The Band Guestbook, May 2001

Posted on Thu May 31 23:54:12 CEST 2001 from spider-tr041.proxy.aol.com (152.163.201.191)

Bashful Bill

The new Rhino catolog has a single CD Best of Ronnie Hawkins & The Hawks, for $11.98. I think it has 14 tracks,but I also think only a few of these feature our Hawks. I would reccomend searching for the double Roulette version, which probably isn't all that easy to find. The catolog also has Jericho, HOTH, and Best of Vol 2, all for $11.99 (not to mention a whole slew of ELP stuff). Check out www.rhino.com.

Posted on Thu May 31 23:32:01 CEST 2001 from proxy3.mtmc1.on.home.com (24.66.127.35)

John Donabie

Watching the short video on "Short Fat Fannie" again (On the Video Clips section) with Levon and the boys. Man does that rock. I only wish Levon had released that tune on one of his solo albums. That version, done in his studio truly makes me smile. These days I need all I can get.

Posted on Thu May 31 23:10:17 CEST 2001 from du-tele3-097.mailbox.co.uk (195.82.121.97)

Peter Viney

Rising to my own challenge: Thin Jethro Tull link: “My horse Jethro, well he went mad … can’t ever remember things being that bad.” Or in the immortal Toshiba-EMI lyric sheet: “Now where’s Jethro? Well he went mad. I can’t never remember things being that bad.” (Other gem I hadn’t noticed” Just don’t CHARGE me by my shoes” ). I had to look further for more examples of EMI’s respect and care (apart from those I’ve listed in the past): “Slow down Willie Boy, your hurts going to give right out on you,” “If you find me in a blow, or catch me in a dream.” (dedicated to former presidents), “and I serve (sic) on the Danville train till Stormvills (sic) calvary (sic) came,” “Only worn me, it’s a mean old world”, “ain’t no reason to hate my head, I mightwake up in the morning, Yeah.” “Jemima Surrender, that’t all you have to do”. “You don’t have to say your (sic) sorry, if you done it just for the sight …”

After all, why should EMI bother to pay someone to check the sense of translations? Why bother to check this site? Why even bother to run a spell check (which would have thrown up ‘that’t’ and ‘calvary’) or a grammar check (which would have thrown up “can’t never” and “your sorry”)?

Posted on Thu May 31 22:56:37 CEST 2001 from 56k-la-01-40.dial.qnet.com (209.221.212.103)

Dave the Phone Guy

Bloomington,Ind., Minneapolis,Minn., and Salt Lake City,Utah. Levon Helm and The Barnburners are coming to town. Feel the love!

Posted on Thu May 31 22:06:35 CEST 2001 from dap-209-114-164-29.nfas.monroe-tnt-1.sns234.pa.stargate.net (209.114.164.29)

Mary (bear)

Going to see Levon and the Barnburners tonight at Moondogs. Hope to see Amy and Ray again, and I hope to meet Dave the Drummer guy in person this time. I spoke to him in the chatroom after the September show, and he guessed everyone but me...was me. Anyway, I will be the one with the kids tagging along. Take care and hope to see some of you tonight.......Can't wait.

Posted on Thu May 31 21:04:26 CEST 2001 from (199.44.161.72)

Brent

Hank, I couldn't agree more about the alternate "Twilight"- I really enjoy it, whereas I pretty much dislike the released version.

No one commented on my assertion that it's Robbie on drums on the demo "Christmas"... any takers now?

Anyone know how Garth got involved on Camper Van Beethoven's excellent "Key Lime Pie" album?? What a strange and fortuitous combination!

Posted on Thu May 31 20:20:56 CEST 2001 from (207.251.204.133)

G-MAN

Hey, Crabby is back!!! Tuff to shake the image?? Well, at least ya didn't tell em who all chipped in for RR's plane ticket Australia!!!!! Here a new Cd is commin out..........bout Kangaroo hides!!! Well, till it's released, I think I'll hit the road and see THE BARNBURNERS!!!!!!

Posted on Thu May 31 20:15:58 CEST 2001 from (209.202.100.68)

Bill

DJMitchison: A young Martin Barre (of Jethro Tull) played in a pre-Tull group with drummer Malcolm Tomlinson, who later moved to Toronto and take over the Billy Mundi drumstool in Rhinoceros. Mundi, as you pointed out, played with our guys on "Mystery Train".

Tomlinson went on to record a couple of LPs of his own, with a backing band that included pianist Scott Cushnie, who'd been in the early Hawks and in the Suedes with Robbie Robertson.

Donald Joseph: I too love Bobby Charles's Bearsville LP. However, I think the involvement by the Band (other than co-producer Rick Danko) is widely overstated. The personnel on most of the songs was Simon, Garrett, Colegrove and Smart. One song is just Charles and Rebbenack, another couple use the Butterfield guys and the old-timers ... Leaving not much at all for Helm and Manuel. (Hudson seems to appear here and there on accordion and whatnot.)

Posted on Thu May 31 19:57:52 CEST 2001 from (169.200.133.37)

Bones

In the new Billboard magazine, there is a great review of Rock Of Ages. It refers to ROA as one of the all-time best live recordings made even better by the reissue.

Crabgrass: Seek help with regard to this RR fetish. I know you would hate to tarnish your recent "nice guy" image.

Posted on Thu May 31 19:54:38 CEST 2001 from dialup-271.cork.iol.ie (193.203.148.15)

Hank

First of all.....mucho thanks to all those from The GB who made it to our NYC gigs last week....most of you travelled great distances to be there.......Bless You......I've always hoped to put faces on the names in this GB.....and this place is even more special having met and talked to y'all.......thanks also for the many kind words posted up here after the gigs......that means alot.........

Very Special Moment....... DIAMOND L'IL requesting "Twilight" and an Irish singer in the audience singing with me from where she sat...... ( although she sang "take a load off 'SALLY' " when we got her up for "The Weight" at the end...tsk tsk...)Thanks L'il!!!

Hey!!! The OUTTAKE of "Twilight" on NLSC is WAAAAAY better than the one released.......discuss

PS....I have it on good authority that the tribute to The Brown Album will be great on Thursday night in Arlenes....go if you can.....

Posted on Thu May 31 19:48:51 CEST 2001 from user-33qtadp.dialup.mindspring.com (199.174.169.185)

Pat Brennan

Music ends up in movies for a variety of reasons, but it is rarely one person's opinion, unless that person is the producer, that gets the music landed. Since RR's music has been in numerous movies, it's no surprise (at least to me) to see it in another one.

Jann Wenner's friend? I recall Rolling Stone branding the LW record as "an empty rite of passage."

Crabgrass, keep that RR stuff comin'.

Posted on Thu May 31 18:52:15 CEST 2001 from (209.100.37.239)

Chris

Hey Now:

Let's make sure we know who's going to the BarnBurners show at Legends in Chicago. It'll be fun to hook up with everyone.

Hey Butch Deneer:

I know you're real busy so I don't expect you to respond but I'm going to take you up on your offer to get my copy of "This Wheel's on Fire" signed. I hope that you are at the Chicago show as there seemed to be some question as to whether you would be.

Hope to see you all there.

Posted on Thu May 31 18:45:34 CEST 2001 from cmldme-cmt1-c4-24-25-179-110.maine.rr.com (24.25.179.110)

MattK

...except Crabgrass who brings up RR more than practically anyone on this board...

Posted on Thu May 31 18:29:20 CEST 2001 from spider-tq051.proxy.aol.com (152.163.201.66)

Dave ~ (the drummer)

Looking forward to seeing all the GBer's at Moondog's tonight. It won't be a Moondog Matinee...but it will be a "shank of the evening" performance; as Levon is so fond of saying. HEY BUTCH: the first round is on me.

Posted on Thu May 31 18:13:03 CEST 2001 from 1cust72.tnt48.nyc3.da.uu.net (63.46.54.72)

Crabgrass

... or cares.

Posted on Thu May 31 17:57:59 CEST 2001 from 1cust72.tnt48.nyc3.da.uu.net (63.46.54.72)

Crabgrass

RR works behind the scenes of music but little is known exactly what he does.

Posted on Thu May 31 17:14:39 CEST 2001 from proxy1-external.blfld1.ct.home.com (24.4.252.36)

AHROOO!!

Just to let you know, Delphine has been either a 'music coordinator' or 'assistant to the music supervisor.' Most of her work has been with that of the supervision of Deva Anderson since '98. Her older sister, Alexandra also works behind the scenes of music but little is known exactly what she does.

Hey, it's not as though she's taking Band songs and putting them on soundtracks! Oh wait, or is that what some what to see happen. Well, when she starts singing "The Weight" then I'll say I guess she just wants to live off of her daddy's fame. I think it will be interesting in time to see what other films she has a helping hand in.

Remember how everybody was talking about a Band movie? Well, right there you could have a coordinator. Then again, Helm might not like that. I can imagine him saying, "It's a goddamn Robertson conspiracy!" LOL!!

Posted on Thu May 31 15:13:09 CEST 2001 from ukscsys.soundcraft.com (195.217.233.205)

DJMitchison

Jethro Tull to the Band?

Ian Anderson produced / funded the album "Mallard" by Mallard...

...which was formed by members of Captain Beefheart's Magic Band...

...which has, at various times, included Roy Estrada and Art Tripp III in its lineup...

...who both played in the Mothers Of Invention alongside Billy Mundi...

...who drums on Moondog Matinee. Easy.

Posted on Thu May 31 12:35:35 CEST 2001 from spider-wm022.proxy.aol.com (205.188.199.157)

Ben Pike

I renouce Emerson, Lake, and Palmer and all their teachings, but I don't think I can come up with a link for the much better Jethro Tull. After they were on "The Rock And Roll Circus" I can't think of them playing with anyone else. They do have TWO good Christmas songs though.

Posted on Thu May 31 08:52:48 CEST 2001 from du209-1.ppp.algonet.se (195.100.1.209)

Ilkka

REF. Jonathan Katz, Thu May 31 04:33:59
I just checked out the Garth interview (visit Jonathan's link) in Norwegian. The good news were that he'll promise new Band releases "because there is still unpublished outtakes in the deep woods". Other news (at least for me) were that Garth's favorite Band album is NLSC because "it is most academic". - I have been in Denmark lately so I missed Garth in Norway, which is of course unforgivable. (Web page is a vCard.)

Posted on Thu May 31 07:36:52 CEST 2001 from spider-te023.proxy.aol.com (152.163.195.183)

Donna

Thanks to the 76er's, I no longer have any nails left! What a game!!!

Hank, I regret that I missed your show this Sunday. I did read the very positive post in here, about your show. Hope you come back to the states real soon.

I did however get the opportunity to see, Jim Weider and The Gurus, on Friday night. They were just superb as usual! Jim Weider on guitar, Randy drumming and singing away, and Malcolm, not missing a beat. Such Talent!!!

I just picked up "The Best of Taj Mahal," digitally remastered Cd today. Other than The Band remaster's, IMO, I can't say I heard a better Cd. Now if I could only get my nails to grow back again.

Posted on Thu May 31 06:18:08 CEST 2001 from spider-mtc-td053.proxy.aol.com (64.12.104.173)

Bumbles

"Manuel had been in bad shape for a long time; he had not finished a song of his own for years, but this ["Moondog Matinee"] was his album." Greil Marcus, "Mystery Train."
An estimation that does indeed rest partially on crediting Richard with that album's version of "A Change Is Gonna Come."

"Watermelon" obviously refers to Bobby Charles' eponymous Bearsville album---Bobby has a face full of the juicy fruit in the back cover photo---a record so laid back it falls down. Two places to better hear how he came by that "great, great songwriter" tag are "Bobby Charles" (Black Tulip), 50s singles recorded for Chess with Paul Gayten's New Orleans band, and "Walking to New Orleans" (Westside), 60s sides (including his original "Jealous Kind") recorded for the Southwest Louisiana market.

DONALD JOSEPH: Enough with the "Patch" business already.

Posted on Thu May 31 05:28:25 CEST 2001 from host-209-214-124-178.bna.bellsouth.net (209.214.124.178)

BWNWITennessee

So Robbie's daughter gets a job in the same biz as Dad, then puts his and his protege's songs in her movie? Geez, maybe Levon's got a point after all. Although as Music Coordinator, Delphine should be more responsible for licensing than song selection, but it's kind of hard to believe it's just coincidental.

The new Rolling Stone has a review of Nicky Love's new recording. The headline proclaims "A Robbie Robertson discovery with energy to burn," and in the article she's described as "Robbie Robertson's first discovery as in-house guru of DreamWorks Records." Can't help but wonder if Robbie's friendship with Jann Wenner scored a review in RS for an unknown artist - not to mention two gratuitous RR plugs.

I'm just still pissed that Nicky stole the title of Garth's album.

Posted on Thu May 31 04:33:59 CEST 2001 from parachute2-156-40-65-167.net.nih.gov (156.40.65.167)

Jonathan Katz

Hey! This link is about Garth and the guys [as well as Zimmy]. Can someone translate? Jan?????

Posted on Thu May 31 02:44:05 CEST 2001 from grmn-105ppp152.dialup.valstar.net (199.224.105.152)

Diamond Lil

George G: (Heheh..that's my dad's name...go figure :-) I can't speak for anyone else, but I really think the idea of a tribute to the Brown album is a wonderful one! I wish I could be there to hear it, but unfortunately I can't. If you videotape it, please e-mail me as I'd love to have a copy. Have a great time..and I hope you pack the place!

Wishing Garth a safe trip home from Norway tomorrow (and if you pack those other 2 guys in your suitcase and play for us here we won't complain :-)

Have a good night everyone. Hug Jan (And one to John D.. just because)

Posted on Thu May 31 00:12:55 CEST 2001 from spider-wg061.proxy.aol.com (205.188.196.46)

george g.

Hey Y'all. For those of you fans in the New york metropolitan area. tomorrow night Thursday May 31st at 8:oo at Arlene Grocery 95 Satnton st. (btwn Orchard and Ludlow)212-358-1633 a number of great local musicians will be performing The Band's Brown album (or second album) in it's complete form and in sequence for nit pickers. The tribute band is composed of players such as John Graboff(Guitar,vocals) and Dan Prater (bass, vocals) from Beat Rodeo, Crispin Cioe(sax) and Bob Funk (Trombone)from the Uptown Horns (Rolling Stones, James Brown etc.,etc.) Charlie Giordano ( keyboards w/Buster Poindexter, Pat Benetar) Denny McDermott ( drums w/Graham Parker, Rosanne Cash) Don Harris (Trumpet w/Tower of power, Garth Hudson) Paul Scher (sax w/Violent Femmes, The Milwakeeans) Andy Burton (key boards w/the Schrams) George Gilmore (Vocals w/Tall Lonsome Pines) It was a gas putting this togeather and everyone on this gig loves this record so much. We.ve done it once before and we are only doing it this one time and thats it. So if you live in the area try and make it down. We are gonna do our best to live up to the greatness on such a master work as the Brown album is. Hello to the rest of Gb'ers out there. Thanks GG

Posted on Thu May 31 00:03:22 CEST 2001 from (206.14.153.180)

Joe

Dag, Thanks.

Posted on Wed May 30 23:28:19 CEST 2001 from du-tele3-121.mailbox.co.uk (195.82.121.121)

Peter Viney

Thoughts on Emerlist Davjack: While we’re on ELP / The Nice … It’s unfair to compare Garth’s superiority on keyboards without mentioning Greg Lake in comparison to Rick Danko. Rick never employed a carpet roadie while managing to evolve wonderful bass lines without that genuine Persian rug experience between his feet and the stage. Nevertheless, Lake is a Dorset local hero who I watched in various 60s “Battle of the Bands” shows called “Beat Contests”. And with a little help from Lieutenant Kijé, “I Believe in Father Christmas” is an essential ingedient in the Viney tree-trimming ceremony, right after “Christmas Must Be Tonight”. David O’List (of The Nice), on the other hand, was an appalling guitarist. In December 1970 he did an “audition gig” in South London with a future name band that caused his instant rejection. The fact that ELP comes up here at all is a tribute to the breadth of the site. Next stop Jethro Tull … and I can’t see any links there, but I may be proved wrong.

Posted on Wed May 30 22:40:35 CEST 2001 from du-tele3-152.mailbox.co.uk (195.82.121.152)

Peter Viney

Donald, thanks for the kind words. I was sure I was quoting someone on Moondog being Richard’s album, too. I was probably quoting someone who was crediting Richard with a couple of Rick’s tracks as well (Ben might be right in suggesting Greil Marcus. I’ll have to check). All my insights this month are in “Wavelength” reviewing Van Morrison with Full Force Gail and the Red Hot Plodders.

“Watermelon” – is this yet another new title for the album originally called “Bobby Charles” that was re-released as “Small Town Talk” on CD? Or is it a different one?

Keith Emerson – give the guy his due. I never saw Garth stick a Bowie knife in a Hammond organ, let alone with such panache. Nor bounce it up and down until it screamed. Nor play keyboards with the same knife. I saw Emerson do this a few times with The Nice. I assume his borderline obscene antics with the Stars and Stripes were not repeated on American tours, even in the climate of 1969. On the soundtrack of “The Best Revenge” Keith Emerson offers “special thanks to Garth Hudson”, and Levon sings on “Straight Between The Eyes” , with Emerson and Aynsley Dunbar backing. While Emerson wins on whittling a Hammond, however, musically you’re quite correct. But perhaps Joe Zawinul should be added to Garth and Dr John as an elite triumvirate.

Posted on Wed May 30 21:36:51 CEST 2001 from schltns.demon.nl (212.238.41.164)

Ragtime

Sorry Ben, if you really thought it's Richard on 'A change is gonna come', well, we both know it's Rick, don't we...

Posted on Wed May 30 20:48:03 CEST 2001 from spider-wd043.proxy.aol.com (205.188.193.168)

Ben Pike

The idea that "Moondog" was Richard's album goes to the rather obvious sorse of "Mystery Train." Allthough the fact that he really shines on the album would occur to anyone, particuairly if you thought he sang "A Change Is Gonna Come." By the way, I've moved on from "Hulabloo" to a little known show from 69 called "Music Scene." It has too much comedy from host David Steinberg, and sometimes a cast of zanies featuring a pre "Laugh In" Lily Tomlin. It does have some great guests though(Creedence, CSN&Y, Sly) and "Smith" are on one show, so it's offical, they were a group.

Posted on Wed May 30 20:42:43 CEST 2001 from ti15a22-0085.dialup.online.no (130.67.113.21)

Dag Braathen

Amy Helm was born in Rhinebeck Hospital on December 3, 1970 (source: Levon's book)

Posted on Wed May 30 18:51:48 CEST 2001 from (169.200.133.37)

Bones

I may have mentioned this before, but Robbie has a song on the new soundtrack for the movie CENTER OF THE WORLD. The song is "Rattlebone", but I'm not sure if it is a different version or not. Interestingly, Nicky Love is also on the soundtrack and Robbie's daughter is the Musical Coordinator of the project. I'm sorry if this is old news.

Posted on Wed May 30 18:43:00 CEST 2001 from (206.14.153.202)

Joe

If the music spirits will allow it, at least the ones that control the financial end of things, I'll be seeing Levon and the Barn Burners in No.CA early next month. Looking forward to seeing Amy. Everything that's written about her is very positive including references to vocals with the Band, Steely Dan ("whistler"), Donald Fagon and the L.H.& the Cromatix. I know something about her mom...and dad. Will somebody please tell me her birthdate and where she was born? Any other background stuff? Thanks. See you soon behind the rewood curtain.

Posted on Wed May 30 17:53:50 CEST 2001 from spider-wi012.proxy.aol.com (205.188.197.22)

bob wigo

Donald Joseph,
Can you list the tracks from the "Watermelon" album you discussed in your last post ? Is this the 1972 release? Any help will be appreciated.

P.S. I tried to email but the address comes up N/A.

Posted on Wed May 30 16:40:53 CEST 2001 from proxy1-external.blfld1.ct.home.com (24.4.252.36)

AHROOO!!

Just to let you know Matt, Clapton might have made those statements because he feels he's getting older.

A large factor to his dissatisfaction might just be that he's expecting his third child in a few short weeks by his 25 year-old girlfriend in Columbus, Ohio.

Just a guess!

AHROOO!!

Posted on Wed May 30 09:16:04 CEST 2001 from proxy1-external.wkgn1.il.home.com (24.4.255.48)

Donald Joseph

Elly: Your worship of ELP's keyboards was the most sacreligious heresy I've ever read -- and to appear here, in a site dedicated to the Band, is outrageous! Your praise for ELP's keyboards was more offensive than kiddie porn. I have a mind to denounce you to a prosecutor, as a violator of moral decency. How can you deny Garth Hudson his hard-earned place (along with Dr. John) as the most brilliant keyboard player ever to record a non-classical album? (Yes, that includes Thelonious Monk, Chick Corea, and all the other jazz pretenders.) I'd be loath to allow those ELP keyboard players to scrub Garth Hudson's toilet. Elly, get thee to an ELP web-site; stop harassing the poor "Band Dandies"!

Viney: You're not insight-out, I was just joshing you. We know you're just holding back on us. By the way, congrats on the gratuitous reference in the liner notes to the "Moondog" reissue -- did it make you feel mushy inside now to be a footnote in Band history? I'M JEALOUS! The irony, of course, is that the reference to you indeed was merely gratuitous. While you have authored countless ORIGINAL insights (in your articles posted on this web site) that genuinely contribute to Band scholarship, in the liner notes you're quoted as simply having attributed to OTHERS the idea that "Moondog" ranks as "Richard Manuel's album." (By the way, I corroborate this -- I can't place where, but I remember reading, years ago, a statement that "Moondog" was "Richard Manuel's album.")

I listened closely to the Bobby Charles "Watermelon" album last night, and I renewed my opinion that it is one of the greatest recordings in rock history, better even than most all of the Band's albums. (That's no insult to the Band -- the "Watermelon" album is, for all intents and purposes, a Band album sans Patch, and proof that Patch was not essential for The Band to make earth-shattering records [at least when they has other geniuses to fill in for him]). Indeed, "Watermelon" boasts the best -- and the most prominent -- bass guitar that Rick Danko ever recorded, and some incredible horn and squeezbox performances from Honey Boy. And "Watermelon" WAS co-produced by Rick and John Simon. I have all of Bobby's other albums, and while I like them, none comes close to "Watermelon." Why? Because although Bobby is indeed a "great, great songwriter" (in the immortal words), he was never a great, great RECORDING ARTIST -- that is, EXCEPT when Danko, Simon, and a dozen of their best friends, including Manuel, Helm, Hudson, the Doctor & Amos Garrett, made him one. Perhaps we all ought to take a break from parsing Cahoots and NL-SC, and give the "Watermelon" album the attention it deserves as one of the highlights of the Band's canon.

Confidential to SUNDOG: Hey, great to hear from you! Thank you for the kind words. Your web page looks great, and the Vince Welnick show will be killer. I'll make every effort to go -- although my son will be in Spain for much of this summer, & he might not be stateside for it. My boy and I'd LOVE to come to another taping of your show, and my 2 other kids REALLY want to go, too -- after hearing from their brother how amazing your Merle gig was, they want the SUNDOG experience, too (sort of like the Jimi Hendrix Experience--?). Madison seemed great, so I am really up for coming back for a taping. By the way, did I ever tell you my brother -- a real Merle head -- LOVES the videotape of your Merle show? He actually plays it at parties (that tells you how HE entertains!). I have mentioned how well produced it is, too. BTW, my son still talks about your blue jeans embroidered with pull-tabs -- the greatest pair of pants our family has ever seen. We'll make an effort to get up to see you. (Truth be told, talking my wife into making the trip is the tough part. She fears Madison and the SUNDOG show are some kind of Woodstock revisited -- and she's still afraid of the brown acid.)

Posted on Wed May 30 06:40:04 CEST 2001 from cmldme-cmt1-c4-24-25-179-110.maine.rr.com (24.25.179.110)

Mattk

Sez here that Billy Preston turned up in Clapton's touring band in support of his new album "Reptile" (Clapton is claiming this will be his last tour -- seems he's finding life on the road is just too grueling...hmmm).

Anyway, Preston has been hospitalized with "end-stage kidney disease" and is undergoing dialysis, presumably waiting for a suitable donor...

There had been some discussion awhile back about Preston's activities since his brief tour with the reconstituted Band (joining the Band when Stan Szelest died).

I'm sure I'm not alone sending my thoughts and prayers to an extended member of the Band family.

Posted on Wed May 30 06:14:24 CEST 2001 from host-209-214-124-73.bna.bellsouth.net (209.214.124.73)

BWNWITennessee

Bayou Sam you lying son of a bitch!!!!! (just kidding)
I think it's a six-string and the top one's a mandolin, although I didn't check to make sure.

Best wishes and thoughts to semi-Band member Billy Preston.

Posted on Wed May 30 05:23:24 CEST 2001 from spider-mtc-tc052.proxy.aol.com (64.12.105.172)

Bayou Sam

Erin = I'd have to look close to make sure - but in all likleyhood, one neck is a six-string, and the other is a twelve-string.

Posted on Wed May 30 03:04:34 CEST 2001 from (61.12.197.6)

Erin

My little brother and I (actually he's about 6"4 and I'm about 5"2, but I reserve the right to call him 'little' because he's younger!) had a debate about one of Robbie's guitars last night and we wondered if anyone here could clear it up. In 'The Weight' on TLW what is the higher neck on the guitar RR's playing?

(Good morning, Diamond Lil - hope you're enjoying your coffee!)

Posted on Wed May 30 00:05:13 CEST 2001 from user-33qt9mv.dialup.mindspring.com (199.174.166.223)

Pat Brennan

Although I feel kind of silly posting this, Tony Kaye played keyboards on Yes's "Yours Is No Disgrace."

Posted on Tue May 29 22:25:19 CEST 2001 from spider-mtc-ti041.proxy.aol.com (64.12.101.166)

bob wigo

Don,
I "second that emotion" as I too enjoyed Mark Knopfler's show here at the Tower Theater a short time back. Anyone who has the opportunity to attend one of the upcoming dates should surely do so. His talent as a guitarist is obvious and his songwriting continues to grow with each passing year. The band is marvelous. Check out Chad Cromwell's drumming. There are some wonderful rhythms on the record that he deftly brings to life during the performance.

Posted on Tue May 29 21:42:43 CEST 2001 from slip-32-100-74-186.ga.us.prserv.net (32.100.74.186)

Don Pugatch

Could not make the trek to Memphis this past week, but did have a musical experience on Saturday night, that has been more then two decades in the making. Mark Knopfler, along with one of the finest group of musicicans preformed on a perfect Atlanta evening at our outdoor venue, Chastain Park. What made the evening magically was the way MK created an enviornment where his old music was new, his new music was newer, and the prefection of the preformance was everlasting. Old standards, Money for Nothing, Sultans of Swing, Calling Elvis were reborn with new intros and new manners to preform, a la Bob Dylan or Van Morrison. MK was so animated, he reminded me of when the Moodies play Timothy Leary, with Ray Thomas waving his arms as if he was flying, but in this case, MK was Sailing to Philadelphia. He introduced his roots from Scotland, and used the intro to "What it is" as a song that he heard as a child growing up. Speedway to Nazareth, all of the musicians, starting accoustic, and one by one, turning to electric, with MK being the last, to turn to his electric Ax, and complete the mix in a torrid pace. What was the most spirtual moment for me, was his preformance of Brothers in Arms, cool light breeze, clouds broke and closing my eyes, I could vision MK, in front of the Wailing Wall in Jeruseleum, pleading for Peace.

As I always say, live music can cure any ills, on Saturday night, MK, cured the ills of about 5,000 Pilgrims

Posted on Tue May 29 21:35:10 CEST 2001 from (169.200.133.37)

Bones

Birthday wishes to Levon and Bob Dylan! Thanks for posting the Garth interview on this site. He sounds so humble and modest about his role in some of the most important music ever created.

Posted on Tue May 29 21:13:47 CEST 2001 from grmn-105ppp158.dialup.valstar.net (199.224.105.158)

Diamond Lil

From the DFA cd, "One More Shot"..which I'm listening to now with a tear in my eye.. and with many thanks and a big hug to the person who sent it to me:

"It's hard to imagine that ten years time has streamed under the bridge since we recorded our first harmony trio album. And nine years since we played that concert at the Molde Jazz Festival one summer midnight by a Norwegian fjord.
Time is invisible and can be a cruel and merciless thief. And though we can't see time, touch it, taste it, or smell it, through the miracle of recordings we are able to HEAR it and be there while something is happening. The music on this live CD sounds as fresh and exciting as it did when we recorded it. There are no tricks involved, no overdubs or remixes. The show was documented by one SHURE sm58 microphone out in the concert hall in the midst of 1,600 people.
Rick Danko was a special friend. A great singer, unique musician and wonderful soul. His music and charisma had the power to move and inspire. His knowing chuckle could always bring a smile. And though we don't have him with us anymore, we will always be able to hear his voice and feel his spirit. And for that alone, I'm proud to be a part of this album"

Eric Andersen
March 2001

Posted on Tue May 29 21:12:58 CEST 2001 from 1cust207.tnt24.nyc3.da.uu.net (63.46.145.207)

Crabgrass

Unmatchable? What about Garth?

Posted on Tue May 29 20:24:17 CEST 2001 from ool-18b9acac.dyn.optonline.net (24.185.172.172)

Elly

Hello to all posters. Not posers! Any EL&P lovers out there? Keith Emerson's amazing keyboard wortk. Unmatchable in the rock venue. Rick Wakeman formerly of YES! comes close with the 6 Wives of Henry The 8th! "Pictures At An Exhibition" "Take A Pebble" "Lucky Man" "Still You Turn Me On" and YES' "Yours Is No Disgrace" and "HEart OF The Sunrise" .. Amazing Work.. Any people out there interested in coming down to Glen Cove New York later on this summer and MAYBE play outdoors for a good cause? I am in the process of getting things organized, as I have been planning on this since last year and was shut out. "MY BABY". There would be a small donation for more than likely a children's cause or for the under-priviledged of this community and would be a great opportunity for musicians to play. If anyone tries to STEAL this idea because it is wHOLlY mine, then my friends will address it further. This has occured before by a slander-loving stalker in this community whom I have heard has somehow had posted on this board under a guise of sorts. Should this GREAT charitable and helpful idea of MINE not go over, you will all know why., Blessings. Hi Diamond Lil. T'aime. Elle

Posted on Tue May 29 20:13:28 CEST 2001 from 1cust16.tnt2.idaho-falls.id.da.uu.net (63.25.9.16)

rollie

Great article Dave. Thanks-rollie

Posted on Tue May 29 17:26:32 CEST 2001 from (208.218.212.2)

David Powell

Click on the web page hyperlink I've added above to read Michael Lydon's excellent article "The Flood: Dylan and The Band '74 On Tour" from Rock's Back Pages. Some nice vintage photos are included also.

Posted on Tue May 29 15:33:10 CEST 2001 from spider-tk061.proxy.aol.com (152.163.206.201)

Amanda

Thanks for the great pictures, Crabgrass and Joe. I bet Blues Aid was a blast! Has anyone heard if Levon and The Barnburners are playing the King Biscuit Blues Festival this year?

Posted on Tue May 29 14:39:52 CEST 2001 from advlight-cv.sdsl.shore.net (209.58.158.136)

Kurt Gould

It was a pleasure Recording Rick Danko Back in Feb. 22, 1997 at the Orphevm Theatre in Foxborough, Ma. What a musician he was.

Posted on Tue May 29 14:28:18 CEST 2001 from (207.251.204.133)

G-MAN

6/1........Fat Fish, Cleveland, will be ROCKIN to Levon and the Barnburners!!!!!! Hope to see some ROAD WARRIORS at the show!!

Posted on Tue May 29 14:22:10 CEST 2001 from grmn-105ppp36.dialup.valstar.net (199.224.105.36)

Diamond Lil

I have nothing to say (go figure, hm?) I'm only posting because noone has since midnight last night..and I'm wondering if this thing is working. I always enjoy reading posts with my coffee in the morning...and today there were none!

Wishing Hank and his band a safe trip home to Cork today. Hope you come back soon!

Have a nice day everyone. Hug Jan.

Posted on Tue May 29 00:17:57 CEST 2001 from 1cust76.tnt9.poughkeepsie.ny.da.uu.net (63.10.13.76)

HI

Gerry,That Sing Out with "The Weight" was in the one in '68 with a Dylan interview with Happy Traum at the time of "John Wesley Harding." I still have it around the house somewhere.....a Dylan Painting is on the cover of it...I don't think it would be helpful to your purposes though....

Posted on Mon May 28 21:19:38 CEST 2001 from spider-mtc-tb083.proxy.aol.com (64.12.104.58)

Ben Pike

I didn't list "Aint' No More Cane" in that a good live take has allready surfaced. Come to think of it, I would want an acceptable "Slippen and Slidin" on the album, as the one on Divide is terrible. Takes of live "Chinatown" exist from the post Cahoots shows, according to the tape guide on the site.I thought "Volcano" might have been done live too but I'm not sure. Perhaps "Jawbone" also. "Holy Cow" should be on the list, if a good take is out there....

Posted on Mon May 28 18:57:16 CEST 2001 from du-tele3-056.mailbox.co.uk (195.82.121.56)

Peter Viney

Ben: you missed “Holy Cow” – Chicago 1974 . Also “Aint No More Cane” from the Isle of Wight, 1969. I believe they did “Chinatown” live sometime, but cannot remember when and where.

Donald J: I reckon I’m insight-out at the moment.

Posted on Mon May 28 18:26:37 CEST 2001 from apx1-01-57.pdx.du.teleport.com (216.26.60.57)

Karl Meiner

I am SO glad this site exists, I am getting tickets to see Levon Helm/Barn Burners 7/28 in Deming, Washington near beautiful Mt. Baker. Should be an amazing time. I was relieved to find the show frankly, not much Band action out here in the great Northwest. QUESTION-Does anyone know if a Band box-set has a)ever been released or b) is ever going to be released? Thanks and Happy B-Day Levon. You are an inspiration.

Posted on Mon May 28 18:19:59 CEST 2001 from 3cust116.tnt48.nyc3.da.uu.net (63.46.56.116)

Crabgrass

Excellent show from Hank Wedel and Open Kitchen last night at Arlene Grocery - those GBer's who made it know how good they are.

