The Band Guestbook, March '98
Below are the entries in the Band guestbook from March 1998.
Tue Mar 31 22:51:37 MET DST 1998
Little John Tyler
From: The House Next Door
Anybody out there catch R.R. on Letterman last night who'd care to share their observations with the rest of us? I tried to stay up for it, but once Kentucky started pulling away from Utah in the second half.....Ooops! Sorry. I forgot about the recent moratorium on basketball references at this website.
Tue Mar 31 21:59:56 MET DST 1998
klaus Søe-Jensen
From: Denmark
I got the interest in the band after reading levons book(this wheels on fire) and kind of redisgovered the music and i found out how great it is.I am interested in knowing if there is any posibilities of going to a concert with the band in Denmark soon .
Regards from Klaus
Tue Mar 31 20:35:38 MET DST 1998
Rodeo Red
From: Ulster County NYHome Page
The above url is not really my homepage. It links to the Werewolves of Woodstock page with this great review of Levon Helm and the Cromatix. Follow the links for more articles on the Hudson Valley music scene. Here is the article reprinted with permission. -Rodeo Red
No Special Guests
by Haven James
Artist: Levon Helm & The Crowmatix
Saturday night was one of those nights, one of those Woodstock nights that makes life in this hamlet worth it. Levon Helm & The Crowmatix appeared at the Tinker Street Cafe to a packed house of devoted fans. No special guests, and none needed--the six-piece unit cranked out one long set that mixed traditional Band classics with Crowmatix rock and R&B standards.
Helm was looking good this night, clearly up for playing (and in much improved health from our encounter with him last summer at Joe's in New Paltz, which turned out to be a pre-pneumonia gig and a scary one at that). We can very happily report that Lee is back in the saddle, full twinkle in his eye, and playing and singing in all-star fashion. Probably the only Arkansas celebrity holding fast to the no-Monica, none-of-the-time stance, Helm was in rare form and glad to be there for the home team.
The Crowmatix opened the show with a round robin of tunes that established why they've become Helm's band of choice these days. Jimmy Eppard, sporting a new (old) Les Paul Special and matching black Stratocaster, held the guitar post on stage right. There must be some sound or style Epp can't do, but whatever that might be remains a mystery. Hard-driving and lyrical, his playing set the front-line melody that kicked the show right into go mode with no warm up necessary.
Jimmy and Butch Dener had reset the stage layout at the Tinker, putting the bass amp deep in the corner with the two drum kits flanking off toward the window side of the room. This gave Mike "Elmo" Dunn the prime spot to let his Dan Electro copper-flec bass unify the moves. Partnered with Randy Ciarlante on the main drum rig, rhythms were not in question as Ranch and Elmo struck a strong beat.
Sharing the melody line, the Professor (Aaron "Louie" Hurwitz) was also in rare form Saturday, flashing cascades of layered chords and runs across ivories of the B-3. As co-producer of both the Band and the Crowmatix, Louie held a strong rudder on the rushing current of the music. And standing point, stage front, Red-Hot Mama Marie Spinosa wasn't holding back the vocals, either. To say she's got pipes is only part of the story; Marie's energy infused the band and the house in preparation for the appearance of the boss.
Levon made his arrival early on in the evening and did not delay taking the stage. It was just about the only place left to stand in the room, so he must have figured why wait, he'd come to play. Going straight to the mandolin, Helm performed a number of songs off the Woodstock Records Collector Edition CD, Souvenir, including Danko's original, "Java Blues." The fact that every member of the Crowmatix sings only added to the choral impact of the tunes. And there's something about the mix of that Gibson mandolin and Levon's voice that builds the magic and raises everything up a few notches. "Atlantic City" proved again to be one of the high points of the night as the house joined in the mantra full force.
Moving to the second drum kit, Lee stepped up the rhythms as the band broke into some of the classic rockers. Kicking off with "The Weight," and later on to "Rag Mama Rag" and "Milk Cow Boogie," Helm mixed in some harmonica to spark the familiar sound. To the delight of all, Levon left little doubt that he has any intentions of hanging up his rock 'n' roll shoes in the foreseeable future.
Look for Levon and the Crowmatix to be back sooner than later this time around. There's a lot of activity going on at Lee's studio, and though "Last Train From Memphis" was one of the new songs they played Saturday night, this definitely was not the last stop.
With news of the Tinker Street's dynamic duo of Mitnick and Sandell opening the Lake for the summer season, the presence of a larger venue will make this kind of event more practical on a variety of levels. A number of folks seldom seen came out of the woodwork for this show and hopefully, with a new and improved juke joint in town, Woodstock will get back to being a little more like Woodstock in the coming months. For the first time in years, every restaurant and club from Carambola (the Getaway for the truly ancient) all the way up 212 to the Bearsville Theater will be open for business. Maybe there is hope.
Woodstock Records sports a catalog of local hero records including Levon Helm & the Crowmatix, Rick Danko Live, and more. Most of their products can be ordered through Rhythms in Woodstock or directly from:
Woodstock Records
PO Box 158
Woodstock, NY 12498-0158
Haven James has been a consistent contributor to the Music & Arts scene around the Hudson Valley and beyond for almost a decade through his column, Werewolves of Woodstock, published weekly in the Woodstock Times.
A writer, musician, philanthropist, and Mac addict; he lives reclusively, high atop Overlook Mountain with his son and a menagerie of animals, both wild and domesticated. Though currently unmarried, rumors abound as to his intimate relationships with Madonna, Sandra Bernhardt, and Eli Bach; though he insists these notions to be pure hearsay. His identity has remained a mystery to all but the closest of friends as he often travels in disguise and appears unannounced and undercover at concerts and venues in a dedicated effort to get the real story.
Haven James can be contacted at werewolves@netstep.net
Tue Mar 31 19:45:06 MET DST 1998
Did anyone see Robbie on CNN last Thursday? It was excellent! He sang "Unbound" with Rita Coolidge on background vocals. Great guitar solo in the end. Why did he not show up on Letterman last night? Stage Fright?
Tue Mar 31 11:50:52 MET DST 1998
I liked The Band's playing on Before The Flood and The Last Waltz.
It had a lot of power - especially TLW - and in particular Ophelia,
Stage Fright and Life is a Carnival. Bands do change over time - they
couldn't keep doing the Brown album over and over.
The big differences instrumentally were Garth Hudsons keyboards
and Robertson's guitar. I actually don't like the
guitar on TLW - it's too sqeaky and trebley - much prefer
the bluesy sound on Rock of Ages. As for Hudson's
keyboards - they just got better and better. However
on the Reunion video they lost alot of their power , Garth
seems happy to sit back and his playing doesn't
have the same presence.
Tue Mar 31 02:05:28 MET DST 1998
Before we go any farther, I'd like to salute the Boy Cannoneer, the "Gallant" Pelham. I read with interest the thread of evolution of Levon's drumming in particular and the Band's playing in general as the year's progressed, how their playing seem to become more frantic, busier, something like that. I wonder how much of that had to do with the venues themselves. You figure they literally never played out from Dylan's last show in 1966 until SF in April of 1969. Robbie's take on Woodstock: "We were playing the way we played in our living room...it could have been that we just couldn't get that same intimate feeling with a few hundred thousand people." All of a sudden they're on these big stages trying to duplicate that thing they got sitting in a circle. You can feel the change between the Brown Album and Stage Fright; they had to turn up just to communicate to the larger crowds they started playing to. It was a process, though. The first few years on the road they played Chicago twice, the Opera House and Arie Crown, both around 4000 seats. They come back at Watkins Glen in front of 500,000+. Then they do the DYlan comeback tour, Chicago Stadium and 20,000. Listen to the Dylan solo stuff on B4 the FLood and the various boots. He's bringing a storm trying to communicate to this mass of people. And the Band sounds like they're screaming, both vocally and instrumentally. The last time the Band plays around here they're at a racetrack in front of another mass of people. Trying to get those acoustic intruments heard under those circumstances was probably pretty frustrating-remember, it's a time when big PA's are just getting off the ground. Just a thought.
Tue Mar 31 00:46:07 MET DST 1998
Hey Mr. Amused;
I've got a place for a rendevous, Cosmo,
Marvin Gardens, Gopher and I will be there. It's definitely *NOT* a "chat room" tho. I would like to personally invite you to join us. How about it?
Luis
Tue Mar 31 00:37:01 MET DST 1998
Marvin G.,Gopher, Cosmo, Luis...arrange a rendez-vous on this Band Chat room, and shoot the shit to your heart's content..Don't clutter up the Guestbook. 20,000 hits a day on this site, and 90% is you bozos. Enough.
Mon Mar 30 23:05:54 MET DST 1998
Great Site...
Mon Mar 30 20:27:26 MET DST 1998
Just a reminder for those who care--Robbie Robertson is scheduled to appear on David Letterman's Late Night show tonight (3/30) to be aired on CBS. Since that network is televising the NCAA basketball final game, there may be a chance that the show will run at later time than usual.
As weird as it seems, there may be a Band / basketball connection after all. That's it for Entertainment Tonight.
Mon Mar 30 20:01:03 MET DST 1998
Robbie Robertson, I do not have a e-mail address for you but I want to
leave mine with you. Please contact me at
oaa022 cumberland.nscc.ns.ca. I am sorry if I am
inconviencing anyone but I would like to talk to you Robbie if you
don't mind.
Mon Mar 30 19:56:12 MET DST 1998
Robbie Robertson, I do not have a e-mail address for you but I want to
leave mine with you. Please contact me at
oaa022 cumberland.nscc.ns.ca. I am sorry if I am
inconviencing anyone but I would like to talk to you Robbie if you
don't mind.
Mon Mar 30 13:00:11 MET DST 1998
hey, luis:
it's a fairly good size venue really, the usa...
i'd be real happy with loge seats, but if they stick me in the last row of the balcony at least i'm in the room! cheers... i'll get back to you
about your chequered past-- didn't cookie mess
up that gig in a car wreck in manhattan that tore up his leg, or something? at least that's what i remember reading in the papers...
Mon Mar 30 02:45:36 MET DST 1998
Marvin Gardens, Gopher, Cosmo;
I feel like a member of a very intimate, small and private
club. Thanks,
Luis
Mon Mar 30 02:40:58 MET DST 1998
I just got a copy of The Band Crossignthe Great Divide, the genuine bootleg series vol 4.
the best collection of Band tunes anywhere. Search it out, it's a must for all true Band Fans.
Sun Mar 29 22:22:41 MET DST 1998
I was at the West Strand in Kingston last night
and I saw Honky Tonk Gurus. There was a lot
of talent on stage: Randy Ciarlante, Jim Weider
and Richard Bell (also a bass player who's name
I forget). But I didn't recognize the music, they
didn't play much Band stuff. Weider is damn
good, no doubt about it, yet the show kind of
reminded me of an all star team that has some
great players, but hasn't meshed yet. IMHO
I thought the players were better than the setlist.
Sun Mar 29 20:29:19 MET DST 1998
all BAND brothers and sisters- marvin gardens hit a home run!!!!!! truth is beauty .
Sun Mar 29 17:46:25 MET DST 1998
There is no one and I mean no one who loucks or writes like Luis from Phoenix. All though I'm sure that loucking at Hanson's crotch is no big thing, it's nice to hear from someone who truly appreciates the music of The Band and how its members strike an inner chord with their true fans. Such honesty is rare in a public forum such as this hit so often by those with lousy vibes and attitudes.
on 5/13 when I see Rick at The Brokerage I will feel lucky and privileged to be so close to someone who has given me & mine such pleasure with his music.
Sun Mar 29 03:11:39 MET DST 1998
11PM EST Tonite "Rebel Without A Cause: James Dean, Natalie Wood, Sal Mineo a/k/a Rick Danko.
Dennis Hopper also appears.
Sun Mar 29 01:53:12 MET 1998
Just passing by, but I enjoyed the time spent here and will return again.rainbows & roses......
Sun Mar 29 01:05:09 MET 1998
Thank you Stonewall & Little Bessie Girl.
Ralph G Of Edison NJ: Have Leevon "Shine A Light",
yer bulb is dim.
Sun Mar 29 00:21:37 MET 1998
Ralph Giordano: I tried to e-mail you but
I guess you listed the wrong e-mail address. I
just wanted to ask you why you feel such
animosity towards Joan Baez: what's the
deal here? In the words of that ancient
philosopher "Ca-Ca-Can't we all get along?"
See y'all at the West Strand for the 'Rues
tonight. Randy said this band really rocks.
Sat Mar 28 22:47:40 MET 1998
Just listened to the absolutely awesome audio sample of Robbie's solo piano demo for "Dixie."
Wow, there's some great stuff at this site. And to those who didn't get the earlier joke from "Joe Hill"--that was a parody of the way Baez mangled the lyrics to that song. Listen to the clip here for Robbie's original crisp delivery of the correct words. Eerie stuff, sounds like it's being sung by a real survivor of that war!
Sat Mar 28 20:53:15 MET 1998
"...one should never be where one does not belong..."
Sat Mar 28 18:56:56 MET 1998
Blah, Blah, Blah... Enough with the immature name calling and infantile arguments. Can't you people discuss a topic with some respect for this web page ???... Please stop or stay away !!!!
Sat Mar 28 18:51:41 MET 1998
Dear Joe Hill,
If you would have read the postings here you would have realized the Band concert for Carnegie Hall was bull s * * t.
But please don't waste valuable space here
talking about a has been the likes of Joan Baez.
Sat Mar 28 17:47:56 MET 1998
The first time I met Rick Danko I trembled like a
teen-aged girl staring directly into Hanson's crotch.
I'm a 35 year old man who's played guitar, drums, piano
for 32 of those years. I'm not a fan of great musical
art, I am a worshipper. J.R.R.'s songwriting talents
(early work and 1st. solo album ONLY) make me believe
in the Supernatural. Levon's VOICE and drumming are the stuff
of good-ole country boy brilliance, no less than a
bloated opera singer worshipped by blue haired old
women (and 10% of men I'm told).
Why am I rambling rambling on aimlessly you WILL ask? Simple I say,
I've stood alone and with my band on stage at Kenny's Castaways,
Continetal,Roadhouse (former Band venue), Nightingale's, Spiral,
quite a few others. My band released a CD on an independant
label in NY called T3. Hell, we even opened for the Ramones
last year. I've managed to worm my way backstage at Carnegie Hall
and SIT DOWN to chat with Jim Weider, Randy Ciarlante
at The Bottom Line. You knowm this ain't about dropping
names by any stretch of the imagination. Hell, that's
totally the OPPOSITE of what *I BELIEVE* The Band is
all about. Their attraction to me is that they're JUST
LIKE ME in THEIR eyes. THEIR eyes, certainly NOT mine.
Led Zep, Clapton (who SUCKSSUCKSSUCKS now after Robertson
hooked him up with that rapper hiphop Babyface Puff Daddy
guy), they're all superhuman if you ask me. I can't paint
like Miro or Picasso, can't punch a computer like Bill
Gates or sing like Rick Danko. Wish I could. I'm
stuck with this li'l ole heart that God gave me and the
ears and mind to LISTEN and APPRECIATE and tolerate
and respect the rest, ALL the rest.
"The opinions expressed in this missive are not necessarily those
of our station and it's affiliates".
Peace and Love,
Luis
Sat Mar 28 14:29:28 MET 1998
a quick observation. blondie chaplin joined up with the band after richard passed on in 85. i saw them perform at the old channel club in boston in i believe the first show after the accident, the band having of course deciding to continue on the road. blondie also sang lead on the beach boys 73 hit sail on sailor. now he's currently singing backup on the rolling stones world tour. a pretty impressive resume for someone to compile and stay pretty much in the shadows.
Sat Mar 28 05:01:42 MET 1998
Levon Helm's instructional video, "Classic Rock, Country and Blues Grooves," (featuring the recent lineup) is on sale now from Homegrown Video. I've bought other tapes from this Woodstock company and they're great. US and Canada, call 1-800-338-2737; International call (914) 246-2550. Or http://www.homespuntapes.com
Sat Mar 28 04:30:40 MET 1998
hey foxtrot, i agree and apologize! my first and last profanity laced entry. i guess i have this habit of defending myself. as for the same people doing it, point your investigation in another direction. now a question- any BAND fans out there see the BAND at boston harbor in the summer of 93? front row, lots of pictures,lots of fun.i fell in love that night! still happilly married!
Sat Mar 28 03:49:08 MET 1998
Joe Hill: leave my girlfriend alone. She missed class the week we studied the Civil War back there in seminary school. But Joe, I dreamed I saw you last night...
Sat Mar 28 03:19:34 MET 1998
I was at Carnegie Hall March 25th expecting to see The Band. Much to my surprise they weren't there so I saw Joan Baez. Her set was quite mellow. She did "the Night They Drove Old Dixie Down". I payid extra close attention and I'm sure she sang: "till stoned men from Calvary came and tore up..." They refused to refund my money.
Sat Mar 28 03:13:15 MET 1998
Way too much profanity on the guestbook of late. It's probably the same old clown in every entry. These are the only ones in my opinion that should be omitted. Lack of vocab and creativity, I suppose. I can stomach the BBall and even the desperate cry for attention from the Zeppelin fan (great diognosis of their mellodramatic tendencies Rich Hebner) but if the cursing continues, I will be just another casualty. Go ahead and 4 letter word me now.
Sat Mar 28 03:10:53 MET 1998
Why dont we debate the merits of LEVON and robbie in the present. I have listened to both the new Chromatix CD and Robbie's as well, and Levon is still better.
Sat Mar 28 03:10:05 MET 1998
To All Me Irish Mates:
Regarding yer query about RR & Norway, I hate to tell tales out of turn but Robbie is hooked on sardines. He acquired the habit when the boys toured Norway in the early seventies. Such is life. Forgive me Butch.
Sat Mar 28 02:47:58 MET 1998
Erin go way!
Sat Mar 28 02:37:01 MET 1998
Can anyone tell me what is Robbie Robertsons connection with Norway? I'm just curious. What is he up to lately?
Sat Mar 28 02:01:38 MET 1998
eric, thanks for letting me know i'm an asshole. i guess because i don't care to read dead zep tour dates on THE BAND page makes me stupid. i was just having a hoot with you! lighten up brother and stop being so sensitive. my wife called me an asshole this morning now that i think of it!!! twice in one day,wow! anyone out there ever hear dennis leary do the ASSHOLE song? it's about me. i'm so proud!!!! and to all my BAND brother and sisters out there , sorry to tie up the guestbook with my useless info. peace to all !!!!!!
Sat Mar 28 01:49:06 MET 1998
Hello all. My last entry was a mess. The whole middle was left out because I missed one of the less-than symbols to identify a new paragraph. Anyway, Levon's drumming from the Before the Flood tour and TLW sounds like galloping horses. That's what I meant to say. The Band's strength was to get a whole bunch of feeling and intensity out of acoustic instrumentation. They didn't have the typical loud rock sound. As the years passed it seemed they gravitated towards loud volume and 'driving' versions of their tunes. Rock of Ages was a beautifully recorded live album which allowed the guys to remain loyal to that 'understatement' style, inspite of the suggestion to play it loud...no, that was on TLW video, wasn't it. The brass section really helped during ROA. Then BTF and TLW come and it's like they've run out their juices. Result: LOUD MUSIC. Levon's drum's and Robbie's guitar really exemplify this. Most Likely You'll Go You Way is an example of that hoof beat drumming of which I speak. Robbie's guitar on Up On Cripple Creek is obtrusive. They lost it somewhere along the way. It doesn'y surprise me that The Band is ranked so low on VH-1's top 100 bands. This reminds me of how unpopular The Band was on the west coast in the peak of their popularity. They were kinda of a weird alternative to mainline popular rock. Like Robbie said about Woodstock, "Choir boys, we were compared to the rest of the groups." The reaction from many Band fans of late to Robbie's newest is perhaps because we haven't gotten over the break up yet. Do you realize they've been not The Band (the original Band) for a longer time than they were The Band. It's not surprising then that Robbie has distanced himself from that time period. It was a long time ago. He remembers what he did back then, regarding the songwriting and producing, and I'm not not quite sure the other guys, besides Garth, knew what that was for various reasons. Namely, the other three are performers and partiers and good timers and GREAT musicians but not creative and technical like Robbie. The work each has done since 1978 bears witness to this.
Sat Mar 28 01:02:09 MET 1998
Hola Luis,
que tal como esta?
OK here's the deal, I've always believed Band fans were intelligent and well-known for their taste as well as knowlege and APPRECIATION of good, and importantly influential music.
I guess I was wrong. Pretty heavy, eh dude?
Adios.
Sat Mar 28 00:46:51 MET 1998
Eric N.
May I just *ask* why you think it's important to post
Page/Plant info here of all places?
don't get me wrong, I happen to be a big fan, I'm sure
Led Zep has a page somewhere on the net with participation
from folks more geared to your interests. Just a suggestion
man, don't get heavy on me and call me an asshole
or something!
Luis
Sat Mar 28 00:41:59 MET 1998
To Uncle Hangover and Cosmo,
If you guys can't appreciate the true GENIUS of
Led Zep, then you are both greater assholes then
your comments would indicate.
Respectfully (yeh, right),
Eric
Fri Mar 27 23:40:14 MET 1998
BUTCH brings up a very good point about those privy to any information about the Band. The point is...if you are "one in the know" or a friend...whatever. That relationship will cease the day you open your big mouth. One does not keep a friendship of years by "telling stories." That doesn't just go to celebrities. Good posting Butch.
Fri Mar 27 23:06:01 MET 1998
Hey Butch;
Well color me pink and call me Richard!
How about that, an honest and respectful exchange
between 2 Band fans in the guestbook. What's next,
a discussion about gratitude for the God given gift
of the greatest band of all time?
With tongue firmly in cheek,
Luis
Fri Mar 27 22:50:03 MET 1998
The Band is and was the best band in the land.
Thanks mostly to Levon
Fri Mar 27 22:44:59 MET 1998
eric n. - you get the who gives a shit award of the day. almost as bad as last weeks b-ball rant.
Fri Mar 27 21:45:44 MET 1998
Luis- nice to see you too. I'm just a salesman
from Kingston, I'm not privy to the Band. I know
who you're thinking of, but it ain't me, babe.
Fri Mar 27 21:10:31 MET 1998
Hey Butch!
Nice to see you in here. Guess I'll go ahead and ask,
how's the new record comin' along? Is it really an
acoustic record?
Peace,
Fri Mar 27 20:23:09 MET 1998
Pete Rivard: there's an honest answer to your question, but I'm not gonna give it to you. Think about it- you could get someone in trouble with
an entry like that. If you do happen to get close
enough to one of the Band to see something
"amiss" you should consider it a private matter
not meant for the public to know about.
Fri Mar 27 19:16:59 MET 1998
Esta F..... I have found the following cd's
are quite good: 1.Bring it on home, a 2 cd set of a radio program done by the Traum brothers. Rick Danko sings on 3 tracks on the 1st cd and 2 songs on the 2nd. 2.You're gonna miss me, The Muddy Waters Tribute Band, Levon Helm sings 1 song on the album. 3. Paul Burlison, Train kept a rollin', Jim Weider produces and plays on the entire cd, Levon sings on one track as does Rick.Richard Bell, Randy Ciarlante and Levon play on various tracks. 4. Jim Weider, Big foot, outstanding cd, outstanding guitar work throughout. I purchase the 1st 3 cd's at CD World in Paramus, NJ and mail ordered the JW cd. This web page has the mailing information. Hope this is helpful....
Fri Mar 27 18:46:18 MET 1998
I saw the Band at the Cabooze in Minneapolis in 96. November of '96, I think. Some Brit by the name of John Wesley Harding warmed up the crowd. Mediocre at best. Anyway, the entire time the Band was onstage, there was this woman perched on an amp or monitor behind and above the Band, looked like she was keeping a close eye on Levon. Long brown hair. Flower print skirt. Anyone know who she is? His wife? His nurse? His parole officer?
Fri Mar 27 17:38:56 MET 1998
I would just like to thank the people on this website for recommending the Tom Pacheco, Woodstock Winter CD and the Muddy Waters Woodstock CD. I love them both. Any other suggestions?
Fri Mar 27 16:35:46 MET 1998
Just for fun and because it's such a good quote:
From Levon's book, quoting himself from a 1978 Rolling
Stone article:
"We never played no fruit rock, no punk rock. We never
wore dresses onstage or put no paint on our faces. We never
blew up any bombs onstage. We didn't suck off any snakes
onstage. We didn't wear tight pants or them big turquoise
rings. We didn't take a piss onstage or throw any TV's
out the window that I can remember. But today the music
business has gotten so it's like Vietnam: a few guys
making a lot of money, some guys getting cut up, and in
five years ain't much of it even gonna be worth a pinch
of shit."
Great words from a great man.
Fri Mar 27 16:04:15 MET 1998
Did you hear david Bromberg in 1980 playing Trenton state . In the middle of sharon he played 5 minutes of shakedown street. That was great.
Fri Mar 27 15:31:08 MET 1998
To Steve Goodman: Well there are strong links to the Steve Goodman. But, if that's you, you must be from further away than Banana Republics, despite the closeness of that locale to SG. In all seriousness, though, lots of good things can be said about SG too!
Fri Mar 27 14:53:07 MET 1998
Oh great. First the baseball moron and now a Zep
fan going bananas....
Fri Mar 27 12:46:01 MET 1998
Plant and Page have announced 25 dates for their tour:
5/19 - Pensacola, FL @ Civic Center
5/20 - Tampa, FL @ Ice Palace
5/22 - Miami, FL @ Civic Center
5/23 - Jacksonville, FL @ Coliseum
5/26 - Charlotte, NC @ Coliseum
5/29 - Atlanta, GA @ Lakewood Amphitheater
6/1 - Birmingham, AL @ Civic Center
6/2 - Nashville, TN @ Coliseum
6/4 - Oklahoma City, OK @ Myriad
6/6 - Kansas City, MO @ Kemper Arena
6/7 - St. Louis, MO @ Keil Center
6/9 - Indianapolis, IN @ Market Square
6/10 - Milwaukee, WI @ Bradley Center
6/12 - Minneapolis, MN @ Target
6/13 - Fargo, SD @ Fargodome
6/15 - Chicago, IL @ United Center
6/26 - Detroit, MI @ Palace
6/29 - Grand Rapids, MI @ Van Andel Arena
7/1 - Pittsburgh, PA @ Civic Arena
7/3 - Cleveland, OH @ Gund Arena
7/4 - Toronto, ONT @ Molson Amphitheater
7/7 - Washington, D.C. @ MCI Center
7/8 - Virginia Beach, VA @ Virginia Beach
Amphitheater
7/10 - Philadelphia, PA @ Corestates Arena
7/13 - Boston, MA @ Fleet Center
7/16 - New York City, NY @ Madison Square
Garden
Cheers
Eric
Fri Mar 27 05:10:55 MET 1998
Bob Dylan rocks and so does this page! I'm going to bookmark this page.
Fri Mar 27 04:45:52 MET 1998
David Bromberg is the one with the violin bow on the close up of the cover drawing on this site. He recently [Dec] played with Dylan in Chicago, but is apparently "retired" and is rumored to spend his time collecting violins.
Fri Mar 27 04:44:23 MET 1998
Jon Katz,
Nice work. What took you so long? What's the Bromberg link to me?
Fri Mar 27 04:43:39 MET 1998
David Bromberg lives right here in Chicago. I heard he is now a master luthier and concentrates on that skill. I saw him play with Levon and Rick around 1981 at the Metro and I understand he played a few tunes with Dylan at the same place this last December. Very good musician.
Fri Mar 27 04:37:59 MET 1998
David Bromberg-Great musician with some very good lp's, though somewhat quirky. His tastes ranged from blues to Irish with R&R and bluegrass thrown in. Many of his albums reflected these varied tastes. His 1971 debut lp is highly rated, but I like 1974's "Wanted Dead Or Alive," 1975's "Midnight On The Water," and 1978's "Bandit In A Bathing Suit." He was a sideman with Band members on Ringo Starr's 1973 album Ringo, and appears in a drawing with them on the lp [see this site]. He also sided for Bob Dylan on "Self Portrait" which Band members contributed to - but I think that their contributions were only Isle of Wight cuts. BTW: he also contributed some excellent work on BD's "New Morning." I think that there are some other crossings of The Band and Bromberg, but cannot recall at this time. Anyway - he's well worth looking into. He is a good writer, does good covers, and his song "Nobody's" on "Midnight.." is one of the best songs about depression that I've ever heard.
Fri Mar 27 03:57:01 MET 1998
Anybody got a line on David Bromberg? Did he ever play with the boys? All Music Guide links him to Eric Andersen, Dylan , Butterfield & Jerry Jeff Walker.
Never seen the man, but Eppie looks like him. My bud Eppie that is.
Fri Mar 27 01:51:20 MET 1998
K. Rheel I think you are so off the wall. Listen you like Robbie or you dont what do you mean you have no desire to meet RR that statment just tells me how little respect you have for the great writer/guitar player. If you dont have anything nice to say about the man you just better beet feet of this Band page or I'll rap you in the head tough guy !?
Thu Mar 26 23:30:36 MET 1998
Figured most Band fans had gotten over Kashmir by 8th grade. Silly and bombastic lyrics, what's next Stairway to Heaven? Try listening to some good lyrics, like Whispering Pines. Fast Times at Ridgemont High even pokes fun at Kashmir (the movie is as bad as the song). That entry isn't much better than the Basketball rambling. Some of you must have a lot of free time on your hands. Zeppelin's music was vey hot but the dumb lyrics always ruined it for me, very mellodramatic, good air raid siren immpressions by the singer though, Roberta Plant I think her name was. For more interesting info on Zep, read the Bill Graham biography. They weren't as cool as you might think. The Band achieved a much better balance. Much more class.
Thu Mar 26 23:19:19 MET 1998
Great site...great info on boots, but how can I order what I like. Some good fan out there please help with guidance?
Thu Mar 26 23:09:51 MET 1998
I agree, Robbie does seem a tad insecure as was Lennon. One thing they had in common is that they both grew up without a father. Both wrote a few good songs too. Speaking of Levon's drumming, how about We Can Talk and Stage Fright from Before the Flood.
Thu Mar 26 18:11:08 MET 1998
It makes no difference, State fright, The night they drove..., The Weight...
Some of the best songs I ever heard.
Good friends in my youth.
Thu Mar 26 17:55:05 MET 1998
Had a dream that I attended a performace of the the Band last night. It was at a small community hall with a very small audience (about 20 people). Rick, Garth, Levon and a mysterious fourth member - all appeared in great health and about 10-15 years younger than present age. They were concerned about the small audience but were waiting aroung for "pretty boy". Robbie eventually came bouncing in. The Band played a great set and I woke up very inspired. Amazing to listen to song after song in a dream with a small, rapt audience. Had to share this with others, some of who will appreciate my good fortune.
Thu Mar 26 16:24:29 MET 1998
Lars - excellent entry! Here's one more....George Lembesis is always down front taking pictures and he's bound to look crabby.
Thu Mar 26 14:56:23 MET 1998
Just wanted to say that this must be the best artist site on the web.
Wonderful design, simple, slick, and effective. Easy to navigate, top quality content, fantastic depth, so much goodies and rare stuff.
Thanks!
Thu Mar 26 14:01:16 MET 1998
Saw the Band June 1996 in Dublin 30 years after their last Irish Gig. It was of course amazing, but how long do the Paddies and The Brits have to wait before we get another listen.
Thu Mar 26 13:12:30 MET 1998
if you egocentric bozos don't chill, this site is gonna end up as a topic on the jerry springer show, along with some of the sweaty, paranoid,
past-tense intensive geeks that "inform" it. that's a show i'd rather not see broadcast.
Thu Mar 26 07:30:28 MET 1998
To Jeff Newsome - I would love to hear more about your experience at the Last Waltz or your recent gig with Rick.
Thu Mar 26 06:37:04 MET 1998
I've been out for a while...Love the new "old" picture...I see the loons still haven't grown up...(It's still the best site around -- Thanks Jan.) Anyway -- Does anyone have any answers to the following questions...
Thu Mar 26 06:29:37 MET 1998
I had the great fortune of backing Rick up at gig way out here in Jackson Hole at a club called the Mangey Moose.Having been a guest of the Band at the Last Waltz,( indeed, I co-piloted Garths mercedes out to San Francisco with Woodstock legend David Boyle,) and having been absolutely blown away by the overall vibe of that production, I was delighted not only to perform with this inspirational musician,but also to see that despite the forces of the material world, this great spirit remains intact. Our ears are wide open.
Thu Mar 26 06:20:19 MET 1998
Lars - I liked your post. I can't say that I've noticed all of your observations but one that I have always seen is Danko getting all over the soundman. I always wondered why that was.
Thu Mar 26 05:36:40 MET 1998
LARS- Well done! You've really captured the mannerism's and habits of the Band in concert. Your powers of observation are like a "hawk". Thanks for the memories! Brothers and sisters,please,more postings like Lars.
After a "hot" solo by Garth,Weider or Richard Bell,Danko will sometimes glide over to the nearest musician and kiddingly shake his head side to side as if to say-NAH,HE AIN'T ON TONIGHT! Levon switching over to bass during Crazy Mama. And looking like he has reached Nirvana. See ya soon!
Thu Mar 26 05:35:32 MET 1998
Joel Richards from the great city of Detroit, I second that emotion.
Thu Mar 26 05:32:40 MET 1998
Mr. Amused, that figures.
Thu Mar 26 04:34:12 MET 1998
If you don't like the guestbook don't come in here. It's really very simple. If you don't like something on the tv, change the channel. Just don't wine about someplace you don't have to be. I've learned some pretty cool stuff here even though I have to sift thru some BS every now and then. Rag Mama from ROAges is great.
Thu Mar 26 03:37:39 MET 1998
I agree with Mr Hangover. Jan should just close the Guestbook. It has become a place for either psuedo-intellectuals to state thier holier than thou opinions or idiots who like to stir things up.
Thu Mar 26 03:17:08 MET 1998
You make a lot of valid points David, it's hard
to dispute what you say.
I just wanted to throw in a few small observations
I've made over the past few years of watching the Band. There is no theme here, just random
stuff. Danko will ALWAYS lock horns with the
person on the soundboard......Levon always has
his gum.....Randy always sings the third verse
("Go down Miss Moses") in the Weight...Mike
Dunn will show up in a New York Yankee
baseball cap...Jimm Eppard will blow your mind
with his vocals and guitar playing....the only words out of Richard Bell during the entire
performance are "Looky there"......Aaron Hurwitz
will put his wallet on the nearest amp from his
keyboard, then keep one eye on it the rest of the
performance....Garth will wear his black hat...Jim
Weider will wear a leather vest...Butch Dener will
be standing near the side and not miss a thing.....
