Thursday, August 10, 2023

The Band Was A Band


I made this playlist about a year ago. I make a lot of playlists. Sometimes I just need to hear "When I Paint My Masterpiece" and not "Volcano." While listening to this playlist yesterday, I kept thinking, The Band were a band. Yeah, Robbie wrote the songs. But, as each song played, it was everyone else that stood out. Levon's drumming on "Don't Do it." Richard's drumming on "Rag Mama Rag." Danko's bass playing and vocals on, well, everything. This band, the Band, was a goddamned band. Robbie Robertson might have steered the ship, but I really believe without Rick, Richard, Levon and the magical Garth Hudson, who, if I may quote my friend Zip, "looked 70 when he was 20, and is the last man standing," I don't think it would have worked the same magic.

One last thing that came to mind.

My old friend Bobby Previte, a brilliant drummer and composer, who refused to label his music as anything but music, not jazz, which is what I think it is, not anything, came into my shop one afternoon while we were listening to the just released "Musical History" boxed set, and said, "This is my favorite band of all time." After listening to dozens of Bobby's records, I wouldn't have guessed it. But, after listening to my playlist, I totally understand. The Band were not of this Earth.

19 comments:

AK said...

May sound silly, but every member was the "special ingredient" in their greatness.

Deadmandeadman said...

I agree with AK. Each member was special. Talented, and humble. The Band's first two are MUST HAVES for any serious fan of Americana

Anonymous said...

Great post, Sal. I learned of Robbie Robertson's passing from Bruce Springsteen last night in Chicago. Hadn't heard the news before that. I agree with all that you said. And I would have a fairly different, but no less magnificent, playlist from yours. The depth of stellar songs from the Band is truly amazing.

JD said...

I concur with all of the sentiments. Not only was every member a special ingredient, but they also changed instruments and lead and background vocals depending on what was needed for a particular song. Very few bands could even attempt that.

Anonymous said...

Robbie’s smile at the end of the world wide participation in The Weight is one that will stick with me

Whattawino said...

Amen to that, Mr Sal…

pmac said...

Nice mix. Many thanks, Sal.
Started listening to their discogrpahy yesterday. Was pleasantly surprised at how my opinoin about Northern Lights has changed. Damn strong lp all the way through. But, Islands is still more misses than hits.

M_Sharp said...

They never would have been the same band if any one member wasn't there.

Joe said...

Georgia on My Mind - Richard Manuel

Rock of Ages

The harmonies of Rick, Richard and Levon

The wizardry of Garth Hudson

The uniqueness of each of their songs

But most of all, they played music collectively as one.

Anonymous said...

Essential listening for today... thanks!

Randy

paulinca said...

Everything that was collectively stated all nail down The Band. Listening to the Basement Tapes (all of them, not the official 1975 release), the first two records and their Woodstock set are like listening to the Old Testament being written and sung.

paulinca

Cleveland Jeff said...

I was only 15 and my dad had to drive me and my date to see The Band at Music Hall in Cleveland. They were stellar, and I was a life-long fan. Robertson was the leader, but they were a remarkably democratic group, and each member was essential to their sound. And three great lead singers, any one of which could have lead their own group.

https://kleaveburg.blogspot.com/search/label/Band

steve simels said...

Garth Hudson = greatest keyboard player ever. It’s that simple.

Mr. Baez said...

Thank you.

kevin m said...

Earlier this month, I was in Scotland and during a long taxi ride had a conversation with the elderly cab driver. Turns out he's a big music fan (loves Belle & Sebastian and Muse). He asked me to list what bands I'd like to include bucket list past or present. I responded with some obvious ones (Beatles, Bowie/Ziggy) and included The Band. My new friend had no idea what I was talking about (and with his extra thick Scottish accent, I had a hard time following him) until I mentioned The Last Waltz. Then he got on board!

I would love to go back in time and see The Band live.

I hope Robbie and Levon are giving each other hugs right now.

daudder said...

Truer words may never have been written/spoken. While their internal battles have tarnished their legacy, when they took the stage, they were as one, played, grooved, improvised, shared and collaborated like few other bands did. Musicians through and through.

Robbie was, perhaps, the frontman who didn't sing (although his voice on his solo records was, at time, magical...see Broken Arrow), but he did put in the time to learn how to write songs, all of which seemed to bring to life with his bandmates sterling trio of lead vocalists. Each adding their own magic to the songs. In harmony, they were spectacular.

That so many legends 'wanted to be in the Band' is one of their greatest legacies. Clapton, Harrison, even Dylan all seemed drawn to whatever alchemy The Band conjured.

efredd said...

Once in a great while I'm asked what kind of music I like....as if it can be categorized into less than a lengthy short story or two. But in those moments I try, and then I think of groups like The Band, and I give up.
And that's why The Band is all the things they were...indescribable is one of them!

jonder said...

Thanks for the Bobby Previte story. I was surprised to hear what a Band fan Roger Waters is. Would never have guessed it from his music.

Chris Collins said...

Fully fully agree here. The Band was a band. Equal parts. None of it works without all of them. And what an incredible sound/vision/creation! There won't be anyone like them again.