A flyer in the bar announced a Classic Album night at Arlene this Thursday at 8 p.m. - featuring songs from the Brown Album with a long list of performers - Hank should be there but unfortunately he's going back to Ireland on Tuesday. I can't make it either - maybe someone else can and post a review - would be nice!! (Arlene Grocery - click Web Page)

Safe trip home to Open Kitchen! Don't forget to come back!!

Posted on Mon May 28 17:30:09 CEST 2001 from 1cust23.tnt12.sfo3.da.uu.net (63.23.33.23)

Gerry Tenney

I've been going through a major personal Band/Dylan revial,learning a lot of songs that I wanted to sing, but never quite learned. Daniel and the Sacred Harp bieng one of them.Does anyone know if there is a written arrangement for the harmony parts on The Weight? I thought there was one in an old Sing Out magazine but I couldn't find it. Appreciate any help. Regards, Gerry

Posted on Mon May 28 16:32:02 CEST 2001 from 126.cincinnati-02rh16rt.oh.dial-access.att.net (12.76.51.126)

Cynthia

I was trying to find out the year of release for The Band (Brown Album -after all this time I didn't know that was how it was referenced - sure makes sense.) So just found this site and the date. So I thought I'd post a note of thanks. A friend has got me to commit to making up my 10 desert island discs list, which I have been avoiding to do for years. Well I caved and immediately said that this album would without a doubt would always be on my list. Strange I couldn't see the original release date on the CD or re-mastered version, nor on my vinyl copy! I did notice my vinyl copy has a stamp "Gold Record Award". Does anyone know if that would be a second or third pressing? Thank you.

I was fortunate to have seen the Band a few times in Chicago. In fact, the show at the Arie Crown Theatre is one of my top five concerts ever. A smallish venue, with great seating and good sound. To this day I can still feel the aura, electricity and magic of the performances of the group and each member. Garth blew me away.

P.S. My musical tastes are varied, (but I may not be in the minority there,) since the Cure, U2, Sandy Denny and Dave Dobbyn (NZ artist) are also on my list! That 10th choice is killing me -who to leave off!!

Posted on Mon May 28 16:31:01 CEST 2001 from cl3030709-b.mdsn1.wi.home.com (24.183.0.216)

Tim(SUNDOG)Corcoran

WOW,,,Donald Joesph :) What a grate surprise!!! How the hell are you??? Hows your wonderful son (I know his name I just don't want to say it here,,hehe)??? Geez its been a long time since me and you got the pleasure of honoring *Merl Saunders* back in April 11th '99. You haven't changed and thats a plus!!!! Hey Donald,,click that web site above and see what I'm doing now. I even have Rick's 'ol friend Professor "Louie" and The Crowmatix jam'n with *Vince Welnick* (formerly of The Grateful Dead & The Tubes). Your welcome to this one too!!! Please bring your son too!!! If you can't make it this year then we'll see you the next year for sure. Its grate to hear your back. But remember one thing Donald,,,I'll never forget all the time and things that you've done for me...you are in my top 20 of best friends book(if I had one,,lol)!!! Really,,,you are the best...Please give a big hug to your son for me and tell him "He Rocks".

Posted on Mon May 28 15:02:23 CEST 2001 from 24.68.33.158.on.wave.home.com (24.68.33.158)

John Donabie

Last night I watched the entire Bruce Springsteen "Live in NYC Concert" on television. I hope it comes to DVD. My wife and I were blown away by the energy, the passion and the musicianship of The E-Street Band. I always knew they were a great band; but last night reminded me of what great musicians they are. I often wonder if Bruce was influenced in having the Organ/Piano set up in his group from memories of The Band or The Hawks backing Dylan. Great show!!

Posted on Mon May 28 14:49:38 CEST 2001 from (207.251.204.133)

G-MAN

5/25-Road Warriors were Rockin to Jim Weider and the Guru crew at the Pattenburg House(Carol & Steve were great hosts')!!!! The Warrior crew was in full force and we all celebrated Frankies 39th(a day after Levon)!!!Music, as always, was EXCELLENT; the GURU'S tore it up!!! Jim and Sid tradin guitar licks!! Jim sendin out some super guitar solos----SLIDIN' HOME was special!! Rando holdin the beat and knockout vocals!!!! Malcom was in a 10+ groove and really wowed the crowd with a super, super bass solo!!!!!!! Only regret,...couldn't forge ahead to Pawling for 5/26!!!! Thanks to the Guru crew for a great show and some fun times, and thanks to the Road Warriors who showed!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted on Mon May 28 13:41:50 CEST 2001 from 163.ppp138.rsd.worldonline.se (213.204.138.163)

johan

Hello everyone. My name is johan and im intressted in byuing the band box (across the great divide)or another box from someone. Im gonna give it to my father on his 50th birthday present. He really loves the band so please email so we could work something out. take care.

Posted on Mon May 28 11:55:13 CEST 2001 from spider-ti033.proxy.aol.com (152.163.194.188)

Joe

Just got back from "Blues Aid" in Memphis with Butch and the boys......will send pic's to Jan later, hopefully to be posted. Can't believe the time I had thanks to Butch!!

Posted on Mon May 28 09:40:25 CEST 2001 from spider-wi072.proxy.aol.com (205.188.197.52)

Ben Pike

Brooke, I hate to think any Band members would take offence at a little tape swapping at this point, those diehards buying the boots are the ones who have given them their livelyhoods. In that spirit, I perpose: "ROCKIN CHAIR": the last of the live BAND tracks, a bootleg(or even better yet, legit) CD. Songs: Look Out Cleveland. Jamima Surender, To Kingdom Come, Little Birds, Share Your Love, Saved, Just Another Whistle Stop, In A Sation(done as late as 76!), Tears Of Rage, Twilight, Ring Your Bell, Smoke Signal, Shoot Out In Chinatown, Forbidden Fruit, Acadian Driftwood, We Can Talk, Georgia On My Mind. Miss anything?

Posted on Mon May 28 09:26:06 CEST 2001 from grmn-105ppp88.dialup.valstar.net (199.224.105.88)

Diamond Lil

Is it really 3:30am?? Yikes!
Just got home from Manhattan (after a brief but annoying, unplanned and unscenic tour through either the Bronx or Brooklyn..don't ask) and am sooo glad I went. Hank Wedel and his band were wonderful.. a very nice night and alot (but not enough) great music. Hank was just like I thought he would be..very friendly and very easy to talk to. It was a true pleasure to finally meet him

I'd also like to add how much I enjoyed meeting Bayou Sam, Crabgrass, and Dr. Pepper. Thank you all for being so nice.

Have a good night (morning?) everyone. I'm going to bed. Hug Jan.

Posted on Mon May 28 08:04:48 CEST 2001 from proxy1-external.wkgn1.il.home.com (24.4.255.48)

Donald Joseph

Hey, we're not all from New York, you know. This "Hank" guy sounds like a good artist, but the rest of us don't know who the hell he is, and we think he's pretty damn babyish for performing under the mono-name "Hank." Who's he taking naming lessons from, The Edge -- for God's sake? Won't you New Yorkers please crawl out your window, or champion someone with a less-babyish name?

And I'm getting damn tired of even die-hard Band fans dumping on Islands. "Pepote Rouge," "Georgia," "Ain't That a Lot of Love," and "Streetwalker" -- yes, "Streetwalker" -- are among the VERY BEST PERFORMANCES THE BAND EVER RECORDED, which makes them among the best rock'n'roll songs of all time. And "Islands" and "Christmas" aren't far behind. That puts the Islands album near the top of the Boys' work. So stop dumping on it. Without question, anyone with working ears has to admit Islands is better than NL/SC. And this isn't a matter of opinion, it's a matter of fact.

This morning a woman I know, in her 30's, phoned me as I listened to disc 2 of the new "Rock of Ages." She said: "Rockin' out, eh? Who're you listening to?" I said: "The Band." She said "Yeah, but which band?" I said "The Band-- the group called 'The Band.'" She said "Oh, I've never heard of them." I thought -- but didn't say -- 'well, that says more about you than it does about them.' Why must we Band freaks always be subjected to these "who's-on-first" colloquies about our group?

When I first started posting on this guestbook years ago, one of my causes at the time was to get you all to stop refering to Band fans as "Band Dandies" (or was the term "Band Daddies"?). I gratefully acknowledge that you followed my advice and knocked off that incredibly-babyish moniker. Now if only you New Yorkers would stop trying to get the rest of us to believe that a performer can be any good when he goes by the sole name of "Hank."

Viney, you're great, but your posts used to be more insightful than they are now. I hope you're spending enough time with your family, and not hiding out playing with your computer. Remember, denial is more than just a river in Egypt. That goes for the rest of you.

See ya all at the Levon show at Legends -- that is, those of you not touring with (ugh!) "Hank."

The "denial" crack was just being provocative and wacky, so pls. don't waste cyberspace flaming me, OK?

By the way, do y'all have the 2 Paul Butterfield's Better Days albums? Besides the Bobby Charles watermelon LP, these are the 2 most Band-like discs ever released by an artist not The Band.

Posted on Mon May 28 07:30:23 CEST 2001 from spider-we024.proxy.aol.com (205.188.195.29)

Bayou Sam

That's not true is it? :-)

Posted on Mon May 28 07:29:28 CEST 2001 from spider-we024.proxy.aol.com (205.188.195.29)

Bayou Sam

Oh yeah - Crabby says that I post too much sometimes.

Posted on Mon May 28 07:28:10 CEST 2001 from spider-we024.proxy.aol.com (205.188.195.29)

Bayou Sam

.......just got back from seeing Hank and his band in NYC. It was a super show. Hank has some wonderful original music and is a fun guy to watch onstage. He closed the show with "Twilight", and "The Weight".

I had the pleasure of meeting not only Hank, but Diamond Lil, Dr. Pepper, and Mr. Crabgrass himself.

It was a great show and it was nice to meet some of you folks in person.

Posted on Mon May 28 05:43:04 CEST 2001 from 1cust163.tnt2.poughkeepsie.ny.da.uu.net (63.17.108.163)

HI

I Remember Ole's on 212 and always wondered if the tune's Ole came from there....I remember Gerry Tenney as a good bluegrass player .......Thanks..........and Happy birthday Levon !

Posted on Mon May 28 01:54:06 CEST 2001 from webcachem06b.cache.pol.co.uk (195.92.194.16)

Darren Smith

This is my first posting,ive got into The Band over the last few years, and the more i listen the more they amaze me! Could anybody out there help me out regarding the basement tapes? Which of the band tracks were recorded in the basement which are album outtakes etc. I can't seem to find much information on the subject. thanks, hope someone can help. best wishes Darren

Posted on Mon May 28 01:01:46 CEST 2001 from proxy3-external.union1.nj.home.com (24.4.252.87)

Brien Sz

Happy B-Day Levon - Thanks for all the great shows and music!

I wish i could see Hank tonight but Moving can be such a an overwhelming task - Enjoy the show whoever's going and have one on me!

Posted on Mon May 28 00:20:29 CEST 2001 from (61.12.197.6)

Erin

One of the pubs in Melbourne has a thing for Dylan's birthday last night. They played three hours of rare videos of Dylan and then had a whole group of Melbourne songwriters and musicians show up and sing Dylan covers. The pub was packed - it was a really good night! I actually thought that the pub owners might mean something different by 'rare video' to what i do, but most of the stuff i hadn't seen before. They played the bits of TLW with Dylan in it but it looked different to the version i have. I know Scorsese used hundreds of cameras to film the concert - is it possible that they could have got hold of a tape made from one of the other cameras? (or am I just delusional in thinking that the shots were different?)

Also probably a silly question but should I be reading 'Ophelia' as relating to 'Hamlet'?

Posted on Sun May 27 23:35:08 CEST 2001 from ool-18b9f5df.dyn.optonline.net (24.185.245.223)

Tony LoBue

Happy Birthday Levon!!!!! We love you.

Posted on Sun May 27 22:05:22 CEST 2001 from 1cust174.tnt34.sfo3.da.uu.net (63.29.235.174)

Gerry Tenney

Hi to all, I've really been enjoying reading your ideas on The Band. I've been a major fan of the band for years. When I was living in Woodstock I even got to play music at Big Pink,when the Full Tilt Boogie Band was living there. I might be able to add one idea to the discussion of Ole in When You Awake. Ole was the mechanic of the garage that was closest to Big Pink,and he was considered a mechanical "guru" by the locals. In fact the women who told me about him,Cassie Culver lived nearby. She was a folksinger that I had been playing with, who had been put together with Full Tilt by Albert Grossman after Janis Joplin died. This was not a good match but I did get to play some music there. Sincerely, Gerry Tenney

Posted on Sun May 27 20:34:31 CEST 2001 from spider-mtc-tg021.proxy.aol.com (64.12.102.156)

Ben Turkel

I was wondering if anyone had gotten a copy of the D/F/A import 'One more shot'. I'd really like to get this, but I don't want to give my credit card information through an e-mail. If anyone has found a secure online site to order this from, please e-mail me or post the information here.

Posted on Sun May 27 19:53:50 CEST 2001 from spider-mtc-tc023.proxy.aol.com (64.12.105.158)

jcf

Click the above link for a very funny and interesting (non- Band related) article that I just discovered is available in complete length on the www.

Posted on Sun May 27 19:03:29 CEST 2001 from ch8smc.bellglobal.com (206.47.244.58)

brown eyed girl

I am listening to Levon sing "Jesse James", "Hotel Buick", "Hurricane", "That's My Home", "One More Shot" and............... "When I Get My Rewards".......Happy Happy Birthday To You!

Posted on Sun May 27 18:33:19 CEST 2001 from spider-to062.proxy.aol.com (152.163.204.72)

Bayou Sam

Man! is it a year already. It seems like yesterday that we were all wishing Levon a happy 60th in here. I remember posting my brthday wishes and adding something about his drumming being the best medicine for what he had been going through. Well, he certainly has been drumming over the past year, and still going strong - thank God.

Happy Birthday Levon - keep on rockin'

Posted on Sun May 27 18:09:38 CEST 2001 from ulab33.med.gu.se (130.241.86.163)

Markku (Quos)

Regarding The Band concert in Copenhagen 30 years ago (see What's New), our friend Lennart at the Swedish Feber-site also remembers the concert (according to the article he was there, but I don't know if that is true or if he dreamed about it...). In swedish, but still quite entertaining: http://www.feber.se/pub/pub3_2.asp?art_id=2424 (or click on the link above).

The Last Waltz without overdubs still sounds quite OK to me. I can not see how anyone would call it crap.

Posted on Sun May 27 18:05:40 CEST 2001 from cfa1.execulink.net (199.166.6.10)

Paul Godfrey

Many happy returns Levon. Catch you July 15 at Bluesfest. Levon, Shannon, Julia and Paul!

Posted on Sun May 27 17:31:11 CEST 2001 from spider-ta053.proxy.aol.com (152.163.205.68)

javalina

The Gurus threw down another great show sat night at the Town Crier. Randy and Malcolm were spectacular setting up a very wide pocket and deep deep groove for Mr.Weiders guitar heroics. Weider and Malcolm were on fire, and Randy's vocal phrasing while setting up some heavy syncopated fat back is quite a sight thanks for the good time Javalina

Posted on Sun May 27 17:13:35 CEST 2001 from rash1-150.upland.in.hypervine.net (216.117.91.150)

Brooke

I bought bootlegs of The Last Waltz in Woodstock three years ago. The guy wasn't supposed to have the tapes on display since Rick, Levon and Garth lived in the area. I had to wait until I got back home to listen, since I didn't have a cassette player in the car. When I did, one thing was clear: Without those overdubs...TLW sounded like crap. Robbie did the right thing with TLW, trust me. Overdubbing was a great idea. (I woke up this morning and had a glass of orange juice.) I won't tell anyone the name of the guy who sold me the bootlegs, I wouldn't want someone to go after him with a baseball bat. (Then I popped two fatburners and noticed it was such a beautiful day.) If you guys could hear these tapes you'd understand why there was overdubbing. (So I put on a Ronnie Hawkins CD and tried to teach my one-year-old, Sebastian, all about REAL music.)

Posted on Sun May 27 16:56:09 CEST 2001 from zorg136.revealed.net (208.243.237.136)

Mike

Yesterday, I watched The Last Waltz. I noticed something during "Don't Do It". Okay, we all know Robbie overdubbed quite a bit! Listen to the soundtrack and you'll notice horns overdubbed on "The Shape I'm In" and "It Makes No Difference" (save for Garth's sax solo). At the concert, the horns really came out after "Difference"! Anyhow, during "Don't Do It", you can hear horns. Overdubbed? Well, I used to think no, then so and now?! I used to think the horns were there onstage for "Don't Do It". Then, when I heard "The Complete Last Waltz", I didn't hear them on "Don't Do It". This led me to believe that the horns were overdubbed! Plausible and a safe statement to make. Ok, while watching The Band play this song yesterday, I hear horns. If you check out any of the wide shots (few of them however!) of The Band during this song, you will not see the horn section where they were situated. BUT, when you see Levon singing, you can see horn players behind him! Weird! It got me to wondering if the horn players were super imposed behind Levon. In a simialr fashion to what Levon referred to as a "travelling booger matte" for Neil Young during "Helpless" perhaps?! But, the trombone that I can see (Tom Malone, most likely) looks like it's being played to the song in question. Ok, so is this another example of some technical wizardry or were the horn players out there for the final number?! I doubt it but it makes me wonder. I don't mean to be microscopic but it's something I noticed. Happy Birthday Levon! Peace. Mike

Posted on Sun May 27 14:16:35 CEST 2001 from spider-mtc-ti062.proxy.aol.com (64.12.101.177)

Ben Pike

Now that I have had some time to spend with them, the bonus tracks if Brief: The Dylan set is mostly of historical value, but "Down In The Flood" is pretty great. Interesting that Bob would be opening with this tune going on three decades later. The other "Rock Of" highlight is of course "Rockin Chair", guess I don't need my shakey but much loved "Hollywood Bowl" tape anymore. Yeah, it's pretty much like the studio version, but great to hear how they could pull of this classic in concert. It still chokes me up. Enough with the Twilight, and only a Pop Christmas hardcore like myself could want anymore versions of "Christmas Must Be Tonight." The Moondog stuff is not quite up to the album but fun to have. Finally, the alturnate take of GOMM is the sentimentail champ, an smooth rehursal take with my all time favorite singer.

Posted on Sun May 27 14:01:33 CEST 2001 from ip-209-23-3-71.modem.logical.net (209.23.3.71)

john

i don't sign the guestbook often, unless something big occurs or a birthday arrives, as in this case. since i could walk i've listened to The Band, and i was just thinking the other day about how great they truly were. i was listening to the Moondog Matinee remaster (which is probably the best except for Rock of Ages), when Promised Land came on. The Band was the only group who could cover a Chuck Berry song better than Chuck Berry and Levon is the only singer who could sing a Berry song better than the man himself. i'll admit, my favorite member was Rick, god love him, but i just wanted to wish the greatest Rock and Roll drummer of all time a happy 61st.

Posted on Sun May 27 13:07:29 CEST 2001 from fa0.dc1-cache2.mel.dav.net.au (202.53.33.10)

Michael

Watching a 1995 concert on TV the last night, "Red Hot County" an Aids benefit concert, was preparing dinner when I heard the intro for The Weight, there was Levon belting it out with the likes of John Hiatt amongst others, still the greatest song ever written sung by one the greatest voices, I haven't seen much of Band over the last decade, watching Levon kick ass with the best made my day, week & year. Rgds

Posted on Sun May 27 11:40:02 CEST 2001 from 1cust38.tnt48.nyc3.da.uu.net (63.46.54.38)

Crabgrass

Okay, folks!! See you all at Arlene Grocery tonight for Hank Wedel and Open Kitchen's 9 p.m. gig. I'm hoping Hank will break another string tonight and sing James Brown's "I Feel Good" while changing it like he did last night out in Queens. (Don't let him know I said that.) Click "Web Page" for info.

Posted on Sun May 27 11:37:40 CEST 2001 from cf3k-3.lqy.tsnz.net (203.98.21.43)

Rod

I haven't checked the GB so I don't know if anyone has posted this before. Barney Hoskyns wrote an article about Dylan to comemorate his 60th which appeared in the Independant in the UK and the Sunday Times in NZ. It's pretty negative stuff but has this gem:

".. for me, there's more sole and melody and life-affirming humanity in The Band, that rollicking 1969 album by his occasional electric henchmen, than there is in all of the master's collected works."

I'm not going to argue with that.

Posted on Sun May 27 08:25:55 CEST 2001 from ottawa-ppp3517201.sympatico.ca (206.172.191.72)

Richard Patterson

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LEVON HELM! AND MANY MORE!! See you at the Silver Dollar in Toronto on July 13!!!

Posted on Sun May 27 07:15:32 CEST 2001 from fernuser003.bossig.com (208.26.181.8)

Gail

Happy Birthday Levon! Thank You for creating music that has a way of touching the soul and taking ones' spirit to higher levels. Everyones' been raving about the Barnburners,can't wait to hear you preform. Have a great day.

Posted on Sun May 27 06:48:50 CEST 2001 from rash1-95.upland.in.hypervine.net (216.117.91.95)

Mary Sunshine

Happy Birthday Levon. Who was on your birthday cake this year, Robbie Robertson??? That's who was on mine last year, so I just wondered...Luv ya babe, smile when the lights are out!!

Posted on Sun May 27 05:28:06 CEST 2001 from spider-wl022.proxy.aol.com (205.188.199.27)

Amanda

Happy Birthday to Levon Helm! He looked handsome in his tux at the W.C. Handy Awards! I watched some of it on HOB. The connection kept coming in and out. Joyful Days Always to you, Levon! Everyone have a safe Memorial Day weekend!

Posted on Sun May 27 05:05:14 CEST 2001 from parachute1-156-40-64-37.net.nih.gov (156.40.64.37)

Jonathan Katz

Happy Birthday, Levon!

Posted on Sun May 27 05:04:29 CEST 2001 from ts1-22.steveston.axion.net (207.34.146.22)

Cupid

Happy Birthday Levon....and many more, Peace Cupid

Posted on Sun May 27 04:18:01 CEST 2001 from cn416607-b.wall1.pa.home.com (24.40.41.165)

Andy B

Happy Birthday, Levon!

I'm so fond of "When I Paint My Masterpiece". Dylan couldn't have sung it nearly as well. You trumped Bob, thankfully!

Kind regards!

Posted on Sun May 27 02:46:47 CEST 2001 from 1cust69.tnt1.idaho-falls.id.da.uu.net (63.28.242.69)

rollie

Happy Birthday Levon!-You are without question the greatest drummer,singer,musician ,whatever,EVER!!!Now, can you use two harp players in that band of yours? And if not, could you fire that other guy and hire me!? --Rollie

Posted on Sun May 27 02:24:34 CEST 2001 from spider-mtc-tc032.proxy.aol.com (64.12.105.162)

Bayou Sam

Paul McCartney and Brian Wilson were born TWO days apart in 1942. That was a good week for rock and roll.

Posted on Sun May 27 01:35:17 CEST 2001 from spider-mtc-tj034.proxy.aol.com (64.12.106.34)

jcf

Happy Birthday Levon... Last week was the 35th annevairsary of the last concert from Dylan's 66 tour, if I'm not mistaken I think another musician- with quite a different sound, Trent Reznor was born on that same day... Also, regarding birthdays, I think two of the greatest people in Rock and Roll were born a day apart in 1943: Keith Richards and Rick Danko. If I am correct, those are probably the two cocnsecuitve days in histoty with the greatest combination of Rock and Roll musicians born during

Posted on Sun May 27 00:30:39 CEST 2001 from spider-ta083.proxy.aol.com (152.163.205.83)

Donna

HAPPY 61 LEVON....

And the beat goes on.

Looking forward to seeing you, and The BarnBurner's again, in Toronto.

Posted on Sat May 26 23:15:51 CEST 2001 from grmn-105ppp171.dialup.valstar.net (199.224.105.171)

Diamond Lil

Happy Birthday Levon..and thanks for sharing yourself with us for all of these years. We love you!

Posted on Sat May 26 23:07:17 CEST 2001 from net.nycc.edu (12.33.100.254)

Robert Walker

I usually post at alt.music.the-band, trying my best to help keep it alive, but thought I'd post here today to say Happy Birthday Levon. I've been listening to all 8 remasters solidly for the last week, and have just been reminded of what a great voice he had.

Posted on Sat May 26 21:46:03 CEST 2001 from cn416607-b.wall1.pa.home.com (24.40.41.165)

Andy B

My first post.

I just today got the Moondog Matinee 2001 Remaster. Nice to hear some of the outtakes.

I had to hunt down more info and the www.hollywoodandvine.com got me here and there.

I went thru the history of the tapes of The Band"s concerts. I was working at a Caldors dept. store and just as I was getting off work I heard The Band playing on WNEW FM live from the Palladium in NYC (9/18/1976). I drove home and listened to the rest. Then I saw they were playing another concert the next night. I was there with tape and recorder. Sat in the sixteenth row from the stage in the right third section. The horn members were all there. I taped the whole show. It was like Rock of Ages. Great show!

The next day I went to a Radio Shack to buy a cassette player for my car. I put the tape into a player and listened to it though a series of speakers but couldn't afford them. And after all my diligence, I left the tape in the player at the store. I called them back and they denied I had left it. I was mad.

Saw one of the shows at the Music Inn, in Lenox, MA, Don't recall if it was the July or August show, but it was cold and overcast, Saw and recorded the SNL show but lost that tape or it was recorded over.

Arrived in Oakland, CA on Nov. 28, 1976, but the Last Waltz was over. Did manage to be a member of the audience at the film preview in S.F. as Mr. Scorsese got up on stage and presented the film.

Fond memories. Richard Manuel and Rick Danko, R.I.P.

When I heard Big Pink, I had just been learning guitar. I thought the guitar intro to The Weight was so awesome, The Band became my guide as a progressed. Learning guitar chords and licks as I listened to every song by ear/trial and error. Have every vinyl they released.

Wish Capitol had put all the newly released outtakes and alternates onto one CD, but that's the music industry for you.

All the best,

Andy

Posted on Sat May 26 21:18:03 CEST 2001 from dap-216-151-74-252.nfas.monroe-tnt-2.sns234.pa.stargate.net (216.151.74.252)

Mary (bear)

Happy 61st Birthday Levon!!!!!! Can't wait to see you all at Moondogs on May 31st in Pittsburgh. YES!!!!!!!!!!

Posted on Sat May 26 20:47:19 CEST 2001 from spider-wl052.proxy.aol.com (205.188.199.42)

Tommy

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!How did that fella mistake THIS site for a Spice Girls site???!?!?!"THE SPICE GIRLS"???!?!?!Hahahahaha.Nice boobs on them,if nothing else.

Posted on Sat May 26 19:25:10 CEST 2001 from spider-tj083.proxy.aol.com (152.163.213.213)

Bayou Sam

.......just catching up on the last couple days of GB posts. I ejoyed the songwriting subject that P. Viney and MattK were talking about. I always shake my head a t people who think that something has to be complex to make it good. Sometimes simplicity can be just as, if not more powerful. I've had lots of musical "discussions" with people over certain musicians. A big one for me used to be Clapton vs. Van Halen - "but Clapton can't play as fast as Eddie" - I always asked why "fast" meant "good". I happen to think E. Van Halen is a great player, but nobody "moves" me like E.C. ....I got a drum one too. One of my favorite drum peices EVER, is a single shot on the snare drum. It is the one right before the flute solo in "Nights in White Satin". It is so perfect for that moment in time, in the song. The echo on it is perfect....... I know a guy who loves Neil Pert. I can definately appreciate Perty's technical ability. I admire it - but he could never capture the feel of a Ringo, Levon, or Charlie........Lyrics are another thing. Dylan can really paint a picture when he wants to. Lately, I can't seem to hear "Tangled Up in Blue" enough. I love the line " I must admit I felt a little un-easy when she bent down to tie the lace of my shoe......." There is so much meaning in that line to tie in with the whole song that I can't describe it. I gotta go........I could go on........se ya later. Who's going to see Hank tomorrow?

Posted on Sat May 26 18:29:50 CEST 2001 from 24.68.33.158.on.wave.home.com (24.68.33.158)

John Donabie

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LEVON! AND WISH BUCK A HAPPY BIRTHDAY AS WELL!

Posted on Sat May 26 17:22:35 CEST 2001 from ti01a65-0100.dialup.online.no (130.67.8.100)

Roy Korvald (in Norway)

Melany I am not god in english so I just want too say " I turn to you" wen my trobels are big, an it`s help. Thank you I am singel an I love your work. You help my day to go one. Again THANK YOU!!! My GOD this is wrong be cause this mail I want to send too Melanie C in the Space Girls. soo I am sorry gays

Posted on Sat May 26 17:19:24 CEST 2001 from ti01a65-0100.dialup.online.no (130.67.8.100)

Roy Korvald (in Norway)

Melany I am not god in english so I just want too say " I turn to you" wen my trobels are big, an it`s help. Thank you I am singel an I love your work. You help my day to go one. Again THANK YOU!!!

Posted on Sat May 26 16:05:37 CEST 2001 from ch8smc.bellglobal.com (206.47.244.58)

brown eyed girl

"Hear this Robert Zimmerman
I wrote a song for you
About a strange young man called Dylan
With a voice like sand and glue
His words in truthful vengeance
Could pin us to the floor
Brought a few more people on
Put the fear in a whole lot more

.........

You gave your soul to every bedsit room
At least a picture on my wall
Sat behind a million pair of eyes
And told them why they saw
Then we lost your train of thought
The paintings are all your own
While troubles are rising
We'd rather be scared
Together than alone

.......

Now hear this Robert Zimmerman
Though I don't suppose we'll meet
Ask your good friend Dylan
If he'd gaze awhile down the old street
Tell them they've lost his poems
So they're writing on the wall
Give us back our unity
Give us back our family
You're every nation's refugee
Don't leave us with their sanity"

.........

"Song For Bob Dylan" by David Bowie

Posted on Sat May 26 07:31:38 CEST 2001 from 2cust114.tnt48.nyc3.da.uu.net (63.46.55.242)

Crabgrass

I should have realized I was in for an extraordinary evening when I exited the West 4th Street subway station and passed Al Kooper a minute later while walking along the street. Al, unfortunately, (as I realized later on) was going in the wrong direction. I was hurrying on my way to the Baggot Inn where Hank Wedel and his band Open Kitchen had already taken the stage when I arrived a bit past 9:30.

I'm not easily impressed but Hank won me over rather quickly with his earthy compelling vocals, expert guitar playing (acoustic flatpicking, fingerstyle, and bottleneck slide), and a very amiable personality. These guys are the best damn bar or pub band I've ever seen since - well, you know who, don't you? Frankly, I was kind of surprised that they so exceeded my expectations. This was real music - the kind that picks you up and carries you away into another sphere spanning a variety of musical styles, the band slipping and sliding effortlessly from original ballads and folk-rockers, to country, blues, Chuck Berry, Elvis, and covers of Dylan and The Band and having fun doing it.

Open Kitchen pleasantly amazed me with each succeding song. Hank's version of Dylan's "Tangled Up In Blue" (which he dedicated to Bob on his birthday) was no mere imitation - Hank somehow managed to make the song seem his own and in the process injected a bit of Elvis into it if you can imagine that - something he also did with "The Weight." And I've never heard a better version of "King Harvest (Has Surely Come)" outside of The Band itself - but of course I never heard anyone else even attempt it. As the first of several audience-demanded encores Hank sang a tenderly moving version of "She Belongs To Me" - a total surprise and total joy. Hey, you simply gotta get to see them before they split back home to Cork. (Would Crabgrass lie to you?)

The one to make is this Sunday in NYC at Arlene Grocery (click on above "Web Page" for their website) - a great place to see a great band and there's no cover charge - what more could you want?

Posted on Sat May 26 06:11:20 CEST 2001 from (61.12.197.6)

Erin

Happy Birthday, Levon!

Posted on Fri May 25 23:12:04 CEST 2001 from spider-tk082.proxy.aol.com (152.163.206.212)

Tommy

Riots...Regular riots...!

***BANG!ZOOM!***

Posted on Fri May 25 23:09:19 CEST 2001 from (208.218.212.2)

David Powell

As Bill mentioned, Bobby Gregg had indeed recorded with Dylan. It was Mr. Gregg who fired the shot heard 'round the world -- the snap on drums that starts "Like A Rolling Stone" rolling.

Everyone have a happy & safe Memorial (Decoration) Day weekend, and remember those who have fallen in battle.

Posted on Fri May 25 23:08:42 CEST 2001 from ts1-33.steveston.axion.net (207.34.146.33)

Cupid

Ya know there are days when it's just no fun living on the west coast. Oh sure it's sunny and warm and we don't have to shovel anything in the winter and the chicks start wearing the tank tops in March but sometimes that's not enough. I keep reading about the Barnburners, Guru's and now Hank's band and that's all I can do is read about them. Oh sure I could but the CD's which are fine but nothing beats live music. So this is my plea to the bands in question, tour out here, give us a taste will ya...don't make me beg. Well I best get back to sunning myself, but I shall hold out hope that one day it'll be me posting about a great Band related gig...I guess I could post about my own gigs but that would be rather egotistical of me wouldn't it....Forelornly yours, peace Cupid..

Posted on Fri May 25 23:05:11 CEST 2001 from cmldme-cmt1-c4-24-25-179-110.maine.rr.com (24.25.179.110)

MattK

Well as we all known, it was RICK on Dixie singing "I swear by the MUD below my Jimmy..."

Posted on Fri May 25 21:37:12 CEST 2001 from (164.156.231.55)

Little Brøther

-- Didn't some Sixties comedian have a line about the advertising cliché "New and Improved!", something like, "NEW and IMPROVED? Well, that's dandy, but isn't that another way of admitting that you've really been unloading a lot of inferior crap on us up until now?" Sometimes I feel that way about the NEW and IMPROVED CD reissues flooding the market these days. Perhaps "Old BUT Improved" is more accurate. Still, as a proven Amerikan consumer, I'm glad to get them. Perhaps the "revamped" TLW will contain bonus footage and/or enhanced sound-- or mask Van's burgundy unitard with overalls (or a cape).

-- Having decried the bloodsucking, predatory capitalist corporations for selling us the same product over and over, I nevertheless would welcome New & Improved reissues of "Before the Flood" and an expanded AUTHENTIC edition of the "Basement Tapes". I'm surprised that the Zimmermann Factor hasn't ratcheted up production of either offering.