During "Long Black Veil" Randy will BARELY
make it to the mike in time fot the chorus as he
calmly moves forward to sing....Rick Danko will
take tiny steps, shifting from one foot to the other, as he keeps time and plays....Levon will switch instruments, from mandolin to drums,
during the show.....someone in the front row
will wait for the music to stop and then yell out a
request for a Band song that hasn't been played
in twenty years.
Thu Mar 26 02:34:03 MET 1998
Mr. Enlightened, even though your writing is somewhat humorous, don't you think enough is enough. Of what relevance does your profession have here, Charlie? Let's give Jan a break. Although I think RR's latest is one of the best I've heard in a long time, I have to agree that he often puts his foot in his mouth during interviews. In one sentence he says he hasn't heard the new Dylan and in the next he says I've heard these stories before? I also recall him dismissing the ground breaking Abbey Road in an interview. I sense a little insecurity with Robbie. Sometimes the greater the artist the bigger the insecurity. I noticed this with John Lennon interviews as well. However when I listen to RR's music I become hot wired into it. I don't really care to know him as a person or any of the Band for that matter but I love the music they make. There are so many fantastic voices on the new Robbie record and they all seem to come in right on time.
Thu Mar 26 01:50:02 MET 1998
Attaboy Mr. Enlightened.. best piece of writing here for a loooong time. Gail, take an elementary astronomy course at your local University..then give yourself a severe gyration..It will cure your UFO fixation.. Guaranteed!
Thu Mar 26 01:10:48 MET 1998
The Band Rules:
Luv their music and lyrics.
Whoa, let the sun beat down upon my face And stars to fill my dream I am
a traveler of both time and space To be where I have been T' sit with elders of a gentle race This
world is seldom seen Th' talk of days for which they sit and wait; All will be revealed Talk and song
from tongues of lilting grace Whose sounds caress my ear But not a word I heard could I relate The
story was quite clear Whoa-hoh, whoa-wa-oh Oooh, oh baby, I been flyin' Lord, yeah, mama,
there ain't no denyin' Oh, oooh yes, I've been flying Mama, mama, ain't no denyin', no denyin' Oh,
all I see turns to brown As the sun burns the ground And my eyes fill with sand As I scan this
wasted land Tryin' to find, tryin' to find where I beeeeeuhoaoh Oh, pilot of the storm who leaves no
trace Like thoughts inside a dream Heed the path that led me to that place Yellow desert scream
My Shangri-La beneath the summer moon; I will return again Sure as the dust that floats high in June
When movin' through Kashmir Oh, father of the four winds, fill my sails Across the sea of years
With no provision but an open face 'Long the straits of fear Whaoh, whaoh Whaoh-oh, oh Ohhhh
Well, when I want, when I'm on my way, yeah When I see, when I see the way, you stay-yeah
Ooh, yeah-yeah, ooh, yeah-yeah, well I'm down, yes Ooh, yeah-yeah, ooh, yeah-yeah, well I'm
down, so down Ooh, my baby, oooh, my baby, let me take you there Oh, oh, come on, come on
Oh, let me take you there Let me take you there Whoo-ooh, yeah-yeah, whoo-ooh, yeah-yeah, let
me take you
Thu Mar 26 00:13:46 MET 1998
Where the weed grows like weeds. Levon's drumming sparkles on Memphis from Watkins and Highway 61 from the Isle of Wight in 69. I like the IOW arrangement better than the 74 tour. Dear Charles, Good to know you've been thru all of Fitzgerald's books. I only wish more people on the site could be as impressed by themselves. Thank you for fixing up my grammar. But despite my errors, (and thanks to your infinite wisdom) you got the jist of my entry. It is true that you are smarter than me Charley, but I am just a potsmoking highscool dropout and a lowly housepainter and you, in your own words, "work for one of the largest publishers in the world". We can only hope that more people on the guestbook will share their backround and careers with us. Tell me more please. Your wife is probably a supermodel with a masters in engineering (hope she hasn't left you for cousin Lou yet) and your exquisite daughter won the Old Virginny state spelling bee. By the way, although heading your entries with Old Virginny may induce vommiting with some here, I think it is charming and witty! Keep up the good work! Your back issues of ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY get my Email address. You might also want to send a copy of your family tree, as I am truly fascinated by the Youngmans. Sorry Charlie but I am not Brigham.
Ps. Sorry about the nonsense and bad jokes Jan, I won't bother the all knowing Chuckster ever again, I realize his ego is fragile. Please proofread and get back to me. You may have the last word. "You've been thru all of Entertainment Weekly's magazines, you're very well read, it's well known." Did I get it right this time?
Wed Mar 25 23:16:25 MET 1998
Thanks to Pat Brennan for the info on Robbie in Mix Magazine(Mar. 98). Although it sounds like he used the word "I" instead of "We" often, he has always claimed publicly that the greatness of the Band was due to the fact that there was not a leader in the group. Everyone gave an equal amount which made them unique and wonderful.
Wed Mar 25 22:47:47 MET 1998
Pretty good site this. Except for all the jerks in the guestbook, that is.
Keep up the good work, Jan. And just close this guestbook if people
don't stop the flaming. Good luck.
Wed Mar 25 22:46:01 MET 1998
According to the Robbie Robertson mailing list, he is now scheduled to be on CNN Showbiz Today, Thursday March 26th. (there was no sign of Robbie on the previous date given, not that we noticed anyway). Also according to that list, and the CBS page, Robbie is still listed for Monday's Letterman show.........This guestbook is sure getting wild! However, in amongst the garbage, there are some real good entries, and great Band-related info, that I'd like to thank everyone for. The craziest entry since the guestbook started, has to be John Butler's of March 22nd on - BASKETBALL?!?!? I agree with other comments - Jan, this should be deleted. It's not even anything to do with music! (Maybe I should come here & discuss my next favourite subject..... UFO's, Ancient Civilisations, the Origins of Man etc. etc. - it'd be a darn sight more interesting).
Wed Mar 25 16:40:16 MET 1998
I find it humorous that some who seem to dislike Robbie Robertson analyze & infer meaning into each word he utters in public, the kind of clothes he wears, the model car he drives and even the manner in which he smokes cigarettes. Regarding recent comments Mr. Robertson made in Rolling Stone about Bob Dylan's description of his guitar playing-- in the interest of accuracy here is the complete question & his response:
(Interviewer David Fricke): "There's a Dylan quote from 1965, when you first started playing with him. He said that you were 'the only mathematical guitar genius that I've ever run into who does not offend my intestinal nervousness with his rear-guard sound.' Do you have any idea what he was talking about?"
(Roberston): "Phew, Jesus, that sounds like it could be drug-induced [laughs]. When I first started playing with him, he used to give me way too many solos--I thought. He'd sing a verse and then look at me. I'd play a solo. He'd sing a verse, look at me again, and I'd play a solo. And I'd think, 'What is this? Sing the song."
(Interviewer): "He'd still have another twenty verses to go."
(Robertson): "Yeah. And I'm making this song real long by playing these solos. But he like the power of this thing, this skanky guitar I was playing at the time."
In his response to the question, I believe Mr. Robertson gave an accurate & honest description of his guitar style with Dylan. Anyone who's ever seen "Don't Look Back" will surely know that much of what Dylan said in public around that time was either made in jest or as a put down of whatever questions reporters may have asked him.
Wed Mar 25 05:08:49 MET 1998
Regarding that RR interview... IIIIIII did everything. Was anyone else in The Band from Big Pink to Ilands ??
Wed Mar 25 04:42:39 MET 1998
Jan just posted a great Hawks photo and I have a question. I know that's Jerry Penfound up front on tambourine, but who's the third keyboardist in back?
Wed Mar 25 04:32:47 MET 1998
The March Mix Magazine has an interview with Robbie Robertson. It's too long for me to post in its entirety, but here's some of the salient points. He seems pretty plugged into the whole computer music scene. His association with Howie B. comes across as a natural progression to where his interest lie today, as he calls it, "really using the tools of today." There's a couple of interesting points for Band fans. He claims to have little interest in the Across The Great Divide box set--"I did all that so long ago, and they'd have to catch me at a different time for me to get really involved in something like that." He talks about "this whole clubhouse recording concept of mine. It was my idea to put this thing in the basement (of Big Pink)....We we're thinking nobody was going to hear it anyway, so we had a freedom that you don't have when you're in a big recording studio." And later, "But on the Brown Album, that's the only time I ever really did it hands on myself. I engineered that record....I also set up the studio....The board and my setup were side-by-side right in there. I'd get a sound and levels on everythin, hit record and start playing. It was all very homemade." He seems very removed from his time with the Band.
Wed Mar 25 04:04:23 MET 1998
I'm curious, Brigham Young. What set you off? Was I too polite. Did you read something into my post? Or is it simply your habit to land somewhere, say things like you said, then disappear into the night, leaving neither your name nor an addy? Whatever the case, I do find it hilarious that you would invoke the name of a religious leader to cover your tracks. And, noting Jan's hope that people here address each other as though we were all face to face, I wonder about your lack of manners getting you into hot water. Otherwise, great post, really informative.
Wed Mar 25 03:56:18 MET 1998
Mr. Confused: you've reached new depths of sophistication in your hostility. Nobody ate the document, pal. Your stupidity is all here, recorded for posterity along with the moron basketball fan's ramblings. Now your new alias (which criminals often use) brings you into my family fold. How wonderful. We don't want you. As the songwriter sang, "go back to your woods." And yes, I have "been through all of F.Scott Fitzgerald's books," and even visited his grave in Rockville, Maryland. I hope to visit yours someday unless, of course, you chose to be cremated and flushed down the toilet. That would be appropriate. Have a nice day.
Wed Mar 25 02:56:14 MET 1998
Pat B.:
Eat me you a-hole.
Wed Mar 25 02:29:50 MET 1998
Rco all stars:B, Levon Helm(78):C-, American Son:B, Levon Helm(82):Don't Know, Souvenir:A-, Rick Danko:B-, In Concert:B Danko,Feld,Anderson:A, Ridin On The Blinds:B, Jericho:A-, High On The Hog:B, Live At Watkins Glen:A-, Robbie Robertson:C+, Storyville:F, Music For The Native Americans:C+, Big Foot:B+......
Have not heard the new RR yet !!
Wed Mar 25 02:24:07 MET 1998
Brigham Young, Charlie Young was reacting to one of this site's esteemed flamers and answered fire with fire. Go back through the guestbook for the last two months and see for yourself.
Tue Mar 24 23:57:02 MET 1998
I agree with David Powell. Steve Hoffman did a wonderful job with Stage Fright. However, I didn't think there was any difference in the Capitol and DCC mixes and, based on the credits, they are both Glyn Johns'. The most significant difference I hear is in the equalization. Nevertheless, I still prefer the vinyl versions of The Rumor, Daniel, and A La Glory. The mixes are different from, and far superior to, either of the CD's. As for Bones' comment about The Band being in good company in the VH-1 poll at #81, Devo was #82. Go figure.
Tue Mar 24 23:33:52 MET 1998
Nick Tovowski, "SNOBBY ROBERTSON!" well done young man!
Tue Mar 24 23:21:13 MET 1998
I have this feeling, that I might be one of the friends Peter Tetteroo is refering to in his comments in february and march. There is in Rotterdam a group of real great Band-fans. When my brother John, our best friends Loek and Clemens and Peter of course get to talk about the legendary concert in DE DOELEN in 1971 we all get excited again, as if it was yesterday.
Reading the discografy on the band web-site I realy was disapointed not to be able to buy (or even hear) a copy of the Complete Last Waltz CD. Just because we in Europe are too far away from the well (if that is a correct expression). So if an occasionnaly reader of this message has the CD and would be so kind to send me a copy on tape, I would be more than pleased. You know my e-mail adress. Thanx for reading this out.
Tue Mar 24 21:34:21 MET 1998
VH-1 has just polled a bunch of musicians to come up with a list of the 100 greatest artists of all time. It airs on that network all next week. The Band comes in at number 81. Obviously, they should rank higher, but they are in great company nonetheless. Also, since I don't get the Canadian TV stations, will someone describe Robbie's appearances on these shows? Thanks.
Tue Mar 24 21:00:15 MET 1998
The Band is one of the best groups in the history of rock and roll. This website is very helpful in learning new stuff about them and their careers.
Tue Mar 24 19:03:25 MET 1998
Today I'd rather not insult anyone, bash Robbie Robertson, or discuss basketball. I'd much prefer to savor the music of The Band, specifically the STAGE FRIGHT album.
Not so long ago we had a good discussion going on here about the different mixes for STAGE FRIGHT. Recently Jan has posted some information here from the All-Music Guide about the DCC gold CD version of that album. According to the guide, Steve Hoffman of DCC used the master of an alternate mix, probably prepared by Todd Rungren, which was not used by Capitol for their LP & CD versions.
Last night I compared the DCC gold CD song by song with the Capitol CD. The difference is like night & day. One can discern significant differences in the two mixes, however it is apparent that Capitol used an inferior, later-generation tape as a source. Whereas DCC used a true master tape, Capitol obviously used a "cutting master" copy of the session mixes in which the sound had been equalised & compressed.
I know many of you may say that this is just a lot of techno-babble, but try comparing the two versions yourself-- I'm sure you'll hear the difference. Listening to the DCC gold version is like hearing the actual session tapes played back in the studio. The Capitol CD sounds like the same music, only being played back on a stereo in the next room, with much of the detail filtered out by the walls. Don't get me wrong, I can enjoy The Band's music played on a cheap clock radio because the music so good it transcends the electronic source. My home listening components are modest by high-end standards, but when I really want to enjoy the listening experience, I want more than just another mediocre sounding, mass produced & over-priced CD.
Mr. Hoffman should be praised for his painstaking work on the DCC gold version. If you've read the Hoskins & Helm books, you know of the turmoil that was beginning to brew among the group members around the time of the recording of STAGE FRIGHT. This album stands as a milepost of the group at its peak. With each subsequent release things would go downhill from here.
For those of you who are interested in more information about Mr. Hoffman & his work at DCC, visit this site. It contains an interview with Hoffman in which he discusses his work on the excellent DCC gold version of Dylan's Highway 61 Revisited CD.
Tue Mar 24 18:35:53 MET 1998
Nick: Thanks for clarifying your use of tuneless. I was not criticizing your opinion, I just did not understand your meaning. And thanks for directing me to the Rick article.
Tue Mar 24 18:23:42 MET 1998
Home page:
come visit
Tue Mar 24 18:18:21 MET 1998
Ooooh, the venom just got ALL OVER ME!
Sheesh, people, will you LIGHTEN UP. It's a damn BAND (a damn good BAND, but nonetheless, not the cure for cancer....)
Tue Mar 24 18:16:00 MET 1998
Robbie is scheduled to be on tonight's edition of W Five(Canadian news-magazine show).
It's on CTV tonight at 11pm(AST).
Tue Mar 24 17:34:14 MET 1998
Zed, what do you think about the part in the "Last Waltz" when Robbie says the reason he wanted Neil Diamond was because ND represented Tin Pan Alley? I personally think ND was there because RR had just produced his album and wrote some of the songs and saw the "The Last Waltz" as the perfect opportunity to promote this work to a mass audience and make some money. To me Neil Diamond represents commercial schlock. Doc Pomus would have been a choice with more integrity. So when RR says he heard Dylan on the radio I think it may or may not be true. I thought his comments were insulting to the man who gave RR his big break especially when his response about Dylan complimenting RR's guitar playing was "It sounded drug induced to me". Dylan was just talking like he wrote. RR could have taken the opportunity to say something nice about BD. When I say tuneless I mean that it does'nt stick in my head and I can't hum to it. I realize this is just my personal opinion and that I am too hard on RR, but my opinion does'nt matter, I just like to vent about it. Rick and Garth's appearances on RR's first two records amount to cameos. RR was probably just throwing them a bone because he feels guilty about convincing them to sell him their shares in the Band (Rick and Garth probably needed the money so they did'nt mind selling). Rick and Garth have to much class and dignity to slag RR in public and both did appear with him at the R&R Hall of Fame induction of the Band (they all jammed with Clapton on "The Weight"). They also appeared with RR at the JUNO awards a few years back (along with Richards daughter) to accept a lifetime achievement award. Speaking of Richard do you remember Snobbie saying the the reason he did'nt go to the funeral was because he had the flu, no that folks is an insult, I mean he could have hired a hypnotist to help him if he was feeling that bad. More than likely he could'nt bear to face the other members of the Band and their families. This is another example of how RR is always forthcoming with the truth. I have more but I'll spare everyone. Zed if you want to get more insight on Danko's feelings toward RR, there is an interview on this site (articles) in which Rick makes some pretty telling comments. Good luck and later.
Tue Mar 24 17:20:19 MET 1998
Scott.....thanks for the info. I had checked the concert page
but it has said "possibly cancelled" for a while and
then a handfull of people wrote in saying it was confirmed via
radio...I just wasn't sure. .....Anyway, there is alot of hostility
on this guestbook lately. I hope it passes soon. I have learned alot
about the band and friends from all the good entries. Maybe the moon
is in jupiter or something........
Tue Mar 24 15:55:28 MET 1998
Yo Charlie,
You have an attitude a mile wide.
Cut the crap.
Tue Mar 24 05:16:26 MET 1998
I've been meaning to write this for a bit. I just finished listening to a tape of Richard Manuel at a solo gig-just the voice and the piano-at a bar in Woodstock three months before he died. His voice was amazingly beautiful and his playing was solid. His voice BTW was not hoarse after 2-3 songs. There's been a lot of carping about Robbie Robertson on this site recently, but he sure got one thing right: the road is a goddam impossible way of life, for some more than others. You who judge Richard so harshly have no idea who the man was, the beauty of his soul, and the depth of his talent. He gave us all an extrordinary gift; in a vey real sense, it cost his his life. Accept that gift in the spirit it was given. Then, pipe down.
Tue Mar 24 04:32:32 MET 1998
Hawk, I believe the Carnegie Hall show was cancelled. Check the concert page.
Tue Mar 24 01:43:29 MET 1998
Mr. Obnoxious: since you obviously fail to understand the concept of personal e-mail, I'll have to point out your illiteracy in public. Your comment should read "you're" a star, not "your," and your quote from Dylan should read "you're very well-read." My 8th grade daughter knows that.
Tue Mar 24 01:03:45 MET 1998
Hey Chuckie, Just wanted to apologize, hope your ego wasn't bruised. I would have kept my large mouth shut, had I known you were a big time publisher. You needn't worry Chuck. Now everyone knows and your a star. "You've been through all of F. Scott Fitzgerald's books, your very well read, it's well known"BD. I also apologize for the small words, incomplete sentences and poor spelling. It must be painful on your eyeballs. I mean with your incredible grasp of the English language and unlimited intellect. See ya, off to do another bong hit.
Mon Mar 23 23:19:43 MET 1998
Jan: I love the Big Pink photograph! Whenever I think of the greatest group of all time, I envision all those wonderful Elliott Landy pictures.
Mon Mar 23 21:17:49 MET 1998
What is the story on the Carnegie Hall show ??
I am assuming it is not happening. A while back there were a bunch
of entries confirming it. I probably missed something......can somebody
update me .....I was gonna go.... Thanks in advance!
Mon Mar 23 18:19:24 MET 1998
Classic Rock vinyl record albums are for sale at Krohn's Boulevard Records at (http://www.kalnet.net/krohn) Back issues of music magazines like Goldmine, Discoveries, RStone, Creem, Musician, Hot Wacks, and others. Used But Not Abused CDs and Singles; Blues & Jazz LPs from the '50s & before. Rock, Pop, Folk, & Country from the '60s to the '90s.
Mon Mar 23 17:59:24 MET 1998
I like the new graphics for the site. Between the three choices given, I like the one with the pencil drawings of The Band. Keep up the great work Jan.
Mon Mar 23 17:51:25 MET 1998
Cyndi Lauper?
I guess Levon "just wants to have fun".
Maybe this will make Robbie's new one seem more appealing
to his critics.
Mon Mar 23 16:15:45 MET 1998
Re; Rick Danko at The Towne Crier Cafe, Pawling, NY 3/21/98
Good Lord what a show! We all had a ball! Sing-a-longs,jokes and a great opening act (Milk). Rick announced that The Band is halfway thru mixing down their next album.Rick also sat down ,signed autographs and chatted. Wish you all could have been there. Peace Tom
Mon Mar 23 16:03:52 MET 1998
Robbie appeared last night on the "JUNO" Awards live from Vancouver. For those not from Canada, the Junos are the Canadian version of the Grammy. He presented for best album. His immediate greeting was to the First Nations. Like David Foster; who won a lifetime achievement award (and a former member of the Ronnie Hawkins family of musicians) he praised his Canadian roots and how far the music industry has grown here.
Mon Mar 23 13:21:11 MET 1998
About the "new look" of the web site: The more
"discrete" buttons, and the Arial-brown headers
are here to stay (until I get bored again). New
main page graphics, featuring all five original
members plus the three "new" guys, will come
sooner or later. The current Big Pink photo is
just a temporary solution.
If you prefer a main page with the current Band,
then try this
one, if you liked the old style main page
with the big yellow buttons better, then go
here. If you've
been here long enough, you probably remember
this one too?
And if you have no idea what I am talking about
here, then never mind, it's not really important
at all.
Mon Mar 23 04:46:22 MET 1998
Charlie Young: Robbie has been slated for next Monday's Letterman. He did get a positive though short review in People magazine.
Mon Mar 23 04:28:44 MET 1998
Nick Tovo: I for one have heard songs from the new Dylan album on the radio. So when Robbie says he has too, it sounds believable to me. Also I am unsure of what you mean by "tuneless". I cannot guess at Dylan's attitude towards Robbie these days though I have been curious about whether Rick or Garth share Levon's anger. The two of them seem ok with appearing on Robbie's albums (they did on the first two). It was rumored a while ago that Rick was writing a book. Does anyone know anything about this?
Mon Mar 23 02:00:52 MET 1998
I just taped(from my favorite radio station)a Band show from 1996, The Joint in Las Vegas. 65 mins. A+. Anyone have the exact date of the show? Thanks.
Mon Mar 23 00:54:50 MET 1998
Enough about the new RR cd !! If you would like to hear a creative album check out the new Jim Weider cd. It's fantastic. He is a walking encyclopedia of guitar styles. A truly gifted artist.
Mon Mar 23 00:02:19 MET 1998
Planning a trip up to the Woodstock area next weekend (3/27-29). Anyone up there know of any live music going on, especially for Saturday night, that would be worth seeing? Couldn't make Osaka.
Sun Mar 22 23:47:07 MET 1998
what the hell os this john guy talking about b-ball for? explination please.
Sun Mar 22 23:29:44 MET 1998
thought i`d weigh in on the new robbie cd.
although i appreciate robbie tracing his native american roots (my wife is half micmak),the music seems VERY repetetive and blah. i suppose if i smoked illegal substances i could groove to the spirit of the poetry. maybe i'll have to listen 100 times to get into it. maybe i won't bother.
hey john butler- thanks for bringing the sports pages into this web site. isn't freedom of speech great! you can talk about useless crap and either get lambasted or defended! as a fellow mass. native i salute your right to talk all the b-s you like. but here?
Sun Mar 22 23:18:17 MET 1998
Roger: You are a flaming arsewhole.
John B: You are a spaming arsewhole.
Sun Mar 22 22:57:05 MET 1998
Hey Typically Canadian (asshole),
Shove it!
John Butler has a right to his comments it'a a
free country (here in the USA).
I might not agree with everything John B. says,
but I defend his right to say it.
So Jan, don't delete freedom of speech.
Sun Mar 22 21:20:19 MET 1998
I LOVE THIS BAND. GREAT BUNCH OF MUSICANS.
Sun Mar 22 20:59:34 MET 1998
John Butler: stop wasting our time and get a life!
Jan: delete his entry please, it wastes space.
Sun Mar 22 19:49:10 MET 1998
Stephen Novik: thanks for the reminder that Levon appeared in a Hornsby video. I need to track that one down. Bruce is an acquaintence here in Virginia and a big fan of The Band. He's done "The Weight," "When I Paint My Masterpiece," "Acadian Driftwood" and other songs associated with The Band in his concerts for at least ten years. Chris Pyle: That Muddy Waters "Woodstock" album is an excellent CD. Wish I had it on vinyl. And finally to the anonymous cowardly cretin who usually picks on women here: I'd be glad to tutor you in the correct spelling of my name in person. Give me your address there at the compound and I'll be right up to teach you. "Entertainment Weekly" is not my favorite "rag" (what a well-chosen, erudite choice of words). It's simply the only publication in which I've seen a review of the new Robertson disc so far. The magazine reviews books and I work for one of the largest publishers in the world. I didn't see Robbie's record reviewed in the "New York Times Book Review," "The New Yorker," "Publisher's Weekly" or "The Economist." Perhaps you found one in those pages that I missed, Mr. Obnoxious. My name is Charlie Young, and I realize that's probably tough for someone with your limited grasp of English and likely history of drug and alcohol abuse. My ancestors came to Virginia in 1648 with the name spelled this way and I imagine your last name is such a challenge you choose to hide behind those insipid and unfunny pseudonymns. "Just be careful what you do; it all comes back to you."
Sun Mar 22 19:00:51 MET 1998
Perhaps an explanation of the link between the Band and the NCAA tournament--professional athletes hired by various large educational establishments who compete in a television tournament for the financial benefit of said institutions--is in order.
Sun Mar 22 18:04:22 MET 1998
I saw Danko and Louie at Towne Crier in
Pawling, NY last night. Good, not great. Rick's
voice sounded especially strong in the beginning, but he had a hard time hitting the
high notes (who wouldn't?) towards the end.
Some of his jokes went over the crowd's head,
I'm not sure even he understood them. But Rick
is a showman and put on a good show. He
asked for requests at one point and a loud voice
(mine) from the back asked for "Sip the Wine"
which he did beautifully. The Crier was as full
for Rick as it was for the Crowmatix last month,
surprising considering that the crowd had to drive through an ice storm to get there.
Sun Mar 22 17:28:30 MET 1998
FORGET THE BAND. THEY ARE WASHED UP,FAT AND OVER
THE DAMN HILL; WATCH BASKETBALL. GO BLUE DEVILS!!
Duke plays Kentucky, Stanford faces Rams for Final 4 berth
Top-seeded Duke and second seed Kentucky meet in the South Region final in St. Petersburg,
Florida while, in the Midwest Region in St. Louis, third-seeded Stanford plays eight seed Rhode
Island to decide the last two Final Four participants.
Six years ago, Duke and Kentucky met in the 1992 East Region finals in what some people
consider the best NCAA Tournament game ever.
Led by the "Unforgettables", the Wildcats reached the East Region final in Philadelphia against
Duke, which was trying to repeat as NCAA Tournament champions. The two sides battled into
overtime, and a 15-foot turnaround jumper by Christian Laettner as time expired lifted the Blue
Devils to a 104-103 victory and propeled them to the National Championship.
The seeds are the same, but with the way Kentucky reached the region final, it has looked like the
top seed in this region. Coach Tubby Smith, trying to get to his first Final Four as a head coach after
runs to the "Sweet 16" with Tulsa and Georgia, has preached defense to his team and it has listened.
The Wildcats (32-4) have stormed into the round of eight, winning by 15, 27 and 26 points.
Kentucky dismantled an undermanned UCLA squad Friday, starting the game with a 20-5 run and
never looking back in a 94-68 rout of the sixth-seeded Bruins.
While it has not shown the dominance Kentucky has, Duke (32-3) has done what it needed to in
reaching the regional final. The Blue Devils, trying to reach the Final Four for the first time since
1994, demolished Radford in the first round, but have labored past Oklahoma State and Syracuse
in their last two games.
On Friday, it was the fabled freshmen class of Duke that led the way to an 80-67 victory over the
fifth-seeded Orangemen. Elton Brand, Shane Battier and William Avery combined for all the points
in an 11-0 run as the Blue Devils recovered after blowing a 10-point halftime lead.
Rhode Island (25-8) sets out to join a select circle in NCAA Tournament history today. The Rams
would be just the fourth school seeded eighth or lower to reach the Final Four with a win today.
Rhode Island would join Pennsylvania (a nine seed in 1979), Villanova (an eight seed in 1985) and
LSU (an 11 seed in 1986).
Rhode Island reached the regional final by disposing of the other surprise of the NCAA
Tournament, Valparaiso. The Rams recorded a 74-68 victory Friday behind 16 points and 11
rebounds from Antonio Reynolds-Dean, who was the deciding factor between two teams with
excellent backcourts.
For first-year coach Jim Harrick, this has been a quest for vindication. Harrick, unceremoniously
fired from UCLA before the start of the 1996-97 season for falsifying expense reports, landed on
his feet at Rhode Island and has installed his up-tempo attack with great success.
With a win, Harrick would become only the 12th coach to lead two different schools to the Final
Four and the first since Eddie Sutton accomplished the feat in 1995 when he took Oklahoma State
as his second school. Sutton, who is the only coach to take four different schools to the NCAA
Tournament, led Arkansas to the Final Four in 1978.
Stanford (29-4) reached its first regional final since winning the NCAA Tournament in 1942 by
battering Purdue, 67-59, Friday. Mark Madsen had 15 points and 13 rebounds, but it was
freshman Jarron Collins who provided the spark, finishing with 12 points and 11 rebounds.
The teams met earlier this season, with Stanford pulling out a 70-69 victory in the first round of the
Cable Car Classic on December 29th in San Jose, California. Weems scored 17 points, including
four free throws in the final minute. Rhode Island had a chance to win the game in the final seconds,
but Mobley missed a five-footer.
Sun Mar 22 17:01:29 MET 1998
I'm dumbfounded by how many entries are confused by the new picture at the main page. The picture is one of the classic Landy poses from Big Pink, unless the picture they see is different from the one I have seen......
Sun Mar 22 07:10:34 MET 1998
saw Danko in Piermont,Ny,last night.Great,short show.Aaron played with him and he did Wheel on Fire and talked alot about a new Band album.Heavy and out of breat,but sounds better than ever.I love Danko!!!Hank
Sun Mar 22 06:26:27 MET 1998
To Mr. "really amused": Jimmy Ray Paulman, Williard "Pop" Jones and Jimmy Evans, were with Levon Helm the original Hawks backing Ronnie Hawkins. I was being facetious.
Sun Mar 22 05:49:39 MET 1998
Sun Mar 22 05:38:02 MET 1998
Trying to locate Rick Danko. Haven't heard anything from you since the "Japan" thing. Please reply. Thanks! Best Wishes!
Sun Mar 22 04:25:08 MET 1998
Thanks for the new look, Jan. I'm especially partial to those Elliot Landy photos from the Brown Album. The subject of the various drummers at TLW has been thoroughly hashed over lately. Going back a few years, Levon's style of drumming during The Before The Flood Tour was repitious overdriving. The kind of drumming I'm referring to was established with the first song, Most Likely You'll Go Your Way And I'll Go Mine. I bought Pet Sounds instead, but will return soon to see what's inside of "TcatnoC".
Sun Mar 22 01:28:42 MET 1998
This is from Mar 19th T.O. Globe & Mail; makes you
kind of wonder about the health of Robbie.
"Only the walk betrays him; it's oddly laboured,
stiff and tentative, an old man's walk, as if
oxygen were in short supply."
Any comments about this?
Sun Mar 22 01:22:21 MET 1998
Hey Chalie Youngman, Any other words of wisdom from your favorite rag?
Sun Mar 22 00:28:42 MET 1998
Dear Henry, The idiot commentator your speaking of is actualy a very credible Disc jockey on one of the last credible free form radio programs in the country. Public radio stations are on the endangered list. If there is a good one near you, I suggest you make a donation. As a fan of the Band, I'm sure you would enjoy much of the diverse music that he (David Dye) plays. His knowledge on the world of music and the musical guests he interviews are quite considerable. The comment he made was "Imagine for a moment that guitarist and main songwriter RR. had never been a member of the Band. He would still have earned a spot in American music with his solo work." Not, "RR. would be just as FAMOUS, had he never been a member of the Band." Reading at a slower pace could be helpful. The subject of fame never came up. I would have understood if you said the question was irrelevant or even ridiculous but to misquote somebody is wrong. That is how bad rumours get started. Try not to be such a dummy on your next retort, ok Henry.
Sat Mar 21 23:46:43 MET 1998
Making a Noise from RR's new one, sure does move. Stomp Dance is a good driving song. I had my wife do a strip tease to the Sound is Fading.
Sat Mar 21 22:27:35 MET 1998
Mr. "really amused"
The resemblance is quite obvious. Maybe you need new glasses. Thanks to Steve G. BTW didn't know Rick was a butcher. What about a remake of Marty, eh Rick?
Sat Mar 21 22:09:15 MET 1998
Rick V:
Thanks for the update. I'll be seein Rick in May.
Mr Very Amused: What can I say? Natasha was robbing the cradle. That's The Rumor. As for the ganga, I don't touch the stuff anymore
Sat Mar 21 21:58:52 MET 1998
To Steve G: no Sredni, no Kaercher, just Aaron. Also, no Sip the Wine, at least not at the early show.
Sat Mar 21 21:13:25 MET 1998
Steve Goodman..what are you smoking ?? Danko doubled for Sal Mineo, in a film with James Dean and natalie Wood ?? HUH ??!!! The only film those two appeared in was " Rebel without a cause" filmed in 1954 ( when Danko was 11 yrs old. ) He wasn't even carving meat then.. The film was released in 1955.. You answer questions alright. Besides, where's the resemblance ??? Is there bad dope being passed around this site? Pete Wilmer..I find the present "temporary" opening page just fine...Since when were Jim Evans, Will "pop"& Jimmy Ray Paulman original members of "the Band" ??? I must have bee asleep.
Sat Mar 21 20:41:36 MET 1998
I saw the Honky Tonk Gurus last night in Pattenburg, New Jersey. The Gurus consist of Weider, Bell and Chiarlante of The Band plus another guy who wore a white beret and made sexually explicit jokes. The sound was good. It has a bit of a New Orleans sound in many songs. I had not heard Weider's new album, but after the show last night, it is on my list. They played "Don't Do It" and "Remedy". The crowd was rather small, and half of the people seemed oblivious to who was playing. I can't resist shows like this, however, when they are so close to home. My wife and I are debating whether to make the trip to see Rick tonight. I think a change in the opening picture was overdue, but the new guys should be included somehow. I bought the new Levon & Crowmatix CD and have listened to it many times. Milk Cow Boogie is very good. The Crowmatix songs have a different sound without Levon. The commentator who said that Robbie would be just as famous had he not been a part of The Band is an idiot.
Sat Mar 21 19:50:39 MET 1998
To Rod Stuart:
The photo in question was lifted from the cover of the bootleg "Crossing the Great Divide". Yes Danko could pass for Sal Mineo and actually did double him in some scenes with James Dean & Natalie Wood. Garth was loathe to wear hats because they make his beard look thinner. Glad to be able to anwer your questions.
