The Band: BBC Classic Tracks

Radio CD from the Westwood One label, with five of BBC's Classic Tracks program about The Band. These were shows #98-35, for broadcast the week of August 24, 1998. The songs presented are "Rag Mama Rag," "Caledonia Mission," The Weight," "Stage Fright," and "Chest Fever." The versions used are all very good live circa 1996 renditions of the old classics. "Chest Fever" has a "French Girls" intro.

Below are a list of contents and transcripts from the radio shows:

Show 1: "Rag Mama Rag"

Hello and welcome to Classic Tracks. A live treasure from the vaults of the BBC. Today we're going to hear from a band that is THE Band. They epitomize the American sound, and yet they are from Canada. Perplexing, isn't it? We'll hear from Robbie Robertson and company in just a moment. Keep it here.

Today's Classic Track is from a band that came together in Canada in the late sixties. Then they were the Hawks. Robbie Robertson, Rick Danko, Garth Hudson, and Levon Helm. Actually Levon was from Arkansas. I don't know why he was in Canada. Anyway, they were the back-up band for a wild rockabilly singer named Ronnie Hawkins. They soon outgrew that sound, and ended up working with Bob Dylan. The Hawks turned into the Band, and soon their unique sound and story filled lyrics were thrilling crowds. Listen now to Rag Mama Rag

Rag Mama Rag. The Band, recorded on their most recent reunion tour. Isn't it lovely when people can put aside their differences and get along. Even if it's just for one summer tour. More from the Band tomorrow. At the BBC in London, I am Kat MacEwan.

Show 2: "Caledonia Mission"

I am Kat MacEwan, and this is Classic Tracks. Do you know who Caledonia is? Do you remember The Band? I hope so. We're going to hear from the former backing band of Bob Dylan. Keep it here.

The Band have quite the history. They began in Canada backing a crazy guy named Ronnie Hawkins. Then Robbie Robertson, Richard Manuel, Rick Danko and Levon Heim started working with Bob Dylan, as Dylan was going electric. Helm took himself out of that mix, because he could not stand the hostility of Dylan's crowds. Robertson and Manuel bloomed as songwriters then ... perhaps inspired by the pen of Bob Dylan. Let's listen now to Caledonia Mission.

The Band. Recorded on a reunion tour just a few years ago. Caledonia Mission. Tomorrow we'll hear about their musical style. Till then, at the BBC in London, I am Kat MacEwan.

Show 3: "The Weight"

Hello and welcome to Classic Tracks. I am Kat MacEwan and I have a fantastic live track from one of my favourite non-British bands. Actually they are mostly Canadian, with a heavy American influence. The Band in a moment. Keep it here.

The Band managed to have three lead singers, and yet no one ever stepped, or sang on the others. Richard Manuel was the soulful one, Levon Helm had a gruff southern twang, and Rick Danko sported a quirky edgy tone. Robbie Robertson voice was supplied by his guitar, which could be feral, or a delicate accent to the lyrics. Of course we can't overlook the keyboards of Garth Hudson, which filled out the sound to perfection. Let's listen now to The Weight.

The Weight. Wonderful song, that. The Band, recorded in the nineties, on a reunion tour. We'll hear about Robbie Robertson's attempt at curing stagefright tomorrow. At the BBC in London, I am Kat MacEwan.

Show 4: "Stage Fright"

Hello there. I am Kat MacEwan, here with another gem from the vaults of the BBC. Today's Classic Track features The Band. Music From Big Pink, The Last Waltz, Stage Fright - yes now you know which band. Keep it here.

Today's Classic Track is from a Band that had their problems when it came to touring, because Robbie Robertson had such stage fright. He was fine when they were a backing band, but when they were on their own, he was just paralyzed. It was 1969, they were supporting the release of their album The Band, and Robbie was hypnotized to help him deal with his fear. It did not work. In fact, it's a performance they would all like to forget. We're going to hear now from a concert that was performed with no hocus pocus. Here's the Band with Stage Fright.

Stage Fright. Hard to believe they ever suffered from it. The Band, on their 1996 reunion tour. More music from those complex musicians tomorrow. At the BBC in London, I am Kat MacEwan.

Show 5: "Chest Fever"

Hello darlings. Kat MacEwan here with music from Big Pink. One of the best titles ever, don't you think? The Band is supplying today's Classic Track. Are you prepared for a little Chest Fever? Keep it here.

Did you ever see the film the Last Waltz? I do think it is both one of director Martin Scorsese's finest, and one of rock and roll's best moments on celluloid. It was the Band's farewell concert, and they had a supporting cast that included Van Morrison, Muddy Waters, Joni Mitchell, Bob Dylan and Neil Young. It was filmed on Thanksgiving in 1976. It's my suggestion for this weekend's rental. Before you head to the video store, let's listen to Chest Fever.

Chest Fever. The Band, recorded twenty years after their farewell concert. I love how that can happen. Speaking of reunions .... next week we will hear from two musicians that are a happy couple once again - Robert Plant and Jimmy Page - I will go deep deep into the archives and find some rare - not available on cd - recordings of Led Zeppelin. Till then, at the BBC in London, I am Kat MacEwan.

The Band - BBC Classic Tracks - 1998 - Westwood One