-- "Back to Memphis", rescued from the appalling cheap swindle of the bogus "Watkins Glen" CD, is one of the most satisfying tracks in the reissues for me. I love it not only because it's a worthy tune, but because it's such a fine example of the five men working their instruments in full-tilt real time. In the latter phases of the Band's recording career, as in "Moondog Matinee", Richard's sublime and almost subliminal mid-range rhythm piano becomes the dog that doesn't bark in the night. And one wonders if their trademark Musical Chairs instrument-switching is driven more by necessity than virtuosity. But in "Back to Memphis", the old magic incandesces; it's a balanced tour de force.

-- I also agree with Donald Joseph and others that it would be nice to have a comprehensive breakdown on who played what on each track in the Band's catalogue. I wish I had the ears to work it out myself, but I don't, particularly in post-Stagefright releases. The reissue liner notes are OK for what they are, but I'd have preferred a more systematic consideration. (Hey, who am I kidding? Some of the quotes and the overall hyperRobbiephilia made me cringe. De gustibus non est disputandem, as Robbie once said...)

Posted on Fri May 25 21:23:56 CEST 2001 from node140113.rvs.uc.edu (129.137.140.113)

max

http://www.citybeat.com/current/music.shtml

Our local online weekly has a review of the latest reissues of the Band. I don't know if anybody has posted this or not.

Posted on Fri May 25 21:20:32 CEST 2001 from spider-mtc-td082.proxy.aol.com (64.12.104.187)

bob wigo

You tell 'em Jimmy !!!

Posted on Fri May 25 20:55:19 CEST 2001 from spider-tk014.proxy.aol.com (152.163.206.179)

TOMMY...TOMMY!!!

Eddie...WHO THE HELL IS JIMMY???!?!?!?! My name is Tommy...PAY ATTENTION!!!

Posted on Fri May 25 20:47:37 CEST 2001 from user-33qt91c.dialup.mindspring.com (199.174.164.44)

Pat Brennan

Mike, although this is spelled out by Jones himself on his own website, Dylan had heard Mickey play with a number of people and loved his drumming. Dylan had to pay him more than he paid the individual Hawks as Mickey seemed to be a better businessman.

Posted on Fri May 25 20:29:01 CEST 2001 from (205.232.51.203)

Dave Hopkins

Peter V: I guess Warner Brothers may be gearing up for a "25th Anniversary" rerelease of The Last Waltz. Good news, if it comes to pass (I wonder what "extended revamp" means!).

Posted on Fri May 25 20:01:35 CEST 2001 from (206.187.219.44)

elllllllllllllllllllle

St. Maarten... Reste. Beautiful place at the old Caravanserai.. Listening to "we are spirits in the material world": By The Police... And "could it be that I have found my home at last": Steely Dan....and Billy Falcon's, "maybe someday, someday I will hold your hand".. and rolls royce's "wishing in a star, to follow where you are"... To the guy that posted a biblical reference to "Virgil .............."...The original wanderer, as GOD had created him that way for a GOOD reason,and not to be envied or hatred, but to be embraced to share THE WORD, studied from the OLD TESTAMENT,was Jesus................Paradise is from GOD within..... The garden of Eden flourishes thereafter.... All about you. AND NOT FROM GREED THAT KILLS THE EARTH AND THIS WORLD. AND THE GOOD PEOPLE. Millennia is a time of saving truth-so, you know who you are....If it wasn't you, it would have been someone else to be forced to tell the truth to... well there's "the club" that LOCKS a well in a car from theft and then there's removal legally of "the claw" that does not lock in freshness. That's why I need Mr. Clean. And you know who you are. Truth will as Sting says, "set them free".. T'aime babe. ELLLLLLLLLLLLLLy.

Posted on Fri May 25 18:55:04 CEST 2001 from host.nycboe.org (209.2.204.51)

Eddie Hodel

Had a great time at Hank's gig last night. Check out Jimmy's entry here earlier. His band, OPEN KITCHEN played KING HARVEST so well, I closed my eyes and saw Danko smiling. Hank has written some beautiful songs since I last saw him in the late 80's. I think anyone on this GB would enjoy seeing this band. I will see them again on Saturday night in Woodside Queens (my neighborhood) at a cool Irish bar called THE WALL. PS: Yeah Jimmy, you're right, that Crabgrass is a degenerate jerk, isn't he? (kidding)

Posted on Fri May 25 18:08:36 CEST 2001 from (209.202.100.68)

Bill

Mike: You asked about Levon's replacement(s) in the Hawks. First was Bobby Gregg, then Sandy Konikoff, then Mickey Jones. Gregg, a well-known NY session guy who'd recorded with Dylan previously, was likely the Dylan/corporate choice. I don't know why he left, but would guess that as a busy session guy he had no need to tour.

Konikoff, a long-time friend of the Hawks from their Toronto days (though he's from Buffalo), was the Hawks' choice, presumably. Certainly his reasons for leaving included a strong distaste for flying (to Europe and Australia).

Mickey Jones would, I imagine, have been seen as being both a strong and versatile drummer, and an experienced and companionable road musician.

Posted on Fri May 25 17:53:36 CEST 2001 from aclermont-ferrand-101-2-1-29.abo.wanadoo.fr (193.251.12.29)

Zoe

I'm about to order the last 3 solo Rick Danko cds and the 2 "Danko Fjeld Anderson" cds and I wondered if they come with the lyrics ? Does anyone of you know that ? And if they don't come with the lyrics, do you know if there's a chance I could find them somewhere ??? Thanks. Zoe

Posted on Fri May 25 17:23:46 CEST 2001 from 2cust82.tnt52.nyc3.da.uu.net (63.46.58.210)

Crabgrass

Whew!! Was lucky enough to catch Hank Wedel and his excellent band Open Kitchen at a small Greenwich Village club last night - to anyone who was thinking of making it to see Hank this Sunday evening at Arlene Grocery here's some good advice - stop thinking and start planning!!

I notice the reviews from last night's gig have already started pouring in - I'll post mine later tonight.

Posted on Fri May 25 17:18:02 CEST 2001 from cache1-sc-psci.psci.net (63.65.190.242)

Knockin' Lost John

Hi

Thanks to those who responded to my Barnburners CD question earlier.

You guys gave me some much-needed info. I was about to freak out thinking that I had missed a BB's CD!

Guess I just misunderstood Chris O'Leary's comments about it.

Take care

John

Posted on Fri May 25 15:30:33 CEST 2001 from du-tele3-105.mailbox.co.uk (195.82.121.105)

Peter Viney

From Peter Doggett’s review of the reissues in June “Record Collector”:

“The media phenomenon that was TheLast Waltz (itself due for an extended revamp later this year) helped to disguise the long decline of The Band’s later years …”

Interesting after all the weekly requests for info on TLW rerelease. “Record Collector” usually has excellent advance information and accuracy.

Posted on Fri May 25 10:34:08 CEST 2001 from spider-mtc-ti041.proxy.aol.com (64.12.101.166)

Tommy

Hello friends...I just got back from seeing Hank (from Cork) and his band , Open Kitchen.Good show!!!Hank was a warm, friendly and genuinely nice guy.So were his bandmates.They put on a good show for the small group assembled.

Hank opened the show with a solo acoustic guitar in hand, doing a version of an "old English folk song" as he refered to it.The Beatles' 'She Loves You'...a slow, folky version.It worked and sounded quite well, too!!!After a number of really good originals, the band opened up their second set with a tribute to Zimmy...a kick-ass version of 'Tangled Up In Blue'!Then, 'King Harvest', dedicated to Richard followed by 'It Makes No Difference', dedicated to Rick.Both songs sounded great!Hank handled the vocals beautifully.

Then, Hank invited some NYC buddies up to play some rollickin' rock'n'roll..including a cover of 'The Weight'.Good times, indeed!After an extended jam , and a version of 'Who Do You Love' with the band and Hank's friend Tom (who mentioned quite a few times how he was Amy Helm's camp counselor) on vocals, they closed the show.(another Dylan song in the encore, too.)

Hank remindede me of a "post-Robbie-Band" Rick Danko, in appearance and voice.Also at times, I thought he sounded like Elvis Costello(in his early years).I recommend you guys to check out his site and pick up his cd (I didn't tonight, cause I didn't have the money).Or, if you can, check him out in the NY area this weekend.It's a good show.(It coulda been better if I had money for more than two beers!!!)

Oh yeah, I also met that brute...that utter degenerate, CRABGRASS tonight.What a jerk!!!

(He told me to say that folks..If I didn't , he was gonna beat me up!)

Posted on Fri May 25 08:57:38 CEST 2001 from host-209-214-147-125.msy.bellsouth.net (209.214.147.125)

MIchael Blackman

I just read Peter Viney's excellent article on The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down, and would like to add my thoughts. There are several strongly Biblical images here, which is one reason why I prefer to hear "blood beneath my feet." In Genesis, God says to Cain, "Your brother's blood cries out to me from the ground!" Blood and mud become one, at any rate. Cain's future as a farmer is doomed, as is Virgil's.

And Cain is sentenced to become a "ceaseless wanderer," though he says he will be a "restless wanderer." But he doesn't wander far, not physically. He settles down, gets married, has a family, and founds a town. I believe Cain is an emotional wanderer because he cut himself from God. Virgil became the same type of wanderer. And there are many Southerners today still wandering, clinging to a romanticized past and thinking of themselves as the descendants of rebels, "like my brother before me." They have cut themselves from putting that past to rest, because "You can't raise a Cain back up when he's in defeat."

Posted on Fri May 25 07:51:24 CEST 2001 from mygore0.connect.com.au (210.8.232.5)

Rohan Healy

In a word "brilliant" My favorite folk/rock act of all time.

Posted on Fri May 25 07:36:07 CEST 2001 from spider-tn031.proxy.aol.com (152.163.207.56)

Ben Pike

On one of My "Hulaballo" tapes, there is a tribute to Bob. George Maharis cuts into "Rolling Stone". Then a long forgotten soul duo do an awkward "All I Really Want To Do" which slides into some modern Dance and Diane Warwick doing "Mr. Tamberine Man"; and the Animals attack "It Aint Me Babe"( Eric takes the lead, but they ALL sing the chorus, even the drummer) and they all join in for "Blowin In The Wind." It was like a Golden Throats album come to life. Happy 60 Jokerman.

Posted on Fri May 25 06:21:58 CEST 2001 from pool0077.cvx33-bradley.dialup.earthlink.net (216.244.0.77)

Moosman

Dear Peter: I beleieve the Bach/bass guitar observation was made by Jack Bruce in a movie of the final Cream concert. At one point every guitarist had to watch that film because it had a close-up that showed Clapton playing from behind and you could study how he got his vibrato. (He moved his wrist not just his finger.) Are any Bandophiles also into Al Jolson? Just asking....

Posted on Fri May 25 06:19:42 CEST 2001 from syr-24-24-5-34.twcny.rr.com (24.24.5.34)

Dr Pepper

Long winded? I don't think so. Let me nutshell it for you. "Drive fast and take chances"! Nothing that a Seabreeze and a shot of Tequilla couldn't handle.

Posted on Fri May 25 06:02:13 CEST 2001 from spider-wg033.proxy.aol.com (205.188.196.33)

Baashful Bill

Erin-when I read your comment that Dylan's music has made a difference in your life, I thought that his music has had some impact on many many people's lives, some of whom don't even care for him, some probably haven't even heard of him. As our esteemed Peter Viney has often said (about himself), I'm a Band fan first, and a Dylan fan second, but I'll never forget sitting in my best childhood friend's bedroom getting turned on to With God On Our Side. The John Wesley Harding album really did me in. A few years later he turned me on to Big Pink, and several years after that he & I attended a show in SF called The Last Waltz. Tonite I went to a cool show, with no Dylan connections but definite Band connections. Mrs. Bashful Bill and I saw Deana Carter play a great show in a nice intimate setting. All originals except one cover-a Bee Gees song. Good tunes too, real substance to them. Fine voice, fine music, a fine show. highly recommended. I wish we could have talked to her, I would have loved to ask about her father's influence.

Posted on Fri May 25 05:58:22 CEST 2001 from spider-wk022.proxy.aol.com (205.188.198.157)

Dave Z

Hey Laura P, I guess it's sometimes true that "GBer minds think alike"... I too enjoyed "Blood On The Tracks" during a nice highway downpour... I took my trip just for the listen... and to break up my day a little bit... I also daydreamed about what might have been had Hendrix survived to a ripe old age... I bet he would have played with Dylan on something... I also still hold out hope that we see some more Dylan and Band action... something really special and creative...

Posted on Fri May 25 04:32:10 CEST 2001 from (61.12.197.6)

Erin

OK, because of Bob's birthday I'm going to be totally (or virtually) Band- irrelivent today. I want to go on record as liking Dylan's voice and thinking that its a good voice in its own right too. I think he's got an amazing range (in his sheet music the key is often changed to bring it more within a normal range) and a great range of tonal qualities. People talk about getting past the voice or as liking its individuality or expressivness but few people just think its a good voice. However, I am not totally alone, Guthrie thought he had a great voice and (here comes a Band link) Rick Danko says on the HWY 61 cd rom 'he sure is one of my favourite singers' - though i have to admit, he does give a little smile when he says it!

Since I am being totally self- indulgent and talking about stuff that's only interesting to me today, I want to add that Dylan's music has made a big difference in my life, just like it has in a lot of other people's lives. My interest in his music led me into a lot of other stuff that has been very important to me.

But oddly enough, one of the things he did that made the biggest difference to me was that on his first album, unlike Eric Burden and other men of that generation, he sang 'House of the Rising Sun' from the perspective of a woman, as the song was originally intended. At the time i was starting to play the blues myself but wasn't aware of many women who played blues and hardly any that i really loved. I always felt inauthentic and that i shouldn't be playing music that didn't belong to me. Hearing Dylan sing that pointed to something that is sometimes forgotten in the hero worship of male guitar heros from the 60's on: that before the 40's women were every bit as involved in the blues and the music that blues came out of as men were.

Posted on Fri May 25 02:49:22 CEST 2001 from (206.187.219.43)

Lauren

Funk the Fred. Exactly. Vapid, vacant. Empty. To laugh at Bob Dylan makes me realize how sad it is that there are people who would laugh at elegant, pure upper echelon talent. You must not qualify for the "quality award in decipheriong excellence". I hope that you learn from other people on this website that what it takes to make a champion takes pure talent. And to go the distance. And everyone who has wanted the repsect that Dylan HAS EARNED in his entitlement, has never had to bribe, steal or invade someone's life to do it! Read his lyrics and learn from THE REAL LEADER.... Happy Birthday Bob Dylan! Best, Lauren.. "She Belongs To You".

Posted on Thu May 24 23:25:40 CEST 2001 from pm3-pt9.pcnet.net (206.105.29.83)

Laura P.

Thanks for posting that Robbie quote link, Chris.

I've been listening to Blood On the Tracks (+outtakes) all day, and I didn't even realize it was Bob's birthday. The weird thing is, this began by accident yesterday, because it was raining. Pouring out, solid grey and misty, with clouds of wet streaming through the air, flying off the backs of cars, blinding you, creating an isolated world inside the car of just incredible acoustics, white lights of the car in front all you can see, just hearing every detail of that music so perfectly--it's suspended in the air, just hanging, so so so clear behind the beat of the windshield wipers and the hissing drum of rain. Dylan always sounds best in the rain, he really does. I don't know why, but it's true.

Anyway, it was all by accident, even, which made it all the more perfect--I was listening to The Band, and then the CD was over and Dylan automatically came on--She Belongs to Me--and I just couldn't believe how incredible it sounded. I was almost home but I couldn't stop driving, not then, not and miss a chance to hear something so flipping beautiful. So I kept driving all the way to West Hartford, for no reason but to keep hearing the music. It stayed like that, too--each song miles above how it ordinarily sounds. If Not For You, Love Minus Zero, You Angel You, Million Dollar Bash, Too Much of Nothing, Crash on the Levee, You Ain't Goin' Nowhere (aaahh! "clouds so swift, rain won't lift..."), It Takes a Lot to Laugh... Then I played You're a Big Girl Now (NY sessions version), and I was home again. Wow, I wished I could have stayed in that rain world forever. It was so indulgent, so right. I would have liked to have driven for hours and hours--all day, if it could continue. Well, happy birthday, Bob.

Posted on Thu May 24 22:31:43 CEST 2001 from garco.cpe.newsouth.net (64.90.4.86)

Mike Carrico

Happy Birthday Bob, and thank you in general for taking us from "Don't Think Twice" to "Desolation Row" and back again several times over; and specifically for hiring the best damn band in the land in 1965.

Pay no heed to the slings and arrows of outrageous music critics, who would elevate those less worthy above you. For what it's worth, I'd rather listen to one second of "Memphis Blues Again" than the entire Burt Bacharach catalogue...hell, you're even a better singer than he is!

Many happy returns Bob, and long may you "dance beneath the diamond sky with one hand waving free"...

Posted on Thu May 24 22:22:02 CEST 2001 from dhcp58148.sunyocc.edu (204.168.58.148)

Funk The Fred

OK, I give up. Who is this Bob Dylan guy everyone seems so inraptured with? Is he some kinda poet or what? If so does anyone know if he ever hung out at Tinker Street during one of their wierdo poetry reading nights.. I was at one once and I could barely keep from laughing out loud at the nonsense being dished out. If this Dylan fella is one of these hombres then you can believe me. He's got no future!

Posted on Thu May 24 21:51:02 CEST 2001 from costume.nextlink.net (208.234.219.180)

Mike

Happy Birthday to Bob and Levon...

If this has been covered before, I'm sorry. I've been listening to the Albert Hall (Manchester)electric set and was just wondering how Micky Jones got picked to replace Levon? Was he tight with either Bob or the Hawks? I'm sure there were other drummers available, so why him? Also, are there any recordings of the Hawks with Levon backing Bob and how do the songs differ in sound with Levon on drums?

The Barnburners' CD? I thought I read a while back from Butch that it was about 1/2 done, but had run into some kind of snag? Anyone?

Posted on Thu May 24 21:49:11 CEST 2001 from du-tele3-079.mailbox.co.uk (195.82.121.79)

Peter Viney

Matt, I agree about horse puckey, and your Bach-Strauss analogy. Which famous musician said that Bach invented the bass guitarist? Can’t remember. Zappa? Some great composers cannot write lyrics – Elton John, Brian Wilson for example. So they collaborate. I feel that “Daniel is leaving tonight on a plane, I can see the red tail lights, heading for Spain …” adds simply, but immeasurably to the mood of a good melody and earns Bernie Taupin his 50%. As does, “The laughs come hard in Auld Lang Syne” for Van Dyke Parks - not that I have a clue what it means. Wilson could have filled the space with “La-La-La” and chose not to. Dylan, like Robbie, Van, Lennon (and quite often McCartney, in spite of obvious lapses) are among those who can write both melody and lyric. The opposite view is that Dylan liberated the song from those who can put together a beautiful and professional arrangment and opened it to those who had something to say instead. Not that I’d even agree with Maconie on Bacharach, who also used fine lyrics, courtesy of Hal David.

Posted on Thu May 24 21:09:29 CEST 2001 from px1nr.wp.shawcable.net (24.66.94.140)

Les Medlicott

YES!

Posted on Thu May 24 21:05:04 CEST 2001 from fernuser002.bossig.com (208.26.181.7)

Gail

Happy Birthday Bob Dylan! You've touched 4 generations with your powerful enduring words. You have a strong spirit which has proved powerful thru time. Your words have influenced and awakened people to realize their higher natures and has helped them to develop strength from within one's own self.It's truly amazing what the music has done. Have a memorable day!

Thanks for a great site. Receiving such an education.

Posted on Thu May 24 20:05:04 CEST 2001 from (206.187.219.44)

Lauren

HAPPY, BIRTHDAY BOB DYLAN...MAY YOU BE FOREVER YOUNG FOR MANY, MANY MORE YEARS TO COME! And yes, THINGS HAVE CHANGED... For the good! You are my musical, literary, lyrical hero.. And knowing how The Beatles and all great talents have revered you, I know that I am in good company. Many, many blessings.. Lauren RR-Creedence: szq To The Good Rats from Long Island with their hit song, "Taystee"--we still love ya!

Posted on Thu May 24 19:52:50 CEST 2001 from (207.251.204.133)

G-MAN

Hey Chris....everyone be yellin, Levon, Levon, Pat, Amy, Bobby, Frankie, Chris!!!!!! If haven't seen em and heard em $$$$$$$$ LOOK OUT!!!!!!!!!!!! They gonna do what Chris O'Leary's aunt's cow did!!!!!!!!Heh, heh, heh!!

Posted on Thu May 24 19:48:18 CEST 2001 from user-33qt9ga.dialup.mindspring.com (199.174.166.10)

Pat Brennan

Chris, at least Robbie was lucky enough to have been there. His choice and placement of words is simple: Bob, the fellahs and I were being booed.

Posted on Thu May 24 19:09:40 CEST 2001 from (205.230.10.2)

Bob R

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BOB DYLAN-- I'm sitting here sipping a cold one, 'Series of Dreams' from Greatest Hits Volume 3 is blasting in the background, and "Planet Waves" is about to hit the cd player--a great way to celebrate the day! After that, its the Bob Dylan-Levon Helm version of "the Weight" from the "Crossing the Great Divide" bootleg..hope all Dylan fans have a great day !

Posted on Thu May 24 18:56:37 CEST 2001 from (209.100.37.239)

Chris

Tom Garvey: Sounds good. We'll figure it out. I'll be the guy screaming LEVON LEVON.

Dave Z. : Man...don't miss the barnburners. Take the VanGelder bus from Madison for 20.00 they drop you off almost in front of Buddy Guy's.

Posted on Thu May 24 18:34:29 CEST 2001 from raindel.jvlnet.com (216.145.200.249)

Ann

Going to St. Louis on June 3rd to see Levon and the Barnburners at Blueberry Hill. Can't wait. Anyone else going to be there? What can I expect? I've read here that it's nothing like the second generation of The Band. Should I wear my dancin' shoes? Love reading the posts here. Happy Bob Day to all!

Posted on Thu May 24 18:32:46 CEST 2001 from (209.100.37.239)

chris

forgot the link...

http://www.rollingstone.com/features/bobdylan/article.aspid=5

Posted on Thu May 24 18:29:56 CEST 2001 from (209.100.37.239)

Chris

Hey all,

here's a link from rolling stone...Robbie talking about his first birthday with Dylan.

I hate to do this but notice that Robbie says "...Bob, The Hawks and I were being booed..." I may be wrong but I didn't realize that it was ever Robbie and the Hawks.

hmmm...more revisionist history? Or maybe he just forgot the guys first names. It's not like they we're family...right?

Posted on Thu May 24 18:14:52 CEST 2001 from housinguni1.usi.edu (192.206.9.72)

Knockin' Lost John

Hello Band fans:

Maybe someone here can help answer a question about the Barnburners. (I emailed Butch but he's probably pretty busy).

Does anyone here know anything about a Levon Helm & the Barnburners CD that I missed out on buying?!!!

The reason I ask is this. At Sunday night's show in Louisville, Chris O'Leary said to look for some tunes on their "NEXT" CD.

Seems to be, the word "Next" implies there was a CD before the new CD that they're working on now!

I sure hope I didn't miss a chance to buy a Barnburners CD!

If anyone can help, please email me or just post here.

Thanx

John

Posted on Thu May 24 18:01:34 CEST 2001 from (208.218.212.2)

David Powell

"All across the telegraph
His name it did resound,
But no charge brought against him
Could be proved
And there was no man around
Who could track or chain him down
He was never known
To make a foolish move."

On this day, May 24th, in 1844, Samuel F.B. Morse sent the first telegraphic message over an experimental line from Washington, D.C. to Baltimore, Maryland. The content of the brief message, "What hath God wrought?", was taken from the Bible (Numbers 23:23).

Ninety seven years later, on that same day, Robert Zimmerman was born in Duluth, Minnesota. Under the name, Bob Dylan, he would revolutionize modern music by broadening the perspective of the form known as song. In forty years of performing, there are few other songwriters who can even come close to matching his body of work. Like the outlaw subject of his song, John Wesley Harding, Dylan has taken risks and lived out on the edge where few others dare to travel. Sure he's made some foolish moves, but that's because he keeps moving and hardly ever remains in one place too long.

Like Samuel Morse's first telegraph message, "What hath God wrought?", Dylan's songs pose similar questions. And there's hardly a subject that Dylan hasn't been afraid to explore. Here's hoping he has many years ahead of him in which to keep asking for the answers. It's been a long journey, hopefully, with many more miles to go.

"I have gone from rags to riches,
in the sorrow of the night
In the violence of a summer's dream,
in the chill of a wintry night.
In the bitter dance of loneliness
fading into space,
In the broken mirror of innocence
on each forgotten face."

Posted on Thu May 24 17:57:35 CEST 2001 from (130.219.229.173)

BK

Happy Bob Dylan Day!

What say we get a petition together and make it a national holiday?

Web page above is WFUV, playing all Bob all day.

Posted on Thu May 24 17:41:54 CEST 2001 from (207.251.204.133)

G-MAN

Hope some Rock and Rollers and ALL the Guru ROAD WARRIORS are hittin the road this w/e for the Guru shows; 5/25 at the Pattenburg House and, 5/26, at the Town Crier!! Hope to see the crew there and there!!

Posted on Thu May 24 17:39:07 CEST 2001 from ts1-25.steveston.axion.net (207.34.146.25)

Cupid

Oh Come gather round you fans of The Band

it's time for much celebratin'

60 bright candles burn on his cake

ya see Bob he is a agein'

Happy Birthday Bob...peace Cupid

Posted on Thu May 24 17:12:25 CEST 2001 from 56k-la-01-27.dial.qnet.com (209.221.212.90)

Dave the Phone Guy

Jens Magnus, thanks for the delightfully descriptive detail of the HFA concert. I love reading the show reviews on JH's page.

You just gotta love Bob Dylan. One of the best shows I have ever seen was just last summer featuring Phil Lesh/Bob Dylan. Happy Damn 60th Birthday Indeed!

Posted on Thu May 24 17:04:57 CEST 2001 from proxy1-external.blfld1.ct.home.com (24.4.252.36)

AHROOO!!

This was in the local entertainment section of my newspaper.

Graham Parker joins a number of other musicians from Woodstock, N.Y., to play a benefit for Bridgeport station WPKN at Edmond Town Hall in Newton, CT. June 14th. Also on the bill are Professor Louie & the Crowmatix featuring Garth Hudson of The Band, Jim Weider and the Honky Tonk Gurus and Tom Pacheo.

Unfortunately there is no date for tickets to go on sale or any other such information. Just that. The Edmond Town Hall is also the site of last year's tribute to Rick also.

AHROOO!!

Posted on Thu May 24 16:31:03 CEST 2001 from cmldme-cmt1-c4-24-25-179-110.maine.rr.com (24.25.179.110)

MattK

Peter, Stuart Maconie is full of horse pucky. I'll be the first guy to describe Dylan's voice as an "aquired taste" (which, personally, I only enjoy on occasion). However, to assert that Bacharach is a superior composer merely because of his compositional vocabulary is ridiculous.

By Maconie's own standard, then, JS Bach is a lesser composer than, say, Richard Strauss, SIMPLY because Strauss had a larger compositional pallette from which he worked. The fact that Bach's audience and genre (and timeframe) differed from Strauss' brooks no debate. Strauss knew more chords so he wins. Period.

Likewise, John Denver wrote music that is harmonically and melodically more intricate than, say, Muddy Waters. So John Denver is a better composer and Muddy is overated by "intelligensia?" Please.

It seems that Stuart Maconie misses the point of rock and roll and similair styles where emotional depth, revealed via (yes) lyrics and a more direct harmonic superstructure emulates something greater,by implication, than a more complex composition can do explicitly.

It's like a Haiku. You can write an epic poem or a sonnet, but that does not guarantee it's artistic value over simply because of it's complex form. Likewise, a Haiku can express something very profound and emotionally complex BECAUSE of it's simpler form.

Simply put, there's less BS. Which is more than I can say for Mr. Maconie's writing.

Posted on Thu May 24 15:41:50 CEST 2001 from spider-ta033.proxy.aol.com (152.163.205.58)

Dave Z

Thanks Jens... I've never been to Norway, don't even know where it is on the map, or what the land might look like... but you've given some splendid words pictures... and that must have been one heck of a show... Thanks so much... now I'll have to go find a map... and play some DFA this am... also gonna play some Dylan today... and speaking of him... on my local Mpls news they had a story where the local Blood On The Tracks guys, who haven't played together since those sessions, nor seen Dylan since, got together last night at First Avenue (i.e. Purple Rain Club) along with a bunch of other bands to honor Dylan... I thought that was cool... one guy even told a story how Dylan asked him how Tangled Up In Blue sounded... and the guy said something like "passable" and then he imitates Dylan in voice saying "what do you mean passable"... and I guess Dylan changed the key of the song... anyway, these old guys shown in their basement practicing were real excited... so who cares what Barney says... lot's of people love his music and words... me included... Thanks again Jens, I would have loved to hear Come Running Like A Friend...

Posted on Thu May 24 15:10:24 CEST 2001 from 24.68.33.158.on.wave.home.com (24.68.33.158)

John Donabie

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BOB AND AS THE SONG SAYS, "MAY YOU LIVE FOREVER YOUNG."

Posted on Thu May 24 15:02:59 CEST 2001 from (207.251.204.133)

G-MAN

HAPPY BIRTHDAY(soon) to Levon!! Local paper listed Dylan as turning 60 and Levon "59"; heh, heh!!! I know he is a little older than me. Course he's firin them drums like he's 39!!

Posted on Thu May 24 13:00:15 CEST 2001 from grmn-105ppp80.dialup.valstar.net (199.224.105.80)

Lil Again

Jens: I just read your post..thank you so much for sharing that with us! "Come runnin like a friend", "Angels in the snow"...sigh. God I wish I could've been there. Any mention of possibly, perhaps, maybe..bringing this show to the states?

Posted on Thu May 24 12:44:47 CEST 2001 from grmn-105ppp80.dialup.valstar.net (199.224.105.80)

Diamond Lil

Ok..so no more donuts (note the spelling Peter :-) and tea for breakfast. From now in it's Rice Krispies for me. But please don't tell me about snap, crackle, and pop. I don't want to know.

Have a good day everyone. Hug Jan.

Posted on Thu May 24 11:54:23 CEST 2001 from mp-217-179-196.daxnet.no (193.217.179.196)

Jens Magnus

One night with Garth

Yesterday my wife and I went to see Hudson/Fjeld/Andersen in a small venue called Varden in Asker some 45 km south of Oslo. Asker is where Andersen lived for several years, and did some of his recordings when he was staying in Norway. It is also located on the road from Drammen (Fjeld’s hometown) to Oslo.

Varden is a little octagon next to a bakery. Maybe 150 people can be seated. Yesterday it was nearly packed when we arrived at eight to get seats. We found good seats 3 meters from the stage. It was a small, nice backline: A white grand piano, one electric piano and a synth for Garth, Jonas Fjeld’s guitar on the other side of the stage, and two guitars I did not recognise on “our” side of the set.

At nine an acquaintance of Fjeld did a set of his own songs. They were ok.

Meanwhile the large trio was doing a gig in Oslo, at the Norwegian celebrating of Bob’s 60. The promoter in Asker told us about ten o clock that they will soon be on our way. We relaxed and had another beer. (Aass beer from Drammen, not my favourite!)

Then, at 10.45 Fjeld entered the stage in what norwegians would call “usedvanlig godt humør”, being in English extraordinary good mood. He was very pleased to open the set himself with three songs and put the audience in a splendid mood by his wit and charisma. Frozen north opened the Fjeld set. Then he played two of his own songs: Hun kom som en engel and Skyggemann (She came like an angel and Shadow man). The latter containing a tremendous solo on acoustic guitar.

Next we were introduced to Sari Andersen and her sister Signe. Sari sings and plays guitar. Her sister joined her on one song. Fjeld went to change. I did not know the song the sisters were singing.

Then Eric appeared. Proud of his daughters. They joined him for one song I do not know. He was then pleased to introduce Garth. The first song by this duo was Trouble in paradise with Garth on sax.

Now Fjeld returned, and the foursome began with Driftin’ away. Splendid. Sari’s voice is perhaps a little weak compared to Fjeld’s and Eric’s but she made it ok. Eric played the piano, Garth on accordion. The set continued. Mary, I’m coming back home, One more shot, Baby I’m lonesome, Angels in the snow. The Norwegian audience went bananas. Norwegians love this song.

Then there was room for Garth. He made a completely unbelievable intro to Twilight. I just beamed. Sari took the lead on Twilight in reggae tempo. It was breathtaking.

Now Jonas Fjeld introduced the fiddler Hallvard T Bjørgum, and the other four went outside for a break. I brought the cover of my brown album and joined them. Garth was standing under a clear, Norwegian sky, trying to fill his pipe. I motioned up to him and introduced myself. He looked up from under his cap and shook my hand. I told him how pleased I was to see him in Norway, and asked him to sign my brown album, which he did. No problem! Jonas and Eric joined us and we started talking about the Twilight intro.

Hallvard’s set was nice, and then Garth had another solo on the keyboard. The audience had never heard anything like it. He was doing an Ellington/Monteverdi kind of improvisation. His left hand was like one virtuoso in itself.

More songs followed: Women cross the river, Come running like a friend, Blaze of glory with Garth on accordion. After that one they tried to call it a night. It was nearly two. But we begged for Blue river. And Eric sat by the piano, Garth picked up the accordion. Fjeld on guitar. Blue river. What a coda! What a night!

Posted on Thu May 24 10:15:52 CEST 2001 from spider-ta062.proxy.aol.com (152.163.205.72)

Tommy

"Dips her donut in my tea" is simple...why are we debating this?It's a sexual barb.

Just like "I hand you my rod and you hand me that line."

Posted on Thu May 24 09:44:37 CEST 2001 from du-tele3-035.mailbox.co.uk (195.82.121.35)

Peter Viney

Out came the knockers. Hosykn’s diatribe against Dylan was slightly before the flood that will emerge over the next month in response to the birthday accolades. The latest Q has a similar attack by Stuart Maconie, in which Dylan is compared unfavourably to Motown (well, I don’t agree, but a case could be made), then rated as a lesser talent than … the Human League, Morrisey, Led Zeppelin and …Black Sabbath. At this point the magazine should really have gone in the wastebin. However, Maconie goes on to say something that might appeal to those who are not interested in lyric dissection:

“Dylan added the Eng. Lit (to rock) for which some are forever grateful … because Dylan plastered his paltry musical backdrops with buckets of verbiage, he gets the beard-strokers’ approval. Partly this is technical. Most rock critics can’t play music and thus exaggerate the importance of words, hence the canonisation of Lennon and dismissal of McCartney as … haughty sniff … “a tunesmith” when he’s vastly superior a musical mind to either Lennon or Dylan. Similarly, Burt Bacharach, a composer of immenmse stature whose music is full of rich shades of harmony, startling key shifts and melodic invention is insulted as “easy listening” while Dylan’s three-chord porch stomps have dissertations written on them.”