Rick V of White Plains: Did Sredni, Aaron or Kaercher accompany Rick at his Turning Point? Did he "Sip the Wine"?
Sat Mar 21 18:23:02 MET 1998
Saw Rick's early show at the Turning Point last night. A bit of a slow start, but by the time he
got into "Makes No Difference", "Twilight", "Crazy Mama", about 4 or 5 songs in, he was on a roll. Crowd was really into it. He's back to pre-Japan weight, and missed the first line of one of the early songs, but by and large put on a really good show. He said they were three-quarters through the new Band album. At one point, said he was going to do a couple of new songs, but then said they were so good, he was afraid someone might steal them before the record came out. Without leaving the stage, he did an "encore" of "Stage Fright" and "Rivers of Babylon". Set list didn't vary much from recent shows I've seen. Some might say same old show, and if you see him all the time it could get tired. It was my third in about six months, and I could have listened all night. Despite all the flaws, where else can you get to hear a legend in an intimate setting for $17.50, plus drinks (if you could get anybody's attention).
Sat Mar 21 18:16:01 MET 1998
I just want to say that i recieved a copy of Muddy Waters at Woodstock, with The Band backing him, and i haven't been able to get it off my tape player...musicians that can get lost in anothers sound, and create even a newer way of hearing a persons music, are the true artist of the world...I love the sound of muddy waters, but i love the band sound even more...they were surely cooking with hot oil during those sessions...peace ya'll...chris pyle
Sat Mar 21 17:19:32 MET 1998
Commenting on the Northern Pikes' "Snow in June"-
Garth appeared in the videos for two singles off
this album, "Girl With A Problem" and
"Kiss Me You Fool". Interestingly, John Sebastian
from The Lovin' Spoonful is also in this video,
playing harmonica and autoharp. Now this could
lead Jan to create yet another category- video
appearances! Levon Helm should be mentioned for
his work in Bruce Hornsby's "Look Out Any Window"
(He plays the farmer.) also he's in the
background with his mandolin for Carlene Carter's
"I Fell In Love". If there are other videos, I'd
sure like to know about them. Oh, wait! There was
the video for "Mahk Jchi" with a different mix
then the album (Music for 'The Native Americans')
and of course Robbie's in there with his guitar...
but what other songs from that album got a video?
I thought I saw a glimpse of "Ghost Dance"...
Anybody else watch as much TV as I do? Did anybody
see Friday March 20's "Vicki Gabereau- Live"?
Robbie's last TV appearance?? (Vancouver, B.C.)
Heck, let me be frank... Did You TAPE IT? I want
a copy!! Will trade the silly "Politically
Incorrect" for it....
Sat Mar 21 16:17:38 MET 1998
Jan, this site is and has been a great source of information on the history and musical output of the Hawks/Band. I've been listening to the Band since Big Pink came out and have learned a lot from this site. However, I believe you should have kept the picture that features the new members and that also acknowledges the past contributions of Robbie Robertson and Richard Manuel. Jim Weider, Randy Ciarlante and Jim Bell are now one-half of the Band. The picture from Big Pink belongs in the History section. As for "original" members why not pictures of Jimmy Ray Paulman, Will Jones and Jimmy Evans?
Keep up the great work.
Sat Mar 21 15:42:11 MET 1998
I like it. A different picture every day. I even recognize these guys.
Sat Mar 21 14:36:05 MET 1998
Every picture tells a story, don't it? Jan, the new picture on the home page raises two interesting questions:
1. What's Sal Mineo doin next to Levon?
2. What happened to Garth's hat?
Hat's off to you Jan. You are the number 1 HeadBandMaster.
Sat Mar 21 14:00:52 MET 1998
Luis, you make some good points about interpretions which I have always said myself. My point is that I love the playing and the sound of the current lineup. I remember thinking many times at BAND concerts since '94 that if the old BAND sounded any better they really must have been incredible. I does me no good to wish for Richard (who I saw only once live) or Robbie (whom I've never seen live) cause that won't happen. I am grateful for the current BAND, they jam!! I don't miss R.R., I have his first two cd's and I really don't see what the big deal is. The first one has "Crazy river" and "Showdown at Big Sky" but other than that the rest (to me)and "Storyville" seem flat and tuneless. Creative?, yes. good lyrics?, I guess. The best I can say is that it's all his original work. I'd still rather have the BAND because they get me groovin' and fired up. What do all these Robbie fans hear that I don't. I find it interesting that Dylan has joined BAND members, the BAND onstage and had them at Bobfest, but never Robbie. Maybe he thinks RR went hollywood too. In the Rolling Stone interview RR manages to put his foot in his mouth regarding Dylan's new one by saying "It sounds interesting but it's not where I'm drawn now" that part was fine but then he says "I spent alot of time in that neighborhood already. I know these stories." As though he's above the work of Bob Dylan or that Dylan is old hat or that his overrated work is better than Dylan's (believe me it's not). And he says this after admitting to not even have heard the record only a few cuts on the radio (as if he listens to the radio and as Dylan is even on the radio, his new stuff sure is'nt). Once in awhile I just have to vent about RR's pomposity and what I feel is unjust credit given to his unlistenable albums. I do have a complaint or two about the current Band so I don't look too one-sided (which of course I am): I wish they would work out on some more of the Jericho Hog and solo material and drop some of the real familiar old songs they play, only some though. Maybe they could work up an acoustic set too. Please don't play "Free your Mind", Levon does'nt really "wear hip-hop clothes and listen to rap music" does he. By the way Luis, I totally agree with about Randy, he's great. Good luck, later.
Sat Mar 21 13:57:34 MET 1998
How about a review/setlist of Rick's show last nite ?
Was Ed Kaercher their? Nice new picture of the boys.
Does anybody from Woodstock know when the boys will begin recording the new album?
Sat Mar 21 07:05:04 MET 1998
It's clean and efficient. I like the "new" look.
Sat Mar 21 04:51:16 MET 1998
The drummer for "Day of Reckoning" is John "J.R." Robinson.
He also plays on "Shake this Town" but only on those two songs,not
the whole CD.
I don't know much about JR's history, but one intersting
thing is that he is also credited for drums on the
1971 Jimmie Haskell album "California 99" which includes a
cover version of "Dixie". Haskell is a film music producer. That's all I know, and I
got all this from reading Jan's great work on this sight,
Thanks again Jan.
Sat Mar 21 03:16:05 MET 1998
Somewhere Down the Crazy River sounds a little too much like a beer commercial to me. Day of Reckoning however is a beautiful piece of music. Full of signature guitar and great drumming this one never gets old. Does anyone know what other artists this drummer has played for?
Sat Mar 21 02:58:20 MET 1998
Jan: What's Eric Clapton doin on the homepage? That
sure ain't Robbie! I miss the old layout. BTW- Little Feat open for Jimmy Buffett- July 4 Raleigh. Andy & Barney already got their tickets.
Sat Mar 21 02:51:24 MET 1998
Nice new look Jan, how bout putting Richard and Robbie
back in?
Sat Mar 21 02:32:35 MET 1998
Interesting new look Jan...we'll get used to it. Anyway, Robbie's new album just got panned in "Entertainment Weekly," and the musical guest for Letterman on Monday is now listed as Linda Ronstadt. Has Robbie gone into seclusion?
Sat Mar 21 02:21:35 MET 1998
Uh-oh. Now you've gone and done it. I don't think any of those drawings on the main page look like JRR.
Sat Mar 21 01:10:13 MET 1998
Nice improvement of the site, very slick and effective.
The content is the main thing, though. It is superb.
Keep up the good work, guys.
Sat Mar 21 00:43:42 MET 1998
Testing the new version of this thing ...
Fri Mar 20 22:47:30 MET 1998
To Jonathon Katz: I did not hear the similarity between "Unbound" and "Day of Reckoning". It's interesting to find out what other people hear in songs. However, when Robbie sings the line "hundred years ago" in "The Code of Handsome Lake" , it sounds just like the same line he sings on "Day of Reckoning". I did not put it together until I read your post.
Fri Mar 20 20:57:29 MET 1998
Strange to see multiple references to Robbie’s Storyville song “Day Of Reckoning” on this site recently. When Storyville was released, “Day Of Reckoning” was the only song that I didn’t really like on the album. Although it has a neat sound, and thematically seems to tie the album together (“there hangs a tale of love...”), something about it didn’t sit right with me... perhaps it felt too contrived. The line “she was like a young Georgia O’Keefe, from another time” sounds especially forced to me.
When “Contact From Redboy” came out I found myself going back to Robbie’s first two albums, amazed not by how new and different “Redboy” was but on the contrary by how much it expands on themes that he has been working with for some time now (with some exciting new elements thrown in). I can’t explain it, but “Day Of Reckoning” has suddenly taken on a new life for me. The cool narrator, the beat, the way (like in “Crazy River”) that he jumps back and forth between narrating the story and singing the chorus... it took me a while to come around but now I can’t get enough of it.
Someone on this site compared it to “Unbound” -- I don’t really see it. “Unbound” is a beautiful, captivating song, very unique. Off the top of my head the only comparison that might make sense would be to “Fallen Angel.” “Day Of Reckoning” I think is more like “Crazy River” or maybe even “Take Your Partner By The Hand.”
Fri Mar 20 20:06:59 MET 1998
Howdy;
To whoever is in Piermont or Pawling tonight or tomorrow; make sure you ask Rick if the record is definitely on for a Spring release and do they PLAN TO TOUR behind it. I know, they should have Jeffrey Gaines open up for them!
Luis
Fri Mar 20 16:39:13 MET 1998
Apparently the first two Band albums can be found. I guess the problem is that most retail outlets no longer carry much of the "back catalog" of certain artists no longer in vogue. Stores like Tower, depending on where you live, are the exception. I've been in a couple of stores like Best Buy recently & the only CD they had in stock was The Best of The Band.
My gripe about the Capitol versions of the first two CDs is that, by today's technical standards, the sound quality is inferior. The Mobile Fidelity gold CD version of Big Pink (unfortunately out of print) blows the Capitol version away. Even the old Capitol LP version sounds vastly better than their CD. Likewise, EMI's recently reissued vinyl LP of the Brown Album puts the Capitol CD to shame. To remedy this, I think Capitol should reissue the first two CDs, remastered using cutting edge technology, and since CDs can store more than twice the music as the old LPs, they can combine both albums on one CD. That's the ticket. And throw in a deluxe booklet with the original artwork & liner notes and maybe a nice biographical essay. In other words, give these albums the treatment they deserve.
There is hope on another front. Rhino Home Video is scheduled to release "The Making of The Band" video on May 19th. This release is supposed to contain additional footage that was not aired when shown on TV. This release will be available in a video only version as well as a box set that will contain both the video & the CD of the album.
Fri Mar 20 16:28:20 MET 1998
Yesterday's "Globe and Mail" newspaper had a good interview with / story about Robbie Robertson. Some interesting quotes from a cousin included. Also a couple of photos - a headshot and a shot of Robbie onstage for a rehearsal of his bit at the Aboriginal Achievement Awards ceremony last week. (I believe this will be on CBC TV on March 26.) To change topics, does anyone out there still have the glossy book of Beatle photos and interviews that came with the first pressing of "Let It Be"? I seem to recall that glowing things were said about the Band and Big Pink, but I dumped my copy years ago.
Fri Mar 20 15:35:57 MET 1998
Love this site! Am searching for Corey C. Lost touch approx. 10 years ago. He was orig. from Staten Island - later moved to Manhattan. Shared a whole lot of memories over the years - mostly Lone Star Cafe in NYC. Anybody know him? Would appreciate any help in locating him. Thanx!
Fri Mar 20 14:41:34 MET 1998
I know the "Brown Album" is available through Columbia House mail order and I have often seen both the first two albums, the Best of, High on the Hog, Jericho and occasionaly Moondog in Tower Records and Border Books and Music. I have never felt that obtaining those albums was a problem. However, the remainder of the Band albums are another story. I don't think I have ever seen Northern Lights, Islands, or Cahoots in one of the big music stores like Tower.
Fri Mar 20 14:32:30 MET 1998
Dan Blood:
I think the Roobie appearance on CNN has been rescheduled. I watched most of ShowBiz today the other day without seeing him and the Hollywoodand vine web site now lists the appearance as March 26.
Fri Mar 20 04:40:57 MET 1998
Whoops. I meant "David Powell", not 'Palmer'in my preceding post.
Fri Mar 20 04:36:51 MET 1998
This is in response to David Palmer's post regarding availability of Big Pink
and The Brown Album on CD: You must be mistaken, David. I've seen more copies of both of these CDs
over the last 6 months tha I have in years. In fact, other than "The Best of The Band" and the "Across the Great Divide" box set,
these are about the only Band CDs I am likely to see, (other than an ocassional "Stage Fright").
I did just order and receive "Moondog Matinee" and "Northern Lights" on CD, so at least there seems to be a supply on hand somewhere out there.
However - if what you say is true - that Capitol is discontinuing "Big Pink" and "The Band", it only shows what absolute and total idiots they are.
They didn't get it when The Band was new; they still don't get it 30 years later. Maybe it's time for a protest campaign and a boycott........
Fri Mar 20 04:36:44 MET 1998
Has anyone notice a similarity between "Unbound" and "Day Of Reckoning?"
Fri Mar 20 01:35:53 MET 1998
Wow! It's hard for a po boy to keep up with all this articulating. All of a sudden I feels like a weed in a reDwood forest. I even missed Robbie on CNN!
Fri Mar 20 00:42:36 MET 1998
Very good points Peter and Luis. Robbie was on a public Philadelphia radio program last week. David Dye introduced him by saying, "Imagine for a moment that guitarist and main songwriter Robertson had never been in the Band. He would still have earned a spot in American music with his solo work. This is an interesting statement and one that would be fun to ponder. I can't think of anyplace better than this well rounded website to kick that idea around. Anyway, he also said that although the station has had many Native American guests in the past (including John Trudell) he has never heard anything that had addressed the subject as eloquently as Contact From Redboy. WXPN.
Been listening to Storyville since I read those recent entries on Soap Box Preacher. Breaking the Rules is also good. Robbies playing on Day of Reckoning is simply beautiful. Nobody can play like him. What's your problem John Butler?
Thu Mar 19 23:40:47 MET 1998
Availability of 'The Band' & 'Music From Big Pink' on CD.
These have often been available only as US imports here in Britain. However, since the 'Classic Albums' TV programme, they've been around in quantity just about everywhere in the UK. Recently HMV have been knocking out the brown album in a 'three CDs for £22' (or something like that) promotion (which is pretty good at generally higher UK CD prices). Any American readers after CD copies - get hold of a MOJO, Q, RECORD COLLECOR, UNCUT or other British magazine - all readily available in the US, at least where I've been. Then try some of the British mail order specialists advertised near the back- CDX in Wales, Spin in Newcastle or Tonal in York, or Tower Records at Picadilly Circus in london. A phone call & a credit card number should secure a copy. Some will have the British vinyl edition as well as the CD. Remember we're 5 hours ahead of Eastern Standard time, 8 hours ahead of Pacific time, so it might be as well to fax from the West Coast.
(It's good to be pushing a legitimate release for a change)
Thu Mar 19 22:38:37 MET 1998
I guess it's a reflection of the sad state of the music business today that The Band's best, their first two albums, are no longer available in this age of the compact disc. As I reported here several months ago, EMI recently reissued their second, the "Brown Album", as a limited edition vinyl LP. JVC music was planning on releasing that same album (under license from Capitol) as part of their XRCD deluxe remastered CD series but that was scuttled at the last minute due to problems in obtaining the original master tapes.
I sent an e-mail to Capitol today through their hollywoodandvine.com web site complaining about the unavailability of the first two Band CDs & asked them what's up with that. I don't know if they'll respond, but maybe if others did the same in great numbers then Capitol might see dollar signs & maybe do something. Who knows.
I thankfully still have several different copies of both of those albums, including both the Mobile Fidelity gold CD & LP versions of Big Pink and the Capitol CD & EMI LP reissue of the Brown album. I would not wish to violate any copyright laws by commercially duplicating those albums, but any Band fans who would like to study tapes of those works as part of their educational projects, well just let me know & I might be able to help you find those tapes.
Thu Mar 19 22:29:11 MET 1998
For those of you who are interested: Rob Bowman, who wrote the detailed history of the Band on this site, has just written a 402 page book on Stax records. I haven't read it, but it sounds great. To Peter Viney and Zed: you got me excited just thinking about Levon and Rick singing some of Robbie's Storyville songs. I would love to hear Rick sing "Soap Box Preacher". I read in a interview that Robbie wanted Rick to sing on this song, but Rick was busy(although he did sing on "Hold Back The Dawn"). Robbie found a pretty good replacement for Rick in Neil Young. To Luis: I believe that Richard Bell was in Joplin's Full Tilt Boogie Band and not Big Brother (not positive though). Thanks again Jan!
Thu Mar 19 21:17:09 MET 1998
I received an e-mail from an old friend in California about how he'd thrown a copy of the second album by The Band to his Deadhead step-son, saying "this is what the Dead would have sounded like if they could sing on key and play their instruments." The kid wound up stealing the disc, so my friend Kevin heads to the music store where he learns the CD is out-of-print. As he said, "the greatest rock'n'roll album ever recorded, and it's out-of-print." I saw a posting here about the Canadian OP status, but didn't realize it's not available here now either. Of course I remember a point in the days of vinyl when Capitol re-issued the disc in a "budget" version which dropped a couple of songs!! It was the first CD I bought, even before I owned a CD player! Anyone know what gives?
Thu Mar 19 21:12:29 MET 1998
FORGET YOU ALL.
Thu Mar 19 21:10:53 MET 1998
MaN Imso drunK too realy this is early Good site & THEband is the best FUCKING group you hear?! Robbie shoudl come back. yes
ehm
Thu Mar 19 20:08:05 MET 1998
John Penn, I don't like what you said, yet I have
to completely agree with you.
Thu Mar 19 19:42:50 MET 1998
Maybe if I hurry I can chastise myself and save everyone else the trouble. Rivard, you incompetent buffoon! Get your fact straight or get off this page! There, that should take care of it.
Can I still visit from time to time?
Thu Mar 19 19:14:20 MET 1998
Ut-oh, Pete Rivard mistakenly referred to Crown Royal-- instead of Grand Marnier-- as Richard Manuel's tonic of choice. Now who will be the first person to submit a nasty e-mail appropriately chastisng him. Isn't that what that Band guestbook is all about? {This has been a simulation of a real guestbook entry.}
Thu Mar 19 19:03:41 MET 1998
I agree with Luis on Richard Manuel's lack of discipline. Read Levon's "This Wheel's On Fire" and you get a picture of Richard's dissolution into a guy who's living on minute steaks fried on the business side of a Sunbeam iron with an interior decoration scheme of empty Crown Royal bottles. In support of Peter Viney's list of spatting band members, I think one of the finest studies of the mechanics of a rock and roll band is the Irish movie, "The Commitments". The tighter this band of working class Dublin stiffs got, the more they were at each other's throats backstage, until everything finally dissolved into an out and out fistfight. Bottom line is we were damn fortunate to have the Band when we did and I cheer any permutation of them as an entity. I saw them at the Cabooze in Minneapolis in'95 or '96. Any outfit with Garth, Rick and Levon in it is by default as good as you're gonna get, regardless of who fills out the edges. I also think that anyone who is old enough to remember hearing their stuff in '69 and being blown away then should take immense gratification in how well their stuff holds up today. The best stuff is ageless, and their sound echoes loud in Los Lobos, the Wallflowers (of course), Ry Cooder, the Stones and Dire Straits. Didn't Clapton say that Big Pink changed his life. It sure as hell changed mine. I have no problem putting the Tele down onstage and rocking out on a banjo or an accordian, and it was the Band that showed everybody that that was possible. Also that you could write songs that were less obtuse than Dylan's, but which were nonetheless as mythic and rich. I think someone else once said that if the stone figures on Mt. Rushmore were ever to burst into song, it would be the voices of the Band that we would hear.
Thu Mar 19 18:22:24 MET 1998
LUIS-Betrayed? Not this po' boy. I'm grateful and thankful that levon,rick and garth are still out there performing,recording music and had the good judgement to select randy,jim and richard as additions to the Band. Weider has taken over the gitar duties admirably,with his fluent knowledge of various styles,techniques and his long time love of the Band's music. Bell is far superior and reliable a keyboard player than Manuel ever was. Bell reminds me a lot of Stan Szelest,though not quite as frantic.
LUIS-Frustrated that Richard was taken from us so early? I was frustrated at the man himself. So much talent squandered as he couldn't get his act together here on God's green earth. Alas, it was inevitable for it to end that way for RM as his lack of discipline and lifestyle made him a perfunctory piano man who could'nt write anymore and could only sing 2-3 songs before becoming hoarse.
Thu Mar 19 18:09:20 MET 1998
Peter Viney: I would rather hear Go Back To Your Woods with Levon on vocals and Garth tearing it up on organ
Thu Mar 19 17:06:26 MET 1998
Hi Nick and all "nice" Band Fans:
You know, I think Jim Weider is a great guitar player. He reminds me of Jimmie Vaughn with that "stop time" Texas guitar picking style of his. When he plays songs written by J.R.R., I, personally would prefer to hear the composers own emotions. I guess it's not a matter of skill but interpretation.
On Rick Bell, yeah, he's been around forever. Wasn't he in Big Brother and the Holding Company? He is great. Plays a great blues boogie piano... Honestly tho, who interprets the music more authentically? What I meant by Rick Bell doing a "good job" is that I don't hear a personal, emotional investment. I've seen The Band maybe 6 times in the last 3 years, Tower Records on B'way & 4th., Water St. on the 4th. of July, Carnegie Hall, Houston TX., etc. Each and every time it was a performance as opposed to a... you know what I mean, a performance as opposed to a "reading" of the work.
(Luis has learned how to do paragraphs...)
You didn't say anything about my Randy Ciarlante comments. He's great, nice guy too, humble, down to earth. Got to meet him a few times. Awesome voice. My point is I FEEL what Richard Manuel had to say when I hear him sing. Randy, Rick and Weider, interpreters. Brilliant musicians all 3 no less but interpreters. Sort of like James Levine conducting Mozart. I wonder what a symphonic or operatic recording would sound like with the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra being conducted by Wolfgang himself. Whether you're a classical music fan or not, which would you prefer, Mozart or Levine, Manuel and Robertson or Weider/Bell/Ciarlante. Who was in that basement in 1967?
Love, Luis
Thu Mar 19 17:03:26 MET 1998
Hi Nick and all "nice" Band Fans:
You know, I think Jim Weider is a great guitar player. He reminds me of Jimmie Vaughn with that "stop time" Texas guitar picking style of his. When he plays songs written by J.R.R., I, personally would prefer to hear the composers own emotions. I guess it's not a matter of skill but interpretation.
On Rick Bell, yeah, he's been around forever. Wasn't he in Big Brother and the Holding Company? He is great. Plays a great blues boogie piano... Honestly tho, who interprets the music more authentically? What I meant by Rick Bell doing a "good job" is that I don't hear a personal, emotional investment. I've seen The Band maybe 6 times in the last 3 years, Tower Records on B'way & 4th., Water St. on the 4th. of July, Carnegie Hall, Houston TX., etc. Each and every time it was a performance as opposed to a... you know what I mean, a performance as opposed to a "reading" of the work.
(Luis has learned how to do paragraphs...)
You didn't say anything about my Randy Ciarlante comments. He's great, nice guy too, humble, down to earth. Got to meet him a few times. Awesome voice. My point is I FEEL what Richard Manuel had to say when I hear him sing. Randy, Rick and Weider, interpreters. Brilliant musicians all 3 no less but interpreters. Sort of like James Levine conducting Mozart. I wonder what a symphonic or operatic recording would sound like with the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra being conducted by Wolfgang himself. Whether you're a classical music fan or not, which would you prefer, Mozart or Levine, Manuel and Robertson or Weider/Bell/Ciarlante. Who was in that basement in 1967?
Love, Luis
Thu Mar 19 16:40:57 MET 1998
LUIS, in response to your post I have to say that Jim Weider IS an awesome guitar player good enough to make books and videos on the subject. I don't think you knock the guy for taking R.R.'s spot and he is more than a credible replacement. Richard Bell is also an excellent piano/keyboard player with over 30 years experience to draw from, and I may catch it for saying this but he plays better than Richard, singing is obviously a different matter. I personally like "JERICHO" and "HOG" more than any BAND product since "stage fright". Anyway, no hard feelings but you're way wrong about Weider and Bell.
Thu Mar 19 16:08:55 MET 1998
In my earlier entry I was preaching against taking sides in the Levon v Robbie (presumed) war. Read Mick
v Keith or John v Paul or Pete Townsend v Roger Daltrey or McGuinn v Crosby or Kantner v Balin the list
goes on and on. This happens. It may not be as bad as it looks either. It's all good copy. Anyway, a
reader feels that I am clearly "on Robbie's side" whatever I said. Well. I neglected to say that REDBOY
replaced Levon's fourth album (rereleased on CD at last) in keeping my CD player warm. I'd been very
happy listening to that.
Put it this way. My dream ticket for the new Band album is for Levon & Rick to sing either SOAP BOX
PREACHER or BREAKING THE RULES from Storyville. Both songs were made for their voices, even if
inadvertently. They could prove their point. I don't expect them to do them.
What Robbie's done on the last two albums is make such comparisons impossible. It started with TWISTED
HAIR on Native Americans, it continues with the whole of the new album. This is not material that anyone
can cover. All power to him.
Levon and Rick are peerless interpreters. They are best of all when the material deserves their efforts
(e.g. ATLANTIC CITY, BLIND WILLIE MCTELL, BACK TO MEMPHIS, FOREVER YOUNG). It's hard to get stuff of that
quality, and for personal reasons, they're avoiding the perfect source - Robbie Robertson. They don't
seem to be prolific writers. As one correspondent told me, they moan about credits on Robbie's songs, but
never mention Richard's sole credits. If CHEST FEVER was really a "group composition" why wasn't "WE CAN
TALK"? This is how the songwriter's world works. I love the bass on I HEARD IT THROUGH THE GRAPEVINE and
the drumming on nearly every Stax hit. I don¹t expect the players to get writing credits though. Maybe in
a perfect world, but not in this one.
Since they broke up, Robbie has continued to write memorable stuff - as mentioned above, let alone CRAZY
RIVER, FALLEN ANGEL, BROKEN ARROW. The others haven't written a lot. So who was the songwriter?
I'd walk a long way on hot sand to watch Levon doing MILK COW BOOGIE. I'd walk a hell of a lot further to
hear him doing SOAP BOX PREACHER.
Peter Viney
Thu Mar 19 15:29:14 MET 1998
When I saw the Crowmatix New Years eve I was sitting right in
front of Levon. This was the first time I had seen Levon play.
I am a huge fan of all the members of the Band and the feeling
I got from watching him perform was nothing less than spiritual.
To see a guy with that kind of history just making some new music
and playing some old favorites was inspirational. After all the
nonsense and all the comparisons he is just Levon keeping the faith
and having fun.
Thu Mar 19 05:01:40 MET 1998
Andrew: You have said something with which I can agree. I have understood the reason why Neil Diamond was there, but couldn't someone else have filled the same role? Doc Pomus would have been great or Carole King. I suppose Neil Diamond was the only one Robbie knew......ah well
Thu Mar 19 04:22:07 MET 1998
Hello, Jan. Hello, everyone. I have been a big
fan of this site since its begining, but I haven't
really been here in a while. It kinda feels like
coming home - just like the feeling I get when
listen to the Band.
Thu Mar 19 03:09:43 MET 1998
My god what a fantastic website on my favorite
group of all time i have been a big fan of these guy's
since i was just a little kid excellent work here
i am truly impressed.
your's truly charles elliott
Thu Mar 19 02:31:17 MET 1998
Thanks to Bones for his comments. I would like to add some thoughts on Peter Viney's remarks about Neil Diamond's appearance at The Last Waltz. I agree that the Brill Building should be represented in the Last Waltz, but does it have to be by Neil Diamond. Someone mentioned earlier that Doc Pomus would have been more worthy (or maybe Levon said it). I agree. Imagine Rick singing 'Little Sister' or better yet have Richard singing 'Save the Last Dance For Me'. I think that it would be a great improvement over 'Dry Your Eyes'. Although I think that tune is ok and is certainly one of the best Neil Diamond songs that I have ever heard (of course after Song Sung Blue my 5 year old son singing "All the grils in France don't wear any underpants" sounds pretty good), Tin Pan Alley could have been better represented.
Thu Mar 19 02:10:23 MET 1998
Regarding Neil Diamond @ TLW
Old Neil was originally planning to do "Crunchy Granola Suite" but he didn't have the "Stones" to resist Robbie's request to Dry His Eyes. See Neil's autobiography "I Am I Said" page 273.
Thu Mar 19 01:27:33 MET 1998
Deer Mr. Amused (with a name like that ya gotta know how to have fun) forgit your Robbie fixashon and come on down to the Mid Muscle Creek Amusement Park for a blast. Here you can release all of your pent up desires and frustrashons. You can meat my frend Buster Keister who runs the runs the Italan sausaage shop and serves up the hottest and juciest damn dogs you ever did see. He'll give it to ya, hae'll give ya a good one. And you'll just gobble em down. Take a spin on the feris wheele with my cusin Thrusty Youngman. He runs the wheel and boys he sure is slick, I'll have him give you a free ride. You will love him Mr. Amused, he is like Robby, big and bony. You are so involved with your many Identites (soooo cool) that your signifikant other may feel neglected I suggest your wife or lover come on down as well. We'll enter her in the hog tying contest!!!!!
Thu Mar 19 00:00:59 MET 1998
HEllo all Just finished watching the last Waltz again. It has been years since I saw it last and the first time I have seen it since reading Levon's book. (Regretably I was too young to have seen the real thing.) As far as filmaking, I think it is disapointing. seems uncomfortable as an interviewer. The music is amazing as is watching the members of the Band sit around smoking, joking and reminiscing. What was most interesting about watching it this time was my reaction to Levon. During the off stage scenes he appears rarely. When he does he seems aloof and unintersted. He is not shown joking around with the rest like when Rick, Richard and Robbie play Old Time Religion. The question is why? Some would say that Robbie maliciously edited him out. But that does not explain Levon's attitude in the scenes he is in. I believe his book holds the answer. In his book, Levon attitude is that the movie was a ridiculous idea and a waste of time. That would seem to explain his presence (or lack there of) in the movie.
Wed Mar 18 23:33:49 MET 1998
I read this guestbook almost daily. The last few days of insults flying back and forth is a disgrace and an insult to the guests and creators of this great web page. There is nothing wrong with debate, but try to keep it on a level worthy of this site.
Wed Mar 18 22:54:30 MET 1998
Johnny Cash got in a good shot for all the great msuicians out there--like Levon and Rick at times--who have found themselves without a record label. On page 13 of the March 14th issue of BILLBOARD, there's a full-page reprint of an old photo of Cash, giving an obscene gesture to an intrusive photographer. The caption reads, "American Recordings and Johnny Cash would like to acknowledge the Nashville music establishment and country radio for their support." At the bottom, there's a note which says: "Johnny Cash 'Unchained,' Best Country Album. Thanks to those who made a difference--you know who you are." It is a great album AND a great ad. Once in a while the people giving out the Grammies get it right. Maybe someday The Band will get one for their body of work.
Wed Mar 18 22:36:05 MET 1998
Thanks to John Donabie for sending me back again to look at The Last Waltz, and please stick around John. All any of us can give is our emotional response to the music. OK, when Neil Diamond came on the shock was palpable. I had a friend who used to make me listen (reluctantly)to 'Hot August Night' and I always envisaged the audience of sheriffs and their blue-rinsed wives at the convention in 'Fear & Loathing in Las Vegas.' That was his audience to me. But the man was brave to do The Last Waltz. He was on a hiding to nothing. Before he appears Robbie talks about the mythical world of Tin Pan Alley where 'the songwriter was the low man on the totem pole' (Native American connections early on). And watch Levon's expression during this sequence.
Anyway, Diamond was an unmissable link in the chain and there was an agenda there. Listen to 'Dry Your Eyes' -
"If you can't recall the singer,
There's more in the lyrics:
"Between the lightning and the thunder
Of course Robbie co-wrote the song. And was to re-use the 'fallen angel' motif. I see John's point. Just compare the audience reaction when Joni Mitchell comes on - she was welcome. Diamond looked out of place. A refugee from Vegas. Nevertheless, Neil Diamond was part of the story. You got folk, blues, rock and roll. You had to have the Brill Building too. And The Band backed him well.
Sorry, back to The Last Waltz for a bit, then I have to hear 'The Sound is Fading' for the tenth time today.
Wed Mar 18 22:13:29 MET 1998
John Butler: my advice to you is to go down to the Iron Horse tonight and get roaring ass drunk.
Luis (and the rest of us) don't deserve to be
insulted.
Wed Mar 18 22:11:25 MET 1998
What we have here my friends is living proof that freedom of speech provides only a guarantee of expression, not an endowment of intelligence.
Wed Mar 18 21:23:31 MET 1998
Hola Luis,
I repeat: Bite Me, you wanker!
Wed Mar 18 20:09:12 MET 1998
To Karen: you asked about vocal Native American music. Walela is the name of the group consisting of Rita Coolidge, Priscilla Coolidge and Laura Satterfield. They have sung on Robbie's last two records. They have a nice new album on Triloika records. Thanks to John Donabie for sticking around. Thanks also to Andrew's for his non-bashing opinion about Contact... Although I love Robbie' latest, I agree with Andrew that it is not as good as Storyville or Jericho, but not many records are that good.
Wed Mar 18 18:56:07 MET 1998
I forgot to mention earlier, happens sometimes when I
get distracted by things having nothing to do with
The Band.
There is an artist out there who's name is Jeffrey Gaines.
Our very own Garth Hudson contributed to his first CD, "Hero In Me".
He has 2 CD's out and one due in June. Garth recommended
a Woodstock guy by the name of David Sancious to do
his keyboard work as Garth was unavailable but he is
a big supporter of this guys work.
I HIGHLY recommend this guys' music. Very BAND influenced
in my humble opinion.
Wed Mar 18 18:03:49 MET 1998
Talked to Levon, last night and for those who are waiting to see them in New York, next month will be disappointed.
But don't fret, there's news about a restaurant opening up called Levon Helm's All American Cafe.
Take this from a reliable source, all for now.
Good luck and Hey, to John Donabie.
Wed Mar 18 17:43:42 MET 1998
Howdy John Butler...
I have both a life AND if you had actaully READ
my post you would have realized that I am a U.S.
Citizen. By the way I DO have a Visa card, AMEX
AMEX Optima, 2 Mastercards... All maxxed out unfortunately.
The Band I think are products of a happy musical series
of events that will never ever EVER be repeated. I
ain't gonna fight none of y'all if you don't agree
with me. That's it man. That's it.
