middle-aged rockers - let's talk about The Band

[Doctor_J]

Since Danko and Manuel are dead, Levon's in touble, Garth seems to be retired, and Robbie is weird, let us opine on the group. Any subtopic you want. For example (my opinions)

- Would the guys from Canada have made it big without the one from Turkey Scratch, AR (No)?

- Which singer was your favorite (Danko)?

- The Last Waltz - great movie, or just a movie of a great concert (just a movie)?

- Speaking of The Last Waltz, what is your favorite cut (Evangeline)?

- What is The Weight about (Hell if I know - something about a bag)?

- Speaking of The Weight, do you prefer the Band's version, or the one on TLW w/ the Staple Singers (Staple)?

Feel free to weigh in on this or any other question.

[Fenris]

1. Here's a better question:

Would the guys from Canada and Turkey Scratch, AR have made it big without a weird Jewish folkie from Duluth, MN?

[Doctor_J]

4. here's a Dylan story

it MIGHT be an urban legend, but it's from a fundie friend of mine who wouldn't lie to save his mom's life, so maybe....

My friend has a business associate (Jim) who was living in NY in the early 60's. It so happens that Jim had been the MC of his MN HS talent show, where one of the acts was so bad, and was being heckled so lustily, that Jim had to go on stage and get the guy before a riot broke out. Well now it's a few years later, and one of Jim's NY colleagues drags him to see the newest singer/songwriter sensation. Sure enough, the guy who Jim rescued a few years earlier has changed his name from Zimmerman to Dylan, and is the hottest act in the village.

[rlpincus]

2. Here's where to find the answers

http://theband.hiof.no/

The best music site on the web. Period.

[Doctor_J]

5. That IS good

many thanks.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

3. Well for one thing I doubt they would have seen the light of day

without Ronnie Hawkins out in front in the first place.


Think Levon made it happen but alone he couldn't have done it.

Favorite vocal on ANY of their tunes is Manuel on I Shall Be Released..it's also my favorite version of the tune.

I'm not terribly fond of the Waltz..I was frying on acid the only time I saw the movie and thought it would never end...the album is OK..Big Pink is still my favorite...conversely I was frying on acid for Neil Youngs Live Rust and wished it would never end

Think the Staple's version live with MArty Stuart singing along and playing lead guit is the best version of the Weight


I've never contemplated what the song is about... I don't care :D

[Ivan Zero]

6. Whispering pines, rising of the tide

Manuel's vocal on that always gets me, that and most of his others - "Unfaithful Servant" comes directly to mind. The man had true soul.

Always liked Levon's voice as well, but the real clincher was when the three of them harmonized.

Favorite recording has got to be "Acadian Driftwood", as it really showcases each one of the members.

I always thought The Last Waltz movie should've been twice as long, so it was a delight to get the 4-CD set and hear all the stuff that didn't make the original soundtrack.

The version of "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down" on that is the definitive version IMHO.

Love the Staples, but I still prefer the original record of "The Weight". Never have troubled myself with figuring out what it all means, but I love the imagery.

You can't discount either Ronnie Hawkins or Dylan's role in what the Band became. They were road tested for a full half decade before they made their first record, and it made them great.

[phaseolus]

7. My wife's going to hunt you down and kill you now...

...for saying that Robbie's wierd.

He's actually quite sane. His music's taken several different turns in the last 30 years, though.

Levon's daughter's band, Olabelle, ain't too bad, check 'em out. My new favorite web radio broadcast plays them -- Austin's KGSR, http://www.kgsr.com/frames.html .

[Zomby Woof]

8. The Hawks, The Band... any incarnation... timeless

- Would the guys from Canada have made it big without the one from Turkey Scratch, AR? Nope. But I credit Dylan with an even bigger push for them, and of course, Ronnie Hawkins cutting singles with them back in 1960. Still, I would not want The Band without Levon's Arkansas backwoods yodeling.

- Which singer was your favorite? Manuel was the most heartbreaking, Danko the most soulful, and Helm the rootsiest (whatever that means, since this Band screamed 'roots'). I refuse to decide.

- The Last Waltz - great movie, or just a movie of a great concert? Both. With Scorcese at the helm (no pun intended), and one of the greatest guest rosters of all time, it is both.

- Speaking of The Last Waltz, what is your favorite cut? Mystery Train. Best omitted cut? Chest Fever.

- What is The Weight about? Redemption.

- Speaking of The Weight, do you prefer the Band's version, or the one on TLW w/ the Staple Singers? Their live version from "Rock Of Ages".