Black Veil" - 8. "Chest Fever" (4 / 5) - 9. "Lonesome Suzie" (4 / 5) - 10. "This Wheel's on Fire" - 11. "I Shall Be Relased"
Studio album debut by Canadian quintet The Band consisting of Richard Manuel on lead vocals, piano, (Hammond) organ, (Jamie) Robbie Robertson on electric and acoustic guitars and vocals, Rick Danko on bass, lead vocals and violin, Garth Hudson on (Lowrey) organ, soprano and tenor saxophone, clavinet and piano and with Levon Helm on drums and lead vocals. Four Canadians and one American (Helm of Arkansas, US).
Already here they simply showcase their musicianship - how well they knew all of their many instruments. And on top of that it's so impressive to listen to their vocals. The Band didn't have one particular lead singer as both Levon, Rick and Manuel could fill this part, although, the latter is the only one who could sing almost any kind of song with his broad register and is the only singer of the band who could equal the best vocalist of the 1960s.
The story of The Band's earliest incarnation playing as Levon and The Hawks (sometimes just The Hawks), consisting of Helm, Danko and Robertson from Ronnie and The Hawkins - who goes even longer back - is also the story of how American/Canadian rock and roll turned into r&b, folk rock and roots rock in the early 1960s. When Bob Dylan went electric ("betraying" the folk world), his backing band was almost identical to what became The Band. Helm reveals in his autobiography "Wheels of Fire" how they composed these songs, convinced they were to be released under the name of The Crackers, but a management decision changed all that to what they were referred to: "The Band" - the (infamous) backing band of Dylan.
Stylistically, it's really hard to narrow down 'cause these guys play on so many musical traditions, which will have enlist most of modern contemporary genres and styles. The outcome has become known as rhythm and blues, roots rock and folk rock with elements of country and soul.
I didn't come across this album until after listening to, or rather: watching the famous live "documentary" film "The Last Waltz" from 1976 by Martin Scorsese. I knew nothing of The Band, but knew a great deal of the performers on that occasion, and I simply adored that film from the first moment on.
I think, my first impression of Music From Big Pink was a bit bland. I never was a big fan of r&b, country or folk, but I kinda appreciated it for what it was: a bunch of skilled musicians playing... American music. Of course, I came to redefine my initial verdict. Each time I went back and listened to the music, I became increasingly soaked into its... soul, I guess. Today, I find it a gem of the days. It's not psychedelic nor blues rock like many of those days' representatives, but The Band goes its own way and builds on the music of great masters. It may contain great singles hits but the album itself is simply nothing but adorable and without fillers. A year later they would even go on and better this on their follow-up.
The album is rightfully enlisted in "1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die" and it has been lauded as one of the most influential albums of modern popular music by contemporary and present magazines and artists around the world.
[ allmusic.com, Q Magazine, Rolling Stone, MusicHound Rock 5 / 5 stars ]