Following on a topic discussed earlier. Neil Diamonds
participation in TLW I thought was bizarre! Not good
or bad, just bizarre and out of place. Whether the guy
who wrote "The Night They Drove 'Ole Dixie Down"
was starting to go Hollywood or not is well, inconsequential.
Does that change your feelings 'bout Dixie, or Shape I'm In etc.?
Not me. I don't really care. I feel kind of sad that
he ripped himself off by disconnecting himself from
Levon, Rick, Garth and Richard. As a FAN I think it was a mistake for US
for him but what do I know?
I saw The Band at Carnegie Hall last year and the year prior.
For me The Band died not in 1976 but when Richard died.
I think all the rest is inconsequential. I THINK, and I
reiterate "I" Weider doesn't hold a candle
to Robertson, Ciarlante has a GREAT voice and a
great drummer but come on, not Richard's heart or soul,
Richard Bell does a good job, that's it, a good job.
Are y'all as frustrated as I am that a gift from God
was sent back "thanks but no thanks"? As a FAN, I feel
betrayed, but what do I know.
Luis
Wed Mar 18 14:47:30 MET 1998
Hello, I recently purchased Robbie Robertson's latest CD. Overall I really liked it and the Native American vocals and chanting hit me very deeply in my heart.
I was wondering if anyone could recommend some recordings of traditional Native American music, particularly vocals.
Thank you.
Wed Mar 18 07:42:34 MET 1998
I recently had my CD collection stolen and have
been trying to replace the first two Band albums.
However these CDs don't seem to be available in
stores or from the big internet record stores. Can
anyone tell me if they're being reissued?
Wed Mar 18 03:15:20 MET 1998
Much has been commented on in the guestbook about people hiding behind psudeonyms when making their remarks. Unfortunately, I am not comfortable giving my full name or e-mail address because I generally access this site from my place of business. I do not want to receive any e-mails at that site. When I get online from my home, I assure you I will provide all the information for people to reach me.That does not make my contributions any less valid For Gail, I just started a new paragraph by typing the < followed by p then by > (she asked how to in a recent post. With regards to name calling or insults that have been posted recently, I hope that no one has felt that I have insulted or in anyway denigrated them in my comments or responses. I respect everyone who appreciates the Band (for whatever reasons). It is my intention to state my opinion, provide facts or share experiences with other lovers of the best musical group on God's green earth. Finally, I listened to Robertson's recent album (I did not buy it). In my opinion, I did not find it as awe inspiring as others have. I believe he has certainly taken some risks which he should be commended for (although as I stated earlier, I believe he has to make risks to cover up some shortcomings). Of the album, I found Peyote Healing, Sacrifice and (I think the name) the Sound is Fading interesting. It is better than the Native American album in my opinion but not as good as Storyville, Jericho or any of the Band albums with all of the original members.
Thank you.
Wed Mar 18 02:50:23 MET 1998
Luis,
I'm with you brother. Now back to Jupiter Hollow.
Wed Mar 18 02:01:34 MET 1998
To "Sam" from the Heights,
I am neither "Amused", "Serge" or any other pompous, all- knowing Band head. I love The Band and enjoy the Man from Margaritaville. I do not get off by showing off or criticizing my brother and sister Band heads.
As Jimmy has written, "that's my story and I'm stickin to it." Come Monday I will kick yer tuchas!
Wed Mar 18 00:47:19 MET 1998
I'm blown away that Garth is doing a concert with the Hudson Valley Philharmonic, according to Jan's tour page! I would sure love to see that. Has anyone heard anything more on this??
Wed Mar 18 00:13:42 MET 1998
This is a lovely site.Good to see lyrics and chords included. I saw the Band at Wembley (London) in 1974 after being in to the music for so long. We had a Top 100 albums of the Millenium television poll in Britain recently and "the brown album" was there but not high enough in the chart. I think it came around no. 60.
Wed Mar 18 00:09:53 MET 1998
To Jerome of Sag Harbor: looks like John is on
to you. Are you and your 34 other identities
Amused?
Tue Mar 17 23:57:17 MET 1998
Hey, Pete R., who the hell asked you? Bite me!
Tue Mar 17 23:45:54 MET 1998
I have received so many private e-mails today not to leave the site that I have decided to stick around; but not before I shoot a volley or two.
PAUL WILLIAMS ONCE SAID..."THERE ARE THOSE WHO LISTEN...AND THOSE WHO WAIT TO TALK." THIS IS DIRECTED AT THOSE WHO WAIT TO TALK.
I made a remark about a personal emotion I had 22 years ago one Thanksgiving night. From that I have been called Mr. Know It All and all sorts of comments regarding musical knowledge. I gotta tell you I just don't get it. When someone offers up a "feeling"...an "emotion"...a "sensation" that lasted a few minutes 22 years ago and then gets chastised for i....t does not make sense to me.
Mr. Amused and Beau Thibodeaux ( who is using a phoney e-mail ( I tried to mail him several times and they all bouned back) just don't get it!
I don't care about 1 2 or 10 drummers. I was simply sharing a story of how I felt that night: when I was at the show. How can someone be in"error" when they are sharing a feeling. In this particular situation...facts have nothing to do with it. We're not talking facts...we are talking emotions. I believe anone can disagree with anyone at anytime. At my age, I just don't see why one has to attack the other person, while doing so.
Wow! I never thought I would have to explain myself for sharing a feeling. One things for sure...at least Mr. Amused stays anonymous and stated a fact or two; unlike Mr. Thibodeaux who just hides behind phony e-mail and spouts...
WAIT A MINUTE! COULD THEY BE ONE IN THE SAME? ANOTHER ALIAS? JUST WONDERING.
Tue Mar 17 23:03:29 MET 1998
Hey, Luis
You no sooner bring up the subject of road rage, and Mr. Butler in a rude frame of mind pulls up next to you on the info highway and squeezes off a shot. Judging by his recent work, Robbie's as big a believer in the validity of dreams as you are. If for no other reason, I think that dreams are useful in juxtaposing people, ideas or actions that otherwise you might never imagine linked in any manner, and end up providing interesting perspectives on all this stored data we all carry around.
I was talking with a Band fan at one of our gigs (we smoke 'em out whenever we do a Band cover) who offered that you could take the Band's music out of their era and plop it down fresh at any point in rock 'n roll time and it would still sound as valid and unique and startling as it did when it was first heard. Thinking back on the summer of '68, who among us associates what was going on that year with these guys hunkered down in the basement of Big Pink experimenting with stuff that was so unassociated with current events that it actually is as well woth listening to today as it was back then, not a note of it conjuring up afros, bell bottoms or VW Beetles. And some of their interpretations of more recent stuff, Springsteen's Atlantic City comes to mind, shows what a bunch of pros can do to completely reinterpret and improve upon the original.
Tue Mar 17 22:26:56 MET 1998
"...just be careful what you do--it all comes back to you..."
Tue Mar 17 22:08:21 MET 1998
I think I understand what Amused wanted to say...He only tried to explain the reason for the 2nd drummer on the N. Diamond part of the Last Waltz. which I believe Mr. Donabie was putting down. Donabie has been coming on as a "know it all". Then pouts when someone shows his errors. Look at the show-biz copycat exit he pulls. Enough said.
Tue Mar 17 22:03:54 MET 1998
Hola Luis,
Lighten up!
Get a life or a visa card.
Tue Mar 17 20:12:42 MET 1998
Hello:
I read this guestbook just bout every day. Once in
a while I contribute a silly poem or ask a reference
question or something. For the most part, fans of
The Band are uniquely American, not in a racist way of
course or anything. There is something unique to our
tastes (I am a naturalized US citizen born in Mexico)
in cars, food, clothes, and of course music. In Phoenix Arizona
there is a growing phenomenon called "RoadRage" whereby drivers
are shooting other drivers for cutting them off or not using turn
signals, who knows. I have to... I HAVE to equate these people who
come in here to insult... well, waste my time as a
reader of this guest book. The difference here is that
Road Rage is not a product of the first ammendment
and freedom of expression, of the press is.
I do not condone them. A few months back, right around
the time I was getting married, I entered a dream I had
in the guestbook. It involved Neil young I think,
Allman Bros, Levon Helm... Anyway, somebody had
THE BALLS to berate me for jotting down my dream in
Jan's guestbook. He said something like, "I hope
I don't hurt your feelings but this is not an appropriate
venue yada yada yada...". All I could say is, no, you
didn't hurt my feelings, I don't know you, I DON'T CARE
what you think. I can only console myself by wondering,
how sad, angry and lonely these folks might be. Honestly, I
feel bad for them. Luis
Tue Mar 17 19:53:55 MET 1998
Mr. Amused- Why are you insulting people? Like yourself, Andrew seems to have some kind of serious problem with Robbie, but at least he does not go around insulting everyone. To John Donabie- please do not leave the guestbook!
Tue Mar 17 18:26:06 MET 1998
Yes it's me again. Let me just get this off my chest. First Serge & how many others, now John Donabie. Targets of insulting remarks from those who, while insisting on the validity of their own opinions, refuse to assume responsibility for those said opinions through proper attribution of authorship. I must assume that you know who you are. Due to your refusal to share that one fact with us, why should we give creedence to anything else that you would choose to say.
To paraphrase Spiro T. Agnew, who in his own twisted way seems appropriate in this instance--I for one refuse to be run off by those nattering nabobs of negativism. And in the words of Swarzenagger (or was it Swartzkoff in reference to Hussein?)--I'll be back.
Tue Mar 17 16:47:41 MET 1998
In re: positive comments about guest performances in The Last Waltz. Apart from Muddy Waters' rousing rendition of "Mannish Boy", the performances by the late Paul Butterfield and that of Van Morrison have always been highlights to me.
Mr. Butterfield's harp playing, along with his vocal duet with Levon on "Mystery Train" were a perfect match for The Band's accompaniment.
Likewise, Van the Man's electrifying performance of "Carvavan" proved not only to be a crowd pleaser at the time, but is still riveting to watch to this day. Mr. Morrison, who a one time had a mercurial reputation for live performances, certainly found a new level of inspiration & energy with The Band's accompaniment. In honor of St. Patrick's Day, those of us who have The Last Waltz soundtrack recording should all enjoy listening "Tura Lura Lura" today.
Tue Mar 17 13:31:05 MET 1998
Just want to say that I´m glad to have found this site. It´s great to see that it´s a professional work, and not just one of the "Wow-my-favourite-band-is-the-best-band-in-the-world-sites". OK, The Band IS one of the greatest bands, but it doesn´t hurt to be just a bit objective about the things that are close to you. But, this is great stuff, and, needless to say, a frequently visited bookmark of mine.
Tue Mar 17 12:44:21 MET 1998
I see Jan already has a link to the Capitol page. Does anyone have the Japanese release of "Contact"? As well as knowing what the extra tracks are like, would be very interested in any details re the CD packaging, usually they are nicer...thanks.
Tue Mar 17 12:38:27 MET 1998
The only reason that Neil Diamond was included in the Last Waltz was to benefit Robbie Robertson, to help him make the transition from a credible musician to a 'player' . The fact that they had St. John and Levon drumming was probably insurance, in case that Levon decided that he did not want to play behind Neil. The song that they did (Dry Your Eyes) was not worthy of inclusion on the Last Waltz, especially when you consider the gems that were left out of the movie and/or the soundtrack (Georgia, Don't Do It, Acandian Driftwood, Tura Lura Lura etc).
Tue Mar 17 12:29:18 MET 1998
PETER VINEY......sorry, think I misread you earlier. Though I dislike electronic, dance beat style (whatever the heck it's called), all you say about the related (Band) music - agree, and it's lead us on to some great discoveries too..........SWANS - yeah, the CD presentation of Robbie's "Contact" is very disappointing. As Chris says, the worst example of a digi-pak. What in the world was Capitol thinking about, and didn't Robbie have a say in it? A useless thing, that fell apart soon as we touched it. The booklet is also a waste of time. No pics of Robbie, no lyrics, and no useful information at all! For example, an outline of the Leonard Peltier story, and even transcript of the spoken word would've been nice, and maybe a few quotes from Robbie too. I was gonna ask if the U.S. copy is the same, but I assume it is.........KIM in NJ - Black/White!?!?! Oh, man. I take your point about guitar stuff though, but nothing wrong in wanting more of Robbie's great playing.........There are some good articles at:- http://hollywoodandvine.com/robbierobertson/ "The Bio" and "The Songs". Robbie talks about each track, very interesting........Hey, JAN - I hope you are surviving this Monster of a guestbook - ha, ha! Could you please repeat the instruction as to how one paragraphs? Best wishes.
Tue Mar 17 05:36:45 MET 1998
I agree completely with John Donabie and his observations on Neil Diamond's presence in the Last Waltz. I realize Robbie wanted to give it up for the NY Brill Building songwriter scene, of which Diamond was a part in the early 60's, but Neil's inclusion still seems somewhat mercenary. I would guess there was little real intersection between the musical spheres of the Band and Mr. Diamond outside of Robbie's production of those two albums. Bring Doc Pomus up if you want to nod in that direction. Still, that song hardly needed two drummers, much less four, as someone observed. Also, comparing Muddy bringing Margolin along to Neil bringing another drummer hardly stands up. The Band was intimate with Muddy's thing and made the wonderful Woodstock album with him. It seems that connection alone would assure some latitude about who came along for the ride. Somehow Muddy asking for his guitarist to help out carries a lot more wait than Neil asking for his drummer's accompaniment. And did Neil ever record a better tune than Cherry, Cherry? I don't think so.
Tue Mar 17 05:22:10 MET 1998
I would hate to think Mr. Amused chased another worthy contributor away from this guestbook. However, intelligent observation and interesting points of view are bound to win out over nonsense.
Tue Mar 17 05:13:51 MET 1998
IJWTS, i was the one who taped the band at the
WOLMAN RINK in central park, ny, at a schaeffer
(beer) music festival in the spring of 1970.
I used a sony (stereo!) cassette recorder,
one of the first ever made.
After ten years and after i had lost my original
copy, i found that a friend of mine had a copy on
his reel to reel, and i was able to dub it back
to a cassette in 1980!
Tue Mar 17 05:07:33 MET 1998
As Robbie said at The Last Waltz...
GOOD NIGHT...GOODBYE!
Tue Mar 17 05:03:41 MET 1998
I can't believe I'm responding to someone who doesn't feel secure enough to use there own name. To Mr. Amused. You missed the entire point. I was saying that the reason it put me off among other things was because I didn't feel he "fit" the occasion. That's just a personal thought. It's not based on melodies or moods or syncopation or musicoloy. My comments were based on a "gut" feeling of 22 years ago one Thanksgiving night. Man...lighten up. But then again by your descrition of Neil's music you are a Neilacologist. I see now why people like Serge went back to reading this site and not contributing. It's probably a good idea. The Band had a maturity...as did this site.
Tue Mar 17 04:48:37 MET 1998
o.k.....what's with the new Robbie release??? No jewel case included......save the environment??? I think not! Included is a booklet with an interesting message but what is the point? Don't hide behind a fad/message save some trees and give me my jewel case!!!
Tue Mar 17 03:40:17 MET 1998
Of course Jim Weider's album has more guitar than RR's. If you want a guitar record get Jim's record. It is blues/rock and it's a fine effort. There are enough of these type of records however and I'm glad Robbie has put out something fresh. You say you don't like Rattlebone. Maybe it's too black for you? This is when you turn the bass up on the stereo. White people have the treble up on their stereos, black people like to move and turn the bass up. What your saying is that you want the blues but you don't want to have to dance. Unbound is a great song but it is one of the safer songs on Redboy. Basic blues maybe, thats why you like it. You might not like Making a Noise either, (not enough guitar perhaps) but he took a chance here and came up with a very exciting track. He has never made a guitar record and I doubt he ever will but the guitar on this one is used effectively. I agree that the bogus track is lame, he should have left it off.
Tue Mar 17 03:22:37 MET 1998
DANO- CNN SHOWBIZ TODAY- check local listings
David Letterman- mon,march 30th.
Tue Mar 17 02:35:37 MET 1998
Hello,
Just wondering if anyone knows how I can get a copy of the lyrics to Robbie Robertson's latest single "Unbound." Are they posted anywhere on the net? Or, are they included with his album "Contact from the Underworld of Red Boy?" I've not yet bought the album, but before I do, I really would like to know if it includes printed lyrics.
Thanks,
Tanya
Tue Mar 17 01:24:00 MET 1998
Can somebody remind me of the CNN time for RR's interview on 3-17 and what the segment is called?
Tue Mar 17 01:00:21 MET 1998
Nice to see Robbie getting some support, I really like "Contact..." too. I've been enjoying three very different, but great, new albums these past few days. Robbie "Contact", Eric "Pilgrim" & Jim "Big Foot". Both "Contact" and "Pilgrim" are intensely personal albums......Robbie again exploring his roots - and Eric, his anguish over bereavements & lost love affairs (the latter, since Patti Boyd). There's some beautiful stuff on both these albums, that with repeated listening, gets better. Though (unlike Peter Viney...Hi, Peter!)I really don't like some of the modern techniques & sound! Particularly on "Contact", and it makes for a harsh tone that's just not comfortable listening. (Yeah folks, & before you tell me - I know I ain't moved on with the times). The Robbie tracks I like best, are "Unbound" & "In The Blood". The ones least liked are "Rattlebone" (sorry, Kimberly) and "Take Your Partner By The Hand", but I still love the album. It's very spiritual, and I've certainly no objection to Robbie exploring his roots, or dealing with issues such as Leonard Peltier. Robbie has said (Reuters/Variety, as posted this page March 4th, courtesy William Seward) - that he didn't feel comfortable about exploring his Indian roots in earlier works (with The Band). It seems that he felt it inappropriate to explore those issues then, and I think that's admirable. But there's nothing wrong in him doing it now, and I reckon that some folks just don't like the whole Native American thing anyway, for whatever reason. The references to Robbie's guitar on this album puzzles me. Excuse me, but what guitar?! I've listened several times now on very good Hi-Fi, also studio headphones, and mostly found Robbie's guitar disappointingly laid back. With only, what I call "flourishes", here & there. Very nice flourishes mind you, but all the same, I wouldn't say there's a whole lot of Robbie guitar on this album. Now that takes me on to JIM WEIDER'S "BIG-FOOT". A Big album indeed! It's wonderful, and out of the three, certainly has my vote. Full of beautiful stuff, this album radiates warmth, and delivered with consummate skill. Lots of great music, and a whole lot of fun too. Guitar? Look no further, "Big Foot" has it, and Jim Weider is the Master! Thanks to the Gurus & other guests too, some great contributions. Anyway, a super album, and my only sadness being - that it's not available along with all the rest in the mainstream releases, as it deserves to be. But a big Thank You again to Jim, for still seeing this thing thru' & making it happen.
Tue Mar 17 00:13:15 MET 1998
Peter Viney: You hit the nail on the head.
By opening your mind you will find you can get by all
your old ideas on Dance-Rave music. Although most of
it is played by electronic devices but isn't it just
as good as the real thing? I think so.
Like it or not, U2's Achtung Baby influenced a whole
new wave of hip-hop-rock. Robbie is just following
that lead.
Contact gets my vote.
Mon Mar 16 22:54:47 MET 1998
Thanks to Peter Viney for his comments about Robbie's "Contact" and Jim's "Big Foot". There is a nice review and picture of Robbie' latest in the new People magazine with Robbie's old friend Jodie Foster on the cover. He is also interviewed in the new Rolling Stone. "Contact From The Underworld Of Red Boy" has been receiving incredible reviews. I'm looking forword to seeing Robbie on CNN tomorrow. Also, Coal Miner's Daughter is on TV tonight. I never get tired of seeing Levon in it.
Mon Mar 16 21:39:56 MET 1998
Anyone:
Mon Mar 16 20:49:44 MET 1998
Everytime I visit the chatroom it is empty. Is there any particular time when the chatroom is usually active?
Mon Mar 16 20:02:43 MET 1998
Mon Mar 16 19:09:21 MET 1998
Mr Amused:
David Powell:
Mon Mar 16 18:28:47 MET 1998
On the beach!
Mon Mar 16 18:23:38 MET 1998
Mr.John Donabie, of the" Donabie Kollege of Musical Knowledge"... It was a great idea of Neil Diamond's to bring his drummer to the Last Waltz. In case you cannot distinguish one musical rhythm from another.."Dry your eyes" is a slooow MARCH..that required TWO drummers for effect( Ringo and Manuel should have joined in also)..a tune full of pauses and tempo changes. Why burden Levon who already had his hands full that night.. "Dry your eyes" has TWO drummers on the record for a reason. Muddy Waters brought Bob Margolin in for support on his "one chord" Mannish Boy, maybe in case RR faltered. Doesn't RR have his own website where all this arguing about his new collection of noises could take place ?? RR's pic. on this opening page is in black and white for a reason.
Mon Mar 16 16:19:46 MET 1998
The name of Neil Diamond's drummer was Dennis St. John. Mr. St. John played in the Atlanta area in the sixties, leading a very polished soul/r&b group called St. John & the Cardinals before playing in Diamond's road band for many years. Perhaps Mr. Diamond brought him along to the Last Waltz because he was familiar with the nuances of Diamond's vocal timing. The song he performed, "Dry Your Eyes," did have a rather syncopated beat. It must be said, however, that Levon, as well as the rest of The Band, proved up to the task of backing up Joni Mitchell & Van Morrison, two singers known for their own distinctive vocal mannerisms.
Mr. Donabie's comments about Diamond's early work on the Bang label reminded me that that same label released the debut solo recordings of Van Morrison. Those recordings were recently re-released as The Complete Bang New York Sessions, an import vinyl, three LP set. Mastered from the original unequalized sessions tapes, this is a wonderful sounding time capsule of Van the Man's early work. I understand that these sessions will also be released in the CD format. You Van fans should check it out.
Mon Mar 16 15:57:06 MET 1998
Moved the last two weeks of guestbook entries to
a separate file.
Mon Mar 16 15:38:54 MET 1998
My recollection is that there were two drummers on the original release of Mystery Train on Moondog Matinee.
Mon Mar 16 14:55:31 MET 1998
Pat Brennan reminded me, in his piece about Neil Diamond; bringing along his own drummer... how many of us felt that night when it happened.
In retrosepect I understand the need for musicians to bring along people that they are "comfortable" with....but that night all I could think....and those around me....what a snob? You mean Levon isn't good enough? Here are some of the greatest artists in the world being backed by The Band.....and he brings out his own drummer. Time heals. I guess I understand now. Funny? It didn't bother me at all when Muddy brought his own guitar player with him. Maybe it was my attitude towards Diamond that night. I mean he was there because Robbie had just produced Beautiful Noise. He really had no impact on The Band's Career. Yep...I guess it's just a Neil Diamond thing with me. I never forgave him for giving up on his great start on the Bang Label. That was good material.
Mon Mar 16 08:43:31 MET 1998
SWANS: Tut, tut, tut, I am very disappointed
obviously you do not yet own "Contact...Red Boy"
Though Marious de Vries collaborates on half the album, he has no part in Unbound! The programmer on Unboun dis Tim Gordine. Any similarity you detect is thus coincidental. A little knowledge is a dangerous thing.......
Even excusing your mistaken facts, I think your suggestion of what Robbie is up to and the reasons for his past success are both way off the mark.
Mon Mar 16 06:36:11 MET 1998
Jeff: Pat's probably right about the mystery drummer on Mystery Train at TLW. There is no piano on Mystery Train (just that awesome organ work and great beat). Therefore, if you were Richard, where would you jump in on this song? Drums!
Mon Mar 16 05:24:56 MET 1998
That's Richard Manuel playing the second drum kit during Mystery Train in The Last Waltz. Neil Diamond also bought his own drummer out during his little spot. I think his name was Dennis something.
Sun Mar 15 22:29:47 MET 1998
There has been a Rick Danko show added to the concert list. It says he will be playing the 6th of June in Montgomery NY, at the Orange County Park. Does anyone have any info, or even know what this is????? Normally they have a big 4th of July bash with fireworks, but I've never seen any concerts there.
Sun Mar 15 21:23:08 MET 1998
Remember what Robertson said after the Woody Guthrie concert 30 years ago, (If a song is live it must live in its contemporary surrounding." Contact is great. "Here's where we go off the map"... then he revs up his guitar and brings the song home.
Sun Mar 15 20:55:29 MET 1998
I'm writing a book on Mike Bloomfield that will
be published this year. Would like to conduct an interview
with any of The Band members that might care to say a word or two.
Anybody out there contact one or more of them for me? (503)760-3928
Yeah, Iknow it's crazy to leave my phone#, but how else are they gonna respond?
Sun Mar 15 20:43:57 MET 1998
Robbie's new one is very intense. The Sound is Fading has a healthy anger about it, instead of being cleche or sadistic, like so much of todays music. Someone here mentioned that there have been no good conceptual albums of the 90's. That was before the beautiful Redboy was released.
Sun Mar 15 16:35:16 MET 1998
Dan, Ringo only came on after Dylan did his set. Watch closely during Mystery Train. This is not Ringo. Also Every professional rock critic and or fan says that Dylan's retort at Manchester in 66 included profanity. Listen closely and he says, " I don't believe you, your a liar, play loud", not play fucking loud, there's even a boot with the title. I think it is better as is but you still have Hoskyns, Marcus and Helm not to mention, scores of others that claim otherwise.
Sun Mar 15 13:41:57 MET 1998
To Dan: The translation of the French in Acadian Driftwood is on this site, thanks to Jan!
Sun Mar 15 05:35:43 MET 1998
Just want to say that I am a longtime Band friend and am really upset about someof the backbiting that goes on in the chat room. If you're having a bad day or in an especially hostile mood - please take out your aggressions elsewhere. Thanks Jan for a great site and keep it coming!Diane
Sun Mar 15 04:46:58 MET 1998
Jeff: The second drummer at the Last Waltz was a little known English chap named Ringo Starr. It was Ringo that tried to get everybody out to do a second or third encore. Hey does anyone know what the French stuff is at the end of Acadian Driftwood?
Sun Mar 15 04:29:33 MET 1998
I have found the source of my confusion over the instrumentation in "Dixie down". Speaking about Garth, the detailed history on this site says: "He overdubbed a Hohner melodica on top of an accordion sound generated by his Lowrey organ."
Sun Mar 15 04:11:00 MET 1998
Pat: thank you for your response
Pete: excellent points
Matt Krieger: I agree. It was the ambitious Robbie who made sure the Hawks were linked to Dylan in 1965.
Sun Mar 15 03:33:34 MET 1998
First saw The Band at Newport in '67, Boston and NYC in '68, Woodstock. Still singing "All La Glory" and "Unfaithful Servant" to get my kids to sleep at night. They were/are the best of the best.
Sun Mar 15 02:50:41 MET 1998
Sun Mar 15 02:15:48 MET 1998
I wonder if all this anti-Robbie stuff wasn't generatedthrough Levon's autobiography. No one who has read that would fail to pick up the bitterness Levon has toward Robertson. Helm was paid back in Greil Marcus' Invisible Republic, being thoroughly damned by faint mention and general shrugging off of any contribution of Levon's to the Basement Tapes. I suppose Robbie's corporate leanings toward the end of the fivesome's career really bent Levon out of shape; he uses the phrase "pencil whipped" as being outsmarted contractually both in the fields of agriculture and music. It's really too bad.I'd applaud a reconciliation.
Sun Mar 15 01:01:37 MET 1998
This is a great site! Lyrics and chords far better than the average for completeness and accuracy. Thanks!
Sun Mar 15 00:34:14 MET 1998
Robbie was always the most ambitious member of the Band. This is still true today. He was the first one to express an interest in record production and he has become a master. He has always worked with different talented people, picking up many skills. The same way he learned to play guitar, from the best. His palette has become unbound.
Sun Mar 15 00:19:52 MET 1998
Love the new Robbie cd. His guitar is very effective on "The Sound is Fading". High note nastiness! Always different.
Does anybody know who the second drummer in the Last Waltz is? He isn't in the album credits. If you watch closely you can catch a glimpse of him on Mystery Train. How many songs does he play on? Also, does anyone know anything about the circumstances surrounding Leah Hicks's death? I would love some feedback. Leonard Peltier's voice commands attention. A beautiful high voice accompanies him on Sacrifice. Has anyone seen a documentary on him? This is RR's best effort.
Sat Mar 14 23:42:58 MET 1998
To all of you bitchers and moaners out there. Redboy rules... Unbound.
Sat Mar 14 22:03:46 MET 1998
Re: Robbie's latest cd
Is it me, or does "Unbound" sound strangely familiar??????????.......maybe Madonna's new single "Frozen". Both use the same programmer Marius de Vries. Maybe Robbie is doing another hit by association like his first solo album with Gabriel, U2, Lanois...............
Sat Mar 14 21:59:09 MET 1998
As I said in '87: I am not some little pop-tart out to make something cute for people to dance to.
Levon, Richard, Garth, Rick: Be careful so you don't DIE, guys. You know, you really should spend
some of all that royalty money on hair-colouring, sun-tan, and Armani suits, and stop that silly habit
of playing live music for real people.
Sat Mar 14 18:59:10 MET 1998
Garth definitely plays melodica and a touch of slide trumpet on Dixie Down. The Lowry organ he played at that time did not do a very good job of emulating other instruments. It wasn't until Cahoots that he started using "primitive" synthesizer technology-a keyboard called a Symphionizer or something like that-to emulate other instruments. And, as far as I know, he has refrained from using samplers, which are keyboards that use digital recordings of real instruments to emulate those instruments. I'm going to look up an interview he did in Keyboard magazine some years ago to elaborate on this.
Sat Mar 14 18:37:53 MET 1998
Andrew: you did not confuse me, I just wanted you to admit to your own exageration. I thank you for your advice and will watch the Last Waltz again as it has been over a year since I last saw it. I will let you know what I think.
Chalie: I'm in Fairfax
I think there are some minor errors in Watanabe's list. He lists Garth as playing melodica and slide trumpet on "Dixie Down". It had always been my understanding that Garth simulated the sounds of those instruments by electronic means through his organ. Am I mistaken?
Sat Mar 14 16:13:12 MET 1998
David - Was down the Jersey Shore few weeks ago. Tony Mart's is no more. I got me thinking, maybe I should stop mourning what is past, maybe I should be able to break away from my preconeceived notions and open my mind up to new challanges and buy the album that one person said is from the man who looks so good smoking a cigarette.....nah.
Zed - I don't think RR ever mentioned that he taught Levon to wipe or to eat with a fork. I was exargerating to make a point. I am sorry if I confused you. Look at the Last Waltz again. If you don't get the same feeling I do, well then we disagree.
Sat Mar 14 07:07:45 MET 1998
Zed: thanks to another Virginian (what part?) for directing me to that Japanese link site with "who played on what." It's great. The first time I saw The Band live was the month I graduated from high school in 1971. It remains one of the two or three best concerts I've ever seen and I've been to shows by everyone from the Allman Brothers to Frank Zappa since then. I do remember being totally knocked out from the first song through the last encore at the show, at Meriwether Post Pavilion in Columbia, Maryland. The guys walked out right on time, immediately took their places, didn't say a word or hesitate before launching into a loud and raucous "W.S. Walcott Medicine Show." My best friend and I sat in the third row with our mouths open in awe from that moment on. I rememeber several instrument shifts, and Garth stepping forward to play horns a couple of times. I know Richard slapped the drums while Levon played mandolin on "Rag Mama Rag" and electric rhythm guitar (a Les Paul?) on "Time to Kill" and maybe "Strawberry Wine." Garth's "Genetic Method" was in a league with Bach in this period, Robbie's Telecaster precision was breathtaking and Danko was in his prime as a singer. There was never a tighter ensemble than those guys, then. Absolutely awesome!
Sat Mar 14 06:02:02 MET 1998
Robbie could have reached a wider audience if he had released the incredible Rattlebone as a single.
Sat Mar 14 05:11:34 MET 1998
Robbie has finally released his masterpiece. Last album was good but it lacked the dynamics of Contact. Ive played the record for quite a few people and it has recieved great response. Some Band fans are bitter about Robertsons departure. For this reason, I think that their opinion on his music is tainted. I for one, am glad he moved on although I still remain a fan of the Bands music.
It's hard to believe that all of the varied elements on Contact work together so lovely. Talk about mixing up the medicine. You can talk until your blue in the face about his motives but it won't change the fact that the man may make a difference. It would be a shame if many of us had never been exposed to all of these beautiful voices. Listen to The Sound is Fading, Sacrifice or Rattlebone for proof of Robertson's excellent songwriting. Anyone that can listen to these songs and not be moved, must have undergone a labotomy. Robbies ability to match the singer to the song is superb and his arrangements, choices of sounds and playing are never boring and alwaws inspiring. The best new song I've heard in a long time and an interesting choice for first song, The Haunting "Sound is Fading" sets the tone for the remaining songs. A violent guitar and other eerie effects aimed at a peaceful and innocent voice, create different images for the listener. In 1976 Greil Marcus said, "Robertson's guitar playing falls into no genre". This sill rings true today as his stunning playing in Rattlebone attests to. It is his most emotional guitar work since The Band. Reminiscent of Matchbox with Hawkins in 63. The sound is fresh and it is the most raucus song he has ever done. Robbies best vocal is also on Rattlebone. Indian throat singers (great bass) were used in rythym, creating an erotic feel (ooohhh, I'm getting all giddy and excited now). On the rest of the record and not surprisingly, he shows restraint on the guitar keeping focus on the arrangement. Sacrifice speaks for itself, everyone should open their minds to this one. MacKendrick's voice is beautiful and the singing overall is inspired. He's a great songwriter plus he looks good smoking a ciggarette. You members of the Robbie hate club are funny. Sure are stubborn. Robbie aimed high this time and captured something special, something he had missed on his previous three. Nice entry Tommy.
Sat Mar 14 03:53:21 MET 1998
zed:
Your comments about Baby Let Me Follow You Down are dead on. I have heard many different versions of that song from that same concert on many sources. When you hear the version on crossing the great divide...one wonders (a) where it came from and (b) maybe there was a really clean board feed of those shows after all.
Sat Mar 14 01:43:10 MET 1998
Dear John from Penna, I guess with all the excitment surrounding the new Robertson realease you forgot about my offer. Please reconsider and come on down to Mid Muscle Creek and let Muscles Shoal give you a tour. If you can overcome the Robbie infatuation, please get in touch. Ya see I have the same crush. Red Boy Rules!
Fri Mar 13 23:53:43 MET 1998
Adding to what John Donabie just wrote, I just heard a recording of Dylan's 1966 concert in Manchester with the Hawks (minus Levon). One track is on Crossing the Great Divide--Baby let me follow you down. The recording quality is amazingly incredibly good. In some ways it is similar to Before the Flood with Dylan perfoming solo for part. However, unlike the Flood concerts, the Hawks do not perfom without Dylan.