Hmm. Discuss. Candidates should place their name and examination number on the first sheet and their examination number on each continuation sheet. I guess Maconie is confusing the two simple words “tune” and “song”. What he has to say is fair enough on “tune” (and he has a good point on both McCartney and Bacharach’s musical abilities) but fails to address the fact that a “song” is a tune + lyrics. This fact is recognized by the customary 50 / 50 split in royalties.

I remember P.J. Probey well! Don’t know anything about Bongo Wolf, but I’ll look up what I have.

Posted on Thu May 24 09:44:16 CEST 2001 from (61.12.197.6)

Erin

Mike: What is the Band Special you're watching?

(Also happy birthday Bob Dylan!)

Posted on Thu May 24 08:31:55 CEST 2001 from ip242.austin20.tx.pub-ip.psi.net (38.31.161.242)

Mike Dunn

Can't say enough about the music or the website... I can't sleep, the Texas Legislative Session is giving me fits, I'm watching PBS Special about The Band, and about 4 miles south of me a church is burning... all the while Levon sings The Night They Drove ol' Dixie down... great music, I'm going to try to learn some songs on harmonica... Thanks.

Posted on Thu May 24 07:57:37 CEST 2001 from (61.12.197.6)

Erin

Zoe is absolutly right in giving that quote from Rick about Twilight. Rick gave that answer in response to the interviewer questioning why he was singing a RR written song. If you give the comment it's proper context the implication is clear: that Rick felt he had some kind of hand in the writing of that song.

As an old History professor of mine used to say 'Text without context is pretext.' (Oddly enough I always found that that cleared things up.)

Posted on Thu May 24 07:13:16 CEST 2001 from clgrtnt6-port-97.dial.telus.net (161.184.55.97)

Sean Barry

The band has to be the greatest band to ever leave canada, only The Tragically Hip can even come close to their stature. Chest Fever is such a definitive moment in Canadian Rock History, so well put together, you can only wonder how did these guys happen to run into each other at the right time? These are men of pure musical Genius, and I hope they keep on playing as long as they can.

Posted on Thu May 24 06:57:23 CEST 2001 from host-209-214-113-98.bna.bellsouth.net (209.214.113.98)

BWNWITennessee

I was gonna ask about dippin' donuts in tea, too, but was afraid I'd be the only one who didn't know. I might not know what it means, but I sure do hope I can break even!

But this has given me the courage to admit something I don't know - what's the deal with the Kokomo Arnold/Robert Johnson line "I believe I'll dust my broom"? Anyone know what that means? Though I pride myself on having a generally perverse mindset, this one is beyond me. (Although "Who's been drivin' your Terraplane for you since I've been gone" isn't.)

Posted on Thu May 24 06:16:14 CEST 2001 from ch8smc.bellglobal.com (206.47.244.58)

brown eyed girl

"You may call me Terry, you may call me Timmy,
You may call me Bobby, you may call me Zimmy,
You may call me R.J., you may call me Ray,
You may call me anything but no matter what you say
You're gonna have to serve somebody, yes indeed......."

HAPPY IRIE BIRTHDAY TO THE SONG AND DANCE MAN......BOB DYLAN!

Billy (Jaguar) so great listening to your music on the mic.......thanks for your patience!

Posted on Thu May 24 04:29:35 CEST 2001 from spider-ti074.proxy.aol.com (152.163.194.209)

Dave Z

Hey Elly, have you listened to any of the songs on Trudell's "Blue Indians" yet?... I really like "All Night Cafe"... kinda of a slow sad bluesy rainy night type of song... just mellows me right out after a jog at the end of a long tired day... I also like that song he did in Robbie's video special... the DNA thing... real cool and so charismatic...

Chicago and Madison are just a little too far for me right now... but I'm itching to hear some of that good live stuff... please keep on with the reviews... but will ya lie a little bit for me too?... tease tease tease me please...

Posted on Thu May 24 02:22:48 CEST 2001 from spider-tm034.proxy.aol.com (152.163.197.59)

Ben Pike

Peter Viney, Jan, whoever...here's a tough one. Do you remember anything about Bongo Wolf, who played bongos for P.J. Proby?

Posted on Thu May 24 01:36:17 CEST 2001 from grmn-105ppp53.dialup.valstar.net (199.224.105.53)

Diamond Lil

The "glitch" in the gb was not deliberate. It seems to have been caused by an earlier post from today. Please be patient... Jan will fix it as soon as he can. Thanks.

Posted on Thu May 24 01:23:11 CEST 2001 from h160.n-c6ac1f.sac.verio.net (198.172.31.160)

Richard

Yeah, Tommy, I agree with you...this is very tough on the eyes. Is this new setting a glitch (please fix) or deliberate (please change back). I'm getting seasick.

Posted on Thu May 24 00:17:03 CEST 2001 from (206.187.219.44)

Elly

Listening to Music For The Native Americans...I thought of Leonard Peltier with the lines that go something like, "lay down your spears", "what crime have I done?, in this trail of tears..." and for someone else who sends a gift of cold air: "I gave my love a heart of stone"...Bo from Mo-"she died at WOUNDED Knee,like a Latter Day SAINT...""you got the big drums in the distance, the black birds in the sky-that's the sound that you'll hear when the buffalo cry..." "they don't stand a chance, AGAINST MY PRAYERS...THEY DON'T STAND A CHANCE AGAINST MY LOVE.." And for the JOHN LENNON FANS out there:(they'll understand when lyrics are stolen) How Do You Sleep? JUST GIVE ME SOME TRUTH, ALL I WANT IS TRUTH..." BB-toujours-comme des amours en ocasion. Avoir

Posted on Wed May 23 23:48:02 CEST 2001 from (198.173.6.246)

Tom Garvey

Chris,

I'll be at Buddy Guy's on June 2 with a crew of people. Let's figure out how to recognize each other so all we GB'ers can join in a toast to Levon.

Tom

Posted on Wed May 23 23:21:24 CEST 2001 from du-tele3-134.mailbox.co.uk (195.82.121.134)

Peter Viney

Doughnuts in the tea: I'll only comment that you're all charmingly conservative in spelling it "doughnut". Every fast food outlet (I include the UK in this) spells it "donut". The dictionaries are beginning to give both … but it sounds salacious to me, without following the possible interpretations too far.

Posted on Wed May 23 23:14:01 CEST 2001 from spider-ta081.proxy.aol.com (152.163.205.81)

Tommy

Hey Jan, why the new screen/page ratio? Now I haveta scan back and forth to read the posts.It's very annoying.It was so much better trhe other way..It was PERFECT!!!Now it takes up the whole screen, and even then the whole page doesn't fit!!

is this a problem for anyone else?Does anyone agree with me?

Posted on Wed May 23 21:34:25 CEST 2001 from m198214176061.austin.cc.tx.us (198.214.176.61)

Pehr

I enjoyed the pics sent in by Laura P of tour 74 and the Garth Hudson interview from Dagbladet.

In regards to the final question, whether to live a sensible life and live long and boring or live fast and die young... Baudelaire once said something to the effect of living a boring and sensible life; it allowed him to be more violent in his work as an artist over the long haul.

Posted on Wed May 23 21:23:51 CEST 2001 from grmn-105ppp33.dialup.valstar.net (199.224.105.33)

Diamond Lil

Little Br(0slashthingy:-)ther: I guess when I read Peter's article on Cripple Creek I missed the part about the doughnut in the tea (good possibility one of my kids was talking at me at the time). Thanks for pointing me towards it. I think I get it now...although I may think twice about ever stopping at a Dunkin Doughnuts again :-) Have a good night everyone.

Posted on Wed May 23 21:24:08 CEST 2001 from (209.100.37.239)

Chris

Hey Butch Dener: Please pass along a hearty happy birthday to my main man Levon Helm. I do believe he turns 61 this year. If i'm not mistaken that makes him the coolest sixty one year old in the world. When y'all get to chicago it's drinks on me for Levon's birthday. That includes you Donald Joseph, Pat Brennan, and the one or two other folks that post here from Chicago.

LEVON LEVON

Posted on Wed May 23 21:18:03 CEST 2001 from schltns.demon.nl (212.238.41.164)

Ragtime

Twilight is a Rick song, just as Holy Cow. Simple as that :-)

Posted on Wed May 23 21:07:24 CEST 2001 from du-tele3-067.mailbox.co.uk (195.82.121.67)

Peter Viney

My reading of "Twilight" as a song is simple. They thought in terms of rotating lead vocals, and just as "Ophelia" was a Levon song, so "Twilight" was a Rick song - one that he sang. I never saw anymore than that.

Posted on Wed May 23 20:12:08 CEST 2001 from (12.33.126.131)

John W.

Saw Professor Louie and the Crowmatix on Sunday at the Amsterdam Ave. street fair. As usual they were great, it was cool to hear them play outside in the city. Picked up "JAM" and this is a GREAT CD! Real cool blues. Garth is all over the CD, too. Maybe the best CD of the year, so far.

Posted on Wed May 23 20:07:07 CEST 2001 from (209.100.37.239)

Chris

here's another Levon link

Posted on Wed May 23 20:05:48 CEST 2001 from (209.100.37.239)

Chris

Here's a Levon interview link

Posted on Wed May 23 18:36:20 CEST 2001 from spider-mtc-ta063.proxy.aol.com (64.12.105.48)

Dave Z

Little Brother: But if the spoon was already in the tea... hmmm, does that make this another Triad song?... and of course we know that later the dish ran away with the spoon... yikes... I've been listening to JAM again lately... and don't even try to figure out what the synthesizer voices are saying... but the way that bass pops on track number 9... I don't know... any jazz music sexual lingo translaters out there?

Posted on Wed May 23 18:19:55 CEST 2001 from user-33qt9bm.dialup.mindspring.com (199.174.165.118)

Pat Brennan

"Donut in my tea" is easily explained by the salacious "whoopee" which immediately follows.

Posted on Wed May 23 17:14:24 CEST 2001 from (208.218.212.2)

David Powell

Thoughts & prayers go out to Eddie Van Halen. A few years ago, he was one of the many all-star guests who appeared on the excellent David Garfield and Friends "Tribute To Jeff (Porcaro)" CD. He played some blazing leads on a version of Dylan's "It Takes A Lot To Laugh, It Takes A Train To Cry", which also featured to always smooth Boz Scaggs on vocals. It was a rare glimpse at what Mr. Van Halen's fretwork talents would sound like along with a really good singer, instead of wasted behind just another rock poseur.

Posted on Wed May 23 17:08:48 CEST 2001 from (164.156.231.55)

Little Brøther

Lil, I thought Viney's article on "Cripple Creek" discussed the mysterious doughnut phrase in detail, but all I could find was this excerpt:

"I've always wondered about the line 'dips a doughnut in my tea', which sounds as if it might just be a risqué sexual reference. I can't work out how, but maybe this is unfamiliarity with American vernacular."

I know there was a fairly elaborate discussion thread about this way back when, but even with my non-essential job and a T-1 connection I don't feel up to probing the archives. I myself posted a typically long-winded commentary at the time, arguing from the context that the phrase was surely a bit of obscure/local sexual slang.

"Doughnut/tea" isn't as straightforward as "slips her doughnut on my salami", but if we're to believe that phrases like "Gone to get his ashes hauled" (Winin' Boy Blues) are euphemisms for sexual congress, we might as well imagine a big ol' spoon sticking out of that teacup. (Yes, we still have a sexual congress; Gingrich and Livingston are gone but Burton lingers on.)

But Angel's line in that "Rockford Files" episode clearly referred to a woman demonstrating up close and personal romantic interest in a man, no more carnal than "goo-goo eyes". Any students of Southern, Western, or Canadian colloquialisms feel like addressing the burning questions of whereabouts this quaint phrase originates, and whether it's gender-specific? (Do men ever dip THEIR doughnuts in women's tea?)

Mmmm... doughnuts.

Posted on Wed May 23 16:29:56 CEST 2001 from spider-te054.proxy.aol.com (152.163.195.199)

Ben Pike

During my Chicago days, I remember looking for to The Band on featured Artist day. Guess those days are gone. I'm still deep in my "Shindig" and "Hulaballo" studies. I guess at some point, you are able to make the distinction between "Chad And Jermey" and "Peter and Gordon." Still working on it.

Posted on Wed May 23 16:21:48 CEST 2001 from spider-mtc-tg054.proxy.aol.com (64.12.102.174)

Dave Z

OK, Lil... I always get in trouble when I presume, assume or just gloom and doom... but here goes... on the doughnut and tea conspiracy... word from the briar patch has it that our favorite drummer was buck naked rollin a doobie and simultaneously eatin' a plain cake doughnut stolen from the same convenience store mentioned in TLW... when all of a sudden, some gorgeous babe out back in the shack catches him unawares... and slaps him across the cheeks (it was her doughnut)... causin' him the "shivers" (hear that RR guitar sound?)... and he drops the doughnut into his bag of tea... so of course he adds some doughnut to his cig roll... and doobie wabby ding dang cake doughnut eek... he is transported up on cripple creek... where naked and shivering he realizes its time to dump this brood because she will in due time only want half... and then there's the laugh... but after a few moments reflection in that thare ice cold creek... he has to take a leak... and so longs again for that shack... and wants to go back out of this hole... because you know what, deep down in his heart, that was the best doughnut he ever stole...

I leave for another day... my take on how a certain bass player was able to swim to the Galapitos Islands... to get that statue shown on the cover of ROA... it wasn't pretty...

Posted on Wed May 23 15:44:57 CEST 2001 from aclermont-ferrand-101-2-1-29.abo.wanadoo.fr (193.251.12.29)

Zoe

Donald : I read an interview of rick danko somewhere, probably in this site, in which he was saying something like : 'I don't like to say that but twillight is as much a danko song that a RR song...' Peace Zoe

Posted on Wed May 23 13:21:08 CEST 2001 from grmn-105ppp180.dialup.valstar.net (199.224.105.180)

Diamond Lil

Can anyone from the upstate area direct us down to Arlene Grocery? I mean...literally _direct_ us...street by street. Thanks.

Posted on Wed May 23 12:55:53 CEST 2001 from its.glico.co.jp (210.134.89.121)

master keaton

I have a quetion about a jacket of Rock of ages. at the center of jacket, sculpture. What means of this jacket. In japanese some homepage,we consider about that

Posted on Wed May 23 12:41:42 CEST 2001 from grmn-105ppp180.dialup.valstar.net (199.224.105.180)

Diamond Lil

Don't laugh at me..but since it was mentioned in here a few posts back..is there anyone out there who can tell me what 'dips a doughnut in my tea' means? One of those questions I've always wanted to know but was afraid to ask. Thanks.

Happy Garth Day to Jan, Jens, and whoever else is headed to Oslo. Have a great time..and a full report is expected!

Have a good day everyone.

Posted on Wed May 23 08:50:07 CEST 2001 from (202.20.70.11)

Highfidelity_gal

Hey hows it all going. I just wanted to talk to some people about brilliant music, and thought this would be a great place to start. I love the Band and hopefully can get some really music obsessed fans ( like myself) to chat with. So anyone, from anyway in the world, e-mail me, and rant and rave about any type of music that you want. ciao

Posted on Wed May 23 08:02:55 CEST 2001 from spider-mtc-tb041.proxy.aol.com (64.12.104.36)

Tommy

I think ALL the Band reissue cds should have song-by-song instrumantation/vocal lists...EVERY SINGLE ALBUM!!!Isn't that why they release these things?Hopefully, they wont release them again a few years from now with all the stuff they ommited from these reissues...With the price of cds these days, I'm gonna have to start STEALING!!!

Posted on Wed May 23 06:35:07 CEST 2001 from host-209-214-114-3.bna.bellsouth.net (209.214.114.3)

Back with no wife in Tennessee

Rick, or Danko, or Mr. Bassy Player, or whatever the hell you want to call him, released a solo album shortly after NL-SC, as all good Band fans know, that was comprised almost entirely of songs written by him. He's also got "Streetwalker" on Islands. Any one of them could have been the song Robbie, or Jaime, or Redboy, or whatever the hell you want to call him, was talking about as having been a possiblity for NL-SC. Probably "Streetwalker." So no, it wasn't an admission of stealing the credit for "Twilight." Duh.

Posted on Wed May 23 06:20:40 CEST 2001 from proxy1-external.wkgn1.il.home.com (24.4.255.48)

Donald Joseph

As to the order of songs on NL/SC:The recently-posted old Patch interview (the Shangri-La interview), as well as other sources, say The Band dropped a "Rick" song (Twilight) late in the mastering process for NL/SC, because it wouldn't fit on the LP. This seems a tad hard to believe, because NL/SC isn't that long, but I assume The Band wanted top sound quality. (Others have said Twilight was dropped because it didn't fit thematically.)

The point is that the song selection for NL/SC -- & therefore the song order -- was in play up till the end. Back during the vinyl era, when NL/SC existed only on vinyl, I remember fixating on the fact that the song order on the back sleeve did not match the song order on the album itself -- and I believe the song order on the INNER sleeve was different, as well. (I don't have my vinyl copy handy, someone else can spell this out.) Even the vinyl album cover graphics reveal that the song order had been monkeyed with.

As I read the newly-posted Patch Shangri-La interview, Patch credits Rick with having WRITTEN the omitted song, which has to be Twilight. As I don't have my vinyl handy, I can't check: Has Rick ever been credited with Twilight authorship? Certainly he's not credited on the reissues. If he's never been credited with authorship, did Patch steal songwriting credit from Rick (given Patch's apparent admission in the Shangri-La interview that Rick wrote the song)?

A last NL/SC point: I always liked that the vinyl NL/SC sleeve spelled out the instrument/vocal credits for each Band member on each song (listing each member's performance, so you could see, for e.g., the 2-drums-no-guitar on Jupiter Hollow). Just as Cahoots was the only Bands LP to give you the lyrics, NL/SC was the only Band LP to give you song-by-song instrument (& vocal) credits. But the reissues OMIT these credits. Why the omission? And is this the only example of the reissues omitting something substantive from the LP packages? I.e., why does the Cahoots reissue retain all the printed lyrics, yet the NL/SC reissue OMITS the helpful instrument/vocal credits?

Posted on Wed May 23 05:42:58 CEST 2001 from syr-24-24-5-34.twcny.rr.com (24.24.5.34)

Dr. Pepper

This is the place to be in NYC on Memorial Day Weekend the critics are saying!: Arlene Grocery, Sunday 27th May, 9:00PM. Stanton Street between Ludlow and Orchard, in Manhattan. http://www.arlene-grocery.com (212) 358 1633

Posted on Wed May 23 03:57:03 CEST 2001 from ts1-47.steveston.axion.net (207.34.146.47)

Cupid

Non-Band related post

Spare a thought for Eddie Van Halen, I saw a picture of him today and boy does he look ill.Ed finally came clean about his battle with cancer and by the look of him it's got a pretty good hold.I can recall the summer I got Van Halen one, it was about all I listened too, a great party album. Though it didn't have the profound effect that "Rock 'n'Roll Animal [Lou Reed], Sgt Peppers and "Big Time" [Tom Waits] had on me, his playing certainly got my attention. As if being in a band with Sammy Hagar isn't bad enough now he's got this to contend with....Peace Cupid

Posted on Wed May 23 03:25:16 CEST 2001 from pool-63.49.29.191.mmph.grid.net (63.49.29.191)

Dexy

He's probably posted this, but what is the name of Hank's band? Looks like he has some interesting gigs in NYC. Wish I could catch one.

Posted on Wed May 23 01:50:29 CEST 2001 from spider-th083.proxy.aol.com (152.163.213.83)

bob wigo

Rich,

Your lifetime won-loss record finds you just one "W" ahead of me.

To the victor goes the spoils !!!

;-)

Posted on Wed May 23 00:52:28 CEST 2001 from mat-9-25.enter.net (207.16.156.173)

Little Brøther

Rich, a couple of weeks ago I was home from work and channel-surfed into an episode of "The Rockford Files". Rockford's sleazy buddy Angel Martin (Stuart Margolin) was telling "Jimmy" about a woman he was romancing as part of a con game he was running.

He said something like, "I'm tellin' ya, Jimmy, she was all over me, makin' goo-goo eyes, dippin' her doughnut in my tea..."

I almost spewed out my mouthful of coffee; it was the only time I've ever heard that expression outside of "Up On Cripple Creek".

Posted on Wed May 23 00:35:12 CEST 2001 from pm3-pt15.pcnet.net (206.105.29.89)

Laura P.

I just got the new "Positively 4th Street" book about the lives and times of Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, Mimi Baez Farina and Richard Farina. I don't have the patience--at least not right now--to read the whole book (it's from the library) but I was paging through the '66 part, and there are some pretty cool quotes from Rick Danko that I had never seen before.

Page 279: "Once he was using the Hawks, Dylan seemed to want to play with the band constantly, and Albert Grossman saw to it that he had the opportunity. 'He got the bug, big time,' said bassist Rick Danko. 'He was what you call a real road dog. You never got to sleep [in his company.]'"

Page 281: "Like a jazz musician, Dylan was improvising, and he entrusted his bandmates with inextricable parts of the creative process. 'Nobody [in the band] knew what to do,' Rick Danko said. 'Bob didn't tell us. Shit, he didn't know. He was making it up as he went along, and we just made it up with him.' Erratic, impenetrable, contemptuous and thrillingly so, the sound of Bob Dylan and the Hawks was not popular music by any existing definition..."

Page 290: "Dylan, the band, and their entourage chugged from one city to another, doing the concerts and the absurdist press conferences, getting high, running for three and four days straight without sleep. ...Offstage Dylan would tell one of the members of the Hawks a bit of a story, then tell it again minutes later. In his dressing room after one concert, apparently very high, Dylan mistook Rick Danko for a roadie and asked him if the mail had come yet and if Danko would go buy him a box of cookies. The bassist at first assumed Dylan was using drug code, but soon he realized Bob was serious about wanting mail and cookies; he was longing for comfort and home."

Posted on Tue May 22 23:48:55 CEST 2001 from cc5414-a.hnglo1.ov.nl.home.com (213.51.143.166)

Norbert

Band cd's......check
Sjako! cd's......check

......I'm off to France......(take care! :-)

Posted on Tue May 22 23:50:35 CEST 2001 from (4.20.68.20)

Rich

Two Band-related mis-heard lyric stories:

When our daughter was about 8 (she's almost 20 now) she was in the back seat on a car trip and we were listening to "Down South in New Orleans on a tape.

She asked "what's a ba-beat?". We asked what she meant and she said "they're saying we make love to the wrong ba-beat".

Second one is my wife, who's almost as big a fan as I am, and knows a lot of rock lyrics, arguing with me one day that in Cripple Creek, the line was "when that little love of mine takes the gold out of my teeth". One of the few arguments in 26 years of marriage that I won conclusively, thanks to the lyrics posted on this site.

Posted on Tue May 22 23:37:22 CEST 2001 from (137.187.146.245)

Jonathan Katz

National Public Radio's "All Things Considered" will be presenting a feature on the new CD “A Nod To Bob - An Artists Tribute To Bob Dylan On His Sixtieth Birthday” this Thursday May 24th. They talked to [Levon collaborator] Guy Davis, Lucy Kaplansky, Eliza Gilkyson, Martin Simpson, and Bob Feldman of Red House Records.

Posted on Tue May 22 23:34:10 CEST 2001 from dialin-113.poughkeepsie.bestweb.net (216.179.15.144)

Gene

bob wigo - I believe that Hank is enroute, so I'll take the liberty to provide the details of his NYC gigs:.

The Baggott Inn, Thursday, 24th May, 9:30 to 12:00 midnight. 3rd Street, between Thompson and Sullivan, Manhattan. (212) 477-0622

The Wall, in Queens, Saturday 26th. 54th Street and Roosevelt Avenue, Queens. There's a stop on the No7 train at 52nd Street. Hank didn't give the time.

Arlene Grocery, Sunday 27th May, 9:00PM. Stanton Street between Ludlow and Orchard, in Manhattan. http://www.arlene-grocery.com (212) 358 1633

Posted on Tue May 22 23:33:39 CEST 2001 from (38.201.148.3)

Jay Wardlaw

The "new" running order on NL-SC is actually the correct running order from the original LP. Why it was changed on the original CD issue is beyond me.

Jay

Posted on Tue May 22 22:04:57 CEST 2001 from cr297880-a.nmkt1.on.wave.home.com (24.112.47.102)

Rob Caldwell

Hi-

I was wondering if anyone had any idea why they switched the song order on the re-released version of Northern Lights-Southern Cross? Specifically, Rags and Bones and Jupiter Hollow. On the previous Capitol cd, Rags And Bones is #6 and Jupiter Hollow #8, while on the rereleased version Rags and Bones is #8 and Jupiter Hollow #7. What was the running order on the original vinyl release?

Trying to get used to the new running order which doesn't flow as well as the old one,

Rob

Posted on Tue May 22 20:38:30 CEST 2001 from spider-wm023.proxy.aol.com (205.188.199.158)

Dave Z

Maybe it's just the negativity of the Barney article on Dylan... or a fresher picture in my mind of his life on the road via the Sounes book... but today I listened to the ROA "Like A Rolling Stone"... and instead of sounding like an FU song to somebody who can't possibly relate to his situation... it sounded more like Bob singing to himself in celebration... and with pride, that he, an artist, has chosen his own path... and is willing to take on the comers, whether good or bad... well anyway, it's raining here... my favorite Picasso picture is the one of the lady sitting on the ladder holding the bird in the barn... nice grays next to bright yellows and blacks... and good sqiggly lines too... feed the birds...

Posted on Tue May 22 20:19:23 CEST 2001 from spider-wj044.proxy.aol.com (205.188.198.39)

bob wigo

Hey Crabby,
You could really cement that new image of yours by getting George's permission to tape the show and then provide all of us with a copy.

Nobody ever said it was going to be easy being a nice guy!

George, I wish I could be there to see and hear it. A GREAT idea !!

Hey Hank, how does this coincide with your N.Y. schedule ? Maybe you should post it here in the event some of the GB'ers can make the trip. Thanks and good luck on the journey.

Posted on Tue May 22 19:44:56 CEST 2001 from spider-mtc-th042.proxy.aol.com (64.12.102.37)

george g.

Hey Y'all, Great site! They have thing called "classic album nite" here in NYC at esteemed club " Arlene Grocery". Myself and a group of top notch musicians (the uptown horns, Beat Rodeo, members of Buster Poindexters band) are doing "The Brown album" in it's entire form and in sequence. We stay very loyal to the original form and it's been a gas. We are only gonna do it one more time so if your in NYC catch it. May 31 st Thursday at Arlene Grocery. 99 Stanton st. 212-358-1633 at 8:00 sharp. It's a ten peice band. You need that many to make it sound right. Please come down and dig it if you will. You won't be dissapointed.

Posted on Tue May 22 19:39:27 CEST 2001 from spider-mtc-th042.proxy.aol.com (64.12.102.37)

george g.

Hey Y'all, Great site! They have thing called "classic album nite" here in NYC at esteemed club " Arlene Grocery". Myself and a group of top notch musicians (the uptown horns, Beat Rodeo, members of Buster Poindexters band) are doing "The Brown album" in it's entire form and in sequence. We stay very loyal to the original form and it's been a gas. We are only gonna do it one more time so if your in NYC catch it. May 31 st Thursday at Arlene Grocery. 99 Stanton st. 212-358-1633 at 8:00 sharp. It's a ten peice band. You need that many to make it sound right. Please come down and dig it if you will. You won't be dissapointed.

Posted on Tue May 22 19:08:25 CEST 2001 from gw.itac.ca (209.146.161.1)

Bill

Note to Terye Mosnes: I'm willing to learn Norwegian if you'll agree to write a book that is as modest, sensitive and intelligent done as that interview. Thanks. And to Jan too.

Posted on Tue May 22 18:56:24 CEST 2001 from host-172.subnet-79.med.umich.edu (141.214.79.172)

Steve Knowlton

Bill Wyman has a much more thoughtful take on Bob Dylan at 60 in today's Salon (link above).

Interesting that Hoskyns, in trying to fight the conventional wisdom about Dylan, relies on a piece of c.w. about history:

"Don't get me wrong, what Dylan "said" obliquely in songs such as "Positively 4th Street" and "Like a Rolling Stone" was pivotal to the way the Sixties overthrew the smug, stultifying suburban culture of Fifties America."

I wasn't there, but it seems the Fifties were a pretty turbulent time themselves. (See Levon's book for that).

Posted on Tue May 22 18:14:50 CEST 2001 from 222.good.net (209.54.25.222)

MattK

Finally, a Garth interview of sorts. His comments about TLW and "the feud" are most enlightening and to the point in a way that has eluded most, I feel. After reading this oh-so-short chat/interview, I'm left with confirmation of a singular, inescapable conclusion.

Garth rules...'nuff said.

Posted on Tue May 22 17:12:16 CEST 2001 from user-33qtasm.dialup.mindspring.com (199.174.171.150)

Pat Brennan

Donald Joseph, the WXRT air staff was called into a meeting some months ago, and, among other things, they were told to stop playing The Band as they tested poorly with their new target audience. The big guys did admit that they loved The Band but facts were facts. I think (i'm not sure but I'm guessing) that the Levon show might be an 'XRT sponsored event, hence the modest airplay. Perhaps a one-day dispensation. I also assume that the Band's appearance on their Vinyl Show, which is buried on the weekends, is 'XRT's guilty conscience at work.

Also, DJ, if you go back to the release date of the remasters last, you'll see a lot of pithy comments.

Posted on Tue May 22 15:47:05 CEST 2001 from katax3-034.dialup.optusnet.com.au (198.142.249.34)

Ida Halliday

Can anyone tell me if Robbie Robertson has any plans to tour to Australia any time in the near future? OR Can anyone tell me who I could contact with this query? Thanks I.H.

Posted on Tue May 22 15:12:23 CEST 2001 from (207.251.204.133)

G-MAN

Great, great news-Garth playing Bflo. in August. We'll have a great big crew to welcome him!!! A short trip! Speakin of trips--Guru Road Warriors will be meeting at the Pattenburg House, 5/25!! Sure to be a little loose and funky!!! And some great, great music from the Guru crew!!!!!

Posted on Tue May 22 15:02:11 CEST 2001 from spider-wj082.proxy.aol.com (205.188.198.57)

bob wigo

Thanks to all who have posted links of late. I always enjoy the investigation. Special thanks to Laura P. for all the work that went into getting those photos on the site for us to enjoy. Pat, Freddie's still out there doing it and more power to him. That certainly stirred some memories. Amanda provides a wonderful link to the W.C Handy Blues award webcast and also the House of Blues site which is a marvelous resource for a wide variety of audio and video concert archives. If you haven't checked out the HOB site please do. I copied the following article this morning to share with all of you.

5/7/2001
With the banjo enjoying a resurgence in country music, the instrument's greatest master, Earl Scruggs, will release a collection of songs that pair him with an eclectic roster of singers and musicians — including Elton John, Sting and Melissa Etheridge — all eager to pay homage to the bluegrass pioneer.

Slated for release August 1 on MCA Nashville, Earl Scruggs and Friends was produced by his son, Randy Scruggs. John sings and plays piano on "Country Comfort" (RealAudio excerpt), a song from his second album. Etheridge does "The Angels" from her 1989 release, Brave & Crazy. Sting teams with Scruggs on "Fill Her Up" (RealAudio excerpt), a track from his 1999 album Brand New Day.

Also making appearances with Scruggs, who plays banjo throughout: Dwight Yoakam, on a new tune, "Borrowed Love"; actor/director Billy Bob Thornton, on "Ring of Fire" (RealAudio excerpt); John Fogerty, who chooses "Blue Ridge Mountain Blues," a traditional tune he did for his Blue Ridge Rangers project; and Don Henley and Johnny Cash on "Passin' Thru," written by Cash and Randy Scruggs and included on Randy Scruggs' Crown of Jewels album.

Another Cash — Rosanne — joins Vince Gill and Scruggs on "I Found Love," a new song penned by Gill with Randy and Earl Scruggs.

Comedian Steve Martin plays a banjo solo on a version of the Scruggs classic "Foggy Mountain Breakdown" that also features Gill, Marty Stuart, Paul Shaffer and Leon Russell, among others.

Earl and son Gary team with Travis Tritt on the Gary Scruggs/Kevin Welch tune "True Love Never Dies." Earl and Randy do "Somethin' Just Ain't Right," a new tune by Randy. And Scruggs and Marty Stuart combine on an instrumental medley of famous Scruggs tunes, "Foggy Mountain Rock/Foggy Mountain Special."

Scruggs' wife and longtime manager, Louise Scruggs, contributes highly informative liner notes. "He turned a banjo, often referred to as a comedian's prop, into a lead instrument," she writes. "His style would ultimately carry his name in history books all over the universe. He was an original."

Posted on Tue May 22 14:20:55 CEST 2001 from 24.68.33.158.on.wave.home.com (24.68.33.158)

John D

Just two days till Bob's 60th. You know what I would love to hear; but it won't happen. Back when Dylan was starting out and was accessible, he did the Cynthia Gooding folk radio show in NYC; which most of us have heard in bootleg form. Just a young Bob playing his songs on the radio and talking about the music.

I would love to hear him in a studio with an interviewer/commentator that he trusts, if that's possible and do it again. Just Bob and his acoustic. Later joined by Levon on drums…Garth on Lowrey…if Garth is busy, Al Kooper…...Guitar and Bass player of his choice. Maybe talking about influences....what has happened.......different periods of his career till now. It would be nice; but I can't see Bob doing it. Recapturing the innocence of that Gooding interview is gone; but the maturity of the man now would make for great listening.

