Classic Albums: The Band – The Band
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Classic Albums: The Band – The Band
Comprised of Rick Danko, Levon Helm, Garth Hudson, Richard Manuel and Robbie Robertson, The Band’s self-titled sophomore effort spent 24 weeks in the Billboard Top 40. The album was released at a time when the US album charts were taken over by the psychedelic rock movement, and despite this, the album had the aforementioned chart success and would go on to sell over one million copies. This edition of the “Classic Albums” series focuses on The Band’s follow-up to “MUSIC FROM BIG PINK”. Featurin
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Disneys Lullaby Album
Delightful lullaby instrumental versions of favorite classics such as “Baby Mine”, “When You Wish Upon a Star”, “Feed The Birds” and more!
List Price: $ 9.98
Price: $ 5.79
12:19 am
wonderful,
With the recent remastering and re-releasing of the full Band canon, interest in one of America’s greatest musical acts has never been higher. This is as good a time as any to pick up a copy of “The Band,” one in Rhino records series called “classic Albums,” which documents the making of classic albums. (other dvd’s include the Wailers, the Who, and the Grateful Dead) This dvd documents the classic lp “The Band” from 1969.
Filled with vintage footage of the Band in rehersals, as well as interviews with Robbie Robertson, Levon Helm, the reclusive Garth Hudson, and the late Rick Danko, “The Band” chronicles the making of this amazing album, focusing on the disparate musical influences- country, bluegrass, rockabilly, black R&B, rock n roll, and folk/Americana- that led to many of guitarist/vocalist Robbie Robertson’s greatest songs.
The surviving members at the time of this documentary (made in 1997-pianist Richard Manuel had died in 1986) add their own anecdotes to the music, giving the songs unique colors and life. Levon Helm, Robbie Robertson, and Garth Hudson (the most pleasant surprise on the dvd taking into account his well known reclusive nature) add to the fun by playing some of the tunes based on their perspective, offering running commontary as they go. Add to the Band’s perspective those of Eric Clapton, (who wanted to join the Band at one point) George Harrison, Elton John’s lyicist Bernie Taupin, and producer Don Was, and the cup of greatness runneth over.
The performances, including “The Weight,” “Rockin’ Chair,” “I Shall Be Released,” “The Unfaithful Servant,” and “King Harvest (Has Surely Come),” as well as a touching tribute to the late Richard Manuel, make the dvd all the more valuable to fans of the Band. The music is timeless, the interviews vintage, and the performances sparkle as they never have. That makes this dvd one to have in any collection.
R.I.P. Richard Manuel and Rick Danko
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|12:42 am
A Must Have DVD,
If you love The Band (is there such thing as a casual Band fan?) you MUST own this! There is some repetition of the usual stories, such as Clapton telling us his ‘Big Pink’ story, but others are fresh and exciting. Also, there are solo tidbits that will break your heart. Robby doing Dixie, and Rick, God rest his soul, doing When You Awake. Absolutely essential.
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|12:53 am
A Joyful Little DVD,
As a fan of the group, I decided to take a chance on this DVD though I knew nothing about it. It very easily could have been a dud, but it turned out to be something very special. The surviving members of the group actually participated in this documentary, and they show a lot of pride and a lot of affection for their days together, and for the music they made.
Just watch Levon listening back to “Rocking Chair,” his eyes closed, delighted at the sound of Richard Manuel’s voice, basking in the joy of what The Band created together so many years ago. He still retains that modest, down-home quality that is so endearing.
Then there’s “Brother Garth.” Band fans will find this DVD worth the purchase price just to see Garth improvising at the keyboard, displaying just what a lovable crazed-genius he really is.
And then there is plenty of Robbie Robertson, giving some very insightful information about The Band’s writing and recording processes. Like Levon, Robbie just can’t contain the thrill he obviously feels listening back to the original multitracks from the album.
Unfortunately, it doesn’t appear that Robbie ever “reunited” with the others for this program, even if just to listen to the tracks together. The interviews are all done separately. But that’s not really a complaint, just an observation.
Anyone who is a fan of The Band, and anyone who has a genuine interest in the creative process and in making music, will certainly love this DVD. I’m a picky guy, but I gave this the highest rating I could.
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|12:55 am
A wonderful CD…and very effective!,
I got this CD when my daughter was about 6 months old and she has been falling asleep to it for over a year now. The arrangements are very beautiful and wonderful to listen to, and the selection of songs is very good, so good it is hard to choose a favorite. I got the Disney Babies Lullaby album at about the same time, but realized that with WORDS, the volume of the CD varied, which was not as restful for my baby as I wanted. I love both CD’s but use the Disney Babies one to rock my baby and sing to her, and use the instrumental one in her room for her to fall asleep to: it’s a one-two PUNCH! This is the most hauntingly beautiful “muzak” you will ever hear, and the sound quality and soothing rhythms are even all throughout, perfect for lulling baby to sleep. I rank it higher than the Disney Babies CD and was surprised it got a bad review. It is wonderful because IT WORKS and because long after your baby has fallen asleep, the melodies will play on in your head, they are THAT beautifully done. Highly recommended!!!
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|1:32 am
A perfect way to wind down,
This CD not only provides a wonderful accompaniment for babies drifting off to sleep, it is also a great way for adults to wind down after a tough day. I often play the CD for myself when I go to bed and it never fails to relax me. Sometimes I even drift off to sleep long before the CD is over. The songlist is beautiful, but the thing that makes this CD stand out from others is the peaceful and simplistic presentation of the music. It is not charted with a large orchestra. Rather, it uses minimal instruments which soothe the mind and spirit. This is the perfect relaxing music for people ages 0 to 100.
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|1:55 am
Possibly the BEST lullaby album out there!,
Yes, this lullaby album ACTUALLY WORKS! At least as far as MY son is concerned. I have about six different “lullaby” albums, but this CD is the only one that really helps when he’s tired and fussy but refuses to fall asleep. The songs are soft and subdued, and the instruments used are appropriate for “sleepy time” music. As opposed to some other “lullaby” albums that don’t seem very soothing at all (and generally don’t work), because the beats are too sharp and the instruments make harsh, startling noises that can actually WAKE a baby. This is the only lullaby album that I actually use regularly, and highly recommend to all parents!
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