Fri Mar 13 23:25:40 MET 1998
TO BILL MUNSON
Billy my boy. Put your email address back on line. I've lost it. I finally heard crossing the great divide. I take it that they didn't use one of your mint 45's for the early stuff. You know...for a $125.00 Canadian you'd think that they could find a better version of "The Stones That I Throw". I can't believe how scratchy it was. I won't buy Band boots; but it was interesting to hear. I suggested to Robbie that a re-release on video of THE COMPLETE LAST WALTZ might not be a bad idea in 2001. It will be the 25th. anniversary.
Fri Mar 13 22:37:19 MET 1998
No question but they're my favorite ensemble. First heard them when my two brothers and I ordered 3 albums for a penny back in '69, we got Quicksilver Messenger Service, one of Steppenwolf's, and this other album that had a cool lookin' cover, which was the Band's self titled second album. It blew me away. I still have that album. The other two--who cares? I'm a songwriter/musician myself with a band called the Rivertown Rats, we just released our first CD "Blue Sundress" independently. Mostly original work. We do several Band tunes onstage as a matte of course. I switch off between Telecaster, accordian and banjo. We've had a few fans say that my '29 Hohner button accordian sound is evocative of some of Garth's work. If anyone gets to this area of the country, come see us play. Plus I'm always primed for a short chat about the boys, say 2-3 hours.
Fri Mar 13 22:10:51 MET 1998
Robbie Robertson did appear at the 1998 National Aboriginal Achievement Awards last night in Toronto. According to the program, the one song he performed (vocals and inaudible guitar) was "The Code of Handsome Lake". He was backed by Joanne Shenandoah, who sang some harmonies, and Chief Jacob Thomas, who had a short spoken-word role, a bassist on stage and some others out of sight. It was all very nicely done - and probably quite powerful to those in the audience with a more direct connection to the subject matter. (I guess the majority of the audience, though not me, were Natives. By the way, while killing time waiting in a magazine store before the show, I spotted the March issue of "Mojo", which has an interesting interview with Robertson, in which he discusses the new LP. My guess, from what I've read, heard and witnessed, is that his aim is to have his current music is intended to connect with people with certain backgrounds and life experiences, and if he succeeds in that he's satisfied. And, again judging from what I've read, heard and witnessed, he has every reason to be very satisfied.
Fri Mar 13 20:22:48 MET 1998
dig, you can waste a lot of time on the robbie versus so and so thing. i know i did. now i'd rather spend my time trying to work out the lead-ins to "goin' back to memphis" on the old six string. robbie was smokin'. they all were and the live one's still are. so let's let em be...if you really want to blow your mind ask a 16-year old you know what they think of The Band...heh, it's all totally lost on them...soo tragic. saw rick danko and friends at the bottom line in nyc a year and a half ago or so...he was so wasted he could barely play, ah rick. he still had his moments...jonesin' for another show...
Fri Mar 13 19:01:57 MET 1998
John from penna: You may want to seek help to get over this Robbie Robertson thing. I agree with David Powell, for we respect your opinion, but now tell us what you like! Thanks to John Donabie for your response. How did your interview with Robbie go?
Fri Mar 13 18:09:25 MET 1998
While thinking about Richard's drumming, I pondered a thought for further consideration: did the Band keet the instrumental lineup used in studio recordings in live performances? The instrumental versatility by Garth, Richard, Levon and even Rick was one of the strengths of the group. Yet wouldn't it be awkward rearranging on stage? I can only go by the recordings as unfortunately I never saw the Band while Richard was alive (I'm just a youngun'). At Watkins Glen Richard is definitely on drums for Don't ya Tell Henry with Levon playing great Mandolin. The pause before The Rumor is probably while Levon and Richard change instruments. I believe Levon is on Drums for the rest of the recording. On Rock of Ages they change instruments for Rag Mama Rag. I'm not sure what else. Garth switches to sax at various times, though never at Watkins Glen. Not the right song list I suppose. Any thoughts?
Fri Mar 13 17:08:24 MET 1998
Charlie:
Hideki Watanabe (I apologize if misspelled) has a web site where he lists who played what. You can link to it through "misc." in the library here on Jan's wonderful site.
The site shows that Richard plays drums on:
Yazzo Street Scandal
Ain't No More Cane
Don't ya' Tell Henry
Rag Mama Rag
Jemima Surrender
Strawberry Wine
Time to Kill
Daniel & the Sacred Harp
When I Paint My Masterpiece
4% Pantomime (Levon also listed on drums)
Smoke Signal (Levon also)
Ain't Got No Home
Mystery Train
the Promised Land
I'm Ready (Levon also)
A Change is Gonna Come
Juniper Hollow (Levon also)
In most cases Levon plays mandolin, in some he plays guitar, in a rare few he plays bass.
For the most part I agree with Mr. Watanabe's analysis though I would not have thought that the Moondog tracks were Richard. Levon is listed as on drums for Chest Fever. I think I would have to agree.
Fri Mar 13 16:40:13 MET 1998
Charlie:
Not sure about Chest Fever. I know he played drums on Rag Mama Rag. There are others songs as well. I'll get back to you when I remember.
Fri Mar 13 16:22:13 MET 1998
John my boy I believe you've made your point. I actually enjoy reading your diatribes but how about moving on to another subject. We are all now well aware of your disdain of Mr. Robertson. Since you've apparently been listening to Jim Weider's new album, how about giving us some comments regarding what you like about it.
When it starts warming up there in Pennsylvania you need to go down to the Jersey shore & take in some fresh salt air. On the way down, stop by Somers Point where a great band used to play at a place called Tony Mart's.
Fri Mar 13 15:11:31 MET 1998
Does anyone know if Richard Manuel played drums on "Chest Fever," or--for that matter--exactly which studio tracks The Beak contributed drumming? I always loved his quirky style behind the kit, and "Chest Fever" doesn't sound like Levon's playing; it's too syncopted. Am I right?
Fri Mar 13 14:46:09 MET 1998
TO BONES & ALL:
Bones you asked about the Aboriginal Awards last night and if Robbie would be performing. I spent an hour with him yesterday in an interview and he mentioned that he would be at the awards; but I do not believe in a performing capacity. He may have been a presenter; but I do not know.
Fri Mar 13 05:41:34 MET 1998
I'll let Stanley Crouch (an accomplished writer on jazz) add his two cents to these proceedings:"It's kind of hard to articulate your point in the midst of insults." Amen.
Fri Mar 13 05:03:01 MET 1998
John from penna, what you were doing was listening to music you like. Others listen to music they like. Extoll what you like. Ignore what you find unappealing. Slamming what you don't like and ridiculing people who like what you don't like hardly befits a citizen of the great state of Pennsylvania.
Fri Mar 13 02:00:53 MET 1998
CAP I like what you wrote. Yes it is possible to love both RR and the Band,after all its a "great big old goofy world"{john prine}.
Ah yes, another lengthy epistle from the pen of the erudite Mr. Powell,defending the mediocrity of his beloved ersatz Robbie. I was wrong you saidnot that music requires effort but that red boy does. Baloney! Like you i have a varied interest in music. This week alone while getting ready for work,driving,working around the house,relaxing after dinner and contemplating my naval I've played these tapes: Weider's big foot. Charles Mingus plays piano. Jimmy Raney in paris. Roy Buchanan's live stock. Glenn Gould edition of Brahms and the Goldberg Variations. Art Pepper meets the rhythm section. Is this complex or abstract? Was I experiencing art? Or merely being entertained? I don't know and I don't care. For sure you'd be able to tell me. Tonight it's some danko/fjeld/andersen playing. Try not to strain yourself too much as you try to find more complexities in RR's music.
Fri Mar 13 01:36:51 MET 1998
I was reading Serena's entry and I seem to remember her other entries (a while back) had
that same desperate quality as this latest one. What is it that you want? You condemn Band fans for entering setlists of shows, you don't
approve of our devotion to the Band because
they're not the same as when they had Richard and Robbie. You know what? You're right. But
some of us still love the Band. Even when they
are getting old and heavy, when the voices are
wearing out, we stand by them because of the
music. And most people still respect Robbie, I
myself worship him and his (Band) music.
I totally agree with the last thing you said.
Fri Mar 13 00:03:36 MET 1998
DOWNERS GROVE, Ill. (ENTERTAINMENT WIRE) - The Band - with original
members Levon Helm, Rick Danko and Garth Hudson - is at work on a new
studio album, the 10th of its extraordinary career, to be released later
this year on River North Records, a Platinum Entertainment company. The
album, as yet untitled, is being recorded at Helm's studio in a
converted barn in Woodstock, New York.
"The Band continues to explore a unique synthesis of rock, folk, country
and R&B," says Thomas Leavens, Platinum's chief operating officer, who
negotiated the Band's long-term, exclusive recording contract with River
North. "Their music endures because it connects rock 'n' roll to its
roots, both emotionally and musically."
The new album is being produced by Aaron Hurwitz, who worked with the
Band on its two most recent albums, "High on the Hog" (1996) and
"Jericho" (1993). At the time of its release, "Jericho" was the Band's
first album of new material in 16 years. For the past two decades, the
members of the Band have been involved in dozens of musically diverse
projects, including albums by Bonnie Raitt, Neil Young, Don Henley,
Ringo Starr, Marianne Faithful, Los Lobos, Emmylou Harris, Nils Lofgren,
Graham Parker, Michelle Shocked, Charlie Sexton, The Call and Camper Van
Beethoven. In 1994, the Band was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of
Fame.
Having played for years as the Hawks with rockabilly legend Ronnie
Hawkins, the Band secured its place in music history as Bob Dylan's
backing band on Dylan's groundbreaking 1965-66 world tour. The Band's
1968 debut, "Music From Big Pink," reconnected rock 'n' roll with its
antecedents - folk, country, blues and bluegrass - and set the stage for
three critically acclaimed releases, "The Band" (1969), "Stage Fright"
(1970), and "Cahoots" (1971).
In the mid-Seventies, the Band reunited with Dylan for the "Planet
Waves" album and tour, and recorded its own "Northern Lights, Southern
Cross." On Thanksgiving Day, 1976, the Band staged "The Last Waltz," a
memorable farewell concert at Winterland in San Francisco, where it had
played its first gig in April 1969. "The Last Waltz" featured guest
appearances by Dylan, Van Morrison, Eric Clapton, Muddy Waters and Joni
Mitchell, among others, and was documented as both an album and a film,
directed by Martin Scorcese.
Thu Mar 12 21:04:44 MET 1998
There is a great article on Robbie Robertson with new and old photos(God bless you,Elliott Landy) in a magazine called Indian Artist (Spring '98). I read that Robbie was performing at the Aboriginal Awards in Toronto tonight. Will someone tell us about it ? Thanks.
Thu Mar 12 20:22:47 MET 1998
I think I’m ready to jump on board with Zed, David Powell, and Gail. As an avid Band fan, I’ve been following this web page for a long time. I have seen both Levon and Rick in concert recently, and I enjoy reading entries about their performances, following discussions of lyrics and favorite songs. My appreciation of Robbie’s solo projects also runs deep, and I guess until now the futility of engaging in these debates seemed daunting. Too big a mountain to climb.
(They) stare at him like he is bad weather.
He keeps dancing and knocks loose an eagle feather.
Well, Robbie’s new album has inspired me at long last to make a noise. I won’t go quietly either. I find the way that “Contact From The Underworld Of Red Boy” expands on themes and sounds from his previous three albums is exciting and riveting. I wish I understood how people who claim to like The Band so much can end up so bitter and have such little respect for Robbie’s post-Band career. There is a magical element to The Band’s music that I still find awe-inspiring, and for his part Robbie continues to transcend boundaries and challenge himself and his audience. I am mesmerized by “Unbound” and overwhelmed by “Rattlebone.” Maybe the album isn’t for everybody, but I would like to say for the record that it is possible to love both the Band and Robbie. I encourage anyone reading this who has thought about picking up the album to give it a shot.
Bear witness, I’m howling at the wind.
Thu Mar 12 18:43:37 MET 1998
Rob, Thanks for the overview of the show at the Tinker Street Cafe. I was there too and also standing in the back of the room, probably right next to you. I would agree that it was a great show but I was very concerned about Levon's voice. I saw The Band over the past summer in New Jersey and thought he sounded much better. I really hope he's doing fine and it was just a sore throat or something. He's the best!!!
Thu Mar 12 18:16:41 MET 1998
Very nice page!!!
Visit my page!!!
Thu Mar 12 18:01:29 MET 1998
Robbie's album has been getting heavy airplay on a g
great local station up here, 92.5 WQRV
("The River"). (For all you Robbie haters, they
also were very supportive of High on the Hog, and
The Band did an in-studio appearance there). The
two songs they're playing are "Unbound" and "In
The Blood." I must say, I don't get it, but that
doesn't mean it isn't valid. A few guitar notes
on "Unbound" recalled memories of things past, and
sent shivers down the spine. The new-age and
electronica doesn't do much for me.
Thu Mar 12 17:26:26 MET 1998
Since John has apparently misinterpreted my remarks made in connection with Mr. Robertson's new album, let me just clarify those comments.
I did not suggest that the appreciation of music requires effort from the listener. Like most things in life, what you get out of it depends on what you put into it. Music on its most basic level is a form of entertainment. In rock & roll, a lot of songs are just catchy little tunes that convey no deep meaning. You can just sit back & enjoy or get up & dance along with them. Often we just want to be entertained without having to exert any effort. While driving around in the car or working around the house, maybe we don't need the distraction of being drawn into the music we're playing in order to figure out what's beneath the surface, and this type of music is preferred. Other, more complex, forms of music require that the listener think about what's going on within the work to fully appreciate the artistic expression. This is what separates art from just being a form of entertainment.
I enjoy listening to many types of music--rock & roll, jazz, country, bluegrass, classical, as well as that hybrid form that the members of The Band have developed over the years. I don't feel that I have to "admire" someone to appreciate their musical expression, I just accept them for who they are & go from there. I must admit that "electronica" or whatever you want to call it is not something I particularly enjoy in itself. Until I bought Mr. Robertson's new album & actually listened to it, I was prepared to be disappointed. But after hearing it I was surprised by its complexity. Mr. Robertson is well aware of his vocal limitations. On this release he has surrounded himself with a wide array of musicians & vocalists to weave the layers of fabric that hold the music together. It is a mix of different elements that requires a closer examination rather than a casual listening to fully appreciate its artistic expression.
To those of you who would prefer not to listen to what Mr. Robertson has to offer, I could care less. As I previously stated, I feel that Mr. Robertson prefers to take risks rather than pander to any commercial formula. Commercially, it would have been much safer for him to turn out another version of "The Weight" or "...Dixie" or perhaps some covers of songs written by the likes of J.J. Cale, Springsteen or Dylan. Yeah, that's the ticket.
Thu Mar 12 17:19:29 MET 1998
Richard,
Thu Mar 12 16:27:06 MET 1998
Regarding covers of Band songs, here's a new album from the UK:
"Birthday Party: Dave Pegg's 50th Birthday Concert" 1998 Woodworm Records WRCD027
Dave Pegg is Fairport Convention's bassist/mandolinist (I've been kind of surprised that as signers of the guestbook quibble over the Band's comparative likeness to groups like the Rascals-- ow ! --and Procol Harum-- I can see that one maybe-- I've seen no mention of Fairport Convention.) The Band numbers covered are "Shape I'm In" and "The Weight." There's also a cover of "Like a Rolling Stone" at the end. I've not yet ordered the CD, it being a UK-only release, but here's the website I found it on, if any Band fans want to plunk down a few British pounds (15, including postage to the US): www.novpapyrus.com/fairport/fcalbums_bp.html
By the way, I think Jan H. does a great job with this vital website, and I applaud his efforts to get people to ease off on one another with the sometimes scathing (and sometimes simultaneously pedantic) comments-- "...it grows and grows, where it started nobody knows..."
One last word in reagrd to Fairport-- their most Band-like effort would be 1969's "Unhalfbricking," which features Sandy Denny, Richard Thompson, and Dave Swarbrick, and includes "Basement"-cover "Million Dollar Bash" as well as "Percy's Song" and a French translation of "If You Gotta Go, Go Now." It's on Rykodisc--check it out.
Thu Mar 12 15:28:26 MET 1998
Rob:
Awesome Levon tape. I would include "Don't do it"
I also saw him with the Cromatix recently [Jax's, Springfield VA]. A great though short set. Not in exact order: Back to Memphis (from High on the Hog, not the Chuck Berry number); Java Blues; Ophelia (fabulous); the Weight (fantastic); Willie and the Hand Jive; 300 Pounds of Joy; and a number of songs I did not know or have fogoten. Randy was not present. Marie Spinosa sang lead on a couple of tunes. Levon was in great form. Great harmonica playing on top of fabulous drumming.
Thu Mar 12 15:19:52 MET 1998
Rob: Thanks for the report on Levon's show with the Cromatix. "I'm Ready" was a Billboard top twenty hit by Fats Domino from 1959. "Talkin' on the phone is not my speed, don't send me no letters 'cause I can't read...I'm ready, I'm willin' and I'm able to rock'n'roll all night..." The studio version by The Band is found on "Moondog Matinee."
Thu Mar 12 15:17:03 MET 1998
I think --- and slam me if you want, 'cause I won't be back every day searching through postings for reaction --- that Robbie Robertson grew up along the way and that a lot of people (here) with such vituperous criticism of him resent him for it. Most people his age (and I am one of them) had to sell out their Woodstock ideals, at least to some extent, to put bread on the table regularly for the family, to put the kids through college, to pay the mortgage on a *nice* home. So Robbie does a little of what he has to do to make a nice life for himself and his family. So he ISN'T still a doper, isn't playing dives for dollars all over the country so that overzealous fans can recount the order of the songs he sang for others who care about that sort of thing. So he wound up having enough money to buy an Armani suit and it looked good on him and so he did it. So stone him! As I recall, he never much liked his own voice nor had much confidence in it, and he certainly smoked it like burned barbeque --- he can still weave a magical story and he still has a fanciful imagination, a sense of wonder, a spiritual soul, and he can play a mean guitar. And, y'know, this Levon/Robbie feud, if there is one, is really THEIR business and nobody elses. Sometimes I think this site should be called "THE BAND WITHOUT ROBBIE SITE" because most of the die-hards here just hate him. I come here every once in awhile because I loved the Band (WITH Robbie). I still hunger for more music from him. I love Rick's aching voice. I think Garth is a genius. I remember Richard fondly and sadly. And Levon definitely brings something to the party. But every time I GET here, I swear I'll never do it again. Maybe I need to grow up a little more.
Thu Mar 12 15:04:08 MET 1998
LEVON HELM stars with Wilford Brimley in the movie-THE END OF THE LINE-tonight{thursday} on TV channel 48 in the Phila/South Jersey area. Made in 1988 its a nice little workingman's film about people trying to save their jobs. No academy awards. But no artsy/fartsy stuff either!
Thu Mar 12 12:59:33 MET 1998
Very impressive site. I have been browsing around here for hours now, and still there is so much to see and learn.
Thanks to whoever built this wonderful tribute to Levon and the boys
Thu Mar 12 10:02:59 MET 1998
Here is a review of Levon Helm & the Crowmatix' latest gig that I posted on the AOL
Band message board a few days ago:
The Tinker Street Cafe is, to say the least, an intimate setting. It's very
small to begin with, and it was standing room only with lots of folks spilling
out onto the porch, and others standing up on the street.
We were there early, so we got to hear the Cromatix warm up. I wasn't really
familiar with them, but even this was enjoyable. Around 10:30 or so the
Cromatix started performing, and played for a half hour or so. I wasn't
familiar with the material, but it was very good. This is a great band.
Around 11 or so, Levon joined them, and that's when I started taking notes.
So here goes:
1. Stuff You Gotta Watch.
They said goodnight, and then came the encore:
16. Rock'n'Roll Shoes.
All in all a great night. Even though I was at the back of the room, I was
still no more than 25 feet or so from the stage (it IS a very small place). I
didn't even mind the 250 mile drive home or the fact that we missed the turnoff
for route 17 and almost ended up in New Jersey, while home is far closer to
Ontario!
At any rate, my buddy, whose primary musical interest is in Celtic music,
became a Band/Levon fan Saturday night, so I put together a sampler tape for
him, concentrating on Levon:
Side One:
Yazoo Street Scandal /
Ain't No More Cane /
Don't Ya Tell Henry /
The Weight /
Rag Mama Rag /
The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down /
Strawberry Wine /
The W.S. Walcott Medicine Show /
Daniel and the Sacred Harp /
Ophelia /
Acadian Driftwood /
(I Don't Want to) Hang Up My Rock and Roll Shoes /
Side Two:
Blind Willie McTell /
The Caves of Jericho /
Atlantic City /
Stuff You Gotta Watch /
Young Blood (from the Doc Pomus tribute album) /
Evangeline /
Sunshine Life for Me (Just for the fun of it, the Band backing Ringo Starr and /
George Harrison from the "Ringo" album, from '73 or so) /
When I Get My Rewards (Levon with the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band from "Will the
Circle Be
Unbroken II" album) /
Like and Rolling Stone and Blowin' In the Wind: The Band with Bob Dylan from /
Before the Flood /
Milk Cow Boogie from RCO All Stars. /
When I got done I liked it so much I made a copy for myself. I should have
included "Up on Cripple Creek", though. Oh Well, next time.
Thu Mar 12 06:39:38 MET 1998
Andrew:
I must have missed any statements by Robbie that he "taught them how to sing, play, speak, wipe, eat with a fork, etc." If you could show me where he actually says that, I would happily concede to you. He has been quoted giving "them" credit for their abilities, just not the credit Levon feels is deserved. Could you also elaborate on the proper context for Robbie? I can think of no better context than his own albums.
I do entirely agree that he was 20% of the greatest group ever. I do not agree that he is now a "sad" man. (sad in what way?) What guise is he hiding under? As I said earlier, I have not witnessed him present himself as anything false. His heritage means something to him--is that a character flaw? You feel that he has "no connection with real life or real people." It is obvious he has no connection for you. Put I wouldn't be writing this if I didn't feel he had some connection for some of us.
Next you will probably try to tell us that Levon is hiding under the guise of being from Arkansas and being a drummer. I can imagine your entry already: "Gosh maybe I'll play some rock&roll, but wait I need another hook, I got it, I'll involve some of the latest stuff the kids are listening to, I'll play a song by En Vogue--that's it, that's the ticket."
There was this incredible group famed for songs about American spiritualism, myth and legend blending entrancing rhythms and harmonies with atmospheric touches by the amazing multi-instrumentalist Garth Hudson, but I guess the Band sounds too much like Yanni to you........yet I imagine Eric understands quite well.
Thu Mar 12 03:59:20 MET 1998
Today's mail brought me the "Islands" CD as well as "Rock of Ages" -2 CD. Each CD was $9.99. Ordered them from CD Now. "Ain't that a lotta love for one heart to hold?".
To Amused- NOT!
Thu Mar 12 03:26:23 MET 1998
I don't hate RR. I just think that he is a pretentious self reighteous extremely egotisical man who, if placed in the correct context is one hell of a musician (I also think that the is an great Executive Soundtrack Producer, but I will skip that discussion for now). This isn't something necessarily new, I never hated the Band when they reformed ( Iwas thrilled!). Gail (I agree with John, it is always nice to hear from a lady), I think that the reason that the collective opinion was aganist Levon, Rick,Garth and Richard and for RR when the Band reformed was probably the intense PR campaign put on by Robbie. He cut the Last Waltz movie to make him appear that he was the sexy, charismatic, intellectual stud who carried the rest of the fellas "down from the mountain", taught them how to sing, play, speak wipe, eat with a fork, etc.. I really tried to buy the BS for some, but I won't anymore. It is just not true. RR was 20% of the greatest music group that I have ever heard. Now he just a sad man trying to perpetuate a myth that he created by blowing smoke under the guise of some higher spritual quest.
Mr Powell worte a very nice review of RR's new album which stated that it was .. "an atmospheric & hypnotic mix of rhythms, spiritualism, myths & legends, ambient sounds, and feelings of alienation taken from the tribes of American Indians, Africa, and Israel". Well that sounds like Yanna to me. No thank you. I don't know, maybe it's the water that John and I drink in PA.
Thu Mar 12 03:10:42 MET 1998
Wednesday March 11, 12:55 pm Eastern Time
The Band Signs Exclusive Deal With River North Records
DOWNERS GROVE, Ill.--(ENTERTAINMENT WIRE)--March 11, 1998--The Band - with original members Levon Helm, Rick Danko and Garth Hudson - is at work on a new studio album, the 10th of its extraordinary career, to be released later this year on River North Records, a Platinum Entertainment company. The album, as yet untitled, is being recorded at Helm's studio in a converted barn in Woodstock, New York.
More Info at....
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/980311/platinum_e_1.html
.
Thu Mar 12 03:00:47 MET 1998
I can't live with myself any longer, I just gotta get something off my chest. I'm the one who impersonated Serge. Ya see he intimidates me and well, I'm a coward. I don't know, Maybe its my limited intellect. I drove him away and then I got scared that he might come back, so I built a smokescreen with some recent entries. I appeared as Mrs. Surrat and S. Holmes when my insecurities surfaced. I used to think I was cool not to mention clever but the truth is I'm a perpetual liar. In a recent entry I boast of my Port Dover tape that I let Levon copy. That is rather hard to digest when you consider what I did to Serge, huh. In the future to find me just look for more of my stupid nicknames. Dagnabit, I'm like a Fish out of water being so honest, Fiddlesticks!!!!!!!!
BUSTED.
Hows that for tinge of humor, dummy?
It has been fun watching you make a fool of yourself Mr. Amused. I just feel sorry for Serge, I guess you know how it feels now, huh? It would be great if we could get Serge to come back and you would split, but thats just wishful thinking. It's doubtful that you have a life.
Thu Mar 12 02:44:14 MET 1998
Hey Gail, it really is good to read some comments from a lady for a change. Definitely more than enough testosterone around here. At one time I felt about Robbie as you do now. He was like a hero who could do no wrong.{false idol}! Really I just liked the music, the way he handled himelf and what he had to say. I think my youthful naivete and high expectations blinded me from the "real" Robbie as we know him today. I don't know if he has changed or if we just know more about him because of {over}exposure, but I don't regard him in the same light anymore. No hatred, no disrespect. There are many reasons I don't look up to him anymore{i'am 6'2'!},not the least of which is 1}he considers himself the storyteller of the shadowlands-GIVE ME A BREAK 2}solo work is mostly overproduced commercail pap! Only a couple of tunes on each of his albums are any good. He underachieves or has "sold out", take your pick.
David,David,DAVID. Since when is it supposed to require effort to appreciate music??? Good music{purely subjective}, reaches out and grabs you,hits ya,talks to ya,moves ya, makes you want to play it a lot. No need to force yourself to like something just because you admire "the person" who created it! According to your suggestion, I should "try and use more "effort" to appreciate acts I have no time or interest in, such as Metallica or Rap, so I can expand my horizons? Sorry David, but I know what I like and I like what I know. It seems your mind is on vacation and your fingers are working overtime on this one David.
Wed Mar 11 23:55:29 MET 1998
Well here's another contribution from one of the "lost females" (leastwise last time I checked, I was female). I just cannot believe the criticism levelled at Robbie Robertson, supposedly coming from Band fans. Such disrespect & hate in the words. It's really weird to read all this stuff, and takes me back many years. Then, Robbie was not the bad guy. In fact, in the early 80's, it was hard to convince a lot of folks - that the then reunited Band, without Robertson, was still a worthy cause. Mostly, *they* were considered the bad guys. And, except for a few journalistic assaults on Robbie, there were few bad words said against him and much support for his solo pursuits. There was also of course the phrase "The Band without Robbie, is like Hamlet without the Prince" which was first coined back then sometime. It's so strange! So where were all you Robbie-haters then, hmm? One has to wonder, at which point the situation so drastically changed, that made people change their allegiance. I could take a pretty good guess, but - any theories?? Anyway, hope to back later, with thoughts on Robbie's album, also the wonderful Jim Weider CD.
Wed Mar 11 23:29:43 MET 1998
To Andrew and AHROOO- I cannot understand how you can love the Band but hate Robbie or love Robbie and hate the Band. There are a lot of us regular readers of the guestbook who happen to love the Band and Robbie. The two best discs I have bought recently are "Contact...." and "Levon Helm" ('82 reissue).Thanks to David Powell on a great post about Robbie's new record.Thanks also to Jan.
Wed Mar 11 22:43:23 MET 1998
Andrew, regarding your response to ARHOOO:
To a lot of people, Robbie Robertson has proved he has something interesting and good to listen to. I am not sure what reputation you would attach to him, but in my view he has lived up quite well to the image he has presented. The issue here is that you don't appreciate him for whatever reasons and it is a shame that you misuse an excellent album like Native Americans.
I agree with you about Danko. Unlike you, I feel that Robbie does not try to be anything he is not. He may not be one of "you", but he has not claimed to be.
The only shame here seems to be that you spend your money on CDs you don't want. I felt that buying actual coasters was cheaper than buying "High on the Hog".
Wed Mar 11 15:43:24 MET 1998
Initial thoughts on Contact From The Underworld of Red Boy--This is a gathering of tribal music. Mr. Robertson has used modern digital recording technology to assemble an atmospheric & hypnotic mix of rhythms, spiritualism, myths & legends, ambient sounds, and feelings of alienation taken from the tribes of American Indians, Africa, and Israel. To me, the centerpiece of the album is the song "In The Blood" in which all of these elements are incorporated.
To many die-hard fans of The Band, the sounds on this album will be too abstract, unfamiliar & disturbing for their tastes. Many express these same feelings towards other works of modern art. But like those other works, Red Boy requires effort from its audience. Only through the examination of all of its facets will one be able to appreciate the artist's expression.
Mr. Robertson has presented us with another cinematic soundtrack. This time, however, it's up to the listener to visualize the images. Some will accuse Robertson as being too commercial. In my opinion, he is not afraid to take risks. It would have been safer, and perhaps more financially rewarding, to offer the public yet another reinterpretation of some of his earlier works along with some cover versions of familiar songs. Mr. Robertson, however, is not into redundancy. Giving us the same old tired set list of songs is not where he's at in 1998. If he further alienates fans of The Band, so be it. Mr. Robertson is all too familiar with alienation.
Wed Mar 11 14:06:21 MET 1998
"wall of sound" is reporting this morning that van morrison has been replaced by joni mitchell for bob dylan's west coast tour, and has posted confirmed dylan/mitchell dates. apparently van never confirmed that he was available to participate. what a drag. unless, of course, you prefer joni, in which case you're in for a treat.
Wed Mar 11 06:52:07 MET 1998
Andrew: Go with your instincts, don't fall for the B.S. If you think you'll be missing out, I suggest you wait a couple of weeks,months and pick it up at a used CD shop for anywhere from 6-10 dollars. That way you won't feel as taken. By the by, the Weider album is very good! Jimmy is the real deal and has made a album that's good clean fun.
Wed Mar 11 06:46:00 MET 1998
I really enjoy this web site! It is full of very valuable information. I recently saw Robbie in"The Crossing Guard" he gave a worthy performance and it is unfortunate he won't get together with the other 3 surviving original members for what ever reason. But I still enjoy their music(solo and collectively).Keep it up gentleman!! JM Yorba Linda,Cal,USA
Wed Mar 11 06:28:38 MET 1998
Just saw a tape of Robbie on Politically Incorrect, and the "Wooden Man" gave a fine display of self-absorbed snobbery. None of the other guests talked about themselves like he did. "I worked on Casino". "I wrote Dixie". "I just got back from Italy". "I was in Europe". It was hilarious when one of the male guests looked at Robbie and said "I love him", then blew a kiss. Robbie rolled his eyes and shook his head in a distainful manner. To his credit he seems to be a good listener and uses the art of colloquialism to good affect. Bravo Mr. Robertson you have appeared to have graduated from the bourgeoisie to high society quite convincingly. Please give my regards to Buffy!
Wed Mar 11 06:11:51 MET 1998
To ARHOOO - You mentioned a few things that I found interesting.
1. Robbie Robertson stepped down quietly?? I assume that making a three record album and a two hour movie demonstrating your greatness at the expense of the other members of the group is quiet. I would hate to see a louder exit.
2. We owe him (Robbie) our ears. I don't think so. Not until he proves what he has is interesting enough to listen too. I own the first three RR albums, the first two are ok and they find thier way onto my CD player from time to time. The third one I use as a coaster. The really sad thing is that I will probably buy the newest coaster as well (really when I sould be voting with my entertainment dollars towards a more worthy musician such as Weider). The reason why I will is that I want to believe that he will produce like his advance BS PR says he does. But he won't (and I assure you that I am not alone with this sentiment). Let's face it, RR is not the incredible solo musician that he would want you to believe. And he knows it. And he certainly can't fail. That is why he has to hide behind a some grandiose theme to hide the fact that he can't live up to the reputation that he has created and nutured for himself. It is really a shame and I do feel for the guy but he has brought it upon himself. If that is harsh, well the truth can hurt. Maybe that is why I like Danko. No pretentions, comes out and brings the music to the people. He doesn't try to be anything that he is not. He is one of us. And he has made the best solo albums of any Band member.
Wed Mar 11 05:23:27 MET 1998
OPHELIA: thanks (the ghost is clear). Someone should write a book about Albert "I've lost my harmonica" Grossman. I spotted him once in his restaurant in Bearsville while eating some of their good Chinese cuisine, and at that point in his life he looked like Ben Franklin. Like Bill Graham, Grossman was something of a puppetmaster behind the curtain...
Wed Mar 11 02:49:01 MET 1998
Hey, CHARLIE YOUNG! I did some reading in my "Band" library and the answer to your question regarding why "The Weight" is in "Easy Rider"
but not on the soundtrack album is simply this: Albert Grossman wouldn't license the song to go on the album. This is from Levon's book "This Wheel's On Fire".
Both he and Robbie (according to Hoskyn's "Across The Great Divide") claim that they were offered the chance to do the score for the film and turned it down. Interestingly, I found this little bit in my
copy of the "Easy Rider" screenplay: (this is from an interview with Peter Fonda):
"Fonda says the film is exactly the way they wanted it, with one exception. They had wanted to use "It's Alright, Ma," for the ending.
Dylan saw the film, as did the other artists whose music Fonda and Hopper wanted to use. The idea was to have the music which accompanies the cross-country cycling
scenes reflect current times. All the groups approved the film, and okayed the use of their music. The Band walked out after the performance without saying anything, then
called Fonda at 3 A.M. to say that their song ("The Weight") was the only good one in the film, and could they write all the music? They were persuaded there wasn't enough time."
It goes on about the Bob Dylan thing, about how Bob hated the ending of the movie and wanted it changed. One can only imagine what kind of score the movie would have had if
indeed The Band really did want to do the whole soundtrack, according to Peter Fonda's recollections! So, who do you want to believe?