One of the things that bothers me most about the era that I have lived through is that my favorites, like Dylan got to live their career through a media circus and pop stardom. The reason I say that is that I think that is one of the factors that would stop a Dylan from doing that. I was able to sit down with Sunnyland Slim, Willy Dixon, Howlin’ Wolf and others and talk about their careers; when they were still with us. They still enjoyed talking about their life and sharing stories. Their careers didn’t come with the “Rolling Stone Magazine” generation. Remember when Bob would go the hospital in New Jersey and sit with Woody Guthrie? Can you imagine, God forbid, if Dylan or someone like him got really ill and we knew where the hospital was. Can you imagine any of us getting in to talk about music and how much we love that artist face to face. Won't happen. The times we live in make it impossible. Bob was lucky to have access to his heroes. It's part of a bygone era I think. Just maybe the rock stars of my generation could learn a little from that. But then again, I’m a dreamer.

Posted on Tue May 22 14:15:40 CEST 2001 from du-tele3-098.mailbox.co.uk (195.82.121.98)

Peter Viney

Freddie Garrity: I’ve told this one before. 17 or 18 years ago he was living in Bournemouth and might still be. His kids went to the same pre-school playgroup as mine. The woman who ran it loved introducing harrassed parents to each other on the doorstep. One morning as I was dropping off my kids, she grabbed me and indicated a woman who’d just dropped her kids, “Ah, Mr Viney. I’d like you to meet … (pause for thought, which failed to arrive) … Mrs Freddie and the Dreamers.” At least I had the musical knowledge to say “Pleased to meet you, Mrs Garrity.”

Posted on Tue May 22 10:55:43 CEST 2001 from spider-mtc-te054.proxy.aol.com (64.12.103.174)

Ben Pike

Thanks for the Freddie info. I tried to use that link and it didn't work; I breathed a sigh of releif. I'd like to ask about some of the other groups on those tapes, but now I'm too scared! But did you know or remember that Brian Epstein did a weekly feature on Hulabaloo? I SOLD my Watkins Glen on ebay. I never really liked the Band's "Loving You" anyway, and I like the Cahoots "Endless Highway best(you hear that Laura P.!)

Posted on Tue May 22 09:20:52 CEST 2001 from proxy1-external.wkgn1.il.home.com (24.4.255.48)

donald Joseph

I fully agree with the comment that the new Rock of Ages' "Loving You Is Sweeter" is exactly the same as on the mislabelled Watkins Glen cd. I didn't even bother listening to them back-to-back, because when I put on disc 2 of new Rock of Ages, I sort of zoned out -- I experienced a physiological reaction of deja vu; I realized I was hearing an exact version of a song I already knew, note-for-note; there was nothing at all fresh about it to my ears, other than the fake crowd noise was muted -- same feeling you get listening to the great "Memphis" on the new Moondog. The lies in the so-called "Watkins Glen" l.p. liner notes, packaging, etc. have to be one of the record industry's greatest frauds of the 1990's -- and adding crowd noises to studio tracks makes it particularly egregious.

In my opinion the 4 genuinely-new songs on the new Moondog are the best stuff to emerge on any of the new remasters.

Levon/Barnburners're playing Buddy Guy's Legends in Chicago on the 1st Sat. in June (2 June?). I'll be there.

Pat Brennan: Your comment re Chicago's WXRT not playing the Band is mostly true, but just the other day Lyn Bremer mentioned the upcoming Levon show & then played "Dixie Down" (OK, a dumb & obvious choice, but at least it was the Band, not Baez) -- so don't count 'XRT all the way out, esp. given that Bremer premiered the Sunday "Vinyl Era" show with a 2-hour Band special.

Nice to hear some T-Bone freaks out there. I've been buying every T-Bone album since the first Alpha Band l.p. of '76. T-Bone is appearing in July at a "Traffic" series concert at the Steppenwolf Theater in Chicago (I got near-front-row center tix); also T-Bone is scoring the music for a Steppenwolf play that will premier this fall.

I admit I've not read the Guestbook prior to the last several days, but why so little comment on the re-issues? These are huge news.

Posted on Tue May 22 08:15:25 CEST 2001 from 203-202-23-100.optus.net.au (203.202.23.100)

David Rowe

I love the band and i love ur site. u have done there music a favour by putting this together

Posted on Tue May 22 07:53:54 CEST 2001 from pm3-pt17.pcnet.net (206.105.29.91)

Laura P.

The Garth article/interview is fantastic! Really nice.

I've been listening to the Complete Last Waltz all evening while *finally* scanning in those photos from the Dylan/Band Tour '74 library book ("Bob Dylan Approximately") that I mentioned over a month ago (I've had to renew the thing twice...). I put them online at the page linked above (http://members.dencity.com/fisk/band/).

I'm not going to keep them up for more than a week because I don't have much free server space, so snag them soon if you like them. Are those color portraits in the Before the Flood album? I don't have the actual album, so I wondered about those. The other ones are all definitely new, I think. Some are rather grainy, but I guess the originals were like that, because that's how they are in the book. Not much of Richard, unfortunately, but lots of very cool shots of the rest of the guys, especially--but not limited to--Robbie.

Posted on Tue May 22 06:39:59 CEST 2001 from spider-te062.proxy.aol.com (152.163.195.202)

Bayou Sam

I just read the Q&A with Garth. My favorite parts was Garth's summation of having been in the Band = "HMMMM, it was a good job". Love it... The Richard and Rick coffin thing that the interviewrer said at the end was just plain weird to me.

Posted on Tue May 22 06:31:58 CEST 2001 from spider-tp061.proxy.aol.com (152.163.204.201)

Dave Z

I too loved the Garth interview... and hope it's a start to many more leading up to and including a nice musical celebration round about mid July... I'm siked!!! Thanks Terje and Jan for the review... I'd love to hear more about his fun with the Professor & Crowmatix too... as well as actual show reviews when possible... Thanks again guys!!!

Been listening to Academy of Outtakes and can't help but think it's a shame they couldn't use that other version of the Genetic Method/Chest Fever somehow... I think it's awesome... and the cutoff version of Chest Fever with Levon yelling "Yeah!" at the sound of the horns is cool too... And for some reason this version of Down In The Flood sounds raw-er to me than the reissued one?... Anybody else think so too?

Posted on Tue May 22 06:28:58 CEST 2001 from spider-te062.proxy.aol.com (152.163.195.202)

Bayou Sam

.....regarding Levon and cowbells - if you check out his drumming video, he talks about having a cowbell mounted right there on the bass drum because he enjoys filling in little holes in a song by giving it a good wack.

Posted on Tue May 22 06:20:19 CEST 2001 from 2cust87.tnt52.nyc3.da.uu.net (63.46.58.215)

Crabgrass

I'd say that most of the Dreamers have aged better than Freddie - but then it's more work fronting a group. Freddie at 61, however, looks better than Dylan nearing 60 in my opinion. Dylan, however, has written more songs and better ones than Freddie and has been on the road a lot more so maybe that accounts for Dylan looking worse.

Interesting thread though.

Posted on Tue May 22 05:52:01 CEST 2001 from 24.68.33.158.on.wave.home.com (24.68.33.158)

John D

Well, it's Monday night and "Victoria Day" is coming to an end and so the end of a long weekend in Canada. Since I was a kid, it was just plain "firecracker" day to me. To most just a day off. Thank you Jan for the wonderful interview with Garth. A Gentleman who makes great music. Garth's comment about John Simon cutting down the length of the intro to Chest Fever struck me. I wonder if John Simon or someone….. has the original Chest Fever at it's full length.

Just three more days to Bob Dylan's 60 Birthday. I recently purchased "A Vision Shared" on DVD, the story of Woody Guthrie and Leadbelly through song. Bob's comments about Woody were wonderful. Well my phone's out of order and I'm going to bed.

Posted on Tue May 22 05:27:29 CEST 2001 from ip190.chicago37.il.pub-ip.psi.net (38.33.45.190)

Pat Brennan

Freddie Garrity (age 61) is still fronting Freddie and the Dreamers. For a photo as mind-bending (get it?) as anything VH-1 is pawning off this week:

http://pepperpot.hypermart.net/cabaret/freddie.htm

For an even more shocking development, new Chicago radio station 97.1--The Drive--is playing at least one Band song every day. That beats out so-called hip station WXRT by about, well, let's see, uhhh, yeah, I guess about one a day.

Posted on Tue May 22 04:31:40 CEST 2001 from grmn-105ppp216.dialup.valstar.net (199.224.105.216)

Diamond Lil

I don't think there was ever a question of Garth "consenting" to an interview. I think it was more of an issue of someone being smart enough to approach him. The interview Jan posted today was absolutely wonderful.. and it only reiterates how articulate I've always found Garth to be. The man has some amazing (and funny) stories, and I just hope that someday he'll get the chance to share them with more people.

I do want to add that the end of the article, where it's mentioned how Garth is a man whose eyes have seen the coffins of Richard Manuel and Rick Danko was just so chilling. It kind of puts the so-called "feud" in the perspective that it deserves. A very well written article, and I thank Jan for posting it.

Have a good night everyone.

Posted on Tue May 22 04:27:24 CEST 2001 from spider-wn041.proxy.aol.com (205.188.197.166)

Amanda

We can watch Levon live, via Internet, at the W.C. Handy Blues Awards on May 24th. He is performing in the Handy All Star Band. Check out the web site above for details.

Posted on Tue May 22 03:44:16 CEST 2001 from spider-tr084.proxy.aol.com (152.163.201.214)

Bashful Bill

Almost forgot to mention, I probably wouldn't know about the majority of cool Band-related stuff that occurs if it wasn't for Jan's excellent website. Thanks, Jan!

Posted on Tue May 22 03:39:37 CEST 2001 from spider-tr084.proxy.aol.com (152.163.201.214)

Bashful Bill

What a pleasure to know that Garth is out there not only working, but he consented to a real interview! It appears he is getting the respect that he deseves, long overdue. I wish I could see the trio which quickly evolved into a quintet, maybe eventually they will gather on this side of the pond and a tour of the Notheast will happen?

Posted on Tue May 22 03:22:23 CEST 2001 from spider-mtc-tb013.proxy.aol.com (64.12.104.23)

Ben Pike

Through the fantastic stock at my local video shop, I have been watching old "Shindig" and "Hulabaloo" shows. Great fun. Pat or Viney(or anybody), what ever happened to that goof ball in "Freddie and The Dreamers?"

Posted on Tue May 22 02:30:09 CEST 2001 from (129.237.24.130)

RPence

The new interview and photos of Garth are great. And I sure like his comment about "the feud." Just as I suspected all along. I hope his words will make a difference.

On Barney Hoskyns' "long overdue critique" of Dylan--speaking of selling things--he wouldn't know a critique if it bit him on his ass.

I admire some things about his Band book, but I like it less and less the more I know about him. And there's no doubt, he is a plagiarist in the book. Compare his descriptions of the Band's last days to some of the sources on this website, for example Emmett Grogan's. He lifts things almost word for word, without attribution or even quotation marks.

With this kind of thing going on from "professional" writers, it's no wonder composition teachers like me have such a hard time preventing students from trying to take credit for work they didn't do.

I think, with all the revived attention to the Band these days because of the remasters, that more writers need to try their hand at documenting the group. About all we've got now are Hoskyns, Greil Marcus, and "Levon Davis" (no wonder the book is inaccurate about some of the lead singing--that's probably Davis's, not Levon's, mistake). An oral history of the Band by people who have known them and attended their shows would be great. We have plenty of people in this Guestbook who could help write it.

Posted on Tue May 22 01:20:34 CEST 2001 from proxy3-external.union1.nj.home.com (24.4.252.87)

Brien Sz

Misquoted/heard lyrics:
Steve Miller Band - Big Ol Jet Airliner - when first heard, Bingo, Chad and Lionel (don't take me too far away) I swear i hear that still..,
Pearl Jams Gorified Version of a Pellet Gun, use to think he sang Four Fine Virgins and a Pelican

Half the genius behind successful ---fill in the blank---- is self-promotion!

Posted on Tue May 22 01:06:21 CEST 2001 from host-209-214-114-39.bna.bellsouth.net (209.214.114.39)

Back with no wife in Tennessee

Geez, Little Brother, you make Picasso sound like the Beatles!

Posted on Tue May 22 00:49:59 CEST 2001 from spider-wl032.proxy.aol.com (205.188.199.32)

Tommy

As far as the pictures go...I'll try and figure something out.I'm not very computer savvy.

Posted on Tue May 22 00:38:45 CEST 2001 from spider-wm072.proxy.aol.com (205.188.199.182)

Ben Pike

Little Brother, mispronousing "a la carte" is writer Chuck Berry's joke, ment to be funny. It's the sort of thing a guy on the road does to amuse himself.

Posted on Mon May 21 22:30:08 CEST 2001 from (209.232.0.83)

Matt Wilson

Hey, great site. I'm definitely a big fan of the Band as well as Bob Dylan. I love all of the new remasters, too--when are they going to remaster Dylan's catalogue? Can anyone tell me if the CD of "The Last Waltz" is remastered? I've been waiting to pick it up, but I want it to sound good. Know what I mean? I wish they would put out a nice version of the film on DVD too.

Posted on Mon May 21 22:21:48 CEST 2001 from (164.156.231.55)

Little Brøther

The "Bob Dylan: Mountebank or Charlatan?" debate is déjà vu all over again for Your Humble Narrator. Many moons ago, my sister, then a fine arts major, favored me with a revisionist screed about Pablo Picasso that VERY closely parallels the "Dylan is NOT God" school.

If you really scrutinized Picasso's biography and oeuvre, she claimed, you would find that he's not the profound, cutting-edge genius that his reputation suggests. He's merely a moderately talented artist with a huckster's cunning instinct for spotting the trend(s) du jour and shamelessly conniving to be perceived as an innovator to such trends. After a couple of decades-- voilà!-- millions worldwide bow to him as he stands on a pedestal of his own making. His genius, if any (so the critique goes) is in megahyping himself until the masses accept his prolific stream of glittery baubles as pure gold.

"Gee whiz," thought I. "I'm glad that I'm one of those dummies who don't know art, they just know what they like, 'cause I think his stuff is pretty cool..."

I think the parallel is generally valid, though. The Dylans and Picassos are like artistic Energizer Bunnies, going and going and going. There are bound to be dead spots or derivative spots or bogus spots along the way. It can't all be "Guernica" or "Like A Rolling Stone".

One can make a case that these kinds of artists are part hustler or con man, and support it with selected examples, but that's not sufficient to dismiss them entirely. Nor should they be venerated as gods, as I'm sure they would agree-- privately, at least.

Oh, and speaking of misunderstood lyrics: Courtesy of the scribbled lyrics sheet reproduced in the "Moondog Matinee" reissue notes, I now know that the line in "Promised Land" is "Working on a T-bone steak a la carte". I thought it was, "Movin' on a T-bone steak out of Carty." I assumed "Carty" was a town in Texas or Oklahoma. If it isn't, it should be.

Levon's pronunciation of "Ah lah CART" as "Ah la CAR-tay" is probably another example of the execrable Ontarian French that closes "Acadian Driftwood", to the dismay of appropriately attuned ears...

Posted on Mon May 21 22:18:45 CEST 2001 from spider-wn061.proxy.aol.com (205.188.197.176)

Amanda

Tommy: Could you put the pictures on disc and share them that way? I would love to see them.

Posted on Mon May 21 21:45:11 CEST 2001 from citrix2.doc.state.vt.us (159.105.102.7)

John Cass

Sunshine please look at the talent of each member of The Band and tell me Robbie was the sole writer of all those songs. I just want people to think about it for a few minutes I find it hard to beleive. I don't want to get in a arguement about it I think some of you know how I stand on this issue but oh well.

does anyone know if Levon will be at Dylans 60th birthday bash? and Bootlegs I need bootlegs!!! will trade I got some good tapes.

Posted on Mon May 21 20:43:29 CEST 2001 from (209.100.37.239)

Chris

Barney Hoskyns is an ass. In general I am not a big fan of critics. Specifically I am not a fan of any of the Hoskyn's work I have read. I have never read more drivel than what Hoskyns presents as rock analysis.

Barney is truly Mr. Jones.

"you know something is happening but you don't know what iiisss...do you Mr. Jones"

Posted on Mon May 21 20:14:07 CEST 2001 from 209-23-38-139.ip.termserv.net (209.23.38.139)

Diamond Lil

Mr.Powell: I too, heard about Susannah McCorkle's death and came home after work yesterday and played her album "Someone to watch over me". Noone sang Gershwin like she did. She will be missed.

Posted on Mon May 21 20:13:57 CEST 2001 from spider-tm072.proxy.aol.com (152.163.197.77)

Tommy

Hey friends...I got the pictures from the May 12th BarnBurners' show developed yesterday..They're great!!!Some nice close-ups of the band and some really good close-ups of Levon!I wish I had a scanner, cause I'd love you all to see them.Arghhh...Oh well.Maybe I'll figure something out if anybody shows any interest in seein' 'em.

I just got the 'Wingspan' cd.It's a weird selection of songs.Some aren't even Wings' songs...but from Paul's solo stuff.Of course it has all the singles' hits ,but some songs I thought would be on there ("fan favorites" I guess?), weren't.Once again..Oh well.I have all his albums anyway......

Posted on Mon May 21 19:58:10 CEST 2001 from cc5414-a.hnglo1.ov.nl.home.com (213.51.109.69)

Norbert's Dog

grrrrrr.........Hey, s.o.Ilkka's Dog!......THANX!!!! (LOL!!!!!)......(who said that dog isn't talented?)

Posted on Mon May 21 19:45:22 CEST 2001 from (209.100.37.239)

Chris

Mary Sunshine: What a bright and cheery, sunshiney, if you will, comment about Levon.

What makes you think you know anything about Levon's personal life or finances.

Further than that...who are you to suggest when it is time for Levon to stop complaining about he and his mates being screwed out of money he thinks they deserve. Getting screwed out of royalties and songwriting credits is the norm not the exception.

As I read it Levon's complaint is about the treachery involved not in the actual money. He has said time and time again that nobody expected Robbie to go along with the suits. Now I'm not saying one thing or the other...but I do know that I respect Levon for not forgetting about it. If I thought someone had screwed me over and was trying to white wash it I would be as loud as possible for as long as possible.

Posted on Mon May 21 19:42:23 CEST 2001 from (208.218.212.2)

David Powell

Pardon me for digressing a moment here. The blue skies are gray today, as I was deeply saddened to read about the tragic death of singer Susannah McCorkle this past Saturday. For those of you not familiar with Ms. McCorkle -- she had a great gift of interpreting classic pop songs, with the ability to beautifully sing the melodies, while at the same time, bringing the songs' finely-crafted lyrics into the forefront. Although she chose her material carefully, her repetoire included thousands of classic songs, from songwriters such as Gershwin, Berlin, Porter, Rogers & Hammerstein to Jobim, Dave Frishberg, Paul Simon and so many more. Another great voice with the gift to convey emotions in a song, too soon gone.

Posted on Mon May 21 18:54:01 CEST 2001 from du189-249.ppp.algonet.se (195.100.249.189)

Spirit Of Ilkka's Dog

Woff again! As a bloodhound 'par excellence' I have found - what I believe are - the two long lost versions of album covers for the mythical "TURKEY SCRATCH" album (see more in Articles section). Click web page to see them.

Posted on Mon May 21 17:59:48 CEST 2001 from 209-23-55-163.ip.termserv.net (209.23.55.163)

Diamond Lil

Fred: Oops! I just re-read your post, and realize that _I_ must've been the one hearing "cheese and crackers" :-) Sorry for misquoting you.

Posted on Mon May 21 17:55:13 CEST 2001 from 209-23-55-163.ip.termserv.net (209.23.55.163)

Diamond Lil

Jens: Yes, I did read the review that Jan posted and it was wonderful..although I was kind of hoping for some "first hand accounts" from fans. Am looking forward to your post after you see the show!

Fred: 'She like cheese and crackers and she smells like tobacco'??? That's priceless!! Thanks for the smile :-)

Am procrastinating here today. (Hmmm..I hope that's allowed in the gb :-) So much cleaning to do..and I don't feel like doing any of it. I keep thinking of that line from a Wallflowers tune: "This place is always such a mess, sometimes I think I'd like to watch it burn". (Of course, if my insurance agent is reading this..I never wrote it :-)

Posted on Mon May 21 17:30:33 CEST 2001 from fw04.nirai.ne.jp (202.239.129.37)

Fred

Has this ever happened to anyone...you've "misheard" the words to a song and they are stuck,forever, in your head?!? The first time I listened to CHEST FEVER I thought I heard the following: "You know she's a cracker and she smells like tobacco..." Now every time I hear the song that's what pops into my head (even though I know the proper words)!

Posted on Mon May 21 17:25:31 CEST 2001 from dhcp58148.sunyocc.edu (204.168.58.148)

THE FUNK!

Has anyone seen or read any Posts by Dr. Pepper? The last thing I heard was that he was about to enter the Green Hills facility. This you may remember is (i think) a cleanup facility for individuals that have been afflicted with the condition of being "Long Winded Mother %@!*$%s. I hope and pray that the good Doctor can rid himself of this problem and once again enter the mainstream of conversationalists that frequent this guestbook. Good Luck Doc..

Posted on Mon May 21 17:09:50 CEST 2001 from housinguni1.usi.edu (192.206.9.72)

Knockin' Lost John

Hello Band Fans:

Last night my wife and I saw Levon Helm & the Barn Burners in Louisville, Kentucky. I can't believe we paid $40 to see this show. WE SHOULD HAVE PAID TWICE THAT! Make no mistake, this band KICKS ASS!

Watching Levon slap the skins was true poetry in motion. It was great seeing him back there with that devilish grin, nostrils flared, rockin' Stevie Ray's Blues Bar.

The other guys in the band were also top-notch bluesmen! Loved the harp player/lead vocalist (sorry, don't have all their names straight yet)!!!

Amy's vocals were RED HOT (as well as Amy herself).

If this band comes to your area, you've gotta see 'em. Pure blues (not the watered down kind)!

Loved it!! I'm still "high" from it this morning!

I got to high-five Levon at the end of the show! I always wanted to see THE BAND but never got the chance, but to say that this was the next best thing is an understatement.

I love this band!

Later,

John

Posted on Mon May 21 15:37:22 CEST 2001 from proxy.newmedia.no (212.71.66.13)

Jens Magnus

Lil! I look forward to seeing H/F/A on wednesday, and I will bring a report to the GB. But did you not read the consert review in Jan's 'What's new'-pages?

Jens

Posted on Mon May 21 13:11:02 CEST 2001 from 209-23-50-59.ip.termserv.net (209.23.50.59)

Diamond Lil

I'm kind of surprised that there have been no posts in here about the H/F/A shows currently happening in Norway. Has anyone out there seen them..and could you pleeeeaaase tell us about it? Thanks.

On a personal note to the proprietor of the you-send-em-we-keep-em photo shop: Either your e-mail has fallen into the infamous Bermuda Triangle of this site, or you yourself have. Please contact me. Thanks.

Have a good day everyone.

Posted on Mon May 21 12:36:57 CEST 2001 from hades.mcc.wwwcache.ja.net (194.82.103.141)

Roger Woods

Pat - Hoskyns' source for the get well cards story is Howard Sounes. I haven't read the new book and don't know where Sounes got the stuff. Hoskyns' take on Dylan (same article in MOJO) is that Dylan (like the Stones and the Beatles) was at the 'top of his game' for just 4 years with 'Bringin' it all back home', Highway 61 and Blonde on Blonde as the zentih of his career. Downhill since there. Particular vilification for Time Out of Mind.

Posted on Mon May 21 11:59:04 CEST 2001 from (61.12.197.6)

Erin

Thanks ajr!

Rollie: please put me on your list of people to email about your TLW experience. (I wrote on the GB for a while 4 or 5 years ago, and I've only just got back to it so I missed this story.)

About the Hoskyns thing: I am a long, LONG time Dylan fan but I think the Band, at their best is better than Dylan at his best. However, Dylan has produced an amazing body of work: theres an awful lot of awfully good stuff of his. I can't think of anyone who has put out SO much good music. In the end I'm not sure that this sort of comparison between Dylan and the Band is particularly useful anyway, I don't think you get to a better understanding of what either has done/does. I'm a bit of a try-to-understand-things-in-their-owns-terms sort of girl.

Posted on Mon May 21 09:55:52 CEST 2001 from proxy.newmedia.no (212.71.66.13)

Jens Magnus

Mike!

You're right about the cowbell in Caravan. I think it's an old Van-idea. The same thing happens on Van's live album "Too late to stop now".

I think the idea is to make you hear the switch of the electric light.

Posted on Mon May 21 05:30:02 CEST 2001 from ip226.chicago38.il.pub-ip.psi.net (38.33.46.226)

Pat Brennan

Barney Hoskyns again proves why he is a poor writer. I'd love to hear his source for "Dylan didn't get any cards in the hospital." Luckily for Barn, tripe like his doesn't get footnoted. But if you'd like a fairer representation of musicians' feelings for Bob, check out expectingrain.com. Discover for yourself how full of crap Hoskyns is.

His comment on Blood On The Tracks is hilariously pathetic. Rollie, see, I told you you could get anyone to say anything about anybody.

Posted on Mon May 21 05:26:29 CEST 2001 from spider-mtc-te074.proxy.aol.com (64.12.103.184)

Timmy

anyone know anything about a live "import" of Rick & Richard with Gene Clark? I see something called A STAR FOR EVERY STAGE on ebay that says it was recorded in 1985. Did Rick & Richard tour with Gene Clark and/or the Byrds around that time?

Posted on Mon May 21 05:15:48 CEST 2001 from dialup-115.cork.iol.ie (194.125.43.115)

HANK

Dylan was NOT nasty to Don....if he wanted to be nasty he woulda ignored him entirely AND Don would not have been in the movie......no, Bob readily acknowledged how Donavon HELPED Dylans own popularity in The UK at the time.......

We've no lemons or arches or any of that stuff at our shows......an electric guitar, a bass, drums and an acoustic guitar/voice......a backing singer if we're in the right place.........tonight at Pine Lodge we HAD two drummers and did "Cripple Creek and "It Makes No Difference".......looking forward to meeting y'all for real in NYC soon folks.......

THANKS BUTCH.....for your kind words

Posted on Mon May 21 05:04:18 CEST 2001 from dap-209-114-164-42.nfas.monroe-tnt-1.sns234.pa.stargate.net (209.114.164.42)

Mary (bear)

Just wondering if anyone out there can help me. I am trying to locate The Band performance at Woodstock 94, The Japan Tour video ( I think Rollie mentioned it ), The Wall Live in Berlin 1990 involving some Band members, Deadheads Festival in Japan 1997. If anyone can let me know where I could purchase these items, I would really appreciate it. Everyone have a good evening. Take care And Rollie, I would also like to hear your experience at the Last Waltz. Especially being someone who would have loved to have been there. Hi Lil and Jan

Posted on Mon May 21 04:15:39 CEST 2001 from www-cache-external.vuw.ac.nz (130.195.196.201)

ajr

The link above in webpage should take you to the Hoskyn's article HI refers to. I should imagine old Barney will have a few GBers frothing at the mouth as is his way. He is not very polite about Bob Dylan at all & its possible he goes way over the top. I agreed with some of what he said. I hated the way Dylan was so nasty to poor Donovan in Don't Look Back & I agree Dylan is very good at self promotion. But the rest of his comments...ai yi yi...

What Hoskyn's actually says re. the Band is [and I quote]"But for me, there's more soul and melody and life-affirming humanity in The Band, that rollicking 1969 album by Dylan's occasional electric henchmen, than there is in all of the master's collected works" Maybe there is something in that?? I'm not sufficiently familiar with all of Dylan's work to say for sure.

Happy Birthday Erin!

Posted on Mon May 21 01:31:04 CEST 2001 from (61.12.197.6)

Erin

Mike: I think Islands is better than Cahoots too (and I like Cahoots.) Islands was the first Band album I ever heard. When I was about eight The Saga of Pepote Rouge and Knockin Lost John were my favourite songs (no Backstreet Boys, or the then equivolent New Kids on the Block for me!)

Like all of the Band's music, the more I listen to it the better I think it is.

Speaking of my age (which I wasn't really) I've just turned 21 and some friends are throwing a party for me. The day they chose for this party happens to be Levon's birthday, which seems like a very good reason for getting drunker than is strictly necessary! I'll be thinking of him.

Posted on Mon May 21 01:25:28 CEST 2001 from 1cust47.tnt6.poughkeepsie.ny.da.uu.net (63.17.112.47)

HI

Did anyone read Barney Hoskyns "criticism" of Dylan as he turns 60 which he says is long overdue? It can be read through yesterday or today's epectingrain.com. He says the Band's 2nd album is better than all of Dylan's obtuse work combined......Even for a hardcore Band freak like myself it's hard to fathom......

Posted on Mon May 21 01:24:54 CEST 2001 from 1cust211.tnt1.idaho-falls.id.da.uu.net (63.28.242.211)

rollie

Amanda-I would love to tell the story, but since I've already done so in here, certain members of this GB would suffer severe abdominal cramps and bloating as a result. I'll send you some anecdotes via e-mail right after I come out of conspiracy de-tox.Beware of the grassy knoll and the sewer where the fatal shot was fired from!

Posted on Mon May 21 00:42:35 CEST 2001 from spider-wn084.proxy.aol.com (205.188.197.189)

Amanda

Rollie: Please tell us about your Last Waltz experience..I would love to hear your story!

Posted on Mon May 21 00:06:20 CEST 2001 from spider-tm064.proxy.aol.com (152.163.197.74)

Bayou Sam

Rollie - you went to The Last Waltz? You're kidding! - how come you never mentioned it? :-)

Posted on Sun May 20 23:07:56 CEST 2001 from sid16.revealed.net (208.23.178.159)

Mike

I noticed something during "Caravan" on The Last Waltz this morning. Right after Van sings "switch on your electric light", Levon taps his cowbell real quick. Maybe this was something he did to accentuate the lyric or just a spur of the moment 'fill' while playing. Probably means nothing but it sounds neat to me. I like the previous post in regards to "Hobo Jungle", one of Richard's best lead vocals. I see it as more to do with the hobos who drifted from town to town by train. It certainly captured the essence of that type of lifestyle and era. The sad music conveys the lonliness that the main character must feel. I know it's fiction, BUT it could be about any drifter! It also seems to hark back to blues music as a train has been used in songs as the mode of transportation for moving on to the next town. I also just dug up some old albums by Chicago based blues band "Siegel Schwall". Great music by a little four piece band. If you've never heard them, you can order most of their stuff at any music store or at www.amazon.com Gotta run...Islands has been growing on me lately. I think it's better than Cahoots! Peace.

Mike

Posted on Sun May 20 23:06:20 CEST 2001 from sid16.revealed.net (208.23.178.159)

Mike

I noticed something during "Caravan" on The Last Waltz this morning. Right after Van sings "switch on your electric light", Levon taps his cowbell real quick. Maybe this was something he did to accentuate the lyric or just a spur of the moment 'fill' while playing. Probably means nothing but it sounds neat to me. I like the previous post in regards to "Hobo Jungle", one of Richard's best lead vocals. I see it as more to do with the hobos who drifted from town to town by train. It certainly captured the essence of that type of lifestyle and era. The sad music conveys the lonliness that the main character must feel. I know it's fiction, BUT it could be about any drifter! It also seems to hark back to blues music as a train has been used in songs as the mode of transportation for moving on to the next town. I also just dug up some old albums by Chicago based blues band "Siegel Schwall". Great music by a little four piece band. if you've never heard them, you can order must of their stuff at any music store or at www.amazon.com Gotaa run...Islands has been growing on me lately. I think it's better than Cahoots! Peace. Mike

Posted on Sun May 20 21:13:07 CEST 2001 from spider-tl021.proxy.aol.com (152.163.207.181)

Tommy

'Ironweed' is a good movie!!!

Posted on Sun May 20 20:22:44 CEST 2001 from ottawa-ppp3517244.sympatico.ca (206.172.191.115)

Richard Patterson

BWNWIT: Thanks for the update from Nashville... BTW The Billy Bob Thornton movie 'Daddy and Them' will feature John Prine in a small acting role, and his song from a few years back, "In Spite of Ourselves", was written especially for the soundtrack.

PETER V: I don’t hear 'Grapes of Wrath' or "King Harvest" as a literary influences upon "Hobo Jungle". To me the characters seem more like those that populate the books of William Kennedy, set in Albany NY, where a smooth coat of frost on the ground could happen most of the year round… The hobo jungle that I envision is a congregation of "rounders" ("Back in '63, I thought Rounder was a 19th century term for n'er-do-well. I've since heard it referred to someone who committed a petty crime like public drunkenness, got put in jail for a short time, got out, repeated the offense or a similar one, back to jail for a short time, etc." - Peter Stampfel) and "drifters", that pull together and look out for each other, living by the long forgotten code of the road, watching each others backs, and sharing the odd bottle. In this respect, the song is most likely set during the early 30’s (definitely pre-American Rail Riders Federation) in the Northern U.S… or Canada… where the cold permeates the floor of the jungle itself, not just the outside air while riding the rods… The movie 'Ironweed' (based on one of Kennedy’s books and to which he contributed the screenplay) with Jack Nicholson, Meryl Streep and Tom Waits is a wonderful depiction of this hobo life.

"If you ever see a shooting star cross the path of the moon, it becomes a gypsy moon. Every time you see it after that, you want to wander." - G. Moon.

Posted on Sun May 20 17:52:31 CEST 2001 from 1cust242.tnt1.idaho-falls.id.da.uu.net (63.28.242.242)

rollie

Cupid is right. The lithium has kicked in.My physician has recommended solitary confinement,with piped-in, non-stop music From Big Pink, Stage Fright,TLW,(which I attended by the way), continuous readings from Levons book,viewings at least once a day of the Band Reunion in Vancouver and Band in Japan.I'm feeling much better,much better,much bettermuch better...............................

Posted on Sun May 20 17:16:48 CEST 2001 from spider-wa053.proxy.aol.com (205.188.192.43)

Amanda

Jake: I love Planet Waves too. Lyrics and music. I have read two different articles this week giving it a bad rap. Some seem to think that Forever Young is the ONLY stand out. Wedding Song has got be one of the most heart-whole love songs ever. Tough Mama is just rockin'! Not to mention Dirge. I like Forever Young, but it is not my favorite. I think it is a beautiful performance on The Last Waltz...the way the camera pans down from the top of Dylan's head..it gives me goose bumps. Speaking of concert tix, I really want to see Stevie Nicks. I bet good seats are quite costly. If I had the favorable fortune of a singing voice, I would want to sound just like her. I think her new CD is amazing. Has anyone else picked it up?

