1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die - #127. The Band - Music From Big Pink (1968)

The Band - Music From Big Pink (1968)

Label – Capitol
Producer – John Simon
Art Direction – Milton Glaser – Painting by Bob Dylan
Nationality – Canada / USA
Running Time – 42:00

Track Listing (standout tracks listed in bold)

1. Tears Of Rage
2. To Kingdom Come
3. In A Station
4. Caledonian Mission
5. The Weight
6. We Can Talk
7. Long Black Veil
8. Chest Fever
9. Lonesome Suzie
10. This Wheel's On Fire
11. I Shall Be Released

Famous for being Bob Dylan’s backing band and time spent at a shared house in upstate New York recording what would become “The Basement Tapes”, the first release by The Band came as a surprise. On the surface the album has a laid back feel to it like the tapes were rolling and captured some great jam sessions made up right then and there. It’s on closer inspection that that the quality of the playing, the arrangements and the lyrics begin to sink in. All of the members shine on this record. That tenor haunting fragile voice of Richard Manuel gives the record an almost scary tinge to it, where as Rick Danko and Levon Helm’s vocals are strong, ragged and rustic. It’s all held together by Garth Hudson's organ and Robbie Robertson's inventive guitar passes. Having been associated with Dylan it’s not surprising that it features three songs he has a writing credit on. He also painted the cover art for the record. However the groups "The Weight" became a minor singles chart entry, and this record established the group as one who stood on their own as well. Over time, “Music from Big Pink” has come to be regarded as a benchmark in the history of rock. At the time, "The Weight" peaked at #63 on Billboard's Hot 100 singles chart (North America). The album peaked at #30 on Billboard's Pop Albums chart in 1968, and then recharted as a #8 hit on the Top Internet Albums chart in 2000. In 2003, the album was ranked number 34 on Rolling Stone magazine's list of the 500 greatest albums of all time.
It is highly recommended.


You can purchase the vinyl here

ROCK BIRTHDAYS FOR FEBRUARY 19
Tony Iommi from Sabbath and Heaven and Hell is 62; Mark Andes from Heart is 61; Daniel Adair from Nickelback is 35;

ON THIS DATE
1974 Kiss appear on Don Kirshner's Rock Concert


1980 Bon Scott from AC/DC goes out drinking on the town with friends. This is the night that Scott would end up passed out in a car and found unconscious the next day. Doctors were unable to help him
1996 Oasis win a couple of awards at the BRIT Awards in London for Best Video ("Wonderwall") and Best Album (“(What’s The Story) Morning Glory?”). During one of the acceptance speechs they refer to record industry folks as "Corporate pigs"
2009 Kelly Groucutt, formerly with Electric Light Orchestra, dies in Worcester, Worcestershire, England. Groucutt was 63

IN CONCERT
Saturday, February 20 THE ROBERT CRAY BAND Coachmen Park Clearwater
Saturday, February 20 WHTQ'S BLUES-B-Q FESTIVAL featuring JOHN MAYALL City Hall Plaza Orlando
Saturday, February 20 BLONDIE Universal Studios Orlando
Tuesday, April 27 GOO GOO DOLLS Hard Rock Cafe Orlando

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