Wed Mar 11 00:57:52 MET 1998
Mrs. Surrat:
Serge never required an alias for purposes of putting his "caustic, snarling attitude" or "profound, condescending rudeness" on display. Even when Serge-bashing was the most popular sport here on the Guestbook, Serge openly defended himself and shrank away from no one. To think that after all of that he would need to return as an alter ego is ludicrous - what's to be gained, popularity?
More ludicrous, however, is that you would post an unprovoked message for the sole purpose of berating Serge. How convenient for you that someone suggested that Mr. Amused might be Serge to save you from having to say, "Haven't heard from that Serge for awhile, I wish he'd just stay away." The Serge thing has run its course, it's just not topical anymore.
Wed Mar 11 00:41:58 MET 1998
AROOO: Why don't you go back, read that nasty
entry of yours again, and bug off. First of all, why
do you ask the readers of this guestbook "what
happened to the Band?"...WE DON'T KNOW!
It's not our place to answer for the Band members. And why don't they write their own
material and "quit complaining"- whoever said
they were complaining? I've been following the
Band for years and I've never heard any of them
complain about anything. You are something:
you admonish us not to bash each other, then
you say the most insulting thing that comes to mind. And as for the females being thrown out
of the Guestbook, that's rubbish. We only threw
one female out, and that's when Little John Tyler
came forward in the middle of a flame war and
threw that nasty girl from Boston out. And she
has NOT been missed.
Wed Mar 11 00:35:49 MET 1998
If anyone is interested, the San Francisco Chronicle Q & A with Robbie can be found at
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/1998/03/08/PK87089.DTL.
Tue Mar 10 23:24:28 MET 1998
Does anyone know the story on why The Band (or was it Albert Grossman?) allowed their version of "The Weight" in the movie "Easy Rider" but not on the soundtrack album? I know Dylan backed out of the project because he hated the way the film ends, but I can't recall the story on The Band's contribution.
Tue Mar 10 21:25:23 MET 1998
I've heard a lot of pretentious posts lately and would like to pose some to the fine people of this site. What happened to The Band? Why aren't they around? Why doesn't Rick, Levon, or Garth write their own lyrics instead of relying heavily on others. Boys, start writing and quit your complaining! (Oh, sorry that's for the Band fans.) If you don't like Robbie that much, why not just leave it alone? If you don't have anything nice to say, why say it at all. There is no need to bash one another. It's true, The Band was once a great band of it's time, but what's happened to them now. I saw a show last year and I couldn't believe they were the same Band that everyone fawns over. It was a very poor show. On another note about Robbie is, he's not the one who got busted in Japan, nor is he the one that goes on drinking until his voice is gone and the microphone has to be turned up full blast.
Robbie does not owe anything to The Band. He stepped down quietly. We owe HIM our ears and not to be biased of his solo work. He IS a solo artist the last time I checked. Last but not least, why have all of the female participants of this site all but have left? We don't feel there is anyplace to state our feelings or opinions without getting trampled on. Let's stop flaming one another and just enjoy the music. John D. don't ask Mr. Robertson any foolish questions, you are a smarter man than that. Also, as much as I adore Robbie (IMHO) Richard was the finest vocalist in The Band. My eyes are never dry when I hear his sweet falsetto on "I Shall Be Released" or "Whispering Pines." Keep up the good work Mr. Hoiberg......may your site thrive.
Tue Mar 10 20:58:44 MET 1998
I just bought Robbie's new album, and I was very disappointed. If you thought his other albums were over-produced before, you haven't heard anything yet. I really liked his first two records, but to me he uses strong Native American melodies and rhythms to bolster very weak songs. Maybe I haven't listened to it long enough; maybe it needs to grow on me.
Now, Clapton's new album "Pilgrim" is another story...
Tue Mar 10 20:10:16 MET 1998
Regarding the best "unsung" records: I've always felt that the only real list of 'must have' albums that I have in my head is the three best Live albums put out in the late '70s through the mid '80s (since this is really when I stopped buying many albums) :
In no particular order:
- Rock of Ages: excellent song list, superb intimacy of Robbie's solos on Unfaithful Servant and King Harvest, the best opening song of any Live recording, and a great horn section.
- Little Feat Waiting For Columbus: as above with an excellent songlist (I'd have left off Don't Bogart That Joint), excellent horn section (Tower of Power), superb solos, excellent live sound.
- Springsteen Live at Winterland, 1978 Bootleg: What a true live album was meant to be, no overdubs, excellent songlist featuring Darkness cuts taken from the Darkness Tour, not like the cuts on the Live 75 - 85 album which had Darkness cuts taken from later tours which lacked the intensity of the '78 tour; Great dialog from Bruce between songs, and excellent pacing.
And to Andrew, regarding Robbie on Politically Incorrect: I felt the same way about his pompus attitude when I watched it live. But after reviewing the tape I no longer feel that he was being "Holier than thou", but instead was just stating facts. He did go a little overboard in talking about his new album, but I think it was just as much Bill Maher's fault for fawning all over him. Finally, Don Pugatch: Thanks for the nice writing about Highway 61!
Tue Mar 10 19:22:45 MET 1998
Please leave me out of this "amused" thing. I have nothing more to say here.
Tue Mar 10 19:07:30 MET 1998
Wonderful web site. The Band was to come to Indy several years ago, but cancelled - haven't
been back since. We're greatly dissappointed that they never rescheduled.
Regarding Andrew's comments: Wow...that's harsh. Musicians explore their horizons in alot of ways, they're not always going to conform to the way you want them to - whether you think it's morally bereft or not.
Tue Mar 10 17:55:55 MET 1998
There was a nice Q&A page on Robbie in Sundays
San Francisco Chronicle! Robbie Speaks!
They are almost all Band related questions,
and Robbie seems very pleasant towards them.
He credits Garth for the whole electronic
music boom, and refers to it as just a
modern day tool!Lots of talk about Levon as
well!Maybe there is a transcript available on the
Chronicles web site! I was also lucky enough to
pick up CD copies of both LIVE BAND RADIO SHOWS
(King Bisciut from '76 and The Joint 2CD set from May
16,96), both are just delightful sound and fabulous
performances especially the Washibgton D.C. Show from '76!
The next big record swap is in early MAY,
in LOs Altos Hills at Foothill College!
This is the best Northern Ca. Record Swap by far!
I have a web address available from the guys who
found the live shows for me if anyone is interested!
So long for know.....
Tue Mar 10 17:08:23 MET 1998
If it walks the walk, and talks the talk, it must be Serge, regardless of any disclaimers. Frankly, I thought we were getting along just fine without
his caustic, snarling attitude. I'm glad he was there to document the origins of the band,
and that he is fortunate enough to know some of them personally. But, since he can't seem to impart his wisdom without a profound, condescending rudeness, I would personally prefer that he leave it out. His other contributions to the website are more than enough, aren't they?
Tue Mar 10 15:01:04 MET 1998
Mr. Amused, you leave Shakespeare alone. His articulate analyses of what makes great recordings (whether he copied them or not) are very interesting. I am a part-time disc jockey and self appointed musicologist, like John Donabie of Toronto, who by the way I admire greatly... I for one think that the 1947 " Pass the biscuits Mirandy " album by Spike Jones on Oblivion Records is a milestone in recorded music. Listen to the trumpet solo in the second half of "Cocktails for two", after the drum solo, where after the 4th bar, Jones ( who is on the banjo for this one ) uses an augmented flat 5th, dim.7 chord as he about to enter the release. Then after a split second of silence, there's an almost imperceptible sound of someone passing wind. ( That you can hear if you uses headphones ). Nothing short of real genius. Keep it up Shakespeare..give us more examples of great moments in recorded music. I'm on you side. But try to listen to this Jones recording. You won't like the way he sings, but you'll love to hear him talk.
Tue Mar 10 11:24:48 MET 1998
Moved the guestbook entries from the first weeek of
March '98 to a separate file.
Tue Mar 10 08:39:49 MET 1998
I just reviewed a transcript of Robbie's appearance on Politically Incorrect on March 3. The addess is http://abc.com/pi.
Robbie seemed to be particurarly pretentious when he prefaced his opinon to the
Native Americans adoption of casinos with "I worked on the 'Casino' soundtrack, I got to learn alot about this". Another bit of huge ego display was his reminding everyone of his authorship of "Dixie" before commenting on the validity of Republican presidentiial hopefuls appearing at Jefferson Davis' house. Let's face it, Robbie is such a Hollywood player that he has no connection with real life or real people. He wears Armani suits, drives a BMW to lunch dates with movie execs, what the hell is he going to write about. Hey I know, I'm one-half Native American (on his mother's side, his father was a con man), I could explore my heritage. Yeah, I write a song about some Indian falsely imprisoned, or better yet I have him tell his story right in the song (and to piss Levon off I'll give him a writing credit). I could also explore young Indians getting spritual, but hey kids, its not about getting stoned. Yeah that's it, I'll throw in some Library of Congress BS and Rolling Stone will love it. Sure the album won't sell squat, I sure as hell won't tour to support it (hey I could'nt even play the shit live, maybe I could go on Showbiz Today and PI to get the word out) but if I can get a buzz going I could maintain my position as a true artist. Keep my gig with the Rock Hall of Fame (as a creative consultant) and keep my credibility with Eric enough so I could introduce him to some other people (Mariah Carey, maybe). Wait, I need another hook, I got it, I'll involve some of the latest stuff the kids are listening to, thats it, Eric won't understand it but he'll think that I'm really hip. That's it, . thats the ticket. In a couple of years I will have to do another album, mmm I used to live in New York, isn't that where Puff Daddy's from.....
Tue Mar 10 06:48:55 MET 1998
Mr Amused, I noticed you mentioned U2 and Coltrane in the same post. What gives?
Tue Mar 10 06:27:15 MET 1998
A few belated thoughts on Richard Manuel. The fall of RM and
the decline of The Band seem related to me. From Stage Fright
on their music looses it's warmth and soul as Richard slides
more and more into drug and alcohol abuse. Perhaps
this is why Cahoots , NLSC etc seem so cold. Only Moondog Matinee
seems to recapture some of the earlier depth.
On a different topic, Robbie's new dance album is perhaps no
different than what he did with The Hawks - which was the dance music of it's time.
Tue Mar 10 05:42:05 MET 1998
Shakespeare, quite a list! Mediocrity always has and still rules. You dare mention U2 and Coltrane in the same entry.?? Did you get all those jazz names out of a picture book ? The guestbook is starting to go to rats again, with all this Non-Band related chatter you and the likes of you are churning out on this page. Are you forgetting where you are.? Do this at the Rock Hall of Fame page guestbook... There you can drag out all the dixie chickens and U2 drivel 'til you drop.
Tue Mar 10 02:37:26 MET 1998
You are a true turnoff Mr. Amused. Perhaps you should change your name to Shamelessly Smug or Easily Amused, that is if your pathetic entries make you giggle. Yes Pat Brennan, Feats Don't Fail Me Now is a great album but not quite long enough. Maybe this is why most critics give Dixie Chicken the nod. Also, Waiting for Columbus is a very fine live album. Great horns, no doubt inspired by the Band. Speaking of great horns check out Charlie Parker, Compact Jazz, specifically the tune Kim, written for his daughter. Observe Bird's lengthy breath Immediately following Max Roach's drum solo. This is one of the tightest jazz bands (it includes Monk and a young Miles) ever assembled.
I have braced myself for the hate mail I will recieve for what I am about to say. U2's Actung Baby ranks among the best rock albums I have ever heard. I know many of you don't appreciate their music but you won't change my mind. The sounds and textures on this record are truly unique. On this effort, The Edge, proved himself to be one of the most painterly electric guitarist since Jimi Hendrix. The sound boasts an intricate and stylistic range that goes from the techno-grunge of Zoo Station, to the hip hop tinged groove of Mysterious Ways. Like it or not it has been a major influence in rock. The record is based around the thematic conflicts of love, lust and betrayal. The following are examples from different songs, "You say love is a temple, love the higher law, you ask me to enter then you make me crawl". "Her heart is racing...you can't keep up, the night is bleeding like a cut, between the horses of love and lust, we are trampled underfoot". "And I don't know why a man search for himself in his lover's eye, and I don't know why a man sees the truth but needs the lie". It is the best concept record of the 90's thus far. Some other great albums that would be included on my list are; Newman's, Sail Away, Wonder's Innervisions, Van's, Astal Weeks, Stone's, Exile, Miles, Kind of Blue, Joni's, Blue and Coletrane's Love Supreme. Selling England by Genesis is the most underrated album on my list. Gabriel is at his best here. Nevertheless Big Pink is at the top of the list.
Tue Mar 10 02:23:08 MET 1998
John, I may be too late to pose a question, but I have been thinking about the following for a while, try this one out. Robbie, if you could turn back the clock, till Nov, 1976, would you have still proceeded with The Last Waltz, or just quietly got together with everyone, ended The Band, as we knew it then, taken a break, and maybe started again, or was the "club house" just closed for good. I do not want to be tainted by Levon's Book, but would like to know Robbie's response. Thanks DP
Tue Mar 10 01:52:59 MET 1998
To John Donabie - If you can stand another question, please ask Hollywood Robbie Robertson if he ever plans to actually play some music live ever again in his life (without about 13 people and authentic native costumes). In addition, please ask him if he can come up with a more pretentious title for his work on the next movie soundtrack. I think that Executive Soundtrack Producer from Phenomenon does not do him justice. Maybe, he should try "All knowing conduit of music from folk to hip hop and the guy who introduced Babyface to Eric Clapton at Spago's" .
To David Hossack, your project sounds like a noble cause. My entry would be Tom Waits' Closing Time.
Tue Mar 10 01:49:34 MET 1998
Great web site, but for all these people who seem to be in-the-know, doesn't anyone out there know for sure what's going on these days with The Band. All I see are side projects, but no Band shows. What about the guy who was at Tinker St. the other night & confirmed that The Band would not be playing Carnegie Hall later this month. As long as he was talking with Band management, couldn't he also have inquired as to when (or even if) they might re-surface as one?
Tue Mar 10 01:40:33 MET 1998
To Jethro the Horse: In response to your Feb
14th question- yup. You'd be surprised. Every
one in here is an alias.
Tue Mar 10 00:29:36 MET 1998
A note: Serge Daniloff has assured me that he is NOT Mr. Amused, and I believe him.
Tue Mar 10 00:26:40 MET 1998
To David Hossack: Granted, I am obviously partial to the Band, but I think Elton John's "Tumbleweed Connection" is one of the great underrated albums of all time. I like the Little Feat suggestion as well. To John Donabie: Ask Robbie about the record he was supposedly producing for Eric Clapton.
To Carole: Robbie's new album arrives in stores tomorrow. It has been getting wonderful reviews!
Tue Mar 10 00:10:13 MET 1998
Hey SERGE!!!! Glad ta have ya back! So
now you wanna be called "Mr. Amused"?
Nooooo problem. You da MAN!
Mon Mar 9 19:46:08 MET 1998
Mr Amused leaves the impression that the Hawks played in Port Dover for one night only. Far from it - the Hawks played Port Dover many times, with Ronnie Hawkins or by themselves - or at least that's what I've been told many times. I have absolutely no idea whether or not the tape I referred to earlier has been bootlegged or circulated. My guess is no, but it would be hard to say for sure without hearing whatever tapes are out there. "Not Fade Away" and "Robbie's Blues" were on the tape I heard, but I imagine they were part of the regular songlist so could be on any Hawks tape from anywhere.
Mon Mar 9 19:13:41 MET 1998
Thank you for those who threw some questions out there for my interview with Robbie; which has been moved to this Thursday. Between what I was going to ask and those that were submitted...I've got a full plate.
Thank You.
Mon Mar 9 19:02:45 MET 1998
Munsooon, what city did you hear the tape in ?? F.Y.I.There was only ONE Port Dover tape recorded that night. A few stolen copies have circulated, but none of the complete evening.. Levon has a copy of mine, and he has thanked me personally for not peddling it. I will never betray his trust. He used one tune in the Band box set, and has listed a ( partial ) list in his book. I know that we have ever met, nor do I want to. If a copy ends up on the market we now know who to question. How's that for tinge of humor?
Mon Mar 9 17:52:16 MET 1998
D.B. Reed - You get the life. No one was complaining about the paint job...try reading before responding.
Mon Mar 9 17:40:18 MET 1998
Mr Amused apparently believes that he's the only person to have taped the Hawks at Port Dover. I've heard of several different tapes over the years, though I've heard just one - 20 years ago in the living room of the guy who taped it. Now, I suppose that Mr Amused may be a pseudonym for that guy, but I doubt it - he had a sense of humour.
Mon Mar 9 16:27:06 MET 1998
To everyone who lives out on the West Coast, your turn is coming for the Bob Dylan/Van Morrison concert. Tickets will be available thru the Dylan web site, Candy Eye Productions is the ticket seller, and can be accessed thru Dylans Web site. If these shows are of the same force as the shows in New York, don't miss this opportunity.
Mon Mar 9 16:11:46 MET 1998
Ask Robertson what he thought about the theme music to "Pokahontas".
To "Big Pink" visitors...Get a Life...the reason that house looks run down
is that that's the original paint job.
Mon Mar 9 14:54:07 MET 1998
John Donabie: Ask Robbie why he was a no-show at Richard Manuels's funeral, when he was being counted on to deliver the eulogy. Ask him if he can put a dollar value on the income he's received from record-sale royalties--above and beyond songwriting credit-- that he swindled Rick and Garth into signing over to him. Ask him how he sleeps at night.
Mon Mar 9 07:52:48 MET 1998
Wait A Minute!!! I love The Band, but we're not opening up for you guys. We're opening up for The Call. For some reason The Call's Guest Book Link sent me to you guys. Oh well, people say that some of our songs sound like The Band. But NOTHING can compare to The Band. See Ya!!!
Mon Mar 9 07:42:59 MET 1998
Great Web Site. I'm jealous!!! I didn't get a date, but I just found out that my band "Big In Iowa" is opening up for you guys at Ripley's in Cincinnati. I can't wait!!! See you then.
Mon Mar 9 05:54:51 MET 1998
David Hossack. Feats Don't Fail Me Now by Little Feat. What more can a listener ask for? Incredible writing, singing, playing, production...and a great cover illustration. There's almost nothing from the 70's--what am I saying???forget the decade, it's easily one of the top ten albums of all time. I simply can't explain this constant oversight when people make their "best-of" lists which include the Ramones and Nirvana and forget the Lowell George-led Little Feat. I remember Rolling Stone calling them a "hippie band," but then Liz Phair makes their cover. No justice. RIP Lowell.
Mon Mar 9 05:52:56 MET 1998
Oh yeah, John. Also: Ask him if Levon sings risin' on Ain't No More Cane and if the Rascals ever sounded to him like the Hawks, so we can end all this shit on the airwaves. Just kiddin' Serge... ...and Zappa ...and Pat!
Mon Mar 9 05:46:55 MET 1998
John: Ask Robbie to write me. And if that don't get get it, then ask him if he can produce, finance or just encourage Garth Hudson to put out a solo effort.
Mon Mar 9 04:17:57 MET 1998
Stutterin' John: I don't think you're the authentic one from the Howard Stern show because your question for Robbie (below) shows far more wit and sophistication than anything on that show for years. Robbie's roots are unique; I don't think anyone will argue with THAT. David Hossack: my list for top hundred albums includes--besides most of the recordings of The Band and The Byrds--"Hums of the Lovin'Spoonful." This is a timeless and heavily folk-influenced album by a band more appreciated in England and Japan these days than in the US. Good luck with your project.
Mon Mar 9 03:23:37 MET 1998
John of Toronto: ask Robbie if he can still remember when he and Levon were like brothers and they were young and famous and the best
band in the world.
Mon Mar 9 02:08:51 MET 1998
John of Toronto,
Please ask Robbie for me if he was offended by the portrayal of Jewish Indians in Mel Brooks Blazing Saddles? Thanks.
Mon Mar 9 01:45:16 MET 1998
I was standing somewhere in the smoke and
haze inside the Tinker Street Cafe last night.
The Crowmatix put on a good show as always.
All you gotta do is stand in front of Eppard and
you're in for a show, this guy is a real treat
(especially when he does 300 Pounds of Joy).
Other songs (in no particular order) were Rag Mama Rag, Atlantic City, Poor Little Fool, I
Finally Got You, Paramount, Java Blues, Milk
Cow Boogie, The Weight, I'm Ready, Young
Blood, Hand Jive, and Rock and Roll Shoes.
Levon looked healthy, the 'matix were loose,
and the crowd was all the way from the speakers
to the Tinker Street sidewalk.
Mon Mar 9 01:44:55 MET 1998
Next Tuesday the 17th. I'll be sitting down with Robbie to interview him here in Toronto about the new album. Any great questions to add to those I will be asking?
Mon Mar 9 01:37:03 MET 1998
Thanks to Norman Vincent quite a talent.
A nice one man cover of "The Weight" at Butera's of Massapequa last nite. As Mrs. Fishstick and I "Sip the Wine", you play my first request. "Southern Cross" was not to shabby, either.
Mon Mar 9 01:36:24 MET 1998
I CERTAINLY HOPE THE 7 FLAGS LINE WAS AN EXPRESSION OF HUMOR
Mon Mar 9 01:31:26 MET 1998
To the Searcher:
The Album: Stage Fright
The Song: W.S. Walcott Medicine Show
You'll see saints & sinners, losers and winners.
How bout: Good times and riches and son of a bitches, I've seen more than I can recall.
Sun Mar 8 18:50:23 MET 1998
Anyone who is passionate about music is well aware of the albums recognised to be classics. Even if
you do not like them or have never heard them, you will be aware of titles like "Who's Next",
"Sweetheart Of The Rodeo", "The Clash", "Pet Sounds", "Blonde on Blonde", "Born To Run" and so on.
Equally, I am sure that you hold dear to you at least one album which never seems to feature in the
often printed lists of "Top 100 LPs. This could be an album generally recognised as not being
representative of an artist's best work or quite simply a masterwork by someone who you feel
cries out for greater recognition.
If you are anything like me your enthusiasm for such a treasured "friend" is usually matched by a
determination to introduce others to the music you hold dear to you.
I am currently working on a project which I hope to reach book form at some stage, being a collection
of such lesser known gems. If such a collection would point others to some great music, I hope it
would be a worthwhile task. I would very much welcome your contribution/s. What I am looking for
are details of an album that you feel everyone ought to hear, why it is special to you and any
background as to why it is so treasured. It would be helpful if catalogue numbers are given where
available and if it is really difficult to obtain, a copy of a tape could be sent to me on loan.
I cannot promise to use all contributions and am not in a position to pay for them but will, of course,
name all contributors that make it to the final version.
Please reply by
e-mail.
Thanks in anticipation.
Sun Mar 8 17:50:25 MET 1998
I saw the Levon concert last night. The Tinker Street Cafe was packed and smoky. The Crowmatix played for a while by themselves before Levon came on. He had a bit of a froggy voice. He really seemed to enjoy himself. They played a lot of new and different songs. The only Levon solo song I recognized was "Milk Cow Boogie". The only Band songs were "The Weight", "Rag Mama Rag", "Ophelia", "Same Thing". The new songs were very good. I encourage everyone to get their new CD "Souvenier, Vol. 1". Levon made mention during the concert of doing some recording. I was not sure with whom, but hopefully it was with Rick, Garth and the other guys.
Sun Mar 8 17:41:04 MET 1998
We made the pilgrimage. We drove to Woodstock yesterday to see the Levon show and Big Pink. Finding Big Pink was much harder than I expected. Good directions are as follows: take 212 east out of Woodstock. Turn left on the Glasco Turnpike. Make your first right onto Route 33. Make a right onto Goat Hill Road, which turns into Stoll Road. Go about a mile and 1/2. At a turn in the road to the left, there is also a turn for a road called Parnassus. Go to the end of this road and Big Pink is there. There was a sign outside that said "Future Site of Big Pink Seven Flags Theme Park and Condo Development". We took a few pictures and left. The house looks a bit run down, but after listening to their albums so many times, we were in awe of all that had happened there.
Sun Mar 8 13:43:56 MET 1998
Simply.......Thank You.
Sun Mar 8 07:39:16 MET 1998
Sorry to pass this on, but I felt it was the right
thing to do: "The Band will not be playing at
Carnegie Hall AT All in the near future."
This from Band management, tonight, at
Tinker Street, Woodstock. Disappointing
for us all.
Sun Mar 8 00:46:34 MET 1998
Did anyone catch Robbie on Bill Maher's talk show? The conversation was mostly about the rise in Indian Bingo casinos and why these most spiritual people are delving into the most corrupt line of business available. Robbie said this is the 20th century and a person's gotta make a living. He said let's dispense with the ancient view of Indians as lovers of the land only, because they need money to live. The participants, Tom Arnold, Teri Garr and another dude I didn't know, also touched upon the GOP presidential hopefuls meeting at Jefferson Davis' mansion in the South recently. Robbie asked what kind of weird vibe that was all about. He said he wrote The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down and he understood the South but this he didn't quite get.
Sat Mar 7 20:36:24 MET 1998
"This isn't my turf
This ain't my season
Can't think of one good reason to remain...
Set my compass north I got winter in my blood."
Bye Southern Cross/ Hello Northern Lights
Sat Mar 7 15:54:13 MET 1998
A friend of mine who is a real fan ran out to
the record shop to buy the newest band album,
northern lights-southern cross. The first thing he
did entering his house was playing the record. He
flipped instantly. The record was'nt right. The
first tones of Forbidden Fruit were false and
slippery. He went back to the store to change his
copy for a good one. When he got home again he
realized .......... .
Greetings from Peter Tetteroo, Holland.
Sat Mar 7 15:37:20 MET 1998
Snapperhead from Rosendale
How's about a review and setlist from Tinker Street?
Sat Mar 7 14:03:52 MET 1998
Ben from New Jersey:
Bingo! Them's the lyrics. In my search I found that Neil Young did "Train of Love" on Sleeps with Angels (1994). Its a different song. He also did a song called "Twilight". I'm not sure yet if it's a cover of The Band's. Please share your e-mail.
Sat Mar 7 06:14:18 MET 1998
'Train of love' is an old Sun recording form the 50's. It's on the Rhino 'sun Years' collection by Johnny Cash. I havent listened to it in a while but the lyrics go something like
Train of love's a comin'
Big black wheel's a-hummin'
People waitin' at the station
Happy hearts a thumpin'
Train man tell me maybe
Ain't ya got my baby
Every so often every body's baby
Gets the urge to roam
Everybody's baby but mine's a comin' home
That's pretty much the part that Danko adds onto 'Long black veil'.
Does anyone have the Paul Burlison CD that came out last year? I've ordered it and I'm curious what anyone thinks of it. Thanks.
Sat Mar 7 03:51:29 MET 1998
I've been a Band fan for 10 (+ or -) years now. My brother turned me on to them (and Bob Dylan) and I've been listening ever since. Saw them at the Lone Star in Manhattan (and planted a kiss on Levon and Rick) about 5 years ago and the "joint was jumpin'!" They were great. Saw them again at Snug Harbor Cultural Center in S.I., N.Y. about 2 years ago. They were still rockin! I'm so glad there's a Big Pink and a "Brown Album". I'm still a devoted fan, eager for any news, snippets, appearances and trivia about any and all members. This is a great web site. Does anyone know of any Band appearances in the New Jersey/New York vicinity in the near future? I miss Levon's Ophelia!!!
Sat Mar 7 02:58:06 MET 1998
Levon and the Crowmatix tomorrow night (3/7/98)
Tinker STreet Cafe in Woodstock
Sat Mar 7 02:24:23 MET 1998
Ben from New Jersey: Nice work. Couldn't "track"
the lyrics of Train of Love on any of Johnny's websites.
Can you post them? Note that the Cashman also covered Country Boy. That was the first song Jim Croce ever serenaded Ingrid with. I prefer Richard's version.
Sat Mar 7 00:44:30 MET 1998
Mr. Amusing. Thanks for establishing another thread between the Young Rascals and the Hawks: this jazz thing that you've so eloquently pinpointed. And thanks for admitting that you completely missed the intention of my original post. It's never too late to learn to read.
Sat Mar 7 00:18:01 MET 1998
Don Pugatch:
Thanks for sharing your trip down Highway 61 with
us. I've spent some time down south myself and you
know what... there *is* an omnipresent tinge of red
in the sky down there ain't it?
"I crossed the Mississippi 'bout 11 or 12
It's a dark and foggy night in Memphis
Mrs. Russell sez she'll meet me on the porch swing at dawn
there's no one here at night to catch us
Drivin up the 70 just outside of Knoxville
almost to my sweet Virginia
Arlington is closer and the sun has returned
the candle just gets smaller cuz there's nothing to burn
The Church of the Epiphany is old but it calls me
home again so I can see you
Now I'm on the West Side Highway heading down to The Village
Danko's on The Bottom Line's Marquee we should see him
What must I do please tell me I don't know
Where have I been remind me I must go
back to the swing and Mrs. Russell in Memphis
back to the Mississippi River at long last"
L.E. Loucks
Fri Mar 6 23:24:03 MET 1998
Thanks, Don Pugatch, for that trip down Highway 61 revisited. I usually avoid concert souvenirs, but at the recent Dylan show I attended with my brother, I bought this highway sign-style metal pin with Dylan's name and the words "Highway 61". Couldn't resist it. You're lucky you got to visit there. I hear the blues museum in that area is pretty good, too. Levon's hometown sounds a lot like Dylan's Hibbing, Minnesota or Springsteen's Freehold, New Jersey. I went to Asbury Park, NJ a while back and it's now a ghost town. Lots of great old buildings, but mostly boarded up. I don't think it's much better in the summer, either. I see why Bruce sang about "pullin' outta here to win." I'm glad Levon did the same, too.
Fri Mar 6 23:00:49 MET 1998
Made a visit this week down from Memphis on Highway 61. For anyone who is not familiar with the area, it is the Mississippi Delta, home of Blues, and the flatest place I have ever been to. Now I know why all the great blues singers, sang those songs, and went up Hwy 61 to seek their fortune. The heat of the summer must be unbearable, and the housing that existed and still exists would make one learn what the blues are about. Took a turn at the crossroads of 61 and 49, straight over the mighty Mississippi, towards Helena, Arkansas and into the home of Levon Helm, Marvell, Arkansas. Did not find Turkey Scratch, but did see the sign at the town square announcing the Home of Levon and yes, the town is exactly as Levon describes, and still is a proud and hard working region. This trip openned my eyes, made me dream and wonder how such greatness could come out of an area, that was so isolated, but I guess that is what talent, desire and drive is all about. I did not meet the devil, at those crossroads, but I did detect a faint reddish tint in the sky.
Fri Mar 6 22:48:34 MET 1998
Thanks Ben (from N.J.) for the information on where the extra verse comes from in Rick's recent performances of "Long Black Veil." How appropriate that it's from the Man in Black himself. As I recall, Mr. Cash did quite a decent version of "...Veil" himself. Songs of murder, infidelity & untimely death have become a part of his repetoire. Don't forget, this is the Man who sang "I killed a man in Reno, just to watch him die." Perhaps the meanest words ever sung in popular music.
Don Imus, on his radio show the other day, mentioned that "Long Black Veil" was unique in the fact that it's sung from the perspective of a dead man. I was thinking--here's a man who chooses death by hanging rather than betray his adulterous lover. He's definitely not anyone who resembles any person living in present day Washington or Arkansas for that matter.
Fri Mar 6 22:27:23 MET 1998
.. actually Monday was the 2nd of March in the UK,(like everywhere else I guess ... ha !)
see what heavy rotation of Robbie's new one does to my sense of time ..... be warned !
cheers
Joe
Fri Mar 6 22:23:35 MET 1998
Robbie's new one came out on Monday 3rd here in the UK, and after playing nothing else for the last 5 days, I am still very pleasantly stunned by it. I was hoping for a Native Americans Part2, I guess and though it doesn't quite match that (yet - IMHO) I'm not sure that it's meant too, as it is sufficiently different not to warrant direct comparison. Hoiwie B and others really mix the new beats with traditional, and Robbie's guitar jabs and wails effortlessly. I could probably ramble on about this one for hours/pages, but I won't, instead all I'll say is that the track _Unbound_ is almost heavenly, the female voice set against Robbie's gravel and treacle voice is quite stunning. No borders ... no fences ... no walls ...Unbound. Amazing song.
Robbie (as always) has the quality control turned full up on this one, not a duff song or note to be heard ... top stuff.
thanks,
Joe
Fri Mar 6 21:57:15 MET 1998
Carole: I meant every word I said. I don't like the way he acts or the music he makes.
I don't want to offend anyone. I sensed something was wrong back in '87, when he
started calling himself "the storyteller of the shadowland". Come to think of it, who
was the guy that in an interview the same year said "I am not some little pop tart that
wants to make something cute for people to dance to", and now has made an album together
with Howie B and other techno-godknowshwat "musicians" that are becoming hits on gay
dance clubs (for the PC crowd: I have _nothing_ against gay people, my friends come in all
flavours, and I don't care about that, ok?). Sorry, Carole, I know you love the man and
what he does. I don't.
Fri Mar 6 21:54:09 MET 1998
Ooops, sorry, *duh!*. Just read back posts in the guestbook and see that it's blanking OUT already and I've missed it! (My friend at Tower Records quit, you see).... well, sorry for taking up space...I'm off to buy an album....
Fri Mar 6 21:44:16 MET 1998
Dear Zappa Fan, but don't hold back.... how do you REALLY feel about Robbie??
Me, I'm his biggest fan. And let's just say I wasn't Frank Zappa's.
Does anyone know when Robbie's new album will be released? I thought it was supposed to be this month, but haven't seen anything. He always does everything late, though. This album was originally supposed to be out in November I think.
Well, keep it up guyz. Serge should be arriving momentarily with a new sermon...
Fri Mar 6 21:10:42 MET 1998
Munsoooooon!!! YOU made the Southern Ontario-Rascals connection (March 2)...NOT ME. I mentioned Lombardo to illustrate the silliness of your comparisons about Gene Cornish, (whoever he was...from Southern Ontario) I don't hear Levon saying " a one..anna two" anywhere on the Port Dover tape..Know why I know??? I'M THE GUY WHO MADE THE TAPE..! To Shepat Brennan, sorry dear, you are right. Hey everyone here..!! Miss Brennan NEVER compared the Band to the Rascals, she only made a sacrilegious comparison to the Hawks..( as if it made a difference ). And another thing : Ophelia, Rag Mama Rag, W.S.Walcott,Caldonia do not have a jazz feel..according to Miss Brennan : it's all stricktly New Orleans R&B. Gee! Isn't that where those trad./Dixieland inflections originated, way before the handle "R&B" was coined. And Woody Herman made a hit of "Caldonia" a hundred years ago. When Moby Dick was a minnow. Please.. enough of the imagination streching.