Posted on Sun May 20 11:00:45 CEST 2001 from 1cust165.tnt48.nyc3.da.uu.net (63.46.54.165)

Crabgrass

Okay - everyone living upstate or close enough has to go to the Towne Crier Sunday night to catch Buddy & Julie Miller (he's Emmylou's guitarist if you don't know, and phenomenal). Just came from the late show in NYC at the Bottom Line.

Anyway, no excuses - get there!!

Posted on Sun May 20 07:39:50 CEST 2001 from spider-ta074.proxy.aol.com (152.163.205.79)

Bayou Sam

There's a little place out on the east end of Long Island called The Steven Talkhouse where the Band was playing a few years back - and when I called to ask about tickets, the price was Ninety Bucks - yeah, $90.00 I said to hell with that. I was surprised. I saw them around the same time on Long Island and it was $20.00 - Go figure.

So - who's going to see Hank in NYC next week? E-mail me and let me know. I'm gonna try to "come on out and catch the show". I'm just not sure which night.

Posted on Sun May 20 05:43:22 CEST 2001 from 1cust45.tnt15.bos2.da.uu.net (63.38.219.45)

Jake

I believe it is next Thursday that Bob Dylan turns sixty. I've been listening to him in all of his various incarnations, and believe he was at his best with The Band. While "THe Basement Tapes", "Before the Flood", and the recent 1966 are prime examples of their wonderful collaborations, I would also urge those who haven't yet to check out "Plantet Waves", a fine example of how The Band really play the hell out of Bob Dylan's songs. Excellent stuff.

Posted on Sun May 20 05:05:12 CEST 2001 from spider-te054.proxy.aol.com (152.163.195.199)

Tommy

Cupid;WHOSE kidney did you sell???

Posted on Sun May 20 05:03:37 CEST 2001 from spider-te054.proxy.aol.com (152.163.195.199)

Tommy

Cupid; WHOSE kidney did you sell?

Posted on Sun May 20 04:36:59 CEST 2001 from 24.68.33.158.on.wave.home.com (24.68.33.158)

John D

Rick Danko's old buddy Colin Lindin's new album just came out. Very good indeed with duets with Lucinda Williams, Bruce Cockburn and others. Colin will join the entire "Musicians Cast" of Oh Brother Where Art Thou on June 13, I believe, at Carnegie Hall in NYC. Should be great seeing Colin, Dan Tyminski and others playing their tunes.

Posted on Sun May 20 04:32:28 CEST 2001 from grmn-105ppp188.dialup.valstar.net (199.224.105.188)

Diamond Lil

Peter: I'd love for you to do an article on 'Hobo Jungle'. I don't really have any thoughts on it, except that I always found it to be a rather sad song...and Richard's voice gave just enough pain to make you really feel it.

I remember walking through a part of New York City one time, and seeing an older, homeless man sleeping on a heating vent on the sidewalk. I stopped and looked at his face, and for some reason, whenever I hear "Hobo Jungle".. I think of him. "Here I lie without anger or regret. I'm in noone's debt". Very sad indeed.

And on a lighter note, I just came back from taking kids to the circus where I got cotton candy stuck to my pants and stepped in elephant nuggets. What a way to end the day :-)

Have a good night everyone.

Posted on Sun May 20 01:33:45 CEST 2001 from ts1-11.steveston.axion.net (207.34.146.11)

cupid

Funny we should be discussing ticket prices, I just sold a kidney so I could afford Emmylou Harris Tickets.

Lil, taking your kids to the Backstreet Boys...they must have been really bad to deserve that kind of punishment.I hope that after the show when they get back in the car they will realise their mistake and you won't have to resort to this sort of cruel disciplinary measure again. Here's hoping they learn a valuable lesson on how it's important to listen to Mom. If they don't well,there's always 98degrees and N'Sync yet.:^)

B E G sweety, Mick and Keef refer to themselves as the "Glimmer Twins" It's their producers moniker. Steve Earle and his partner[who's name eludes me] do the same thing working under the name "The Twang Trust".

Lastly, we threw a net over rollie and got him back on his daily routine of Lithium and Blues harp...he's feeling muuuuuch better now. LOL!!!! rollie, your my kinda wing nut brother just remember to look before you leap huh... Peace Sisters and Brothers Cupid

Posted on Sun May 20 01:09:18 CEST 2001 from cf3k-3.lqy.tsnz.net (203.98.21.43)

ajr

Tenessee--can't help much re. the Divine Sisterhood but I believe its about a group of girl chums who grow up and remain friends through various trials. It may have been recommended by Oprah.

However, your mention of Songcatcher triggered a memory of reading something in the big pile of film festival booklets I can never bring myself to throw away, in case they turn out to be useful, and sure enough it screened here during a film festival. I can't imagine why I missed it since apparently it’s a good old- fashioned romance with a propensity for sentimentality and a true love of music.

Here are the details." Maggie Greenwald's Songcatcher, which has played to standing ovations, is set in Appalachia at the turn of the century. Professior of Musicology Lily Penliric travels into themountains of North Carolina to visit her sister, who runs a progressive rural school. There she discovers the local music, a collection of ancient Scots-Irish ballads that have remained pure, being handed down from generation to generation within the forced seclusion of the mountains. Lily sets out to collect the songs scientifically in the hope of gaining the respects of the academic community but she ends up being seduced by the sheer beauty of the music- not to mention the handsome mountain man played by Aidan Quinn."

Posted on Sat May 19 23:13:19 CEST 2001 from spider-te072.proxy.aol.com (152.163.195.207)

Tommy

Lil...What're your kids doing, listening to the Backstreet Boys???MAKE them listen to your Dylan and Band albums..They'll thank you for it some years from now.

Ticket prices ARE ridiculous.I bought the "best"(top priced) tickets for the Clapton show at MSG in June.I did the same thing last time ('98) and the seats I got were FAR from the best seats in the house.They were about two tiers up!If they give you the option, they should follow through with the "BEST SEATS", like they said.Bastards!$85 when I saw Tom Waits in '99.$85 for Clapton.$65 (again,"Top priced/best seats") for Tom Petty in July.It really is ridiculous.

Then at these shows, t-shirts cost like $30 or more!!What fucks!

Posted on Sat May 19 23:11:04 CEST 2001 from du-tele3-077.mailbox.co.uk (195.82.121.77)

Peter Viney

I don’t believe that BWNWIT really hadn’t heard of the ya-yas. If BWN had a WIT it would probably have been made compulsory reading for him. It’s weird because Book 2 (Ya-Yas) made the big time, but the previous part one of the same story, “Little Altars Everywhere” is the better book by far. Anyway, a good subject for a movie. And T-Bone, on the evidence of “O Brother” will do it proud.

Can’t-stop-playing-itus: Does anyone else get this with records? My daughter inherited it from me, and will play the same record twenty times in a row. My first symptoms came in 1963 when I lifted the autochange arm and left “Walk like A man” by the Four Seasons playing for two hours. I frequently get it, but it’s strange to get the affliction from a record I’ve known well for 25 odd years. The remasters have suddenly thrown “Hobo Jungle” into the category. It was never one of the best on the album for me before and I always thought it was trying to recreate the Grapes of Wrath / King Harvest thing just a little bit too hard. But since the remaster, I can’t get it out of my head. Oh, dear. Looks like another article / compilation. So any views on the song?

The Beatles in 1969 could do “Get Back” on a rooftop, but does anyone think they could have played the stadiums and festivals? It’s all very well doing the stripped down rootsy little rock show, but they couldn’t have performed live without at least four or five additional musicians in modern terms, but probably eight or ten given the limits of synth technology in 1969 – much as groups like the Moody Blues do now. People would have wanted Penny Lane, Strawberry Fields, All You Need Is love, Sergeant Pepper. Watching those with two guitars, bass and drums would have been a considerable let-down (as they well understood). What The Beatles did only got performable with a reasonable size band years later. I don’t think it’s a coincidence that Paul held off doing many late-period Beatles numbers live until the technology gave him a reasonable chance of reproducing the breadth of sound. By the mid-70s he could reproduce “Live & Let Die” on stage – but must have been pioneering the use of pre-recorded sections.

Posted on Sat May 19 22:51:12 CEST 2001 from (208.129.10.11)

Ron

Acadianruby, Please contact me. Thanks. Ron

Posted on Sat May 19 22:42:32 CEST 2001 from 3cust13.tnt52.nyc3.da.uu.net (63.46.59.13)

Crabgrass

U2's high concert ticket prices are no doubt due to the fact that the socially conscious group donates most of the proceeds to worthy causes. And Bono's mansion in Dublin is no doubt needed to store the huge amount of equipment needed for their world tours which help to raise these funds. Personally, I can't stand most of their stuff but still attend their concerts in order to help make the world a better place for all of us to live in.

Posted on Sat May 19 22:42:49 CEST 2001 from host-209-214-114-96.bna.bellsouth.net (209.214.114.96)

BWNWITennessee

Hank - but will you have a golden arch and giant lemon?

Where did that other sunshiny post pop up from?

Posted on Sat May 19 22:31:25 CEST 2001 from host-209-214-114-96.bna.bellsouth.net (209.214.114.96)

BWNWITennessee

Cool things I learned from my lunch:

- They're releasing a soundtrack to the movie of the "Brother Where Art Thou" CD release concert that was held at the Ryman here in Music City last May. It's supposed to come out in July (and the movie, I reckon.) A concert that I had planned on attending, and for some odd reason, probably financially based, decided not to. I can be rather dumb some(often)times.

- T-Bone Burnett's latest project is the soundtrack for the film adaptation of the book - "The Divine Sisterhood of the Ya-Ya Conspiracy"(????) Something like that. Ladies, can you help me out? When he said they were making a movie of it, this high-pitched collective gasp/shriek went up, similar the the sound I once heard at an Ani DeFranco concert, afterwhich T-Bone said that he has never met a boy that's heard of the book. I sure haven't. But anywho, the soundtrack is going to be early stringband and pre-zydeco music. Sounds pretty cool.

- There's a movie coming out called "Songcatcher" that's about the migration of traditional ballads from Scotland to the U.S. and how it evolved into Country Music. It's going to feature a lot of period pieces and PD songs. I don't know how you can make a movie about the migration of music, but...

- Billy Bob Thornton has a movie called "Daddy And Them" that's kind of a panorama of Appalachian mountain music. They're showing it at the Nashville Independent Film Festival in a few weeks.

- There's a movie in production called "Country Bears" that's based on the Country Bear Jamboree at Disney World. It's animatronic, done by Jim Henson's Co.; the bears form a Southern Rock band, get addicted to honey, break up, and later have a heartfelt reunion tour. No, I am not making this up (maybe they were).

- Bob Dylan was supposed to record a version of "Hurricane" with the Roots for the movie of the same name. It was going to have samples of the original song, or something, and then present-day Bob was going to sing over the chorus. He was up for it, and ready to go to the studio, when the label decided they didn't want to let it be done.

- If you're hanging out with a bunch of rich people you're trying to impress, don't wear cowboy boots with a big hole in the bottom, and white socks, then cross your legs. It blows the whole image.

- But best of all, I got the phone number of a real big-league Music Supervisor. He said I could call and he'd help me out. He said I might need to metamorphasize into BWNWILos Angeles, so that's a little freaky. But you'd better be nice to me, people, 35 or 40 years from now I might be a big shot!

- If Delphine wants to call for some career advise, she's welcome to. :-)

Sorry for the "Dear Diary" post, I promise to talk about The Band next time.

Posted on Sat May 19 22:21:07 CEST 2001 from rash1-48.upland.in.hypervine.net (216.117.91.48)

Mary Sunshine

Soon I will be taking donations for the bankrupt Levon Helm under the "Grossman-Robertson-Screwed-Me" fund. I'm tired of his whining and bitching, so maybe the money will shut him up. If anyone has any prozac or oxycontin, please send it directly to Levon, because this crap is getting ridiculous.

Posted on Sat May 19 22:00:04 CEST 2001 from (206.187.219.43)

Elly

Hi Diamond Lil-love your venting. I agree with so much of what you speak. Great Mick Jagger fan, I am. Love the "Jamming With Edward" album. Classic. As far as the postings about the U2 tickets. I am a great, great fan. I saw them in the early years and the energy was unbelievable. Unfortunately the ticket prices are rather steep and shut out some loyal fans. Maybe someday they'll do a free concert in the park or something. I keep pushing for this! All that you leave behind sometimes is right is it doesn't bring a hint of a "Beautiful Day".... I'm probably off to study French sometimes and take a Roman Bath! Summer school study! Edgar Winter's White Trash--I hate trash of any kind. Esau a bit. Great album. He was a bit of a jazzer-very underrated. "I'm Free" Pete Townsend.. : "Everything Is truth" "Quicklsilver MESSENGER Service I"m Your Friend, I'll Protect You": "60's lyrics... Luv beaucoup du amour Elly

Posted on Sat May 19 19:47:42 CEST 2001 from dialup-283.cork.iol.ie (193.203.148.27)

Hank

HA! Y'all can come see ME play in New York City next week for less than ten bucks...and we'll be doing some of yer favourite BAND songs as well....

Posted on Sat May 19 19:20:20 CEST 2001 from spider-wd054.proxy.aol.com (205.188.193.174)

Dave ~ (the drummer)

Diamond Lil

I feel your pain regarding the price of concert tickets. My wife & I saw U/2 a couple weeks ago at the astronomical price of $130.00 PER ticket. The concert was outstanding and the seats were very close to the stage.....but $260.00 WOW !!!

The first time I saw U/2 was in the spring of 1983. My best friend, (also a musician) received two backstage passes to this concert from a promoter friend. The concert was held at The Fulton Mini Theatre which seats about 250 people. It was U/2's first American tour and they were young & hungry. Needless to say, we had a blast and hung out with these lads until the wee hours at their Howard Johnson's motel.....all for the price of,,,,NADA.

As I watched their sophisticated and elaborate performance last week, I could not help but reflect back to '83 when all they had was their insturments and the desire to have their message reach the masses; without a clue that one day they would be mega-millionaires.

I have more respect for performers that keep their ticket prices at a reasonable level. What do y'all think ???

Posted on Sat May 19 19:17:57 CEST 2001 from pool-63.49.28.206.mmph.grid.net (63.49.28.206)

Dexy

Here's that new Ringo interview: http://www.billboard.com/billboard/musictomyears/ringo.jsp Some interesting stuff about The Band and that other group. RE: Nils Lofgren -- He really had some great albums way, back, where he played every instrument (like Todd Rundgren used to). Around that same time, was that great Edgar Winter's White Trash album (don't know why I thought of that). In case anyone flames about talking too much about the old days, to my surprise, I love the new U2 CD, All That You Left Behind. I've never been a big fan, although my wife has been from the beginning. Strangely, I love this one, and she's lukewarm. Second cut is a clear homage to Bob D. Produced by Eno and Lanois together. And, let's not forget that Bono and The Edge (maybe the others) were on "Robbie Robertson." Which reminds me -- why don't these musicians who love The Band like we do ask Garth, for example, to play keyboards on their new stuff? The Dylan-esqe U2 song is very nice, but could be great with a contribution from Garth. Merci, Elly.

Posted on Sat May 19 18:41:19 CEST 2001 from ch8smc.bellglobal.com (206.47.244.58)

brown eyed girl

Keith Richards on Mick Taylor: "I learned a lot from Mick Taylor because he is such a beautiful musician.".........some people have referred to The Faces as having their very own "Keef" in Ron Wood.

Bill Wyman on Mick Taylor and Ron Wood: "Mick Taylor was technically really great. Ron is a bit like Keith, he takes us back. He's not such a fantastic musician, but he's more fun, got more personality."

Bashfull Bill: Your guess is as good as mine......but if I'm in the Small Apple in mid July.......I'm off to see The Barnburners........By the way........really like Levon's cover of "Take Me To The River".....thanks Nappie! Also do you know who is playing lead guitar on "You Got Me".......Steve Cropper or Robbie?

Norbert: Ik kom zo...... :-DD.......Hoi Norbert........although the bass player from our favourite Dutch band mentioned in an email that he doesn't like Anouk's music........(sorry....but I like a few of her songs)........still check out "Nobody's Wife" (reggae version), "Love" (acoustic version for radio 3FM) and "Lovin'Whiskey" (live) by her.......Many thanks again for all the music by Dutch bands you send me!!

Posted on Sat May 19 17:20:05 CEST 2001 from spider-ti072.proxy.aol.com (152.163.194.207)

Bayou Sam

I always thought George's Thirty Three & 1/3 was a great album. It had good musicianship and a nice flow of tunes. Nice production too.

I've also always thought that Woody was a perfect fit for the Stones because he could blend with Keef without overstepping him like Beck would have by just being Beck. A few posts back someone said that Woody plays with and for Keef (or something to that effect), that was about the perfect discription IMHO.

I've additionally always thought, that it was so sad the way Brian Jones crashed and burned. It reminds me a little of Richards situation in The Band. Richard was more of a songwriter though. Brian founded the Stones and was right out in front at the start and seemed to get pushed to the back burner when Mick and Keith started to bloom. They say that Brian could pick up almost any instrument and add something to a song. He actually has a couple of bits on Beatles songs. He plays that great "snake-charmer" sounding thing on Baby Your A Rich Man, and the sax on You Know My Name (Look Up The Number). Brian, of course was thrown out of the Stones right before he died. I wonder what the 70's would have held for him had he lived.

Posted on Sat May 19 17:05:59 CEST 2001 from spider-mtc-tf032.proxy.aol.com (64.12.103.32)

Paul Neff

To one and all ,

I just want to say how astonished I really am regarding the re-release's "sonic quality".

I,am considered an "Audio-Purest" by my wife(who bless her heart accuses me of this disease)as well as our friends,not an ordinary "Stereo Buff" but a complete aficinado(again the wife say's nut-bag).

The Greatest Hits was the 1st one I picked up,and it was sonic nirvana.I mean to say the boys in The Band did it right!

The digital re-master process is a incredible tool to uncover all of those lost and re-discovered sounds,the incredible harmonys. And the vocal patina's that were all unique and distinct to all of them. I found myself craving more, I certianly hope there is more than what we know yet to be discovered.

Well,in closing I hope everyone who Loves The Band enjoys the recordings as much as we do around here. It was like hearing them again for the 1st time.

Rest in peace R&R you will not be forgotten.

Peace,Love and The Band. Paul

Posted on Sat May 19 17:00:01 CEST 2001 from cc5414-a.hnglo1.ov.nl.home.com (213.51.109.69)

Norbert

"Always look on the bright side of life......
if life seems jolly rotten,
There's something you've forgotten!
And that's to laugh and smile and dance and sing"......(Monty Python, written between two Band concerts)

Norbert on Brown Eyed Girl: "She is so talented!"......how about spending the summer in France?

Posted on Sat May 19 16:24:32 CEST 2001 from spider-th041.proxy.aol.com (152.163.213.61)

Bashful Bill

I saw Mick Taylor play a blues festival in Syracuse 2 summers ago, and he released an album titled A Stone's Throw around the same time.That was a particularly fine Saturday, Leon Russell was on the same bill. I see Mick Taylor's name on schedules for blues festivals all over the place. Have you decided where you are spending your summer yet, BEG?

Posted on Sat May 19 15:27:02 CEST 2001 from grmn-105ppp54.dialup.valstar.net (199.224.105.54)

Diamond Lil

What has happened to the prices of concert tickets??? I just caved...big time... and purchased 3 tickets for myself and my 2 youngest kids... to see The Backstreet Boys (yeah yeah..I know..I told you I caved :-) for the grand total of $140. Arrgghh!! I remember going to concerts when I was their age... and paying like $10 for a ticket. Kind of sad what it's all come to these days.

Nope..nothing Band (or Beatles or Stones) related here. Just venting I guess.

have a good day everyone. Hug Jan.

Posted on Sat May 19 15:18:47 CEST 2001 from ch8smc.bellglobal.com (206.47.244.58)

brown eyed girl

I think Ronnie Wood was hired to focus on the needs and desires of Jagger and Richards (as some refer to them as The Glimmer Twins). For The Stones were their creation and their personal venue. Woody had been the central musical force of The Faces. When Woody was in the Faces he was able to craft passages of passionate acoustic slide guitar and chunks of Stones-style rock to his own liking........but once Woody became a part of the Stones machinery..........

..........and speaking of slide guitarists.......and harp players.......Rollie can post about any topic he likes......just like anyone else in this guestbook should be able to do........if you are not interested in the topic.....scroll......scroll........by the way Rollie.......how is Tony Furtado these days? (hint, hint) :-DD

As far as Mick Taylor is concerned.......I have seen him solo and it's very clear why he was always an outsider with The Stones.......he's a musician's musician.....his playing is sheer fluid elegance.....The Stones are a fun party band to see.....but they're playing is the opposite..........I also posted a long time ago that Marianne Faithfull observed that Woody was the best replacement for The Stones because he was the best for being a go-between Mick and Keith because of their love/hate relationship.......Mick Taylor and Brian Jones were not interested in this role and were also brilliant musicians who had their own musical vision.......unfortunately they had other problems that would undermine their brilliance........I really miss these two guitarists..........Does anyone know what's happening with Taylor these days?

John Mayall on Mick Taylor: "He was astonishing...Very gifted young fellow...He has his own style, and is exceptrionally good on slide guitar."

Mick Jagger on Mick Taylor: "He was a very fluent, melodic player, which we never had, and we don't have now...He was exciting, and he was very pretty, and it gave me something to follow, to bang off."

Mick Jagger on Brian Jones: "He was very talented, but he was a very paranoid personality and not at all suited to be in SHOW BUSINESS."

Posted on Sat May 19 09:54:02 CEST 2001 from spider-ntc-tc052.proxy.aol.com (198.81.17.42)

Mike

been gone awhile...

My opinion:

One of the reasons the Beatles broke up is they quit playing live. In '69 they could've played WITHOUT the screaming...It would've been great...Who knows?

Yoko? She is the way she is, no stereotyping needed. Paul didn't drag Linda to every rehearsal, as John did Yoko. That would've got on anyone's nerves, especially since they had always practiced and recorded pretty much alone. And, why did she put the screws to Julian?

Allen Klein didn't exactly sort out the Stones' finances...Read Bill Wyman's book, it's great reading. (Has some good bits about the songwriting credits, too.)

The Stones DID lose their edge after Mick Taylor left. I saw them in 1972 and with Santana in 1973 and they were very tight. Compare the '72 film with the later one (mid '80's?). No comparison, either musically or performance-wise.

Jeff Beck? Mick and Keith would never share the spotlight with anyone, let alone a guy who could play cirles around Keith. Woody's a fun guy who musically plays it safe. I love a lot of their early stuff, but they have never been the "Greatest Rock & Roll Band In The World." (Who voted? It's like the Dallas Cowboys being "America's Team." I just don't think so.) I have always thought that Bill and Charlie were a great rhythm section.

The Rock of Ages reissue? It's stunning. And to have it on one CD instead of two? Wow! The mix has Levon's drums SO clear. The bass drum thumps up close and the cymbal work is right there. Levon is a master of the ride cymbal. He's awesome. I would've liked to hear a little more of Rick and Richard's harmonies, but all in all it's amazing. A must buy...

Posted on Sat May 19 09:31:00 CEST 2001 from cmldme-cmt1-c4-24-25-179-110.maine.rr.com (24.25.179.110)

MattK

I must apologize for typing Rollie's name as my own in the previous post. I was too stunned to remember my own name. Please don't send me e-mails. It was an honest mistake...honestly, I need to go to bed.

Posted on Sat May 19 08:47:47 CEST 2001 from cmldme-cmt1-c4-24-25-179-110.maine.rr.com (24.25.179.110)

rollie

run away! run away!

Posted on Sat May 19 07:36:26 CEST 2001 from 1cust136.tnt1.idaho-falls.id.da.uu.net (63.28.242.136)

rollie

Hey Pat! -Nice to hear from you. Did you check out the article I was talking about? Or did you just decide to use me as a punching bag to vent your frustrations about god only knows what? Is it true or not true the FBI has "inadvertently" withheld evidence in this case, and that an investigation is being conducted. True enoough, I jumped the gun with this site without thoroughly checking itout, but that doesn't mean that all information within it's pages is false.Your assessment of what qualifies for these pages, is that the gospel? A lot of anger there boy! Breath deep!

Posted on Sat May 19 07:19:34 CEST 2001 from ip240.chicago37.il.pub-ip.psi.net (38.33.45.240)

Pat Brennan

rollie, you introduced a subject and link which reflect a highly politicized-and deeply angendized (is that a word?)-- radical right-wing organization. From a cursory examination of the website (Bob Barr, Drudge, Rush) I found a cast of media demogogues, liars, bullshit artists, lame-ass squares, and the like. Your claim that you didn't know the extent of the site's stupidity actually rings true, and I doubt that anyone holds it against you. I think emailing Jan however about what is germane here is a bit silly. I think we all know what is germane here. Politics as it refers to the Band--the Peltier debate which fires up from time to time for example--makes sense. The Oklahoma Bombing probably doesn't.

Posted on Sat May 19 06:49:47 CEST 2001 from dialup-325.cork.iol.ie (193.203.148.69)

HANK

Just listened to "Self Portrait" on the way to and from a gig.....Um.....I had'nt listened to it for ages. "The Boxer" is a bit disturbing to say the least.....but there's tremendous ambition there and it's great to hear The Band as the album moves along.......I traded it for "Street Legal"...ie. the lead guitarist in my band gave me HIS copy of "Self Portrait " for MY copy of "Street Legal".......to listen to on the way down to the gig....

.....OK........."Street Legal"........"Changing of the Guards"..............16 years....Wheels of Fire....is this song about how, like, y'know , TLW and The Band breaking up and punk rock coming on?..... and...and......nah?.....thought so.......Renegade priests....and treacherous young witches..........

...anyway.....The Ronnie Wood debate was great to read........but I just wanna say that Mick Jaggers 3rd solo album, "Wandering Spirit", kicks ass and "Voodoo Lounge" was as great as anything they've done......

Posted on Sat May 19 06:49:49 CEST 2001 from spider-wa064.proxy.aol.com (205.188.192.49)

Tommy

Y'know Erin...?I was just gonna ask that question myself!Anyone know?

Posted on Sat May 19 06:37:59 CEST 2001 from (61.12.197.6)

Erin

Does anyone know who the woman singing "It Makes No difference" with Rick on the Band Authorized Biography is? I have always assumed that it was his daughter, is that right?

Posted on Sat May 19 05:57:55 CEST 2001 from 1cust29.tnt1.idaho-falls.id.da.uu.net (63.28.242.29)

rollie

Well I must confess, I didn't do my homework on that particular site I listed on my last post. I received an article from that site, containing some very interesting stuff concerning the Oklahoma City Bombing.While the article itself was quite thorough and well documented, I must say I had no prior knowledge of what the entire site entailed. Seeing a link to Rush Limbaugh scared the living ba jesus out of even poor ole rollie! However, in light of the fact that the FBI is being called to the mat over this latest follie with the withholding of important documents, I have to say that this particular article may bring the matter in to focus. The Feds are saying that the particular evidence in question wil shed no new light on the matter, and that it "only pertained to eyewitness accounts"!Only pertained to eyewitness accounts? Hello McFly!Isn't that what most cases are built upon? And it just so happens that numerous eyewitnesses happened to see bomb squads around that specific area, shortly before the blast, a claim denied by the ATF.Could those eyewitness accounts be in those stacks of paper? Could very well be! And naturally, I beg to differ over what's relevant and what ain't for the guestbook, although even I understand why folks have a beef with this political stuff. But my contention is and always has been, our system of "democracy" is under constant erosion by private interest groups here and around the globe.Pretty soon, the way laws are being passed, we'll all be considered criminals,with the real crooks metering out "Justice".Artists, writers, have always beens targets in Fascist regimes. They represent the greatest freedom. In any case, the information is out there.Check it out thoroughly before you get to carried away with condemning folks whos only interest is in seeing that Justice is served and democracy salvaged. Just for the record, even I as a young lad could tell the difference between Danko and Richard Manuel. One last thought. Maybe we can vote on what's appropriate for this page and whats not. Let Jan know what you think. If he gets enough e-mail saying politics outside of music not wanted, I'll go for that.Thenwe can jsut waste out time quibbling over the politics of Yoko and John, and song copyrights and who's boinking who in The Band.

Posted on Sat May 19 03:18:13 CEST 2001 from spider-wl022.proxy.aol.com (205.188.199.27)

Tommy

George Harrison's SECOND best (ATMP being the best)solo album is 1979s 'George Harrison'.Among all his other solo works (Cloud 9 included),it has the biggest number of high quality songs.I like all the songs on that album!If you guys don't know it, I recommend to check it out.

My brother just got as a birthday present the 'George Harrison Live In Japan' cd from '92.As some of you out there might remember,I mentioned not being able to find this album since it was released (I was in High School!), and it's since then been out of print.God Bless EBay!!!On the cd, George is backed by Eric Clapton and his band(the band that he did the 'Unplugged' album with).There are a good number of Beatles' tunes , which are reproduced/played suprisingly close to thier originals, as well as George's solo stuff.Good stuff!!!

As far as Ron Wood, I never said he didn't fit in the Stones ,musically and lifestyle-ly (is that a word?)...Just that he is wasted as a songwriter.(Unless Mick and Keef are taking all the credit, as they are known to do.)

Posted on Sat May 19 02:25:24 CEST 2001 from spider-wg082.proxy.aol.com (205.188.196.57)

David S.

Hello all, I just bought The Rock of Ages Remaster and really, really enjoyed it (as with all Band recordings!). However, the only folly I have with this remaster is that the "Loving You Is Sweeter Than Ever" track sounds EXACTLY like the track on Live At Watkins Glen. I played both tracks simultaneously. This firmly supports the article written by Pat Brennan concerning the entire Live at Watkins Glen recording and its creation from other other live shows. It would have been nice if Capitol had released some other unreleased track. However, this fault is forgettable after listening to the rest of the bonus disc.

Posted on Sat May 19 01:30:44 CEST 2001 from host62-7-97-238.btinternet.com (62.7.97.238)

Moog

Great web site, very comprehensive, i was wondering if anyone could tell me why the version of "the weight" on the "easy rider" sound track was performed by Smith, who was smith and why was the original version not used? if anyone knows please send me an email, cheers.

Posted on Sat May 19 00:23:47 CEST 2001 from (137.187.146.245)

Jonathan Katz

Around early April I was contacted by someone wanting particular tracks from CLW, but I have lost the e-mail address. If you are out there, SORRY and please contact me again.

If you're out there can you reach me....

Posted on Fri May 18 23:55:11 CEST 2001 from ch8smc.bellglobal.com (206.47.244.58)

Blind Willie McTell

The recent discussion about Mick Taylor's replacement in the Stones has been interesting. Also auditioning along with Ronnie Wood and Jeff Beck was Nils Lofgren who has played guitar in Springsteen's E Street Band for many years.

I think Ron Wood's best work was pre-Stones and Jeff Beck is .... well, Jeff Beck. Nils would have been a good choice except I don't believe he would have fit into 'the Stones image' circa the mid-70's.

Posted on Fri May 18 23:40:35 CEST 2001 from spider-tf012.proxy.aol.com (152.163.197.177)

Ben Pike

Right wing conspiracy stuff on Oklahoma City is in the worst possible taste, keep it out of The Band GB.

Posted on Fri May 18 20:48:42 CEST 2001 from dialin-55.poughkeepsie.bestweb.net (216.179.15.86)

Gene

twilight - I'd give Harrison credit for 2 hit albums: 'All Things Must Pass' and 'Cloud 9' which, if not a smash, should have been.

Posted on Fri May 18 20:24:39 CEST 2001 from user-33qtaam.dialup.mindspring.com (199.174.169.86)

Pat Brennan

rollie, I'm sure we're all trembling to find out Bob Barr's latest positions on the reissues.

Posted on Fri May 18 20:11:19 CEST 2001 from spider-wi023.proxy.aol.com (205.188.197.28)

bob wigo

Fom Infobeat:

Paul McCartney aide: Wings soars
NEW YORK (AP) - Wings has flown to new heights, reaching No. 2 on the Billboard album chart, Paul McCartney's publicist said Wednesday. The 40-song double compact disc "Wingspan" sold more than 220,000 copies in its first week, making it the fastest-selling McCartney release since the Beatles. "Wingspan" includes the band's hits "Maybe I'm Amazed," "Live And Let Die," "My Love," "Band On The Run," "Listen To What The Man Said," and "Silly Love Songs." His music was vilified at the time for being sickly sweet and occasionally sloppy; but several critics have noted that some of Wings' songs have aged well. Wings was a revolving door of musicians, with Paul, his late wife Linda and Denny Laine as the constants. Paul broke the band up with some ill feeling after his 1980 drug bust in Japan; the others were angry that his arrest cost them an expected lucrative Japanese tour.

Posted on Fri May 18 19:33:28 CEST 2001 from 1cust110.tnt5.brentwood.ny.da.uu.net (63.21.221.110)

Claudia

Hi! Looking for Pat O' Shea.... Absolutely Loved your show Sat nite @ Chicago Blues... We did not get to chat that long. Asked for your card... Please let me know where you'll be playing. Thanks, Be well! Claudia

Posted on Fri May 18 19:15:40 CEST 2001 from (12.33.178.105)

twilight

The idea of Paul McCartney joining the Rolling Stones is too funny to even imagine. The two groups and their solo ventures are interesting to compare. In terms of sales, all of the Beatles had success or #1 hits with their solo acts. As far as I can tell - Keith Richards and George Harrison are the only ones who really defined themselves as solo acts. Jagger's solo stuff was pretty limp - even with the great Jeff Beck on guitar. Harrison had one really great album - lots of leftovers from his Beatle days - and was hit or miss the rest of the way. Keith Richards was smart and took a chance when he created a new band - and they ruled. The others have had moments but nothing really revealing. I used to like a lot of McCartney's stuff - but most of the stuff he did was pretty expected in my view. He never came close to Hey Jude or Let it Be or even I Saw Her Standing There in his solo work. Plastic Ono was pretty cool - but I don't think it was an incredible surprise. Jeff Beck once auditioned for the Stones - around 75 - but as Keith stated, he is not a team player. Does anyone really think Mick and Keith would allow the spotlight to shine on Beck while he kicked ass on his guitar? I admit - the thought leaves me wondering - but they earned their place - and they are not going to give it up to anyone. Harvey Mandel was great - but Keith wanted an Englishman. I think of the Stones as a guitar band - but they have never been a big flashy guitar solo band. There are tapes of Beck's audition out there - mostly jams and fragments of material the stones were working on at the time. Eric Clapton sat in on a live "Little Red Rooster" in 89' - and that was great - but other than Clapton the Stones don't invite a lot of guitar players on stage. Mick Taylor is one of my favorite guitar players - but he was not much of a team player either. His work on the stones greatest albums in absolutely stunning. I guess during his phase they were more of a flashy-guitar band - so I correct myself. Ronnie and Keith really burn it up for my money. Believe me - Ronnie Wood knows his position in the Stones. If he went solo and eclipsed the Stones in popularity, they would start including his songs on their albums. He has had his share of highs and lows with the band - but he is most definetly a Rolling Stone. He was and is an excellent choice - and he is a team player. We ought to know about team players - this page is dedicated to one of the greatest teams of all time.

