The Band - Music From Big Pink
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Free Music Notes for Music From Big Pink
Free Music Review: How to put intelligence in music into words?
Hit: 5 Stars
Well, it is a little frightening when you realize that the Band's albums defy time altogether and that in one way or another all of their songs are linked (yet they seem like seperate far and away efforts). Like another reviewer stated, this is a record that doesn't hold a certain place in any time, and although you'll get some images in your head, you certainly can't rely on them. This album isn't depressing, or bad, or unprofessional in any way. I find it inspirational and even comforting compared to today's music. Yet it still has a hard edge to it, and it seems like it could even be popular with some folks today (understand why I'm concerned--how did Robbie know how to make these songs both timeless and lyrically on top?). If you have never heard the Band before, and you are used to that standard but shameful FM radio polish that is on other records, then you'll need to give them some time and interest before you start saying (rather estatically) how this is the greatest album ever released, like other people who are balling over themselves to do so. YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO LISTEN TO THIS MUSIC, rather than dance to it or put it on for a party (and in that case, it is not destined to be certain folks' road music). The sounds are unlike any other sounds, and you'll need to listen to them a while and adjust to their level (as opposed to those folks who think they are so good that they want their music to adjust to THEIR level). After you understand where the Band is coming from, and after you move to their ideas and sonic land, you too will start calling their stuff the best music ever made. I don't need to ramble about how good the record is, and I couldn't anyway because their is so much depth in it. Plain and simple, it is a work of genius, it belongs to their time and our time and all time, it is a work that is both moving and funny, universal and downhome. Quite frankly, I don't know how the guys did it. Dylan wrote "I Shall Be Released", a song about a prisoner, that closes the album. Robbie wrote a completely different story about a "Caledonia Mission," in which a woman has to stay locked up inside mission walls. Is that why Manuel is singing so high in the Dylan cover? Is he imitating her voice or is he someone else? Is it a concept or is it not? See? Pure genius. SO MUCH DEPTH, so much richness, and a lot more too. You get quality and smarts for your dollar. Thanks to the other reviewers who have now told the world how good they feel that this timeless and beautiful piece of art really is.Free Music Review: An Americana masterpeice
Hit: 5 Stars
Being a professional musician I had heard by countless people in the industry about the greatness of The Band, yet I avoided them, staying in my progressive rock, jazz-fusion, Southern Cal singer-songwriter niche. Then I heard "Music From Big Pink", and my perceptions were changed forever. From the first rotary-effected guitar lines of "Tears Of Rage" to the anguished filled vocals of "I Shall be Released", my attention was firmly entrenched in this richly diverse album.
1. Tears Of Rage - A beautiful song written by Bob Dylan and Richard Manuel, who also puts in one off his best vocal performances. A daring move to open a debut album with a slow, mournful tune, but it works magically. Dig Garth Hudson and John Simon's woozy horns during the post-chorus!
2. To Kingdom Come - A great, uplifting song with all the voices pitching in, love the chorus "don't yah say a word..."
3. In A Station - My favorite song on the album, Richard Manuel (who is my favorite peice of this puzzle) adds this wonderfully unique track. Makes me wonder why he didn't keep writing, for he prooves right here he was every bit as good as Robbie.
4. Caledonia Mission - The first example of groovy Band
5. The Weight - The first hit, and what a good one it is. If you know this song I dare you to listen to it without singing. "And, and, and, you put the load right on me!"
6. We Can Talk - Another Manuel composition, this time sung by Levon Helm, with help from Rick and Richard. This song makes me move!
7. Long Black Veil - Alas, a cover! Love the lyrics of this song, it's a great story!
8. Chest fever - Garth's showpeice. The organ intro almost venures into progressive territory, but the song itself rocks as only The Band can! Killer riff!
9. Lonesome Suzie - One of Manuel's best vocals and compositions. A hauntingly mournful song, makes me think of a harvest moon in the heart of the country. Beautiful.
10. This Wheels On Fire - The first song to feature Rick Danko on lead vocals. I perfect showcase, and live staple, for Danko's uber unique voice.
11. I Shall Be Released - Dylan's perfect closer. The "Last Waltz" version is almost better, but! The best way to close an album "any day now, any day now, I shall be released!"
If you are a music fan of any kind, you will appreciate, if not love, this incredible album.
Free Music Review: ELUSIVE GREATNESS!!