Fri Mar 6 17:36:07 MET 1998
Hey all you DYLAN followers( and I know there are a lot of you
on this site ) GOOD NEWS! Senoir Bob is finally coming back to the
Bay area! May 18, San Jose Arena, May 19 Oakland Arena both dates
will be with Van the man(hope he gives us some of those Last Waltz style
karate kicks)!
Fri Mar 6 14:10:49 MET 1998
to:
Lewis Paine-
sorry if i left you hanging, pal. Dr. Mudd was out of town.
Fri Mar 6 08:03:51 MET 1998
Gotta love that Frank Zappa fan. He really told it like it is ( I'm trying not to be too biased ) His designation of " the Big Note" as his location has an intresting and ( somewhat ) Band related derivation. The Big Note is a spoken word dissertation on the "Lumpy Gravy" LP. The person responsible for that and many other arcane and amusing tidbits on several of Zappa's records is Woodstock's own Spider Barbour, former leader of Chrysilys, and current leader of the Curmudgeons. His new record features 16 songs about dogs & other creatures and he is backed up by two members of the Crowmatix.
Spidey also submitted a couple of songs for the last band record that nearly made the cut. Maybe this one...
Anyone interested in this record can e mail me for info.
The rascals / Band debate: Similar R&B influences, but the Rascals never had that loose country, southern soul thing workin' like our boys do. The Band was ( & is ) a unique and singular musical style that is theirs, & theirs alone.
Fri Mar 6 06:32:57 MET 1998
sorry about the typo
Fri Mar 6 06:30:07 MET 1998
The lyrics that Rick adds to the end of 'Long balcak veil' are from an old Johnny Cash song 'Train of Love'.
Fri Mar 6 02:52:00 MET 1998
David Powell repeats a query I asked back on October 25, 1997. What is the source of the lyrics Rick has added to Long Black Veil? Serge, Lars, Pat , Don- somebody must know.
Must add my belated remembrance of the passing of Richard whose cover of Country Boy surpasses that of Jim Croce. I'd like to think they are doing a duet up in that big BAND in the sky.
Fri Mar 6 01:57:56 MET 1998
to samchaz, unless inflation rockets to greater heights, we'll never have to pay outragious sums to hear great music from the band, unlike $80 for the eagles. sell outs, i doubt it, just learning about better business principles, too bad similar value doen't exist in this world with everything.
Fri Mar 6 01:48:50 MET 1998
Hello from another Band fan. I've listened to them since 1969, and I've introduced their music to my wife (who was born in '65!), who loves it. We start out most of our road trips by putting the "Brown Album" on the CD player. Thanks for your web site, which is obviously a labor of love.
Fri Mar 6 01:05:54 MET 1998
John from PA. You make some good points about the band selling out and I did like the mysterious aura that surroundd them in their earlier years, but they still aren't one of the most popular bands around. I mean, ask someone if they like the Band and you know the answer. "What band?" And those budweiser ads were the best.
Fri Mar 6 00:49:20 MET 1998
I am 57 and have been listening to The Band since
the day that Big Pink came out. Last weekend, my
buddy and I drove to North Carolina. The night
before, we taped a lot of The Band, and listened
to it constantly and were never bored, and had the
best time singing along and listening to some of
the best damn music ever! Thank you.
Fri Mar 6 00:26:42 MET 1998
Richard Manuel will always be my favoroite rock singer and voice and lyrics suggested a tenderness that made it tough for him to get through a day. Wispering Pines, King Harvest, In a Station. Nothing else quite like them. Glad to see in more recent writing on the Band Richard gets the credit he deserves too.
The ACO All stars did do Washer Woman. Sometimes they cut a song off on Reruns. The Band did FOUR songs when they were on. Also, Gary Busey did a song once backed by Rick(fiddle) and Paul Butterfeild.....
Thu Mar 5 22:12:35 MET 1998
Thanks to Mr Amused for reminding us of the Guy Lombardo / Hawks connection. To add to the link that he identifies (Southern Ontario), I'd add that I once heard a tape of the Hawks at Port Dover, and I'm sure I heard Levon say "and a one-a and a two-a".
Thu Mar 5 17:42:26 MET 1998
The Band was mentioned this morning by Don Imus on his syndicated morning radio show. The I-man, who plays snippets of classic songs between segments in his talk show format, played a portion of Lefty Frissell's version of "Long Blck Veil." When guest, Governor Zell Miller of Georgia, complimented Imus for playing that great song, the I-man mentioned that The Band had also done a decent version.
Just curious--Has anyone figured out where the extra verse come from that Rick Danko often sings when he performs the song?
Thu Mar 5 16:34:23 MET 1998
To William Seward: we gotta talk. Please leave
me your e-mail. Love the Band. Love "Dixie."
Thu Mar 5 14:33:59 MET 1998
Mr. Bemused, Could you quit making a habit of misquoting me? Do everyone here a favor and re-read my posts. Show me where I said the Rascals and the Band sound alike. Gee, I never did. If you would like to continue this...I hesitate to call it a discussion, do so through private Email.
Thu Mar 5 11:12:04 MET 1998
Yes Charlie Young, I have seen ( and happen to have ) a copy of the "You and me (we go way back)" video. Manuel hardly plays drums, most of the time the guys stand in a row and do some awkward, idiotic shuffle. And Miss Shepat Brennan, Tiny Tim also performed with the Band. What does all that have to do with the Band sounding like the Rascals, to YOUR ears.??? Stop the nonesense.
Thu Mar 5 06:27:19 MET 1998
The Rascals were hardly a "mediocre pop band" anymore than the Beatles were. I saw the briefly reunited Rascals play Wolf Trap a few years back and it was a brilliant concert. One of Richard Manuel's last performances was on drums behind Felix Caviliere of the Rascals along with Roger McGuinn and Ronnie Spector on a John Sebastian video for a song called "You and Me (We Go Way Back)." I memorized every nuance of those Rascals' 45s when I was a kid and--like the music of The Band--the stuff still sounds fresh today.
Thu Mar 5 02:55:22 MET 1998
Mr. Amusing. Honestly you are such an easy target. All those artists actually played with The Rascals. Enjoy.
Thu Mar 5 02:06:48 MET 1998
Attaboy! Frank Zappa fan, my sentiments exactly re: Robbie... B.S. baffles brains every time. Miss Shepat Brennan..you have incredible ears. Can you "really" detect influences of FIVE totally different and unrelated jazz musicians in a mediocre pop group's playing?? Incredible. But you are right, I think I know what you mean. When I heard "Groovin'" for the first time, it was a Sunday afternoon... and it was like a religious experience; all at once, the meaning of life and all the secrets of the universe were revealed to me.
Thu Mar 5 00:53:01 MET 1998
channel surfing last night, must of been a lucky night Wed 3/98, and caught and now i'm caught on the nashville network, a prety good rendition of the shape i'm in. it was performed by marty stuart, lee roy parnell, delbert mcclinton and band. marty deicated it to "levon and the boys" FYI though the Band and Richard have always done it better!
Thu Mar 5 00:47:01 MET 1998
I would just like to reiterate: I never compared the Young Rascals to the Band, except in the most general of terms. I did note the East Coast R&B backgroundthe Young Rascals shared with the Hawks, the similiar vocals, and a number of other things. Mr. Amused took it upon himself to distort what I wrote and come up with the fatuous request to vote for The Band's closest sound-alikes. Mr. Amused's only real contribution to the discussion was the observation that my thread was gobbledygook. Oh yes, the old saw that opinions are like...whatever. Since this isn't a Rascals discussion group, I feel uncomfortable going much farther up the road with this. However, listening to the Rascals' boxed set, you hear an awful lot of jazz influences, including people like Richard Davis, Hubert Laws, King Curtis, Dave Sanborn, Alice Coltrane, and many more. To my ears, the tunes Mr. Amused referenced as Jazz influenced Band tunes sound like New Orleans R&B to me. However, the real deal of today is remembering a beautiful soul, Richard Manuel. It's an ill wind that blows no good...Peace.
Thu Mar 5 00:45:52 MET 1998
Wed Mar 4 23:45:05 MET 1998
I miss Richard very much. I hope he now has "The Best of Everything". Jan- Thank you very much for this wonderful site. I have been listening to an advance copy of Robbie's latest, and just gets better and better with each listen. "Unbound" is one of the most beautiful and passionate songs I have ever heard.
Wed Mar 4 23:36:50 MET 1998
Hey, Frank Zappa fan. I couldn't say it better myself.!!!!! Let's see, self survival must = greed. I guess that's the answer !
Wed Mar 4 23:32:42 MET 1998
I guess I participated in the debate with no gun to my head after all.
Wed Mar 4 23:29:13 MET 1998
While Jan pays tribute to Richard with a bottle of Grand Marnier (or maybe seven if he does it right), I think I'll set my iron to "cotton" and throw a pat of butter on there and fix myself a steak while I listen to "Share Your Love" on repeat. Although not regarded as a signature piece, I find Richard's vocals more moving on this tune than any other - and Richard moves me.
To Mr. Amused:
Given The Band's penchant for covering tunes (or present inability to write new ones), a few months ago I suggested that a cover of "Whiter Shade of Pale" be recorded by The Band (I think at the time I suggested that Rick do it, but after listening, I now think Levon). So, to address your inquiry, I guess that if a gun were pointed to my head and I were forced to engage in the "who's more Band-like" debate, I'd opt for Procol Harum over the Young Rascals (although it's like saying that rocks are more like cheese than hubcaps are - and I had enough of that S.A.T. shit years ago).
Wed Mar 4 23:20:48 MET 1998
I agree about Robbie. When was the last time he played a proper concert
with good, honest music? He has been doing Grammy/Rock Hall of Fame things, and
shows with umpteen other pro-musicians and singers out there to cover for him.
And his albums? Pompous, produced-to-death crap, that almost ruined Geffen Records
and others that invested in it, with so many ho-hum guests (Gabriel? U2? Yuck!).
I mean... "Storyville??!!" There is not even a goddamn
decent melody on that album. And have you seen those promo shots of Robbie for
Storyville?
How he poses in Armani suits with that expensive sun-tan and perfect hair-do, pretending to
play a custom-made el-guitar that isn't even hooked up to anything? Pukepukepuke!
I don't even want to comment on that Indian-Holy-Spirit-Peyote-Native thing he is doing now?
Howie B is far away from what The Band stands for that I can't believe it.
And that comment about hoping Levon and Rick and Garth "don't die"??!!
Someone take Mr.Robertson to a reality check, please. Give him some ego-reducers-pills too.
Wed Mar 4 21:34:26 MET 1998
Regarding the last part of William Seward's entry - How patronizing is Robbie Robertson when he says "I ope they don't die" regarding Levon, Rick and Garth. Come on! It's the same pompousity he displayed in the Last Waltz interview sessions. As for breaking up the Band being a matter of self survival, well, as suppose buying Rick's and Garth's shares in the Band was self survival as well. And I agree with Andrew from Philadelphia - why doesn't RR get out and PLAY for some people. Come on Robbie, even Dylan has played some club dates!
Wed Mar 4 21:29:27 MET 1998
Remembering Richard Manuel....and thanks to all those contributing lovely tributes. Keep on singing Richard - as yours is the most beautiful voice in the Choir.
Wed Mar 4 20:23:14 MET 1998
as sad as we might feel with the loss of such a great talent on this day all those years ago and all the music that could of been.we should all be gratefull for all we did get to hear from RICHARD come to me now, you know were so low and life is brief . the music lives forever
Wed Mar 4 20:08:58 MET 1998
"We had a beautiful thing goin on..."
Yes, Richard we did and forever you will haunt us with
the best voice rock n'roll has ever known... I said that.
"Richard was'nt affraid to come late or leave early,
that was one time he choose to leave early and I've never
questioned or second guessed him on it.... it was strickly
between him and his higher power" Levon said that.
"I'll let you be in my dreams if I can be in your dreams"
Bob Dylan said that.
Yes, Richard my friend you most definetely have broke even.
Thank you for a lifetime of musical bliss,see you when i get there!
The GOBLLER sleeps tonight!
Wed Mar 4 20:02:48 MET 1998
Richard:
Rest in Peace. We miss you.
Wed Mar 4 19:55:08 MET 1998
IN MEMORY OF RICHARD:
Wed Mar 4 19:01:21 MET 1998
We miss you, Richard. Thank you for writing and singing some of the most beautiful and heartfelt songs that I have ever heard. Your voice may be stilled but your spirit lives on. Yours was the most elequent of all the Band singers. I truly believe John Simon when he said (in The Band documentary) that "In many ways, Richard was the tacit soul of The Band". My thoughts are with your family and friends on this sad day.
Wed Mar 4 18:27:47 MET 1998
12 YEARS AGO TODAY, WE LOST A FRIEND, A MAGICAL MUSICIAN, SONG WRITER AND SINGER......
A heart full of rhythm
Let us all not mourn the loss we,ve had but celebrate what was brought to us and how grateful we are that our ears can go on hearing those heartfelt songs which Richard sang with a special perfection.
I just wanted EVERYBODY to please read the following before they move on....
GRACED A PAVEMENT THAT BROUGHT US GOLD
Wed Mar 4 18:13:20 MET 1998
"For the life we chose
Sleep peacefully Richard.
Wed Mar 4 16:45:04 MET 1998
Tonight's menu: A bottle of Grand Marnier and my
Richard compilation tape, starting with those
incredible performances with the Hawks in '63 and
ending with "Country Boy" and "Before I Grow Too
Old" from the Lone Star Cafe in '86.
Rest in peace, Richard Manuel.
Wed Mar 4 16:37:52 MET 1998
Today is the 12th anniversary of Richard's demise, let's
all raise a glass and salute a true musician and a lost soul.
We miss you Richard.
Wed Mar 4 15:54:55 MET 1998
Thanks for the quote from "Lonesome Susie." I got to meet Richard once and I told him how much I enjoyed the songs he wrote. It's sad he never did a solo album, but I'm thankful for what we have. God knows he had a unique voice.
Wed Mar 4 15:24:34 MET 1998
"Anyone who's felt that bad could tell me what to say / Even if she'd just get mad, she might be better off that way / And where is all the understanding / Her problems can't be that demanding / Why is it she looks that way? / Every time she starts to cry."
We miss you Richard.
Wed Mar 4 14:11:03 MET 1998
While I'm recovering from these stab wounds, I thought you'd all enjoy reading this:
Yahoo! News Entertainment Headlines
FEATURE: Robbie Robertson Takes Trip To 'Underworld'
By Dean Goodman
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Death, musical chaos, drugs and a brush with the law may seem like ingredients for disaster during any creative process, but Robbie Robertson turned them to his advantage when making his latest solo album.
The musician, best known for his years as the guitarist at the helm of the groundbreaking quintet known simply as The Band, teamed up with an unlikely collection of Native Americans and cutting-edge English producers for the project.
The fact that one of his "collaborators" was dead and another, Indian activist Leonard Peltier, was serving a life sentence only added to the offbeat nature of "Contact from the Underworld of Redboy" (Capitol), due for U.S. release March 10.
The album expands on Robertson's 1994 release, "Music for 'The Native Americans,"' which accompanied a cable TV documentary, and finds him in the same experimental mode as on his self-titled 1987 solo debut and the 1991 follow-up, "Storyville."
"I was working with native artists, chanting, singing and playing drums," Robertson told Reuters in a recent interview, "and these other guys from the London underground with flying faders going and computer screens flashing -- all of this stuff going, and it sounds seamless. Nothing sounds forced."
Before anyone labels him a "musical opportunist," the Toronto-born Robertson, 54, reminds that his mother was of Mohawk descent, and that he would spend his summer boyhood at the small Six Nations reservation just north of Lake Erie playing music with his cousins. (He never knew his father, a Jewish gangster who was killed in a shootout.)
Holding court at the West Los Angeles studio where he recorded some of the new album, Robertson said he always felt suspicious about exploring his Indian roots in earlier works.
"First of all, when I was with the Band, I didn't feel comfortable saying, 'Now we're going to do some music about my heritage.' It just didn't seem a proper balance, me imposing things. I was imposing enough, musically, in this situation!"
Before starting work on his latest project, he sought the blessing of elders at Six Nations, as well as other people whose opinions he respected.
"In the Native community, there is a tremendous emphasis on respect, and if you do things, and it isn't right, you get busted really bad. You don't want these people to be angry with you, to disrespect you," he said.
He was surprised that not only did he get a green light, but admonitions that he stick to the modern sounds that he knows rather than stagger blindly into the past trying to reproduce the music of generations past.
Over the years, Robertson had laid a foundation for the album by amassing a huge library of Native American music. One of his tapes was a Library of Congress field recording from 1942 featuring a 16-year-old girl chanting hypnotically, "and it could never find its way to the bottom of the pile," he said.
He was finally able to put it to good use on the album's opening track, "The Sound Is Fading," which potently sets the chant against an electronic beat. The girl, Leah Hicks-Manning, went on to become the mother-in-law of Robertson's friend, Indian activist John Trudell. She died in a suspicious fire in 1979, along with Trudell's wife and three children.
Peltier, serving a life sentence at Leavenworth Federal Penitentiary for his role in the deaths of two FBI agents at South Dakota's Pine Ridge reservation in 1976, provides spoken-word accompaniment in the song, "Sacrifice."
He and Robertson have become phone pals, and Robertson taped Peltier as he related his story. He reports that Peltier lost his phone privileges as a result of his collaboration. (Both Peltier and Hicks-Manning receive songwriting credits.)
Robertson also used the recording experience to explore his fascination with peyote, a natural hallucinogenic used for centuries by Native Americans.
"This is not about getting loaded or partying," he said with a certain expertise. "You're asking for trouble if you try to do that. Peyote is about making a connection with your spirituality and with your creator."
The song "Peyote Healing" features a ceremony performed by two members of the Native American Church, and the session went on for hours as the duo seemed to levitate to a different musical place, Robertson said.
"I'll be damned if this music doesn't take you to an otherworldly experience. We were in the studio, and when this was going on, it stoned everybody, everybody within hearing distance. People were in there drowning in this music."
When the time came to mix the session tapes in London, the people manning the buttons "would just kinda space out," Robertson said. The song went unmixed and is presented on the album as recorded.
Notably absent from the new record are any of his former Band colleagues, who keep the legacy alive through frequent tours and occasional independent albums.
Both bassist Rick Danko and organist Garth Hudson appeared on "Robbie Robertson" and "Storyville." Pianist Richard Manuel hanged himself in 1986. Drummer Levon Helm has frequently sniped at Robertson in the press, accusing him of breaking up the Band when he left in 1976.
Robertson is bemused by the criticism, saying the Band was undone by drugs and alcohol, "and my leaving the Band was a point of self-survival ... I don't have anything bad to say about anybody in the Band, except that I hope they don't die."
Reuters/Variety
Wed Mar 4 12:14:07 MET 1998
Thanks to Jon Lyness for his review of Danko's show at the Bottom Line. It is always great to hear a master perform his/her music live. I believe that it is the true test of a musician and Danko always pulls it off. It is hard to play in front of people, especially alone or in a sparse arrangement. I would LOVE to hear Robbie take to the road and do some live shows (I am sure a few won't kill him). But I doubt he ever will. For all his talent as a songwriter and musician, he just can't cut it live without hiding behind a large band, a grandiose theme or some electronic music. I was reading on his website that the single he wrote with Howie B was a hit with the Gay dance clubs. Great. Gays and Indians, sounds like the Village People to me. Sorry, I am not trying to be racist or sexist (or some other ist), but come on Robbie, forget about Showbiz today and Entertainment Tonight or Hard Copy and come out and play something, for the folks.
Wed Mar 4 11:54:39 MET 1998
Thanks to Jon Lyness for his review of Danko's show at the Bottom Line. It is always great to see a master play his/her music live. There is no substitute. I happen to like acoustic shows and I feel Danko is excellent in any format. It is extremely difficult to play music in front of people and it is especially diffciult to do it without hiding behind a large band. I would LOVE to see Robbie hit the road, but we never will. For all his talent as a musician and a songwriter, he just can't cut it live without about 15 people behind him. I guess we will have to placate ourselves with his appearances on Showbiz Today, Entertainment Tonight and Hard Copy where he will speak earnestly about the music rather than letting us hear it.
Wed Mar 4 05:47:05 MET 1998
Well I got to tell everyone that if Danko keeps scaling down his band...if you can call it that...he might not show up either. Last summer I saw him at the Bottom Line and man what a show. The musicians barely fit on the stage. Two guitar players, a drummer and a keyboardist as well as himself. I love watching Danko play but c'mon the acoustic thing is wearing real thin.
Wed Mar 4 05:44:13 MET 1998
Ms. Brennan, it's the "shepat" in your Email address that got me confused. I still maintain that your comparisons, whether to the Band OR the Hawks, are all gobbledeegook. What does "jazzier direction" mean?? The Band's " Ophelia ", "W.S. Walcott ", " Caldonia " " Rag mama rag " etc..all have a jazz feel. But Miss Brennan, that's all in the ear of the listener. As someone said elsewhere here " Opinions are like rear ends............"
Wed Mar 4 05:40:13 MET 1998
My apologies. In a previous post, I shouldn't have used the word "stupid". That was uncalled for. I should have said "silly" or something like that.
Wed Mar 4 05:24:06 MET 1998
Pardon me. My previous post got a little garbled. Should read: I never compare the Young Rascals to the Band, rather I compare them to the Hawks. Everything else seems OK.
Wed Mar 4 05:20:51 MET 1998
To Mr Amused, reading with amusement, oh...now I get it. And that Email addy, now that's clever. And that trail between your buddies and Charlie Parker, yeah I saw 7 Degrees Of Separation, and I've played the Kevin Bacon game, but of course if you read my post, I never compare the Young Rascals-meaning the group's early years-and The Hawks-meaning the Band's R&B days, and also meaning that comparisons to Procol Harum would be silly since I said by the time of Groovin' the Rascals were heading into jazzier terrain and the Hawks were turning into the Band although they weren't the Band yet (1967) but both groups obviously had experienced a metamorphosis, which also makes your attempt to poll the readership kind of, well stupid, but getting back to that original thread, what with both groups playing similiar East Coast scenes and the reliance on three voices and the big organ sound and the investigation of various forms of African American music and the nods to Motown and the Young Rascals actually covering a Bob Dylan song...jeez, all of a sudden I feel like Serge. Peace, Richard. Oh yeah, Mr. Amusing, you got a lot of nerve to ask what sex I am, considering you made up a name and a bogus addy. BTW, thanks to all the readers who Emailed me concerning this thread. I saw the Rascals also and they shared one other thing with our boys: they were a great live act.
Wed Mar 4 04:20:50 MET 1998
Jon Lyness: so WEIRD you asked about the origin of one of Rick Danko's favorite show-closing songs. I just listened to the orignal version tonight. I'd be glad to fill you in. "Keep On the Sunny Side" was one of the earliest country music recordings ever made, in Bristol, Tennessee (on the border with Virginia) in 1928, by the legendary Carter Family. It was written around one hundred years ago by religious songwriters Ada Blenkhorn and Howard Entwhistle, inspired by the former's wheelchair-bound cousin who always asked to be pushed along the "sunny side" of the street. The Carter family recorded it in virtually identical arrangement as they learned in a Baptist hymn book and the song eventually evolved into what one critic called "the quintessential Cater Family tune." That's probably more than you wanted to know, but it's a history worth knowing, and I'm proud of my state's part in that history (the Carter family were from Maces Spring, Virginia).
Wed Mar 4 01:49:57 MET 1998
Sorry, what I meant was when I got to the House Of Blues, The Band opened with Memphis and it was loud and missing the in studio intimacy I heard on the radio. Gonna prop my eyes open with toothpicks to watch Politically Incorrect tonight. Thanks to all who are keeping us up to date with info.
Wed Mar 4 01:44:41 MET 1998
Jake: I'd like to hear a cd of mainly acoustic stuff if that's what The Band has been up to lately. The very BEST thing I've heard in a while from them was a live in studio broadcast from a local radio station in LA a few years back. I was headed to LA to see The Band at the House of Blues and this promo thing was on. Don't Ya Tell Henry and Memphis and Rag Mama Rag was all they played, but it was really good. They opened with Memphis but the intimacy was gone cause the volume was high. Missed all you guys of late due to computer problems. The site is reading great!
Wed Mar 4 01:15:11 MET 1998
This item was in the Toronto Star today:
ROBBIE ROBERTSON will appear at the fifth annual
National Aboriginal Achievement Awards on Thursday, March 26
on CBC-TV. This is being held at the Hummingbird Centre
here in Toronto.
Wed Mar 4 01:12:09 MET 1998
Esta, in response to your posting I must say some of what you say is true. Rick is very heavy and does not appear to be trimming down at all. This definitely affects his singing. The second show crowd was much livelier than the first, in my judgement the place was about 3/4 full but so what. He was definitely sober and belted out a great "Mystery Train" and also sang great on "Rivers of Babylon". I'm no guitar player but I thought his playing was fine, he mixed rhythm and lead quite nicely. The crowd was cheering him and sang "The weight" word for word for him. There was a definite encore for the second show as the alan Andrews Band joined him for a rockin' "Shape". I agree that he is unhealthily heavy but to say he can barely sing is a big exagerration. That said, I think it's good you are concerned, as am I. Maybe he'll read these comments and go on a diet and exercise to trim down. This is up to him however and I'm sure he's aware of that. Good luck Esta and as for you Rick keep fighting the good fight and don't eat any more jelly donuts!
Wed Mar 4 00:55:07 MET 1998
I caught Rick's early show at the Bottom Line last Saturday night -- thought I'd post my own review, since it sounds like people came away with very different impressions.
Rick Danko (w/Aaron Hurwitz)
General:
I agree that Rick has gained a significant amount of weight, and I'm concerned for him too. That having been said, I didn't think his performance was affected -- I thought he was great, and that he performed quite a bit better than when he played the Bottom Line in November. Other than the weight gain, I thought he looked okay, clean-shaven (finally!) and in good spirits. I enjoyed this show a lot, also due to the song selection, which was more interesting than the last couple of times he's played the Bottom Line.
[By the way, I really liked the opening group (The Alan Andrews Band) too. I went to the Bottom Line and to Tower Records the next day, looking for their CD (didn't find it), and ran into other people who had seen the show and were in search of their CD! If anyone can e-mail me any info at all on them, I'd much appreciate it.]
The songs:
1. Twilight
Rick came right out and started singing this one with real commitment, as opposed to when he comes out and bumbles around and tunes the guitar for twenty minutes first. I thought this was just beautiful, even more so than usual.
At this point Rick made some small talk, announcing to some applause that the Band is back in the studio. He also made the first of many, many jokes about "Soy Bomb" (which got rather old).
2. Crazy Mama
Traditionally, the song in which Rick learns how little enthusiasm the NYC audience has for a sing-along. :)
3. This Wheel's on Fire
Nice vocals and an interesting, very sparse arrangement. Works much better in this slot than as an opener (as it was used in November).
4. Mystery Train
This was just great. Both Rick and Aaron really seemed to get into this one. I haven't heard Rick do this one in a while. I love the way his & Aaron's instruments drop out for the "got down to the station..." verse, then pick up again. As has been mentioned, Rick added it a verse from Stevie Wonder's "Superstition" at the end -- not sure why but it was a cute touch.
5. Caledonia Mission
Another great choice. I'd never heard this one live -- I thought it was very well suited to the loose, rather "conversational" phrasing that he seems to employ in many live songs.
6. Stage Fright
Always welcome. Lovely.
7. Blind Willie McTell
Despite some serious lyric screwups, Rick pulled this one together.
At this point, Rick paused to towel off his face and asked if there were any requests. (I called out for Sip the Wine, but to no avail.)
8. It Makes No Difference
Incredible, sung with real intensity. I still maintain that not only is this his best live song these days, but that any live version that he does on a good night is better than the original recording (which is a pretty strong statement, I know). I think his phrasing on live versions of this song is so loose & jazzy that it makes the original sound quite stiff in comparison. Well captured on the '97 live CD, but I thought this performance was even a little better.
9. Let the Four Winds Blow (Aaron Hurwitz on lead vocals)
Definitely a highlight of the evening, really got the crowd going. Aaron Hurwitz cut loose on the piano and on vocals, with Rick harmonizing on the choruses.
10. The Weight
The usual. I still love it when the Band does it, but it's wearing thin for me as a sing-along. I wouldn't mind hearing Rick do it as a solo song, though maybe that wouldn't be enough in the spirit of the original.
11. Keep on the Sunny Side of Life
I liked Rick's vocals on the verses, though the choruses got a bit grating towards the end. Can someone tell me from where, or who, this song originates?
At this point, there was an amusing moment when Rick called out for the drummer from the opening act, asking if he was still around and felt like joining them -- luckily he was there, and came out on stage -- you could see the puzzled guy mouthing to Rick "What do I do?" as he sat down behind the drums.
12. Java Blues
Both were terrific, very high energy, though too short -- the drummer definitely giving them an extra kick. (Too bad that Randy couldn't have been there to drum throughout the show, though. Is he touring with Jim Weider and Richard Bell these days?)
So there you have it, folks. I thought it was quite a good show. (Wish I'd caught Chain Gang and Rivers of Babylon in the late set, thought.) As always, these are just my opinions! Thanks for reading.
-Jon
Wed Mar 4 00:28:53 MET 1998
Richard Manuel March 4, 1986. R.I.P.
Tue Mar 3 23:26:29 MET 1998
I have been observing with amusement the recent mental gymnastics that Brennan and Munson have been putting themselves through, in an attempt to show a musical link between the Band and the Rascals. That they both worked in New York, that one Rascal came from Southern Ontario ( so was Guy Lombardo ), that Cavaliere was a great singer, that the Rascals had a guy playing organ with his feet, is comparing apples and oranges. I have a friend who played sax in various saloons with Ken Kalmusky and John Till, who both played with Ronnie Hawkins, who sang fronting the Hawks, who became the Band, who used Howard Johnson on tuba in the occasional horn section, who played with Miles Davis, who played with Charlie Parker... ans so on..ad absurdum. Now ..to claim that my friend and Charlie Parker have a connection is as ludicrous as the comparisons our two above mentioned friends are weaving. Funnier still is the reggae/Band connection. Nice try... The closest contemporaries of the early Hawk/Band (at least in instrumentation,if nothing else) to my mind was Procol Harum, using the piano opposite organ sound that no one else but the Hawks/Band used at the time. And if I were to stretch my imagination I could sense a similarity in the classical flavored approach they had to Garth's colorations and embelishments that made the Band sound unique. I have the Levon & RCO All stars appearance on Saturday Night Live on tape..They perform only " Sing,sing,sing " sung by Dr. John. There's only one 5 second close up of Levon through the whole performance. Too bad. Let's hear some opinions : Who's comes closest..The Young Rascals ( they really dug deep to come up with that name ), or Procol Harum..with a tinge of Bobby Bland and Ray Charles thrown in ?? Pat Brennan, with all due respect..are you male or female ?
Tue Mar 3 23:03:20 MET 1998
What is with all the conflicting Danko reports!
One person made it sound like oh Ricky Danko is half past
dead, while others praise the very same performance!
Hmmm, makes me wonder!
So what is THE BOTTOM LINE on The Bottom Line performance!
Tue Mar 3 20:02:21 MET 1998
Hi... SO NO ONE can confirm The Band Live at Carnegie
Hall on 4/29/98?
Tue Mar 3 19:38:41 MET 1998
Excellent site. I greatly enjoyed scanning (too much to read at one time) the material. For anyone who loves the Band but has not seen the new line up. I saw them in Nov of 94 or 95 (?) in Nashville, TN in a very small venue. It must have been one if not the best I have ever seen.
Tue Mar 3 19:12:16 MET 1998
Here's a little time warp. In 77 I wanted to see the RCO All Stars at the Park West in Chicago. I went to buy tickets, but they had cancelled. The thing is, the next group set to play the Park West ALSO cancelled, ALSO never to play Chicago. And that group was The Sex Pistols. The RCO All Stars did do some live shows and were on, I think, the King Biscut Flower Hour. Paul Butterfeild did his great "Born In Chicago." On the RCO album, of course, Robbie plays on "Sing Sing Sing." I guess he and Levon were still speaking.....
Tue Mar 3 16:26:29 MET 1998
Thanks for all the staffs who made this site and The Band members.
This is the most exciting site I ever watched. You see, there's only
a few sites in Japan, so I uploaded "'94 The Band Japan Tour Report".
(Sorry, that's Japanese only right now) Now I'm making the english one.
So if you would like to read, please go to the URL up above two or three
weeks later.
Tue Mar 3 05:07:48 MET 1998
To Bill Munson: good call on Gene Cornish. I had forgotten about that. Here's what got me started on this. I spent some time yesterday listening to the Young Rascals boxed set and it started me thinking. Here's an East Coast R&B act that's peopled with some very good players. Dino Danelli is featured in Max Weinberg's book on drummers as is Levon. Felix is a monstrous singer and one of the few rock keyboardists playing bass pedals--that's right, no bass guitar (although Gene and a string of hot studio pro's played bass on most of the records). Felix is also making the hugest noise with that Hammond organ, one of the first rock musicians to push that particular beast so far out in front. Eddie and Gene were good lead singers--Eddie better than Gene-- and both helped create the group's great harmonies. Nobody in the group quite matched the mad genius of Garth Hudson, but there are few humans who can claim that. Both the Hawks and the Young Rascals pursued the Black music experience after starting in a more commercial vein-the Young Rascals popping out of the NY dance/twist scene and the Hawks squeezing out of the rockabilly set. The Young Rascals drew inspiration from Black pop-"Midnight Hour" "Mustang Salley" "Good Lovin'"-and, remember too, they were the first to cover some of these tunes. The Hawks meanwhile pursued the bluesier side of Black music-witness "Further Up The Road" Now, they weren't afraid to try their hands at teen pop and they certainly listened to Motown ("Don't Do It" and "Lovin You Is Sweeter Than Ever"), but by the time they had defined themselves, they were a hard-charging, horn-driven, guitar-screaming R&B show. Kind of like the Young Rascals with a different focus. Both groups then had a metamorphosis. The Hawks meet Dylan, do the tours, then hole up at Big Pink and re-emerge as The Band. Jake asked about Invisible Republic. It's heavy sledding but worth the effort. You can discover how a Canadian R&B group with rockabilly roots turned into a vast resevoir of mythic American music, although the emphasis is on Dylan. Meanwhile the Young Rascals ditch their Lord Fauntleroy outfits, surround themselves with jazz musicians, and hit with "Groovin'", which BTW has no guitar, no organ, and no drum kit. From that point on, each group pursued a very personal vision of who and what they wanted to be. But it makes me wonder whether the Young Rascals version of "Like A Rolling Stone" from their first album was a tribute or a tryout.
