release date: Sep. 22, 1969
format: cd (2000 remaster)
[album rate: 4 / 5] [4,18]
producer: John Simon
label: Capitol Records - nationality: Canada
Tracklist: 1. "Across the Great Divide" - 2. "Rag Mama Rag" (4,5 / 5) - 3. "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down" (5 / 5) - 4. "When You Awake" - 5. "Up on Cripple Creek" (4,5 / 5) - 6. "Whispering Pines" - 7. "Jemima Surrender" (4 / 5 ) - 8. "Rockin' Chair" (4 / 5) - 9. "Look Out Cleveland" - 10. "Jawbone" (5 / 5) - 11. "The Unfaithful Servant" - 12. "King Harvest (Has Surely Come)"
2nd studio album by The Band recorded at a rented house in Hollywood belonging to Sammy Davis Jr. The 2000 remaster contain 7 bonus tracks primarily consisting of alternate takes. The album simply continue the style that was established with Music From Big Pink, but in a tighter and more homogeneous sounding shape, which binds all compositions together with well-defined borders. They build on the roots of rock & roll tying it all together in a unique blend, and they continue to demonstrate their musical skills as singers, instrumentalists and arrangers.
After the succes of their debut album they took part of the famous Woodstock festival of '68, although, they declined to take part in the film that was made documenting many other great artists of the time, and later they also played at the first Isle of Wight Festival.
The album was met by positive reviews by the press and it sold better than the debut, however, it has only gained critical and artistic acclaim since its release and has come to be cherished as milestone of rock and folk rock history.
As was the case with the songwriting credits on Music From Big Pink, the majority of these songs are credited Robbie Robertson, and that became an ever-growing point to conflict. In Levon Helm's autobiography "This Wheel's on Fire: Levon Helm and the Story of The Band" (1993), Helm points to his and the other band members' dissatisfaction about composer rights, as nearly all their own songs, according to Helm, in most cases were the results of mutual work. He accuses Robertson of having claimed credit to songs that would not have seen the light of day without more substantial input from either Manuel, Danko, Hudson or himself, who weren't even mentioned as co-writers on compositions when the albums were released.
The album is simply wonderful and one of the finest accomplishments of the 1960s. Just listen to "Whispering Pines" or "Jawbone" and tell me, which singer of the era that would equal Manuel... or listen to Helm's perfect southern hoarseness on "The Night They Drove..." and "...Cripple Creek". It's so great to hear this group play folk rock, country, rhythm & blues and americana when everyone else were playing psychedelic rock , garage rock, baroque pop or jazz pop. They played with such finesse and with the greatest respect to the origins of popular music, and I also end up feeling lighter and in a better mood after putting this one on.
[ allmusic.com, Rolling Stone, Q Magazine, MusicHound it 5 / 5 stars ]
1969 Favourite releases: 1. Neil Young & Crazy Horse Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere - 2. The Band The Band - 3. Creedence Clearwater Revival Willy and the Poorboys