Posted on Fri May 18 18:41:52 CEST 2001 from bob2.revealed.net (208.16.227.5)

Mike

As far as Ron Wood is concerned, he's an excellent player. I think he fits in well with The Stones. I won't compare Ronnie to Jeff Beck. But I think Jeff Beck could easily outshine Keith and might inspire him to start taking some real chances when he plays. The Stones play it too safe onstage. I've yet to hear an exciting live Stones recording. I'd have to say they were a better studio band than a live one. I never got into the Mick Taylor era much, as that's when drugs became more important than the music for them. No fault of Taylor's. Their 60's material is still their best work in my opinion, largely due to Brian Jones. They were much more of a band then. I think it's time those guys hang it up. The horse is dead, quit beating it! I had a thought this morning: Imagine Rick and Richard still alive and well...I could easily see all 5 original members of The Band doing a "Storytellers" episode. That REALLY would be something! I know, that's not possible but I really like the thought of it. Peace. Mike

Posted on Fri May 18 18:14:11 CEST 2001 from (206.187.219.43)

Elly

Dexy sounds a little funny! Guess he doesn't have ANY connections to anyone...LEGITIMATELY... It must be hard to be an envious overaged and overmilked cow...Remember the 1980's fun songs? Party songs? Like a "MILLENNIA JUSTICE PARTY "Party Train" By the Gap Band... and "Oh Mickey you're so fine, you're so fine..." "Have you heard about the "Midnight Rambler" and Dexy, you better be on of the Midnight Runners cause liek Laure Nyro sings, "Eli's Comin' To Get Ya!!!' Best.. "Still in love, when we dance...Stingle" T'aime avec la separation....ce necessaire. Pur maintenant. T'aime beaucoup.

Posted on Fri May 18 18:05:51 CEST 2001 from dap-209-114-161-133.nfas.monroe-tnt-1.sns234.pa.stargate.net (209.114.161.133)

Mary (bear)

Just wanted to say I got The Band reissues for a Mothers Day gift. I already had Islands and Rock of Ages, but had a hard time finding Moondog Matinee and Nothern Lights-Southern Cross in the past. I just love Ricks vocals on "Holy Cow" and "A Change is Gonna Come" and another favorite on there I have never heard "Crying Heart Blues", just love it. These albums deserved much better recognition than they received. Well, I'm off to my listening pleasure once again....I am looking forward to seeing you Amy & Ray at the Pittsburgh show. Take care everyone........Hello Lil and Jan...........

Posted on Fri May 18 17:46:01 CEST 2001 from spider-tr041.proxy.aol.com (152.163.201.191)

Amy Jo

*** NOTE *** Levon Helm & The Barn Burners are at MOONDOG'S in Pittsburgh on Thursday MAY 31st, not on May 20th as listed under concerts dates. Verified with the club yesterday.... Ray & I can't wait to see them Tear down the Walls like they did last year! It's a great Blues Club.. If you're in the area Catch the show...

Posted on Fri May 18 17:10:16 CEST 2001 from pool-63.49.29.66.mmph.grid.net (63.49.29.66)

Dexy

There's supposed to be an interview with Ringo today (5/18) on www.billboard.com about his All-Star Anthology. So far, all I can find is a 5/17 story (which mentions Levon) teasing the interview. I guess the interview will be up later, should include something about Levon and Rick (and Billy Preston too). Band link: Ringo used to be in a group with George Harrison (who has worked with Dylan), and John Lennon (who stayed at Ronnie Hawkins' house, and Paul McCartney (who replaced Mick Taylor in the Stones).

Posted on Fri May 18 16:54:03 CEST 2001 from spider-tk054.proxy.aol.com (152.163.206.199)

bob wigo

John D.,
I couldn't agree more that Ron Wood fits in as well as anyone could but, at least for me, it isn't about that anymore. He is a good guitarist and a wonderful personality no doubt, but the playing doesn't fill the bill.The clubhouse days, in my mind, are long past. At a hundred bucks a clip I want to hear the best possible musicianship. Please don't misunderstand my point. I have enjoyed every Stones show immensely. I believe I would enjoy them twice as much with Jeff Beck. Obviously this is nothing but conjecture but hell, why not?

Posted on Fri May 18 15:52:20 CEST 2001 from unionppp3.union.edu (149.106.172.4)

Danny Lopez

On Ron Wood, no mention yet from anyone on his album "Gimme Some Neck" which contains a great version of Dylan's "Seven Days." I've always loved this album, it's got a rough quality to it the way the Brown album does.

On another issue, let me take a position I've never seen anyone else take on this GB: I really like the tune "Islands." It establishes a pleasant mood, and you feel like you're really in a tropical setting having fun on the beach as the sun goes down. In its ability to generate such feelings sans lyrics, I put it up there with the Beach Boys'instrumental breaks on Pet Sounds.

Posted on Fri May 18 15:34:48 CEST 2001 from spider-tl044.proxy.aol.com (152.163.207.194)

bob wigo

Hank,
I'm a fan of Woody's but.....I've seen the Stones seven or eight times now, most of those with Woody as a member and I have to tell you I haven't heard him play a solo with any balls yet. He is a talented guy and I agree with Tommy, he did some wonderful things with Faces and with Jeff Beck and Rod Stewart on Truth, but there's no edge to it.

On the subject of Jeff Beck playing with the Stones...Although you are certainly correct in saying that Beck is a technical master, there's so much more to his playing that would infuse those old nuggets with some much needed revitalization. Jeff Beck plays with raw nerve. He is a risk taker on stage, never afraid to take it out to the edge. The Stones don't have that anymore and haven't had it for a long, long time.I have enjoyed the past few shows but they don't cut you like they used to and I believe the missing ingredient is a lead guitarist who is capable of getting up on top of those great rhythms. It's not there Hank, not like it used to be. Keith is still a GREAT rhythm player and Charlie Watts is as good as they come but it just doesn't sting like it could or should. In my mind I hear Beck soloing over "Sympathy For The Devil" and the tune is new again.There's no comparison between the two guitarists in my humble opinion. Having just seen Jeff Beck a few months back I can tell you I've never been more certain of that fact.

Posted on Fri May 18 15:08:08 CEST 2001 from (205.245.52.66)

carmen

Happy Friday!

For all the Dylan heads out there, check out www.usatoday.com. There is a bunch of Dylan stuff including pictures, articles etc celebrating his upcoming bitrhday.

Posted on Fri May 18 15:02:45 CEST 2001 from dialin-14.poughkeepsie.bestweb.net (216.179.15.45)

Gene

From Free Republic to Leave It To Beaver, in a couple of posts...where else can you get that?

Posted on Fri May 18 14:31:35 CEST 2001 from 24.68.33.158.on.wave.home.com (24.68.33.158)

John D

Ronnie Wood belongs in the Rolling Stones Clubhouse. He just plain makes me smile when he and Keith go into a dueling guitar bit; or they just look at each other and remind me of two young boys getting ready to get in trouble. They could be in short pants as kids getting ready to throw fire crackers at the postman; while hiding behind the bushes. I picture them outside of Wally Cleaver's house like Eddy Haskell saying, "Hello Mrs. Cleaver" with that schoolboy smile. (Note from Leave It To Beaver TV 60's show for all you non North Americans.)Being a Rolling Stone is more than just being the right musician. You have to fit the image; while being a great musician.

I can't think of a more perfect mate for Keith to work off of. I love his slide playing. Remember Around The Plynth from The Faces days. He's a great painter. Saw his exhibit in New Orleans and I really like his solo recording work. Mick Taylor was a fine player; but I never really felt be belonged in the clubhouse.

Posted on Fri May 18 11:10:25 CEST 2001 from fw04.nirai.ne.jp (202.239.129.37)

Fred

I've been aware of this website (very nice by the way) for over a year now. I've enjoyed perusing (eavesdropping on?!?) the comments made in the guestbook. I figured it was time totake the plunge and add my two cents worth.When I first became aware of The Band PART 1: Having ben born in Canada in 1963 I most likely heard songs from The Band on the radio while I was 5 or 6...they just didn't register at that age as I was too busy playing with my toys!! However, subconsciously, they must have stuck. How I Discovered The Band Part 2:When I was 12 we moved to Italy. On night while listening to the American Forces Radio Network I heard this song which was intriguing (in subject matter. It was The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down....the JOAN BAEZ version. (I can relate to those comments I've read on the GB regarding this particular version) BUT, the DJ immediately played the Band's version explained that this was the original and I fell in love with the song. During this time, late 70s/early 80s, my interst in music grew---I became a big Led Zeppelin and Who fan along with other such as Supertramp, etc. As my interst in music grew so did my record and tape collection. One day at my cousin's house (he's 3 years younger than I am) I saw he had a copy of The Last Waltz. For some reason when I picked up th LP Neil Diamond's name popped out and I put it down right away! (No disrespect intended to Mr. Diamond or any of his fans..just not my bag.) Howeverhe put it on and I heard DIXIE again and said "Hey, I know this". Sadly, I never got around to taping it. As a matter of fact I never owned any Band LP until last year (FORGIVE ME GBers FOR I HAVE SINNED..). This leads to REDiscovering the Band 2000: I was in a music store looking for something to buy..I wanted something that I'd listened to before, but not owned That's when during my search in the B section I came across the remastered Greatest Hits of The Band I bought it and subsequently I bought The Big Pink, The Last Waltz, Cahoots and today the remastered copy of Rock of Ages. Next month is my birhtday, and as usual I'll give my wife a list of CDs to buy---you can bet that The Band will be at the top of the list!! (A CONVERT!!) Well, I've got to sign off now..I live in Japan (my wife is Japanese) and it's dinner time and today it's my turn to cook and I haven't decided (been inspired) what will be on the menu. I've only been told to make something that tastes good...YIKES!! Well I hope I haven't bored you all to death and I hope to make some more comments..less long winded!! SAYONARA P.S. regarding the Yoko Ono thread, I find it hard to fathom how on the one hand you can say you're trying to protect someone's image while at the same time let that image shill for canned coffee in Japan (along with John and Yoko merchandise).

Posted on Fri May 18 08:49:02 CEST 2001 from proxy.newmedia.no (212.71.66.13)

Jens Magnus

Happy to receive the good news and the review from Hudson/Fjeld/Anderson tour in Norway. I have tickets for the 23rd. This will be a real treat.

Regarding Ronnie Wood; I love his acoustic work on the early Rod Stewart albums. Like "Never a dull moment", Every picture..." and "Gasoline Alley". He's never been better IMHO. Remember he is a bass player, and like many bass players he plays the acoustic as well (like Rick did).

Posted on Fri May 18 07:34:00 CEST 2001 from spider-mtc-tg021.proxy.aol.com (64.12.102.156)

Tommy

I always thought Ronnie Wood, while being a perfect cohort for Mick and Keef as far as partying and lifestyle,was wasted as a guitar player and ESPECIALLY as a songwriter in The Stones.The albums made with him are ok... mediocre at best compared to the Stones stuff from the early 70s.I can't really think of any cool Ron Wood moments while he's been with the Stones.

Before that though, he did some great work and wrote some AMAZING songs with Faces.What do you guys think?

Posted on Fri May 18 07:03:35 CEST 2001 from 1cust20.tnt2.idaho-falls.id.da.uu.net (63.25.9.20)

rollie

For more info on the truth behind the Oklahoma City bombing and the ATF,FBI foreknowledge of this event check out the freerepublic webswite. Long live the Band , and the freedom of Speech.IE-music

Posted on Fri May 18 06:15:16 CEST 2001 from host-209-214-118-176.bna.bellsouth.net (209.214.118.176)

BWNWITennessee

The new Country Music Hall of Fame opened today here in scenic Nashville, Tennessee. Unfortunately, I didn't get to go in because the governor spoke for too long while we all did our finest impersonation of raisins sitting on a big field in the 90-degree sun, and I had to get back to work sometime today (unfortunately, the glory days of Nashville, evidenced in my boss's story of going to lunch one day at 11:30 and getting back to the office at 7:00 P.M., are long gone). But anyway, the museum looks to be great. For anyone who's been to the old one, the new one is about ten times the size; and I would imagine that going inside it is no longer like stepping into a time warp back to 1974, as the old one was. I heard that just one portion of one floor of the new museum is bigger than the old one. They used to only be able to display 1/30th of their collection. But George Jones and Emmylou Harris sang, Charley Pride was there, Earl Scruggs played with Sam Bush. I think the best part was right before the ribbon cutting: Marty Stewart played "Will The Circle Be Unbroken" on the final artifact to be put in the museum, Maybelle Carter's Gibson L-5, while everyone sang along (sort of). It was pretty cool to hear that guitar, that has been behind glass for so long, being played live. It sounded beautiful. Emmylou walked right past me in the VIP area. She didn't seem to recognize me - I don't know why, I mean, I listen to her record every day, you'd think she would. Huh. But I'm sure the CM Hall of Fame is a lot better than the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. I mean, all they would have to do would be to change some of the exhibits once every five years and it would take care of that. (Plus, it ain't in Cleveland.) Anyway, any GBer's that want to see it are welcome to come visit, I'll let them stay with me. $75 a night for the sofa-bed.

I'm having lunch on Saturday with T-Bone Burnett and Tony Brown to discuss the film music industry. Um, well, so I had to pay $25 for a seat and they'll probably stick me in the very back, but at least I can pretend like I'm someone important. I'll be sure to ask T-Bone why the hell he didn't put any Band songs on "O Brother." "Jawbone" would have worked, at the beginning, over the credits.

I'm a thief, and I dig it!

Posted on Fri May 18 05:23:22 CEST 2001 from pppa23-resalephiladelphiametro7-5r7442.dialinx.net (4.47.1.212)

Jennifer

Hi Band fans. I just wanted to thank all of you for the warm welcome to this site, earlier this month. I noticed a bit of a dog fight going on recently here... when people make me mad on the net, I just ignore them. I don't want to be on their level, or let them bring me down. I laugh it off, and forget them. I won't let them win, and by making me mad, and curse, and be nasty, they have won. So I don't let them. Plus, it sucks to be ignored, so that would piss them off, too, right? I think so. Maybe I'm just too old fashioned, and peace loving. I came here to read about people feeling the music. So don't let him win, Bob!!! :-) Jennifer

Posted on Fri May 18 04:35:27 CEST 2001 from ip173.chicago38.il.pub-ip.psi.net (38.33.46.173)

Pat Brennan

Bands are living, breathing organisms that run by their own evolving set of rules yet comply with one great truth: they all eventually break up. Blaming any single person or any single event for the breakup of a band is impossible. Yoko gets slagged because John brought her into the recording sessions. I can certainly understand why other band members would find uncomfortable the insertion of a fifth-wheel so to speak into a previously closed system. But that was still simply a symptom. As they themselves said, it wasn't fun anymore.

Although I find the Stones puerile, I believe Harvey Mandel from right here in Chicago was being given the most consideration for lead guitar after Mick Taylor left. For some reason they chose Ron Wood who probably took orders better than Harvey.

Posted on Fri May 18 04:34:08 CEST 2001 from spider-wm064.proxy.aol.com (205.188.199.179)

John W.

*********** LEVON ALERT ****** LEVON ALERT **** Not noted on this great Web site but Friday night May 18 there is supposed to be a Midnight Ramble at 11:00 at Tribeca Blues in NYC featuring Levon Helm, Amy Helm, Professor Louie, Mike Falzarano, Harvey Sorgen, Steve Rust, Kerry Kearney plus other "surprises." The "Concerts" list shows him playing in Kentucky on Saturday?! I guess the ol' boy still gets around, huh.

Posted on Fri May 18 04:16:27 CEST 2001 from dialup-321.cork.iol.ie (193.203.148.65)

HANK

Seriously......"My Love" is soooooo The Band.......Richard coulda done it sooooo well........

I find The Beatle threads that show up here from time to time really interesting...although it's obvious people do get pissed off with it, too........the thing about The Beatles and The Stones slagging each other is a media thing....them boys in BOTH bands realised about 1964 how beneficial it was for them to throw darts at each other in the press....then they would meet in nightclubs and laugh and joke and smoke about it.......and folks would go out and buy the records........it was serious enuff within The Beatles tho'....'cos Paul sued 'em....nasty..........the effect of Paul suing them was that Lennon clung even harder to Yoko....whom he probably would've dropped......and DID drop...later on in the '70ies.

I HAVE to defend Ronnie Wood here....BOB WIGO sez The Stones lost their edge when Ronnie joined 'em.....not so I say......they toured the world and released "Some Girls" shortly after Ronnie joined 'em. The Stones needed, and got, a guitarist who would NOT die or get strung out and they got one.......Mick Taylor was amazing with 'em, to be sure.....but Ronnie gave' em a new lease of life ..... "Some Girls" is inspired stuff....a guitarist like Jeff Beck....although technically brilliant,woulda been wasted on what The Stones do.........to play with The Stones, you must play with and for Keith.....there's no other way to do it........and Ronnie was and still is the only cat to roll with it.....he's got a well-deserved rep as a clown, but Ronnie Wood has also played some amazing guitar over the years....he also plays pedal steel......THAT'S not easy......Rick woulda been a great replacement for Bill in The Stones.....Rick and Charlie woulda been a great thing to behold........not to mention Ricks ability to harmonise vocals............

Posted on Fri May 18 02:33:09 CEST 2001 from spider-to041.proxy.aol.com (152.163.204.61)

Bayou Sam

THE BAND

Posted on Fri May 18 02:31:36 CEST 2001 from spider-to041.proxy.aol.com (152.163.204.61)

Bayou Sam

.......couple of more Yoko thoughts.

Another poster said that they haven't quite figured Yoko out. Me either. I always liked the fact that she continued to put out some of John's material like Milk and Honey, Live in NYC, the Imagine film, and even some writings he did through the 70's. I like to think she did this for the fans as much as for the money....BUT...... it kind of pisses me off when I'm in the baby store getting stuff for my son and there is a John Lennon display of baby clothes with some of John's childrens drawings that he did for Sean on them.

Posted on Fri May 18 02:24:46 CEST 2001 from spider-to041.proxy.aol.com (152.163.204.61)

Bayou Sam

Holy Smokes - I'm away from the computer for a couple of days and a full blown Beatles discussion happens without me. Damn.... I thought MattK said it pretty well.

Linda DID get blamed along with Yoko in the beginning. To suggest that either one is to blame is ridiculous. John Lennon left his first wife Cynthia in the hospital with a new born Julian because he had gigs to do. If he wanted to be a Beatle anymore - he would have told Yoko to get lost. He wanted to be Yoko's patner more than ANYTHING. Like I say to people who bash Robbie Robertson for wanting to part from the Band - didn't these guys give us a bunch of wonderful music to enjoy forever? How dare we judge them for what they did. How come Jane Asher, Patti Boyd, or Maureen Cox didn't break up the Beatles? Also. I think John would hate to be made out to be a saint with no flaws. I think one of the most endearing things about John was that he layed it right out there for all to see - warts and all. If you didn't like him, that was OK.

Yoko and Linda are/were not HORRIBLE singers. I think Yoko's tunes on "Sometime in New York City", and on "Double Fantasy" are pretty good actually. Her screeching though IS horrible. The second side of "Live Peace in Toronto" is unlistenable.

George also released a solo peice of crap called Electronic Sound back in "69? It was a whole album of himself playing with a synthesizer - also unlistenable.

If you want some good insight on the Beatles split, read the large Anthology book that came out last year. You get Paul, George, and Ringo's take on the whole thing - and John's through old interviews. They broke up because it just wasn't fun anymore. Period - nothing more - nobody else fault..........BTW, if you haven't checked out Paul's last album Flaming Pie - you should.

Posted on Fri May 18 00:32:14 CEST 2001 from 1cust15.tnt1.topeka.ks.da.uu.net (63.39.63.15)

Dexy

Bob Wigo and Bones -- thanks. You're both undoubtedly correct. The thought of Paul playing Stones songs in the Stones' band is a little hard to fathom. I also agree, he's a class act all around (even if I'm a Georgeavista at heart). RE: END OF THE LINE -- good flick, some very funny bits, most having to do with Levon. Under-rated film.

Posted on Thu May 17 22:40:41 CEST 2001 from (206.14.153.208)

Joe

Just stopping by to say hello from N.CA. Lots of great messages to read. Well written, intelligent stuff. Very cool. I've been a Band fan since Planet Waves. Been on the bus ever since. Listened to Big Pink again last night. Some albums, like that one, are timeless treasures. My new "favorite" band is the David Nelson Band. If you haven't heard them, check 'em out. Aaron Hurwitz produced DNB's last album ("Visions Under the Moon"). The DNB keyboard player (Mookie Siegel) and guitarist (Barry Sless) play with Garth Hudson et al on Prof.Louie's (A.H.'s) last album. They nail a cover of the Grateful Dead's Scarlet Begonia's. Rick Danko and Jerry Garcia would be proud. Any DNB fans here? Also, I'd love to hear any stories from folks that were at Watkin's Glenn to hear the Band, the Allman Bros and the Dead. Thanks.

Posted on Thu May 17 21:50:13 CEST 2001 from (209.100.37.239)

Chris

Did anyone see this interview yet. It's an old one but I hadn't seen it before.

http://www.offbeat.com/ob9812/backtalk.html

Posted on Thu May 17 21:17:46 CEST 2001 from (169.200.133.37)

Bones

Dexy: The Glimmer Twins may have made a tongue-in-cheek comment about Paul replacing Bill on bass, but I don't think it was serious. Paul has always been a little angry at Mick for his many bashings about having "your old lady" in the band with you. I always thought Paul was very wise as to how to approach a solo career after the Beatles. He just didn't take himself too seriously. He created music he loved with people he loved. If it meant going around in a bus...so be it. However, by 1976, everybody in the United States practically wanted to hear them play. I got a kick out of meeting him a couple of years ago, for he immediately puts you at ease because he is kind and sort of goofy.

Posted on Thu May 17 19:57:20 CEST 2001 from (209.100.37.239)

Chris

Thanks Tommy

Posted on Thu May 17 19:54:45 CEST 2001 from spider-mtc-ti033.proxy.aol.com (64.12.101.163)

Tommy

Chris,I just got 'End Of The Line' about a week and a half ago.It really is an enjoyable movie despite some corny moments regarding some of the secondary characters (these don't involve Levon).Levon and Wilfred Brimley are really good in it and make a great team,Levon playing the "good ol' boy" sidekick.Their scenes are the best in the film.

So if you can find a copy, I recommend.Try eBay...that's where I found mine ($10 too...nice!).

Posted on Thu May 17 19:18:32 CEST 2001 from (209.100.37.239)

Chris

What about the movie End of The Line....with Levon and Wilford Brimley

Posted on Thu May 17 18:42:32 CEST 2001 from du152-1.ppp.algonet.se (195.100.1.152)

Ilkka

MAIL PROBLEMS! People have got lately their emails returned with a note that "You are blocked". I have not blocked ANYONE. Please, try again or use an alt. address woodland@artic.net. Sorry for the bad feelings you must have had.

Posted on Thu May 17 18:40:19 CEST 2001 from (209.100.37.239)

Chris

Hey now,

Did anyone ever see Levon in a movie called Best Revenge.

Posted on Thu May 17 18:11:21 CEST 2001 from 56k-la-00-07.dial.qnet.com (209.221.212.22)

Dave the Phone Guy

Where's the Hudson, Fjeld, Anderson concert reviews? They were scheduled in Norway for May 11, 12, and 13th.

C'mon Nordic fans get the reviews up here. You're keepin' secrets or what?

Posted on Thu May 17 18:05:01 CEST 2001 from (205.230.10.2)

Bob R

I hear that Bobby Keys isnt playing with Levon's Barnburners anymore--heard he's been on a short tour of Germany with Ian Maclagen (Stones,Faces), and when thats done he's heading to NY to work with Keith Richards..

Posted on Thu May 17 17:57:42 CEST 2001 from spider-wk043.proxy.aol.com (205.188.198.168)

Dave Z

Nice pics Crabby... I like the smokey feel and closeups you've captured... I'm also jealous you've done a few shows here recently... I'm more jealous of Jan though... please report back on the Dylan 60th... on the other hand, I'm eyeing up Prince tickets... let's see $40-80 a pop (i.e. about the cost to fill up your car's gas tank in the U.S.)... WHATTT!!!!

Laura P: I have been rediscovering Moondog even though I bought it as a used LP way back in high school... Being a typical punk at the time, I said "hmmfthp, more 50's crap" after one non-listen and tossed it in the box... maybe I had too much of "Grease" and 50's revivals at the time... But the Band's music keeps recirculating in my listening life... and it sounds new and different every time I re-listen...

I've been fighting with the air conditioner here lately... It was close to 100 F a few days ago... unfortunately we didn't know it and did'nt turn on the air so the kids were cranky and nobody got any sleep... of course the next day when it cooled off we cranked the air... now we got it off again, opened the windows... and we are all sneezing with allergies... I guess we will turn it back on... Have to say that when the allergies are acting up it's real comforting to hear a good Levon drum beat type song... cause ya can't stop moving or ya freak... beer doesn't help either...

Posted on Thu May 17 16:02:05 CEST 2001 from spider-mtc-te052.proxy.aol.com (64.12.103.172)

bob wigo

Scott,
I don't recall hearing about the Stones having an interest in McCartney as their bass player. Relevant to the subject, I always felt they would have been wise to pay Jeff Beck a king's ransom to take over that lead slot. I believe they lost their edge when Ron Wood came aboard. Beck's sound would have infused the band with the bite they have been missing for some time.

Posted on Thu May 17 15:59:50 CEST 2001 from dialin-53.poughkeepsie.bestweb.net (216.179.15.84)

Gene

MattK... I didn't say YOU said anything.

Posted on Thu May 17 13:15:56 CEST 2001 from 209-23-50-135.ip.termserv.net (209.23.50.135)

Diamond Lil

Crabby: Thanks for another great batch of photos! Your photographic abilties are surpassed only by the fact that you're so damn nice and pleasant :-)

Laura P: As someone who's had all The Band's albums from way back when, it's really nice to read your posts about 'discovering' some of them for the very first time. I can pretty much recite all the lyrics backwards in my sleep after all this time, and it's very refreshing to read your take on some of them. Whether I agree with all you've posted or not, I still appreciate you sharing your thoughts with us. Thanks.

Dave Z: Does Maud sing on Garth's new cd? Do I digress easily? :-)

Have a good day everyone. Have one for me Jan %-)

Posted on Thu May 17 11:47:59 CEST 2001 from fa0.dc1-cache2.mel.dav.net.au (202.53.33.10)

Michael

I have got to agree with ajr on the beatles break up, like the guys planning on 'meeting at the clubhouse'things change and life gets in the way, money and fame have a habit of stuffing things up (not that I have either), the Beatles like the Band could not keep creating the magic that musicians that tight can when they drift apart, I love everything both bands did, I like most of the stuff the did solo and the thread that goes through their music reflects the people themselves, a complete lack of bullshit, it shows in everything the Band did and said, I was fortunate enough to meet Paul & Linda and there were every bit as nice as they seemed. I believe both bands could have kept producing good music but we are blessed with the great music they made. Regards

Posted on Thu May 17 10:48:15 CEST 2001 from ti09a11-0056.dialup.online.no (148.122.30.56)

jh

Lars,
I hope Garth is enjoying the 17th with Jonas and Eric somewhere here in Norway. It's impossible to miss it, I guess... Btw, I'll see Garth next week, at the celebration of Dylan's 60th.

Posted on Thu May 17 09:34:11 CEST 2001 from (193.14.47.2)

Lars Davidsson

17th of may is the day when Norway celebrates it´s independence from Sweden. 4th of july is´t much compared to what goes on in the streets of Oslo today. From the brotherland I wave the flag in Jan´s and all other norwegians direction. Ha de!

Posted on Thu May 17 09:33:45 CEST 2001 from (61.12.197.6)

Erin

MattK: well said!

Posted on Thu May 17 08:56:13 CEST 2001 from 1cust104.tnt1.idaho-falls.id.da.uu.net (63.28.242.104)

rollie

New evidence places RR on the Grassy Knoll!

Posted on Thu May 17 08:03:00 CEST 2001 from spider-wn074.proxy.aol.com (205.188.197.184)

Tommy

Crabgrass, Chris D (and probably others here)...You guys were at the Barn Burners'show Saturday night and didn't say hello?Im hurt!I posted here for anyone that was going so we could meet in person.Oh well...maybe next time.

Posted on Thu May 17 06:29:24 CEST 2001 from proxy3-external.adubn1.nj.home.com (24.4.252.11)

Chris D.

Hey "Crabgrass", I was there this past Saturdaynight and sure do apreciate the great photos!! What an incredible evening it was! A great show after getting to spend some time with the always courteous and way cooler than F'ing anyone in music, Levon Helm!!! A night in New York City is an "Adult Dose" to quote Mr. Helm, but a night in N.Y.C. with the Barnburners is Blues Heaven Here on Earth!!!!!!! Again, thanks for the great photos and to the Barnburners, as always, thanks for the show!!!! PS- Using my Brothers adress to post/ won't accept mine? See everyone in Somers Point and then the Poconos!!

Posted on Thu May 17 05:50:10 CEST 2001 from cmldme-cmt1-c4-24-25-179-110.maine.rr.com (24.25.179.110)

MattK

Gene, I didn't say criticizing Yoko was necessarily sexist or racist. What I implied was that blaming the wife for the husband's transgressions strikes me as a troubling re-enactment of a sexist stereotype.

Likewise, the manner in which Yoko is so roundly demonized for "breaking up the Beatles" while Paul's blonde american wife is not, is interesting -- despite the fact that neither woman deserves blame for what transpired between four grown men. Additionally, it strikes me that the depiction of Yoko as this alien, weird, cold, and calculating is disturbingly close to an outdated stereotype of Asians.

For the record, I'm a former Yoko basher myself. But as I thought about it, I realized that my own reactions to her were exceedingly unfair and not based on anything reasonable. As I said earlier, I'm not a Yoko apologist - she's done things that bother me. However, I refuse to use stereotypes about women or the mere fact that she seems alien to inform my opinion of her, which I feel many people do in a knee-jerk fashion.

Posted on Thu May 17 05:06:01 CEST 2001 from www-cache-external.vuw.ac.nz (130.195.196.201)

ajr

Most likely what broke the Beatles up was that they had reached a point in their lives where it was time to move one. Its like that Bob Dylan song about the first friends I had. Its something everyone goes through. When you are young you travel in packs and your friends mean everything to you. Then people develop different interests, get married, have kids etc and suddenly you have other priorities. The people you thought you’d know forever you end up never getting round to ringing. Its just that bands like the Beatles do it in public with fans and the media wanting to know why and to scapegoat someone.

As for Yoko Ono I don’t think she’s that scary. I read an essay she wrote once about how when she was a child she wanted to be a composer but her father made her take singing lessons instead because he didn’t think women should be composers. I thought she seemed quite human. I haven’t kept up with her activities in recent years but she was an experimental artist when her and John Lennon got together and maybe that’s not everyones cup of tea but someones got to push the boundaries. Lots of people sneered at the Impressionists initially, you know, and just think of all the calendars and mouse pad designs we’d be deprived of now if the artists hadn’t persevered. I heard the story about Julian Lennon and the guitar & I agree it sounds awful but remember you aren’t getting her side of the story, so you can’t really be sure you know what happened.

Posted on Thu May 17 04:35:01 CEST 2001 from dialup-281.cork.iol.ie (193.203.148.25)

HANK

I once wrote a song called "Be My Linda Eastman" after hearing The Bare-Naked Ladies" song, "Be My Yoko Ono".....I wanted to send it Paul but never got it together......I love Paul McCartney, Folks....He recorded "Yesterday and" I'm Down" on the SAME day......He put "Why Don't We Do it in The Road?" NEXT to "I Will"....he's a serious Gemini Genius......like Bob Dylan.........A great live performer and entertainer........He loved his wife and raised what seems to be a happy, healthy family.......Wings did some great work....on his own he did "Maybe I'm Amazed" and "Every Night".......GREAT stuff!!.......

BUT.....

Paul broke up The Beatles........he dropped the ball..........he made a BIG mistake by not going with Allen Klien........Klien is one of the main reasons The Beatles are so rich today....OK, so he was caught with his fingers in the cash register......but he was one of the first people to realise how much acts were being ripped off and DO something about it.......He sorted The Stones, Donavon and Sam Cooke, among others.....I'm not saying he is a saint....but it was RIDICULOUS for Paul to suggest his inlaws as The Beatles management

If you want the lowdown on John and Yoko, you simply MUST read Albert Goldmans "The Lives of John Lennon".......Crabby's suggestions are great as well.......Goldman, despite his flowery, pungent writing style, tells an incrdeible story.........and it made me love John Lennon even more.....I mean, what an amazing, far out guy!!...........There' 's an excellent British TV documentay entitled "The Real John Lennon" which discusses the mans legacy with surviving members of his family in The UK and May Pang and various record producers........There can be no doubt that Yoko controlled his life.....I figure that in Yoko, John Lennon found someone who could completely out freak or out vibe ANYBODY who came into their orbit.......somethiong The Beatles needed in 1970, it seems......

The Last Waltz on DVD, please, folks!!....LAURA P...I agree with you about The BTs

Posted on Thu May 17 04:10:46 CEST 2001 from dialin-80.poughkeepsie.bestweb.net (216.179.15.111)

Gene

Maybe I'm missing something, but I don't think bashing Yoko is sexist or racist, anymore than bashing Clinton is anti-Southern white males

Posted on Thu May 17 02:54:25 CEST 2001 from pool-63.49.28.206.mmph.grid.net (63.49.28.206)

Dexy

Well, I could swear that I recall when Bill Wyman left The Stones, that both Glimmer Twins were enamored with the concept of Macca joining. Absurd on many levels, but that's my recollection. Bones?? David Powell?? MattK???