Tue Mar 3 04:44:19 MET 1998
Hi!
This is the ultimate site. Thank you for the out-
standing pics and respect you've shown for my
favorite performer(s). Keep up the magnificent
work, thank you for letting me sign, and may their
music live on!
Respectfully,
Chris
Tue Mar 3 02:20:17 MET 1998
Anybody read Greil Marcus's new book "Invisible Republic" about the basement tapes ? How is it? Also anybody have any idea what tunes the Band plans to cover on their next album ? The Randy Ciarlante interview on this website says it will be mostly intimate acoustic stuff. I look forward to it.
Mon Mar 2 22:49:59 MET 1998
Pat Brennan wrote something about a thread between the Band and the Young Rascals. Hmm. Well, they both had brilliant R&B vocalists (Manuel and Cavaliere), they both spent a lot of time scuffling around in bars in outer New York suburbs, they both were affected in some way by Henry Glover, who produced the Hawks and co-wrote (and I believe produced) "Peppermint Twist" - a hit for the Rascals' parent group, the Starlighters. And of course Gene Cornish of the Rascals hailed from Southern Ontario. Plus they were both signed to Atlantic (or Atco). And who could forget the Rascals' immortal version of "Like A Rolling Stone" on their first LP?
Mon Mar 2 22:39:13 MET 1998
Little John Tyler was asking about the RCO All-Stars on Saturday Night Live. I saw the show too, and I'm pretty sure they did "Washer Woman". Sounded much better - even on TV - than on record. A bit later I saw Levon, Dr John and others join Ronnie Hawkins onstage at a bar. Levon played mandolin and sang "Washer Woman" - even better than on TV (what a concept!). Guesting on sax was Jerry Penfound (of the original Hawks), on harmonica was King Biscuit Boy, on fiddle was Carl Mathers, on guitar were Pat Travers and Jack deKeyzer, on bass was Ken Kalmusky, on drums was Gary Oatridge. I can't remember what Hawkins' piano player, Mike Short (brother of Martin) was doing since Dr John was in his spot - possibly tambourine. I don't remember Butterfield, but I do remember an RCO horn player who - as Penfound was on sax and wasn't going to let it go - wound up playing mouthpiece.
Mon Mar 2 22:18:53 MET 1998
Here's an answer for Richard Whelan-Steven's posting of 2/28. Levon was the featured musical guest on Saturday Night Live, as part of his short-lived "supergroup," Levon Helm & The RCO All-Stars. The lineup included Doctor John, Paul Butterfield, Steve Cropper and Duck Dunn. I'd imagine that their appearance coincided with the 1977 release of their album (see Levon's Discography elsewhere on this
website.) I remember they performed Dr. John's "Sing Sing Sing" but I can't remember what else. I haven't seen it since it originally aired. Would love to see it again so if anybody sees it coming up on their Comedy Central listings, let us all know here, ya' hear?
Mon Mar 2 20:13:08 MET 1998
I also saw Rick Danko at the Bottom Line on Saturday evening. And I'm writing this note because I'm very worried about him. I also saw him perform on Labor Day in Woodstock -- he looked great and sounded fabulous. In 5 months he has gained what must be 75 pounds. He can bearly breathe, let alone sing. His voice was not good. His guitar playing was off. No one requested an encore. The club was half empty for the first show. Being a Band fan all my life, it was painful to watch. I don't know Rick personally, but if he has any close friends in Woodstock who read this guestbook, please let Rick know that if he needs help, there are people that care.
Mon Mar 2 20:05:11 MET 1998
Hi All;
Can anyone confirm dano321 post of April 29,
show at Carnegie Hall? Thanks, Luis
Mon Mar 2 19:57:09 MET 1998
Saw Rick Danko's late show at The Bottom Line saturday. Aaron Hurwitz accompanied on piano and sang lead on a few songs. He played the usual selections. Blue River from the 1st Danko,Anderson,Fjeld cd was outstanding. Alan Andrews was the opening act. He was quite good, writes interesting songs and sort of sounds like Tom Waits. Rick mentioned that The Band was in the process of getting organized to record and a cd might be ready by June. So keep your fingers crossed. He looked good, I sure hope he stays healthy.......
Mon Mar 2 19:13:02 MET 1998
Hi , should just say that bob dylan is probebly the best music maker ever.
Mon Mar 2 17:02:51 MET 1998
I have spent part of my weekend listening to the new Robbie Robertson CD. A great experience. I don«t think it«s Native Americans Part 2. This time Robbie dig even deeper for his rootsbut at the same time he«s standing right in the middle of the age in which we live. Far from easy-listening but some very good guitarwork.
Mon Mar 2 15:32:16 MET 1998
The March 19th issue of ROLLING STONE magazine gives Robbie Robertson's new album, CONTACT FROM THE UNDERWORLD OF RED BOY, a four star (out of a possible five) rating. The review, written by Anthony DeCurtis, describes the album as "...a haunting, richly textured blend of ancient spirituality, rattle-the-walls guitar and hypnotic beats."
In that same issue, Eric Clapton's new release, PILGRIM, also recieves a four star rating. Correcting my posting from last week--Clapton thanked Robertson for suggesting that he team up with Kenneth "Babyface" Edwards when Eric accepted the Grammy for "Change The World."
With new concert listings for Rick & Levon, Robbie's new album & upcoming TV appearances, and Clapton's new release, things are starting to look up for us music starved Band aficionados. "Stampeding cattle, they rattle the walls."
Mon Mar 2 05:22:59 MET 1998
I know this sounds off the wall, but has anybody noticed a thread connecting the Hawks and the Young Rascals?
Mon Mar 2 04:19:55 MET 1998
PLZ I'M LOOKING FOR CORDS FROM RICK'S TRIO & SOLO STUFF . AND LEVON'S SOLO & NEW STUFF .WOULD LOVE TO GET GOOD MUSIC TO PLAY .
AWSOM PLACE YOU GOT HERE! CAN ANYONE TELL ME WHY RICK'S ,LEVON'S, & ROBBIE'S FIRST SOLO ALBUMS ALL HAD THERE NAME DOWN TWICE AS THE TITLE ???
THANK YOU
AS THE BAND PLAYS ON "DR.UGG
Mon Mar 2 04:18:31 MET 1998
Saw both of Danko's shows at the bottom Line Saturday. Opening act was The Alan Andrews who were pretty good. Andrews sounds like Tom Waits and plays all originals. Rick played acoustic with Aaron Hurwitz (who sang a ca couple songs) on piano.Here is most of Danko's decent first show and with exception of the first two are not in order. "Twilight", "Crazy Mama", "Weight", "Shape", "Difference","Caledonia", "Java Blues", "Sunnyside of Life", "Blind Willie", "Stagefright" (a piece of Stevie Wonder's Superstition" thrown in}. The second show was very good even though Rick said he had a 103 degree temp. Some different songs this time including "Long Black Veil", "Chain Gang" and an excellent, spontaneous version of a song called "Rivers of Babylon" which Rick sang a capella after a request. He sounded good and worked the crowd beautifully. The Alan Andrews Band joined him for a rousing "Shape" to close. Rick made some jokes about the Soy Bomb guy and he was happy to reports that THE BAND was back together recording new material in Woodstock for an album they're hoping to complete by June. I guess this means they'll tour in support. That's all for now.
Sun Mar 1 23:40:37 MET 1998
Went and saw Angus perform at the pattenburg last night they were on as always.
As for the peaple that havent heard Angus yet thats one band thats got a lot of talent the first album they put out featured
Garth Hudson on accordian very cool its definitly something to look into if you enjoy good music.
Sun Mar 1 22:08:45 MET 1998
Greetings everyone!
Just been reading the article listed under the reviews for Across the Great Divide box set. The guy has it so right!! Why do most people you know or happen to talk to about music knows, who say, The Doors are, but haven't got the bloddy faintest idea who the band are? EVERYONE HAS TO KNOW! They have been and ARE the greatest influence on good music, they make us feel good, no, great! they to me are a religion of music. I hope that soon someone will say, the band? Yeah! I know them, they're bloody excellent aren't they!!!!!
Sun Mar 1 20:35:43 MET 1998
Went to see Rick Danko last night at the Bottom Line in NY. He mentioned that the Band was finishing up a new album at their Woodstock studio. It sould be out in the Spring of 98'.
Sun Mar 1 17:45:39 MET 1998
Robbie Robertson 1975 NLSC
Rags & Bones: That's the sound of the ice cream man
Comin up the lane callin
Jimmy Buffett 1974 LADi3/4Time
The Wino & I Know: The ice cream man he's a hillbilly
fan. Got seventy-eights by Hank Snow. Walks down the street shufflin his feet to a rhythm that only
he knows.
ICE CREAM RULES!!
Sun Mar 1 17:42:38 MET 1998
to the BEAK in England, dare i say it, he knows
Sun Mar 1 17:05:51 MET 1998
Very well laid out site! But that's not quite the reason I'm posting, I was looking up the CMW web page, and noticed (under the acts playing page) that there was a group playing, called, or listed as, "band". Is this the case?? I have worked CMW for the past two years, this should be my third, and would love to see this act play a small venue around here. A couple of years ago, I missed the opportunity to see them at a small club called Nashville North with a couple of buddies, and am I ever peeved that I missed it! A Buddy of mine got on the bus, and got an autograph for his daughter who was born TWO NIGHTS LATER! He brought his wife to the show, she loved it, and says that it was an unforgettable experience. The second time I missed them, was for their induction into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame two years ago, and I found out later, that had I asked the right person, he would have given me his pass for the ceremonies, uh thanks for telling me that THE NEXT FREEKIN DAY!! Anyways, if anyone could confirm this, PLEASE DO. Thanking you all in advance, Rick
Sun Mar 1 17:01:35 MET 1998
Just spoke with a contact at WNEW-FM (a major NYC rock radio station) who has confirmed The Band will perform at Carnegie (probably without an opening act). See you all there.
Sun Mar 1 15:35:49 MET 1998
A highly informed government official, Deep Throat possibly; a man from the Heights of Washington, confirms The Rumor begun by Daniel of Queens.
Yes, the boys return to Carnegie Hall late April. To all the doubters, naysayers and so called insiders who thought not, kiss my BEARASS!
Sun Mar 1 08:07:48 MET 1998
Moved the guestbook entries from February to a
separate file, to
reduce download time. The guestbook script generated
236K in February, a new record again. This is 8(!) times the amount of traffic this guestbook had in February last year.
Sun Mar 1 07:57:47 MET 1998
Any chance Rick or Cromatix will ever leave the east coast for more shows? I would love to have a chance to see them (in any form) in the great midwest.
Sun Mar 1 05:45:41 MET 1998
New Rick Danko Concert Date: Sat 3/21/98. Town Crier Pawling NY.
Sun Mar 1 00:31:24 MET 1998
THIS JUST IN:
THE BAND @ CARNEGIE HALL: APRIL 29TH!!!
OUR PRAYERS HAVE BEEN ANSWERED!!!!!
Sun Mar 1 00:12:38 MET 1998
Go Bob !!!! Congradutations on all your awards.
Sun Mar 1 00:08:12 MET 1998
Regarding "reggae" influence on The Band. Jupiter Hollow don't sound reggae to me. Consider the influence of Taj Mahal on Levon as noted in "This Wheel's on Fire".
Bones
From: Connecticut
Rod Prowse
From: New Zealand
Pat Brennan
From: Skokie USA
Luis
From: Phoenix
Mr. Amused
From: Over there
![[guest photo]](fgrlnk.jpg)
Crazy Fingers
From: Terrapin Station
Home page: http://www.xmission.com/~crzyfngr/
David Powell
From: Stone Mountain, Georgia
Amanda Robertson
From: Oxford NS
Amanda Robertson
From: Oxford NS
gopher
Yup, Luis
From: Phoenix
Kevin
From: Owen Sound, Canada
John Pelham
From: Anniston, AL
cosmo
From: melrose,ma.
Marvin Gardens
From: Long Island
Roger Eggbert
From: Chicago
DANIMAL
From: ZONE TO ZONE
Joe Hill
From: Carnegie Diner
John Pelham
From: Stuart H.A.
Stonewall Jackson
From: Six Feet Under Down in Old Virginny
Quinn the Eskimo
From: Miami Beach
Scott
From: Decatur NY
Ralph Giordano
From: Edison, New Jersey
Luis
From: Phoenix
cosmo
From: melrose,ma.
Uncle Meat
From: Strictly Commercial, CA
cosmo
From: melrose,ma.
Little Bessie Girl
From: Lake Charles, Louisiana
Joe Hill
From: Ontario
Foxtrot
From: the fire exit
Ferd
From: New Jersey
King Oscar
From: Portugal
Jake Holman
From: San Pablo
Annette McCabe
From: Dublin, Ireland
cosmo
From: melrose,ma.
Dan Blood
From: CA
Eric N.
From: Rhinebeck, NY
Luis
From: MEXICO
Eric N.
From: Rhinebeck, NY
John Donabie
Luis
From: phoenix
Robert Paslay
From: Walterville, Oregon
cosmo
From: melrose,ma.
Butch
From: NY
Luis
From: Phoenix
Luis
Butch
From: Ny
Scott
From: Decatur NY
Pete Rivard
From: Hastings, MN
Esta F.
From: NYC
Typically Canadian
From: Halifax, Nova Scotia
t fitzpatrick
From: new jersey
Jonathan Katz
From: Columbia, MD
Uncle Hangover
From: A place Charles Bukowski often wrote about
Eric N.
From: Rhinebeck, NY
Josh
From: Indiana
Jonathan Katz
From: Columbia, MD
Steve Goodman
From: Banana Republics
Pat Brennan
From: Skokie USA
Jonathan Katz
From: Columbia, MD
Freddy Fishstick
From: Sag Harbor
Shred
From: no were special
Rich Hebner
From: Jacksonville
Kevin Kearin
From: orange county ca
Joel
From: Detroit
Pat
From: Germany
Peter Kinnear
From: Calgary, Canada
Iggy
From: PA
Jim Freedman
From: Los Angeles
Colman Donnelly
From: Ireland Currently in the UK
gopher
From: the interzone
Andrew
From: Philadelphia
Mike
From: Oregon City, Oregon
I'd sure appreciate some info. Since most of their activity is usually back east, it does get a little lonesome this side of the Great Divide. Later...
jeff newsom
From: Driggs, Idaho
Andrew
From: Philadelphia
John
From: penna
Pat Brennan
From: Skokie USA
Pat Brennan
From: Skokie USA
Joel Richards
From: Detroit
Just a Fan
Lars
From: Ny
K. Reehl
From: Old New Jerssey
Mr. Amused
From: Nazareth
David Palmer
From: University of Oregon
Mr. Enlightened
From: Humbled County Ca.
Bones
From: Connecticut
Uncle Hangover
From: Tom Waits' worst nightmare
Gail
From: Cheltenham, England
David Powell
From: Stone Mountain, Georgia
Scott
From: Decatur NY
Pat Brennan
From: guess
Pat Brennan
From: Skokie USA
Pat Brennan
From: Skokie USA
Charlie Young
From: Down in Old Virginny
Brigham Young
From: Utah
Sam
Pat Brennan
From: Skokie USA
Kevin
From: Pittsburgh
sam chaz
From: pisa italy
Ruud Swildens
From: Rotterdam, Holland
Bones
From: Connecticut
jake dyer
From: orono maine
David Powell
From: Stone Mountain, Georgia
Zed
Fannie Mae
From: Woodstock, NY
michele
Typically Canadian
From: Halifax
Nick Tovo
From: Newark, De.
Hawk
From: Cambridge Ma.
Brigham Young
From: Utah
Pat Brennan
From: Skokie USA
Scott
From: Decatur NY
Charlie Young
From: Down in Old Virginny
Mr. Enlightened
From: The Halls of Self Reproach
Bones
From: Connecticut
Hawk
From: Cambridge Ma.
Bill Krohn
From: Kalamazoo Michigan
Home page: http://www.kalnet.net/krohn
Chris Lecky
From: Cincinnati, Ohio
Typically Canadian
From: Halifax
Tom Izzo
From: Waterbury, Ct
John Donabie
Jan H.
From: Halden, Norway
Zed
Zed
From: old virginny
Jim Funk
Scott
From: Decatur, NY
rick v.
From: White Plains, NY
sam chaz
From: wilmington de
cosmo
From: melrose,ma.
Patrick Henry
From: Boston, Mass.
Roger
From: North Carolina
JIM BLAKE
From: PENNSYLVANIA
Typically Canadian
From: Halifax
Charlie Young
From: Down in Old Virginny
Pat Brennan
From: Skokie USA
Peter
From: Hudson, NY
John Butler
From: Northamton, MA
Zed
Hank beukema
From: Nyack,NY
Peter Wilner
Charlie Young
From: Down in Old Virginny
RON & DAWNE MUDFORD
From: Next of Kin of Rick Danko (Ontario, Canada)
Dan Blood
From: CA
Floorbird
From: up north
Mr. Entertained
From: the highly acclaimed, ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY
K. Reehl
From: Jersey
Nick Tovowski
From: Maine
Rod Stuart
From: Englishtown, NJ
Steve Goodman
From: The Banana Republics
Rick V.
From: White Plains
Mr. "really" Amused
From: Yonders wall
Henry
From: New Jersey
Steve Goodman
From: Banana Republics
rick v.
From: White Plains, NY
chris pyle
From: the wonderful world of balamer, hon (Baltimore)
Stephen Novik
From: Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Peter Wilner
From: New York
Kevin
From: Pittsburgh
Rod Stuart
From: Inngland
Nick Tovo
From: Newark, De.
Marvin Gardens
From: NY
Mark
From: Compass North - I've got winter in my blood
Typically Canadian
From: Halifax, NS
Joel Richards
From: Detroit
Jake Holman
From: San Pablo
Ipulledinto
From: Nazareth
Charlie Young
From: Down in Old Virginny
Kevin
From: Pittsburgh
Doc at the Radar Station
Jan H.
From: Halden, Norway
Bones
From: Connecticut
Cap
From: Washington, DC
Luis
From: Phoenix
David Powell
From: Stone Mountain, Georgia
Bill Munson
From: Toronto
Diane
From: New York....
Zed
From: old virginny
Zed
Bud Hendershot
From: St. Augustine, Florida
Bud Hendershot
From: St. Augustine, Florida
Jonathan Katz
From: Columbia
Dan Blood
From: CA
K. Reehl
From: Jersey
Peter Viney
David Powell
From: Stone Mountain, Georgia
Bones
From: Connecticut
Charlie Young
From: Down in Old Virginny
John Butler
From: Northampton, MA
FORGET THE BAND!
BITE ME!
Levon Helm is God
From: a drunkards dream
Butch
From: NY
Pete Rivard
From: Hastings, MN
Richard
From: North Carolina
Pete Rivard
From: Hastings, MN
John
From: penna
Zed
Luis
From: Phoenix
Luis
From: Phoenix
nick tovo
From: newark, de.
Peter Viney
viney@mailbox.co.uk
Hawk
From: Cambridge
Zed
![[guest photo]](wiseman.jpg)
Mike Wiseman
From: Rochester, NY
Home page: http://www.bluson.org
charles & barbara elliott
From: kansas city missouri
Andrew
From: Philadelphia
Jake Holman
From: San Pablo
Mucles Shoal
From: Mid Muscle Creek Amusement
Zed
From: old virginny
Scott
From: Decatur, NY
Charlie Young
From: Down in Old Virginny
Peter Viney
can you still recall the tune."
to the Dark Side of The Moon
to that Disney's fallen angel
that's descending much too soon'
Butch
From: Upstate NY
David Powell
From: Stone Mountain, Georgia
John Butler
From: Northampton, MA
Bones
From: Connecticut
Luis
From: Phoenix
J.L AVIS
From: Canada.
Luis
From: Phoenix
Karen
From: Alachua
Todd
From: Vancouver, Canada
Andrew
From: Philadelphia
Jake Holman
From: San Pablo
Freddy Fishstick
From: Sag Harbor
Jon Lyness
From: New York City
John Fitzgerald
From: Dundee, Scotland
Sam
From: The Heights
John Butler
From: Northampton, MA
John Donabie
Pete Rivard
From: Hastings, MN
Ragtime Willie
From: Down in Old Virginny
Beau Thibodeaux
From: Vinton, Louisiana
John Butler
From: Northampton, MA
Luis
From: Phoenix
Bones
From: Connecticut
David Powell
From: Stone Mountain, Georgia
David Powell
From: Stone Mountain, Georgia
Anders Hellstrand
From: Göteborg/Sweden
Gail. again
From: Cheltenham, England
Andrew
From: Philadelphia
Gail
From: Cheltenham, England
Pat Brennan
From: Skokie USA
Pat Brennan
From: Skokie USA
larry fradin
From: ca
john donabie
From: Hogtown
John Donabie
From: Not Amused
swans
From: indiana
Kim
From: NJ.
little cloud
From: altoona
Tanya Q.
From: Oakville, Ontario, Canada
Dan Blood
From: CA
Gail
From: Cheltenham, England.
Franklyn
From: Fredricton
Bones
From: Connecticut
Peter Viney
From: Poole, UK
The last couple of weeks the albums I've most enjoyed have been CONTACT FROM THE UNDERWORLD OF REDBOY and Jim Weider's BIG FOOT. I see no contradiction at all in enjoying both Robbie Robertson's and Jim Weider's music. I'd be surprised to find many Band fans who didn't also like Van Morrison. I'm interested when people draw interesting comparisons (as Pat did with The Rascals). Robbie is inextricably part of this web page because he was inextricably part of The Band. Whose songs do you want to hear most at a Band concert? Too many people have read Levon's autobiography at face value and felt the need to take sides. I don't feel that at all. And the great thing about exploring various Band-members sessions and sit-ins is that you discover more music you like. I've found some superb albums following these paths. Robbie's new album has led me to appreciate areas of music I hadn't really explored before. I'm even beginning to see what my kids see in those Balearic beats. Open your ears and give it a try. Listen without prejudice. If you reject it, you're missing out! This isn't the "Authorized Version According to Levon on a cranky day" web site. It's about The Band. All of them - past and present.
Brad
From: Toronto, On
Mikel Muñoz
From: San Sebastian, (Spain)
Zed
Would you also prefer that all discussion of Rick's solo work, Jim Weider's new album or Levon's touring with the Cromatix take place at another web site?
Portions of the Van Morrison Bang Sessions have been available on CD for years in different permutations, most notably T.B. Sheets and Bang Masters. Its great stuff, but is suppose I had better not talk about Van on the Band web site.
Erik Gislason
From: Uppsala, Sweden
Home page: www.privat.katedral.se/~sp96ergi
Mr. Amused
From: Further on up the road...
David Powell
From: Stone Mountain, Georgia
Jan H.
Jonathan Katz
From: Columbia, MD
John Donabie
From: Toronto
Zed
Dan Blood
From: CA
Pat Brennan
From: Skokie USA
JIM SOKO
From: WALDEN, NY
K. Reehl
From: Nj.
Bill Keenom
From: Portland Oregon
Brad Bates
From: Jersey
Jeff
From: San Diego
Jonathan Katz
From: Columbia, MD
Diane
From: New York
Dan Blood
From: CA
Zed
Zed
Jim Clarkeson
From: Pennington, NJ
Ron Rico
From: West 73rd Street
Pete Rivard
From: Hastings, Minnesota
John Tuttle
From: Oakland, CA
Matt Krieger
From: New Jersey
Jeff
From: San Diego
Joel Richards
From: Detroit
SWANS
From: INDIANAPOLIS
The Storyteller of the Shadowland
From: That Mythical Place Called Tin Pan Alley (or some other real cool place where I am considered a genious)
Home page: I wish I had one, too
Pat Brennan
From: Skokie USA
Zed
Andrew
From: Philadelphia
Charlie Young
From: Spotsylvania, VA, USA
K. Reehl
From: NJ.
Kimberly Reehl
From: NJ.
john donabie
From: toronto (hogtown)
Muscles Shoal
From: Mid Muscle Creek
Zed
From: old virginny
John Donabie
From: Toronto
Pete Rivard
From: Hastings, Minnesota
Bill Munson
From: Toronto
sean
From: san francisco
Bones
From: Connecticut
Zed
From: old virginny
Zed
Zed
David Powell
From: Stone Mountain, Georgia
Charlie Young
From: Down in Old Virginny
John Donabie
From: Toronto
Pat Brennan
From: Skokie USA
Pat Brennan
From: Skokie USA
John
From: penna
Karen
From: Marlboro, MA
The Dancing Bear
From: Old Old Woodstock
Bones
From: Connecticut
Cap
From: Washington, DC
Rob
From: Middletown, NY
Erik Gislason
From: Uppsala, Sweden
Home page: http://www.privat.katedral.se/~sp96ergi
Steve Hoffman
From: Boston
David Powell
From: Stone Mountain, Georgia
Jan H.
Thanks for the Fairport/Pegg entry. I added the
Birthday Party album to
list of albums with cover versions.
Richard
From: North Carolina
Zed
From: old virginny
Charlie Young
From: Down in Old Virginny
Serena_R
From: Forest Hills, New York
John
From: penna
Liz Colin
From: New York
Rob
2. Java Blues: This was a highlight. Levon announced it as a song by Rick
Danko. It was great to hear Levon's take on this. I've always loved Rick's
own version.
3. Rag Mama Rag.
4. and 5. A couple of numbers I didn't recognize. If I recall correctly,
Levon didn't sing lead on these numbers.
6. Last Train to Memphis: which Levon announced as off the new record. I
have to get it.
7. The Weight: It was amazing to hear this in such an intimate setting. I
heard the Band do it in '86 or so when they toured with Crosby, Stills, and
Nash. It brought tears to my eyes that time (I was so glad I got to see
Richard perform that song), and did again this time. Levon MAKES this song.
It just ain't the same without him. (Those who saw Robbie's performance on
Saturday Night Live will know what I mean).
8. Another tune I wasn't familiar with.
9. Ophelia.
10. Willie and the Hand Jive.
11. Not sure about the title, but I believe it may be "Poor Little Fool". It
was familiar sounding, but not all that familiar to me.
12. I'm Ready. Was it Willy Dixon who wrote this?
13. Three Hundred Pounds of Joy: the old Willy Dixon/Howlin' Wolf tune.
Sounded great, and I thought the singer with the Cromatix did a great job with
it.
14. Young Blood: Always fun. The guy who I managed to con into going on a
500 mile round trip to keep me company and who had barely even heard of the
Band noted that this was one of only two songs he recognized. The other was
"The Weight". Nonetheless, he came away a Levon fan!
15. I think this was "Milk Cow Blues".
Rob
Zed
From: old virginny
Marvin Gardens
From: NY
Andrew
From: Philadelphia
Chris
From: Cheltenham,England
Company Press Release
Mr. Amused
From: THE HOT SEAT
John
From: penna
Gail
From: Cheltenham, England
Bones
From: Connecticut
Zed
From: virginny
David Powell
From: Stone Mountain, Georgia
gopher
John
From: penna
Jim Martinez
From: Yorba Linda,Cal,USA
John
From: penna
Andrew
From: Philadelphia
Charlie Young
From: Down in Old Virginnyb
Ophelia
From: Toronto
Bud
From: Cleveland
Carole K.
From: shhhhhh
Rick
From: NJ
Charlie Young
From: Down in Old Virginny
AHROOO!!
From: anywhere
J. B.
From: Louisville, OH
Dave
From: Minneapolis
Serge D.
From: London Canada
Louise
From: Indy
tiny MONTGOMERY
Mrs. Surratt
From: the boardinghouse
Guillaume Secoupoir
From: Princeton NJ
Jan Høiberg
From: Halden, Norway
Home page: http://gyda.hiof.no/~hoiberg/
Andrew
From: Philadelphia
Thomas Lamar
From: Edgefield
Rod Prowse
From: New Zealand
Mr.Amused
From: Over there
Shakespeare
From: THE ALLEY
Don Pugatch
From: Roswell,Ga
Andrew
From: Philadelphia
Matt Leeds
From: Beverly, MA
Mark
From: Woodstock, NY
Pat Brennan
From: Skokie USA
Bones
From: Connecticut
S. Holmes
From: NA
Bill Munson
From: Toronto
John Donabie
From: Toronto
Mr. Amused
From: Over there
Iggy
From: PA
Bill Munson
From: Toronto
Don Pugatch
From: Roswell,Ga
D. B. Reed
From: DC Area.
L.J.Tyler
From: t.h.n.d.
Bob Burns
From: Hamilton, Ohio
Home page: http://www.cincy.com/bands/biginiowa/
Bob Burns
From: Hamilton, Ohio
Home page: http://www.cincy.com/bands/biginiowa/
Pat Brennan
From: Skokie USA
Dan Blood
Dan Blood
From: CA
Charlie Young
From: Down in Old Virginny
Karen
From: MA
Stutterin John
From: New York
Lars Pedersen
From: Pine Bush, NY
john donabie
From: toronto
Freddy Fishstick
From: Sag Harbor, NY
RE: DIRECTIONS
Freddy Fishstick
From: Sag Harbor, Ny
David Hossack
From: Edinburgh, Scotland
DAVID HOSSACK
Hank
Directions
From: Big Pink
Stephen Morigeau
From: Polson, Montana
Anon
From: Near Woodstock
Dan Blood
From: CA
Freddy Fishstick
From: Key West
Peter Tetteroo
From: Rotterdam, Holland
Ned Webman
From: New Jersey
Marvin Gardens
From: NY
Ben
From: New Jersey
Bessy Smith
From: New Jersey
![[guest photo]](snaphead.gif)
Snapper
From: Rosendale, NY
Home page: http://www.ulster.net/~snapruth
Marvin Gardens
From: NY
Pat Brennan
From: Skokie USA
Luis
From: Phoenix
Charlie Young
From: Down in Old Virginny
Don Pugatch
From: Roswell, Ga
David Powell
From: Stone Mountain, Georgia
Joe Slane
From: Kent, England
Joe Slane
From: Kent, England
A fan of Frank Zappa
From: Son of Orange County
Carole
From: Boston
Carole
From: Boston
Mr Amused
From: Your backyard
tiny MONTGOMERY
William Seward
From: Abe's Cabinet
epp
From: NY
Ben
From: New Jersey
Ben
From: New Jersey
Marvin Gardens
From: NY
music lover
From: the basement
Woody Key
From: Amarillo,Texas
samchaz
From: DE
Bud Domurath
From: Pontiac, Michigan
Ben Pike
Bill Munson
From: Toronto
David Powell
From: Stone Mountain, Georgia
Lewis Paine
From: D.C.
Pat Brennan
From: Skokie USA
Mr. Amused
From: Across the street
Charlie Young
From: Down in Old Virginny
Pat Brennan
From: Skokie USA
Mr. Amused
From: Further on up the road
vic
From: brantford, ontariario
Pat Brennan
From: Skokie USA
vic
Bones
From: Connecticut
Scott
From: Decatur NY + Paramus NJ
Bud
From: Cleveland
Bud
From: Cleveland
A fan of Frank Zappa
From: The Big Note
Jethro
From: PA
Gail & Chris
From: Cheltenham, England
basford
From: vancouver island canada
tiny Montgomery
Paul Schoninger
From: Lexington, KY
EASY ED
From: Bamberg Germany
Lord rest his soul where ever he may be.And like that old song goes,"if theres a rock&roll heaven ya know they´ve got a hell of a band"
Robert Bruce
From: Berrien Springs, Michigan
THE BEAK
From: England
A soul singing melody
A voice with a timeless beauty
His name? Richard Manuel
Once heard NEVER forgotten.
REST IN HAPPINESS!!!!
GOT HIGH ON LAUGHTER THAT NEVER GREW OLD
A VOICE IN MY HEAD TELLIN A STORY UNTOLD
A RIVER SO WIDE, ITS DEPTH NEVERENDING
I SING TO MY SOUL WITH MY WORDS IMPENDING
TALL GRASS BELOW ME LAUGHED IN MY FACE
MY HARD WORKED BROW RETAINED SOME GRACE
NOW I'M FOLLOWING A ROAD IN A DISTANT PLACE
SEE YOU WHEN YOU GET THERE!!!!!!!!
Ophelia
From: Toronto
In the evening we rose
Just long enough to be lovers.
And for nothing more
The world was too sore
To live in"........
Jan Høiberg
From: Halden, Norway
Home page: http://gyda.hiof.no/~hoiberg/
Typically Canadian
From: Halifax, Nova Scotia
Charlie Young
From: Down in Old Virginny
David Powell
From: Stone Mountain, Georgia
William Seward
From: John Wilkes Booth's worst nightmare
------------------------------------------------------
Tuesday March 3 4:40 PM EST
Andrew
From: Philadelphia
Andrew
From: Philadelphia
Jose
From: New Jersey
Mr. Amused
From: Around the corner
Pat Brennan
From: Skokie USA
Pat Brennan
From: Skokie USA
Pat Brennan
From: Skokie USA
Charlie Young
From: Down in Old Virginny
Dan Blood
From: CA
Dan Blood
From: CA
Ophelia
From: Toronto
NICK TOVO
From: NEWARK, DE
Jon Lyness
From: New York City
The Bottom Line, NYC
February 28, 1998
Not bad, but it didn't do much for me. Great piano by Aaron Hurwitz, though.
13. Shape I'm In
Serge D.
From: London, Ontario
Mr. Amused
From: Your neighborhood
tiny MONTGOMERY
From: out west
Luis
From: Phoenix
Tommy Robertson
From: Kennesaw, GA
Ben Pike
From: Cleveland Tx.
Crazy Chester
From: Tokyo, Japan
Home page: http://www.raidway.or.jp/~shigeon/tateishi/tate.html
Pat Brennan
From: Skokie USA
Chris J. Moertl
From: OHIO
Jake
From: NJ
Bill Munson
From: Toronto
Bill Munson
From: Toronto
Little John Tyler
From: The House Next Door
Esta F.
From: NYC
Luis E. Loucks
From: Phoenix Arizona
Scott
From: Decatur NY and Paramus NJ
Trike
From: sweden
Lars Davidsson
From: Ljungby,Sweden
David Powell
From: Stone Mountain, Georgia
Pat Brennan
From: Skokie USA
DR. UGG
From: QUINCY MA
Nick Tovo
From: Newark, De
Matt Krieger
From: N.J.
THE BEAK
From: England
MJ
From: NY
Spider John
From: Rancho Deluxe
veg
From: canada
Rick Kanold
From: Toronto, Ontario
Home page: coming soon
Ronnie V.
From: New Jersey
TD Bear
From: Woodstock -Joshua's (try the falaffel)
Jan Høiberg
From: Halden, Norway
Home page: http://gyda.hiof.no/~hoiberg/
Scott A
From: St. Louis, MO
Scott
From: NY NY
Daniel
From: Queens, New Uprk
Crissy Stetts
From: Pennsylvania
Spider John
From: Rancho Deluxe