Hit: 5 Stars
I bought this album when it first came out. What stood out (and still does) is its elusive quality which makes it impossible to categorize this music (the modern day "Americana" moniker provides a hint but doesn't nearly say enough). The album conjures up, for me, images of an abandoned old house in the country with empty rooms, open windows, faded peeling wall paper, wind gently whistling through the rooms, filling the house with memories of the people who lived there. The haunting music, combining fender electrics with acoustic instruments, evokes a strange gumbo of some country/folk/spiritual time which exists only in the imagination. The Band's minimalist approach to playing enhances the strange aura of the recording. Snippits of phrases played on different instruments, Levon Helm's deadened drums, and the quirky,impassioned vocals have an immediate impact on the listener. The sonic quality of the way these instrumental and vocal instruments work together are as original as work by the Beatles and Geoff Emerick on Revolver and Sgt. Pepper's. In fact, this could reasonably be called a "back to the roots" Revolver. This is music from a world strangely different, but also uncannily familiar, like some alternate past. I disagree that this is not psychedelic music. THIS IS psychedelic music (in the best, artistic sense) of the highest order. The imagery evoked in these songs are the most stunning, original and clearly conceived of the era (and arguably beyond). If Helen of Troy "launched a thousand ships", this album "launched a thousand musicians" to take a second look at America's great musical tradition. Think about it. Without the Band, there would have not been a Bruce Springsteen, REM, Tom Petty, Eagles, post cream Eric Clapton, etc. Come to think of it, the band saved American music from teflon and plastic, confirming the value of traditional musical textures like wood, bone and leather. Music From Big Pink was the mellow feel of "the morning after" a great acid trip. We will never see the likes of it again. God bless Levon, Robbie, Richard, Rick and Garth for this gift to all of us.Free Music Review: A Rock Classic!!
Hit: 5 Stars
It was very brave of the Band to open their debut album with the long, slow and dark "Tears of Rage" . They were praised for this at the time, but now more than three decades later, the song may scare away new listeners which is really a big shame because is one the Band's greatest and probably their most influential album. It's not that "Tears of Rage" is a bad song; it just may take some time to get into it.
"Music From Big Pink" was actually the only Band album with two equally important songwriters; by their fourth album "Cahoots" keyboard player and occasional drummer Richard Manuel had completely stopped writing. This was really a shame, because his material on "Big Pink" equals that of Robbie Robertson. The relaxed and slightly whimsical "We Can Talk" is one of the catchiest tunes on the album and in my opinion an early Band classic. Another outstanding Manuel tune is "In a Station", which somehow reminds me of the legendary Danish band the "Savage Rose".
Darker Manuel tunes like "Tears of Rage" and "Lonesome Suzie" may be harder to get into, especially for people who have not grown up with the music of the Band. Interesting to hear the jazzier and faster alternate version of "Lonesome Suzie" among the bonus-tracks; actually I find that version more appealing.
Of course Robbie Robertson turned out to be their main song-writer and he also shines here on the debut-album. "The Weight" is more or less their signature tune; a great song showcasing all three lead-singers. In fact one of the great things about this great group is that it had these three singer whose vocals blended uniquely; especially on their earliest albums.
Another Robertson classic is the organ-riff based "Chest Fever" which eventually becane a Garth Hudson live tour-de-force.
The bonus-track are all good, though several lack in sound - "Basemant Tapes" sound. The last tune "Ferdinand the Imposter" could really have been great; also the country-inpired "If I Lose" is also quite charming
Free Music Review: One of the greatest albums, no doubt about it
Hit: 5 Stars
I first heard this recording in the late 60s -- it spoke to me strongly then, and speaks just as strongly almost 40 years later. I can't say that about many records made in those times. I'm not nostalgic, I'm not a guy that sits around and listens to old Beatles and Rolling Stones albums... but I still love to listen to music from Big Pink on occasion, it just plain holds up over time. As a musician myself, I would disagree with some of the reviewers that this music is "simple". It most certainly is not... the songs and performances are quirky and complicated, and so is the production. The sound is a bit muddy compared to their later albums which were no doubt higher-budget affairs. (This record was made in a house, not a studio!) To me, Music From Big Pink was never really topped by the group, although it was equaled by the second album "The Band".
I find it difficult to criticise Music From Big Pink in a conventional way. To me, the term "Americana" doesn't really cover it. There are elements of R & B, blues, country, hillbilly, and gospel but I can't think of any other record that blends influences and genres into a very special sound the way this one does. Music From Big Pink has a mysterious and moody quality to it that is unique in pop music. It is not a familiar recorded sound at all, neither now nor when it was first released, and if you are new to this group, give this record time to grow on you -- I think you will be rewarded. It is a snapshot of an group that was just full of talent. If you have never heard it before, tor the best impact I would stop the CD before the additional tracks play, they are interesting but I think they would dilute the experience for the first-time listener.
If you like the Band I highly recommend the documentary DVD "Classic Albums - The Band" that gives some fascinating insight into the recording of the Band's first two albums.