Posted on Thu May 17 01:47:16 CEST 2001 from ool-18b9acac.dyn.optonline.net (24.185.172.172)

Lauren

Message for all you Leonard Peltier fans there-and to Robbie Robertson-and John Trudell--there was an article written in the Long Island Newsday yesterday, called "THE BONES OF CONTENTION". Of which,I have many. There is a pointedness-- an almost intended, questionable denigration of the Native American culture-in particular in the Southwest. Implying that they were cannabalistic as a sort of "sport". Frightening. Alot of people are in a quiet uproar over this and I cannot blame them. It is potentially slanderous and can really harm a culture's reputation. The culture in focus is the peaceful, Pueblos. It is hard to believe what I was reading. It was so close minded and offensive if you read between some of the lines and it has offended many good people. They should never have printed it. Even stating that a Native American might be a "noble savage". After so many mentions of cannibalism I thought that Hannibal Lechter starring, Anthony Hopkins was going to ask for some "chianti" and read the article himself! Ludicrous adn insulting. How dare they. They were supposed to be a fair paper. Not biased in printing something like this. Is this the dark ages or mediEVAl era? Or what? Robbie Robertson(and John Trudell), I hope that you will get involved in protecting the good name of peaceful Native Americans, your culture. You have a voice, you are helping Leonard Peltier, now here's another REALLY GOOD opportunity to be heroic and speak up for a whole culture being potentially slandered. I totally support your efforts. Wishing anyone who gets involved more than the best of respect, for no good person/culture should be destroyed by impious, close-minded foes. Blessings, Lauren

Posted on Thu May 17 01:45:44 CEST 2001 from (38.201.148.3)

Jay Wardlaw

Great discussions here of late. The reissues have really re-awakened the passion for talking about The Band's music. I always enjoy the conversation on the guestbook, despite only being a reader 99.9999% of the time.

I must say that the remasters are an unexpected bounty. Recalling the days when it appeared that Capitol had let their albums go out of print (I vigorously tracked down copies of all of them to give to my younger brother, who had just become a convert), it's hard to believe that The Band has finally been treated with the respect they deserve in preserving their recorded legacy. I never thought it possible, given the lack of awareness of The Band by the general public. Moreover, I figured there would probably end up being a 2-year wait between the first and second batches of remasters, akin to the extended period between the last two batches of The Byrds' remasters. What a welcome relief!

It's tough to say which bonus track is my favorite, but Richard's vocal on "Endless Highway" is a major highlight for me because it was such an unexpected treat. I wish that we could now get a rarities compilation including the early Levon & The Hawks/Canadian Squires singles and the remaining "Basement Tapes" songs not included on the remasters, among other things. The now OOP "Ain't No More Cane" from Woodstock and "Slippin and Slidin'" would also be suitable inclusions.

A reissue of JERICHO in the spirit of the remasters is also on my pie-in-the-sky wishlist, with all the reputedly great additional tracks that were recorded during the many sessions in preparation for JERICHO (such as "River of Babylon" and "Soul Deep"). The only one of those I have heard is "Soul Deep" from CROSSING THE GREAT DIVIDE. I'd love to hear more from those sessions and anything from before Richard's passing. In my book, the "first side" of JERICHO is just a half-notch below the early classics.

An expanded LAST WALTZ on CD and DVD would also be very welcome.

Finally, I was wondering if anyone had a copy of the Palladium Show, New York, 18 September 1976 that they might be willing to trade for a copy of CROSSING THE GREAT DIVIDE or THE COMPLETE LAST WALTZ. I have been searching for the version of "Twilight" praised by Messrs. Hoskyns and Viney for what seems like eons, and the reissues have again sparked my interest in finally tracking it down.

Thanks and regards to all,

Jay

Posted on Thu May 17 01:19:05 CEST 2001 from host-209-214-117-138.bna.bellsouth.net (209.214.117.138)

BWNWITennessee

Hey, Dave Z - no offense, but it's not "Marth and Gaud Hudson." It's God Hudson!

Jan, I second the comment awhile ago about trying to get the liner notes of the reissues on this site.

Posted on Thu May 17 00:57:38 CEST 2001 from (61.12.197.6)

Erin

Bill - thanks so much for picking up any mistakes I made, hope you posted corrections to Jan. (I am really impressed by how hard Jan works to update this fantastic site- thanks Jan!)

Out of interest, Bill, what did I miss?

A long way back someone, I can't remember who, said they didn't like 'Go, Go, Liza Jane.' I actually do like it, though I was a little taken aback the first time I heard it. Apart from anything else, I think its the earliest lead vocal by Rick (I think Rick takes the second verse) that I've heard anyway. Its really interesting to see the way Rick's voice changed over his lifetime. Being a Rick fan, I love it at every stage!

Posted on Wed May 16 23:23:18 CEST 2001 from cc5414-a.hnglo1.ov.nl.home.com (213.51.109.69)

Norbert

......ok, ok, ok......congrats......to the English-Soccer-Band-Fans......(it was a Hell of a game!)

Posted on Wed May 16 23:15:47 CEST 2001 from (208.218.212.2)

David Powell

Bill: Yes, George Harrison did release the soundtrack album for "Wonderwall" in 1968. McCartney, however, beat him by a year with own soundtrack for "The Family Way", produced by George Martin. I, speaking for myself, don't consider either of these as true representative solo works, but rather experiments in composing background music for films and performed mostly by other musicians.

It seems that Paul & George were both into movie soundtracks years before Mr. Robertson.

Posted on Wed May 16 22:53:52 CEST 2001 from cc5414-a.hnglo1.ov.nl.home.com (213.51.109.69)

Norbert

......€-cup......4 - 4!!!......Cruyff is the name......(sudden death now......)

Posted on Wed May 16 22:51:40 CEST 2001 from cmldme-cmt1-c4-24-25-179-110.maine.rr.com (24.25.179.110)

mattk

Didn't I read recently that Yesterday is the biggest selling song of all time after surpassing Bing's White Xmas sometime back?

Posted on Wed May 16 22:48:23 CEST 2001 from pm3-pt11.pcnet.net (206.105.29.85)

Laura P.

One more thing (for now) about the Moondog reissue... I haven't read the liner notes in depth yet (I'm trying to draw things out), but I LOVE those lyric sheets. I laughed hard for about two minutes straight while reading the "Mystery Train" one (why? I have no idea.). And whoever wrote the "Promised Land" one (Levon?) is a *terrible* speller! It's great! (Also, "56789 BINGO"??) Ha!

Posted on Wed May 16 22:39:43 CEST 2001 from pm3-pt11.pcnet.net (206.105.29.85)

Laura P.

Dave Z: What a beautiful post.

Also, I've been listening to Moondog a lot these past few days, and I agree. ("with the bonus tracks this CD really gets a bump up from me... as far as playing as a band goes maybe it's equal to their best?...") I'm beginning to find it one of their most solidly enjoyable albums. I had the non-reissue Moondog, and liked it, but hadn't really listened to it *in depth* or allowed myself to fully get into it... I was sort of holding out for the reissue because I really wanted to include those bonus tracks (I was hoping some of them were going to be additional Richard leads, but even though they aren't, they are still pretty grand).

Now that I've had the reissue for a few days, I've decided that Moondog is very very solid. What proves it to me is that I play it straight through every time and don't get the urge to skip any of the tracks. The album flows so nicely, and it's just plain enjoyable to listen to. I like the variety in the songs, and, especially, I like the emotion. Richard's songs just feel so unbelievably intimate, and "Holy Cow" and "A Change Is Gonna Come" are fantastically emotional (in a convincing way) too. I adore "Saved." The only song I'm not that crazy about is "Promised Land"... it seems too similar to "Going Back To Memphis" and I like GBTM better. The new bonus tracks are really really cool, too... I've got to listen to them more to get to know them better before I comment more, though.

Posted on Wed May 16 22:31:56 CEST 2001 from spider-wm081.proxy.aol.com (205.188.199.186)

Joe

Nice picture's Crabby

Posted on Wed May 16 22:17:58 CEST 2001 from gw.itac.ca (209.146.161.1)

Bill

Bob W.: I assume you mean the little Kansas canine, no? Dust in the wind and all that. And "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road". And the '60s hit version of "Ding Dong The Witch Is Dead" (by either the Fourth or the Fifth Estate, it seems to me). And of course "The Wiz", bringing it back to the Gloved One.

Taking it even farther than that, Mike and brothers were 'discovered' by Bobby Taylor of Bobby Taylor and the Vancouvers, one of whom was Tommy Chong. (See last month's guestbook traffic for exciting Chong/Band links.)

Posted on Wed May 16 22:14:13 CEST 2001 from citrix3.doc.state.vt.us (159.105.102.8)

John Cass

Speaking of Beatles who is in his Ringo Starr Allstar Band I see he is touring this summer with a unusual bill. Greg Lake, Howard Jones, Ian Hunter, Rodger Hodgson, and Shelia E, sounds like a good show if your into those acts (which I am not)but I wonder who Ringo has in his band.

Also is there any truth to the rumor that The Guess Who are reuniting this summer and touring along with one of my favorites Joe Cocker, I think that would be a cool show.

Posted on Wed May 16 22:03:46 CEST 2001 from spider-mtc-ti022.proxy.aol.com (64.12.101.157)

bob wigo

Ben,
Which members of the Beatles were in Toto ?

;-)

Posted on Wed May 16 21:51:10 CEST 2001 from gw.itac.ca (209.146.161.1)

Bill

Thanks to Erin Sebo for transcribing the lyrics. However, there's a word missing in line four of "Leave Me Alone". Also - and this has nothing to do with Erin - I don't buy the standard '64 dating of the Canadian Squires record. It made the lower levels of some Canadian charts in '65 - and far enough along in the year to exclude a '64 release. I understand they recorded the songs in Toronto as a demo in '64, then rerecorded them in NY with Henry Glover. The recording and rerecording of the same songs in two places in two years may be why Rob Bowman (echoed by Hoskyns, I believe) dates the record as '64.

Posted on Wed May 16 21:46:58 CEST 2001 from spider-wn062.proxy.aol.com (205.188.197.177)

Ben Pike

I decided some time ago that Yoko Ono will never be solved. Sometimes I have found her brave and classy; sometimes worthy of the going's over some never tire of giving her. On this latest go round; I pronouce her NOT guilty. First of all, this is based on some rather minor grousing Paul did in an interview the Press picked up in it's thirst for Yoko bashing, always a story they can sell. It seems "Yesterday" has always been a burr under Paul's sadle because he wrote it alone and it became the single most popular song, or at least was for many years. But doesn't that sort of go with the territory when you make the kind of deal he had with Lennon? Would a single song have gotten the circulation "Yesterday" got without the exposure of what the Beatle did in Toto? As for switching the credit at the time of the Anthology....Yoko is utterly right: Wouldn't She be giving away something which ethicly no one had a right to? Shouldn't her job be to doggedly protect Lennon's estate, something Paul might have muffed when he let Wacko Jacko get his glove on the songbook? And since it's not a matter of money anymore, doesn't the most CASUAL Beatles fan know Paul wrote "Yesterday?" Good call Yoko, and I would mark "Who Has Seen The Wind?" and "Cook Of The House" a virtual dead heat. Liked Lindas vegy TV dinners, though.

Posted on Wed May 16 21:36:02 CEST 2001 from spider-ta013.proxy.aol.com (152.163.205.48)

Dave Z

Just got back from a trip to town to pickup some vitamins for my very pregnant wife... and of course I took a detour and headed straight west... into farmland... one of my guilty pleasures is watching farmers work while cranking the Band... anyway, Levon's singing on "What Am I Living For" is just beautiful... and reminds me of "All La Glory" in feel... I also hear Rick on "Holy Cow" no doubt to me... but I really love his vocal on "A Change Is Gonna Come"... with the bonus tracks this CD really gets a bump up from me... as far as playing as a band goes maybe it's equal to their best?... and has me wondering what could have happened if they had tried to take the Basement Tapes to studio and polish them... now of course you'd lose that wonderful gesture but I bet they could have done them right... anyway, as I was motoring on 212 near Glencoe I realizing I should turn back... I decided on just another 10 minutes or so... and became lost in the Bayou song again... with its long rampdown leading to Garth's "alone I have caught a fish" last word... followed by the next song's call to wakeup and return from the bayou daydream like a schoolboy sleeping on his desk... it was then I passed a farmhouse that was painted "pink"... and that told me it was time to turnaround for good... on my return I enjoyed Chick's Breaktime especially the smooth guitar following either Garth or Louie's organ/synth solo... just awesome stuff... then I popped in Jubilation to listen to "Don't Wait" which some folks have been talking about... and closed my little trip off with Rick singing the Maud backed Book Faded Brown... by the way d Lil', is Marth Hudson gonna sing on Gaud's forthcoming solo CD?... I also wonder what the Brown Album's impact would have been if somehow "Acadian Driftwood" was in place of "Dixie"?... Would there be a whole genre of music called "Canada-icana"?... Anybody still left?... It's naptime for me...

P.S. - Real sorry for your loss Bobby... God Bless...

Posted on Wed May 16 21:29:33 CEST 2001 from spider-mtc-ti022.proxy.aol.com (64.12.101.157)

bob wigo

I've been a Stones fan and a Beatles fan for a long, long time. That having been said I state the following:
Paul McCartney has more musical talent in one of his ear lobes than Mick Jagger could claim for six generations of his family.

I wouldn't think McCartney would be overly concerned with any statement Jagger makes. For the record, I've heard Keith direct some very high praise toward McCartney particularly in regard to his respect for Chuck Berry and other trailblazing rockers. And before anyone jumps aboard the "who got paid for what?" train on the royalties issue, bear in mind that Mr. Jagger and Mr. Richards have been taken to task over the years concerning questionable compensation to authors of tunes they covered early on. McCartney doesn't fit Jagger's definition of rock star but he could pick up any instrument Mick dances past and create wonderful music anytime and anywhere. Nothing seems more "wankerish" than Jagger strapping on an electric guitar he can't play in order to appear more the musician.

Re: Yoko Ono
Personally, neither Yoko's heritage nor financial position play any part in my opinion. I'll meet all of her supporters at her next exhibit that has nothing to do with the Beatles or John Lennon. In fact I'll buy you all tickets.

Posted on Wed May 16 21:13:45 CEST 2001 from gw.itac.ca (209.146.161.1)

Bill

David P: Wonderwall?

Posted on Wed May 16 20:50:46 CEST 2001 from cmldme-cmt1-c4-24-25-179-110.maine.rr.com (24.25.179.110)

MattK

Bob, no personal slight intended, just responding vigorously. ; )

Posted on Wed May 16 20:43:44 CEST 2001 from (169.200.133.37)

Bones

I found this clip in the Canada section of the March 31, 2001 edition of Billboard magazine: ".....plans to document Toronto's 60s blue-eyed soul past with 'Hogtown R&B', a series that will feature recordings by Levon and the Hawks (the forerunner to the Band), as well as David Clayton-Thomas & the Shays, Kay Taylor & the Regents and Troiano's legendary group the Mandela."

Unfortunately, I don't have the first part of the clipping, but it sure sounds interesting.

Posted on Wed May 16 20:32:02 CEST 2001 from (205.230.10.2)

Bob R

Hey Matt K: Wow, bro, relax--my post was nothing personal to you at all--I usually enjoy your posts--I just cant stand Yoko Ono...that's all.

Posted on Wed May 16 20:19:26 CEST 2001 from cmldme-cmt1-c4-24-25-179-110.maine.rr.com (24.25.179.110)

MattK

The B-52s and Lene Lovich rule. I'm sorry you don't like them. Lovich's album, "Flex" is a brilliant album, IMHO.

Tommy, I'm sorry, I did not mean to direct that post at anyone in particular, but to the general sentiment of "Yoko is evil" that had been popping up over a series of posts.

I know it's heresy to defend Yoko, and I don't defend her post-John activities with regard to memorabilia or songwriting. I will say that I personally believe that things would not be much different if John were still alive, with or without Yoko by his side.

Posted on Wed May 16 20:08:39 CEST 2001 from cmldme-cmt1-c4-24-25-179-110.maine.rr.com (24.25.179.110)

MattK

Gee, Bob R, here I thought John was a grown man capable of making his own decisions about his own career. I had no idea she tortured him into leaving the Beatles! Silly me, I thought things were strained BEFORE John and Yoko met. And then, of course, who would have thought that Yoko was a succubus who would get John hooked on H and FORCE him to stay home with their son. And here I thought John wanted to escape the pressures of stardom and Beatle-hood to concentrate on his own life. Silly me. Now I know better.

Whether or not Yoko sings well has nothing to do with anything, which is my point. Paul was married shortly before the breakup and went solo first. How come Linda isn't to blame? Lord knows her voice is no better the Yokos.

Fact is, blaming a spouse for decisions made by his/her musician husband/wife is ridiculous and only serves to let John off the hook for his own behavior. JOHN'S ego and PAUL'S ego and sundry conflicts with George and Ringo broke up the Beatles. JOHN chose to essentially abandon his first son, before he ever met Yoko (indeed, the most Julian saw of his father was during the Dakota years, I understand). JOHN chose to do heroin, have affairs, get embroiled in legal problems with his former mates and their label.

If Yoko stood "by her man" and even cheered him along the way, so what? Is John not responsible for the life he chose and it's consequences? I don't know if Yoko is a "nice person" or not, but I sure as hell don't think John was the nicest guy around either.

Whatever his problems, they predated Yoko, who John obviously felt he could trust and confide in a way that he could not with anyone else. Whether or not I would want their marraige is another question altogether, but it's not my life, nor is it yours, to critique. Lennon was human, so was his wife. They loved each other. So what?

Posted on Wed May 16 20:04:59 CEST 2001 from spider-wb034.proxy.aol.com (205.188.192.164)

Tommy

MattK; I never said that Yoko is to blame for ANYTHING concerning the Beatles...John was a grown man.Choices made while he was alive were his,I have no dillusions about that.

As far as after he was killed,in my opinion, Yoko hasn't done much to garner MY respect.THAT'S what I was saying.

Also, I'd take Linda singing over Yoko WHISTLING anyday!!!!!!!!

Posted on Wed May 16 19:24:16 CEST 2001 from (129.237.77.56)

RPence

The Band and Rock of Ages: A+

Music from Big Pink: A

Northern Lights-Southern Cross: B+

The Last Waltz: B

Cahoots, Moondog Matinee, and Stage Fright: B-

Islands: C+

Since I'm a teacher, I thought I'd rate The Band's records with a "report card," oddly suitable for these street smart musicians.

The post-1978 recordings of the Levon Helm-led Bands aren't included because without Robbie and Richard (especially--the three voices have to be there), it's not The Band to me. I do think the albums I haven't graded have their strengths and pleasures, however.

I like Cahoots better than Moondog (though I haven't heard the remaster, so my view is questionable) and Stage Fright because I think it's a more interesting record, flaws and all, than the other two I've given B-'s. Cahoots works as a unified statement for me, is ambitious and unique even when it misses the mark, and has great playing.

Islands is a record I enjoy without reservation, unlike Rob Bowman, who almost apologizes to those who bought the remastered edition in the liner notes. I know some will question my taste and sanity, but I think the album only suffers by comparison with the classics at the top of the list. It deserves a break, and when one listens to it as the work of journeymen R+B musicians, some new possibilities and perspectives are there.

One of the best things about all the Band albums is that each one gives what I think is an accurate and complete picture of the group at the time of the recording. Most artists try to be like "brand names" each time they release something, but not the Band. For better or worse, they wore their hearts on their sleeves when they sang, played for, and spoke to their audience.

Posted on Wed May 16 19:22:43 CEST 2001 from (209.100.37.239)

Chris

RPence: When did Jagger say that about McCartney. That's interesting to me. Further...for my money Mick Jagger is possibly the most over rated musician in the world. Keith Richards is a truly excellent guitar player. The king of the riff. But Jagger is a poor excuse for a blues man and almost always over the top with his delivery. Not to mention the lack of inspiration to get deeper in their song catalog for the mega tours that they do. Why the same set list night after night...you could set your watch by where Mick is standing on stage throughtout the show. If you are really astute you could call out the exact ass shaking move he is going to pull off at the exact lyric in each song. Tiresome. The Stones tour may as well be a Kiss reunion tour recently for all the overstuffed blowhard bullshit one has to endure.

Keith should be touring with The Expensive Winos or better yet...The New Barbarians...but that would take Bobby Keys out of the Barn Burners line up.

"I'd rather be dead than singing 'Satisfaction' when I'm forty five." Mick Jagger

I couldn't agree more.

Posted on Wed May 16 19:11:06 CEST 2001 from ts1-33.steveston.axion.net (207.34.146.33)

Cupid

I must say I found Yoko's decision not to grant Macca this one thing a bit cold. I realise it may mean she makes a little less money and we all know she lives like a peasent. It would have been a great healing gesture on her part. Don't get me wrong I'm no Yoko basher[ as the youngest sibling of a bunch of Beatles fanatics I'm among those who were named after a mop top. Thank God they liked John more than Ringo!], I just think this is a bit petty.On the flip side if it's proper credit Paul is looking for, well I don't think anybody is unaware that "Yesterday" is 100% Paul's.

On the bright side, now that Micheal Jackson is flogging the Beatles copyrights maybe Paul can buy them back...Peace Cupid

P.S. John is my middle name I got my first name from my great uncle, he gave us a dog and Mom wanted to say thanx...and now you know why it says Douglas John on my Drivers license.

Posted on Wed May 16 19:09:16 CEST 2001 from 24.68.33.158.on.wave.home.com (24.68.33.158)

John D

PETER VINEY

I have searched the internet and can't find what I am looking for. Do you know if the Edward Kasper painting of the Hawks on the Moondog Matinee album is available for sale as a print? I found a site on an Edward Kasper and I guess he's quite the painter of baseball material. Nothing about the Band Painting.

Posted on Wed May 16 18:57:51 CEST 2001 from (129.237.77.56)

RPence

Mattk, fantastic post.

You clear the air and tell it like it is in a number of areas. The thought of McCartney crying about being deprived of some extra millions is almost as offensive as his song "Frozen Jap" on his McCartney II album. My girlfriend is Japanese and I've spent time with her family in Japan, so I'll admit I'm biased.

One of the best experiences I had in Japan was visiting the John Lennon museum, near Yoko Ono's birthplace. It is the most beautiful and moving tribute I've seen to the man, and Yoko Ono had everything to do with it. She was born into wealth and was an established artist (though not a musical one) long before she met John Lennon, so the idea of her hitching her wagon to Lennon's to get rich is inaccurate and insulting. Sexist and racist, too.

When I hear anti-Asian sentiments--and you are right, the antagonism toward Yoko Ono has much to do with stereotypes of the cunning "Dragon Lady"--I take it very personally.

Mick Jagger has it right about McCartney. He's just an "old wanker."

Posted on Wed May 16 18:56:20 CEST 2001 from citrix3.doc.state.vt.us (159.105.102.8)

JOHN CASS

I AM IN NEED OF SOME BAND CONCERT TAPES IT SEEMS LIKE ALOT OF YOU HAVE MANY OF THEM THAT SOUND GREAT I WILL BE WILLING TO TRADE TAPES THAT I HAVE MOSTLY GRATEFUL DEAD, SOME ALLMAN BROTHERS, 1 RICHARD MANUEL AND 1 RICK DANKO I ALSO OWN A RECORD COLLECTION OF ABOUT 1100 GOT A LIST OF EACH ALBUM SOME I AM SURE ARE RARE ONES THAT I WILL TAPE FOR ANYONE WHO WANTS TO TRADE E-MAIL ME THANKS ALL!!

Posted on Wed May 16 18:47:07 CEST 2001 from (205.230.10.2)

Bob R

Matt K-- taking your last post out of context, you hit the nail right on the head, Yoko DID destroy Lennons career in the 70's, she CANT sing, she IS wierd...in all honesty when is the last time you tried to sit down and get through an entire Yoko album---talk about a complete no talent ! She was sooo lucky to meet Lennon at a time he was obviously so emotionally fragile--she was at the right place at the right time and took complete advantage of it. Say what you will about Linda Mccartney, but at least she always encouraged Paul to keep working & was a Beatles fan unlike Yoko...believe me, if it were not for Lennon continually promoting her, nobody outside of a very small group of people would have ever heard of Yoko Ono....she is a true "Anti-Artist"..dont kid yourself--- she may not be the only reason the Beatles split (Allen Klein shares that honor) but she was a HUGE factor in it--I keep hearing that she was so ahead of her time, and influenced the B52'S, but I mean.....so what ? She destroyed Lennon & the Beatles and gave us the B52'S AND Lene Lovich...what a great trade off. I say we get Levon to go kick her ass

Posted on Wed May 16 18:44:36 CEST 2001 from dap-209-114-161-162.nfas.monroe-tnt-1.sns234.pa.stargate.net (209.114.161.162)

Mary

A few posts back, I think it was Laura P. mentioned she didn't have any of The Bands releases from Islands on. Well, I am here to recommend them to Laura. I thought Jericho was excellent, and if given the chance should have been well received. It had some really excellent songs: Remedy, Blind Willie McTell, The Caves of Jericho, Atlantic City, etc. High on the Hog had some good songs on it as well, and Jubilation was excellent too. Please check them out. I recommend them to everyone. When I buy a new cd, I listen to it two and three times in a row. I do have to admit, that I was a little skeptical and didn't want to accept anything after the Last Waltz, but I am so glad I gave them a chance. They are well worth it, and as I said before, if they had been given the chance, I feel they could have been very well received by "band fans". Everyone have a good day now. A special hello to Lil and Jan.

Posted on Wed May 16 18:39:12 CEST 2001 from housinguni1.usi.edu (192.206.9.72)

Knockin' Lost John

Hello again fellow Band fans:

After more than 4 months of health problems I am back in the saddle, and still among the land of the living.

Of course, perhaps I wasn't missed here, but I truly missed visiting here! (although I have stopped by about 2 or 3 times over the past few months.

Alot has happened with reissues and Jan throwing people off the site and so forth!

Wow. Gotta lotta catching up to do.

Anyway, LEVON and THE BB's are playing in Louisville, KY this Sunday night, and I hope I finally get to see them!!

It's "pay-at-the-door" so I guess I better get there early, hey Butch?

Oh, by the way, attention PETER VINEY: I don't know if I ever had the chance to properly thank you for the RR CD that you sent me back in DEC, 2000.

So, THANX! I really enjoyed it.

As for my health, (in case anyone wonders), at only 28 I am still quite well.

Anyway, I'm not wheelchair bound or anything like that, thank God. (At least not yet). Also, I'm not the type who's looking for "poor you's" or anything like that. Just FYI. And, in fact, I feel as good as ever.

Any-who, I'll stop boring you now, and let's all get back to discussing what we all here have in common: THE BAND!!

Posted on Wed May 16 18:32:39 CEST 2001 from du184-249.ppp.algonet.se (195.100.249.184)

Second post

POLAR MUSIC PRIZE - 2001
Even this year's Polar Music Prize Winners have a Band connection. Last year's winner was the lead singer of the Band like all of you who have made your home work certainly know. (Someone, please, tell Ragtime that it is not The Hawk.) - The sound of the Band wouldn't be what it is without the Prize Winner Robert A. Moog and Burt Bacharac has a Robbie connection because Neil Diamond has recorded Burt's songs, right? The third winner - Stockhausen - I will gladly leave to Ragtime!

Posted on Wed May 16 18:08:07 CEST 2001 from (208.218.212.2)

David Powell

A Rick Danko / Paul McCartney thread: It was these two bassmen who were the first from their respective groups to release a solo album. Perhaps the best CD version of McCartney's first was the DCC gold disc that Steve Hoffman remastered a while back. Talk in the music business of late is that Michael Jackson, the gloved-one who chose not to sing at the R&R Hall of Fame induction, is thinking about selling his Beatles publishing catalog. Maybe Sir Paul will succeed this time round in getting the rights back where they belong.

Posted on Wed May 16 17:40:51 CEST 2001 from 3cust159.tnt52.nyc3.da.uu.net (63.46.59.159)

Crabgrass

Shared writing credits are traditionally in alphabetical order. "L" comes before "M." For insight into Yoko and John's relationship and personalities I once again recommend DAKOTA DAYS (by Yoko's numerologist) and LOVING JOHN (by May Pang - out of print but well worth hunting down).

Posted on Wed May 16 17:19:43 CEST 2001 from (12.33.126.131)

John W.

All this talk about Yoko makes me think of Levon singing "Move to Japan".

Posted on Wed May 16 16:48:17 CEST 2001 from cmldme-cmt1-c4-24-25-179-110.maine.rr.com (24.25.179.110)

mattk

I've always found it sad and funny the degree to which Yoko has been villified for "breaking up the Beatles" and a gajillion other supposed offenses -- including not taking the bullet for John. To me, the whole thing smacks of something disturbing on the part of the public and the media.

Yoko is held up as destroying John's career in the 70s. Yoko drove John away from Julian. Yoko can't sing. Yoko's too weird. Yoko and Robbie stole songwriting credits from Levon...

Isn't this letting Saint John off the hook? Isn't John responsible for his relationship with his son? Isn't John responsible for his OWN role in breaking up the Beatles? What about Linda McCartney, why isn't she as villified? She certainly could not sing very well, and at least Yoko is somewhat innovative.

I'm not sure if it's some kind of innate sexism that John isn't blamed for his own transgressions, but his wife gets the brunt. I'm not sure if it's racism that Lennon's weird Asian wife gets the horns, while McCartney's pretty American wife is somehow less offensive. I don't know, but somehow, I find it disturbing.

At the end of the day, Yoko was John's wife, by his choice. After the breakup and John's death, things happened with the Lennon/McCartney songrights that I find sad, but in the end, somewhat inevitable. Yoko is a whore for selling instant Karma to Nike, but McCartney's suck up to Visa is not?

John and Paul and George and Ringo (but particularly John and Paul) left their legal situation a mess in regard to Apple Records, in regards to song and publishing rights, and so forth. With John dead, his interests passed to Yoko as is wife. It is her right protect those interests, even if it means selling them off. It's not Yoko's fault that John and Paul were to childish and f***ed up to set things right while both were alive.

The fact that Yoko has to/gets to handle things in John's stead is John's fault (and sadly Mark Chapman's). Lennon fans may persist in their delusion that John would have handled things differently, but I suspect they are benefitting from a rose colored view of their fallen martyr.

John was as greedy as anyone, and detested being criticized for how he spent his money. He was also very unsentimental about the Beatle's. Assuming that John wouldn't be selling his stuff off for bigger bucks is dubious at best.

Either way, spew on Yoko all you want, but realize you're scapegoating her with all the bad character traits you fail to recognize and acknowledge in John himself when you do.

Matt

Posted on Wed May 16 15:46:14 CEST 2001 from spider-mtc-ti011.proxy.aol.com (64.12.101.151)

bob wigo

....but that girl could sing !

Posted on Wed May 16 14:27:06 CEST 2001 from inktomi1-bel.server.ntl.com (62.254.32.4)

niall kelly

Yoko actually was up for breaking up their marraige by the end. She was also was seeing someone on the side and had lennon walking around the dakota like a sex crazed dog. She barely gave him any nookie since sean was born. And also she was pretty cold to julian and still is because to this very day, he has to use the money that he casually gets from his fathers inheritance to buy back the things that yoko has sold of johns, cold bitch!

Posted on Wed May 16 07:46:38 CEST 2001 from du152-1.ppp.algonet.se (195.100.1.152)

Ilkka

Kalervo :-) "Tätä nostalgiaa joka päivä hän saa..." (Hector)

Posted on Wed May 16 07:19:09 CEST 2001 from zorg222.revealed.net (208.243.237.222)

Mike

Hello again...what's this about Yoko? I missed all of this stuff. Also I have located most of the bootlegs I am searching for. There's only a few things left that I need:

Ophelia (2 cd set from Osaka, Japan 1983)

Live In Washington D.C (note: I already have located the OTHER King Biscuit version!). And three missing songs from the July 31, 1973 Roosevelt Stadium show (Share Your Love, Up On Cripple Creek and Organ Improv/Chest Fever. Any help would be appreciated. Thank you. Peace.

Mike

Posted on Wed May 16 06:50:45 CEST 2001 from host-209-214-114-28.bna.bellsouth.net (209.214.114.28)

BWNWITennessee

Okay, so Planet Waves is a pretty damn horrible Band album. Worse than Cahoots, in my opinion.

Yoko put the hit out.

Posted on Wed May 16 06:15:22 CEST 2001 from spider-ta032.proxy.aol.com (152.163.205.57)

Tommy

You guys ever hear the story where Yoko took back a guitar that used to be his dads from Julian,one that he had for YEARS, so she could auction it?

Like Bayou Sam, I'm not one to bash just for bashing's sake...but I've heard some stories like the one above and it just sickens the fuck outta me!I believe she did most of the things that she was purported to do.She seems like a low character to me.

Supposedly at the end of John's life she was looking to get out of the marraige...so maybe it all worked out for her.Now she gets all the dough and she controls the Lennon estate.She did pretty good for an "artist".

When did she become a businesswoman anyway?

Posted on Wed May 16 05:48:37 CEST 2001 from spider-wa042.proxy.aol.com (205.188.192.37)

Bayou Sam

....actually, Paul also said once that John's name was first because he was the leader and insisited on it - which sounds more accurate to me. There were some really early singles that had the writing credit as McCartney/Lennon..... .. I'm usually against blind Yoko bashing, but that really sucks about the "Yesterday" credit. Thanks to John and the beatles she lives very nicely - why couldn't she give Pauly his "baby" back.

Laura P. = I know what you mean. "Before The Flood" is another one. You will almost never find that in The Band section at the music store - only under Dylan. I actually think of the Basement Tapes as The Band "and" Bob Dylan.

Bobby Jones = condolences to you and yours at this time.

Posted on Wed May 16 04:02:26 CEST 2001 from akcf3.xtra.co.nz (203.96.111.201)

Rod

Peter, McCartney once said that they chose Lennon / McCartney because it rolled of the tongue better that McCartney/Lennon. So you may be lucky - Viney/Bowman sounds better than Bowman/Viney.

I think people here often get too hung up on lyrics. AD's lyrics may not be historically acurate but you can't fault the playing on this song. The arrangement and playing is amazing and that's why I listen to it more than Dixie. It is possible though that as a song /statement Dixie works better over all.

The unreleased stuff that's surfaced recently has got me thinking that there must also be some unfinished tracks out there that could be finished of by the remaining trio and released as a sort of "new" Band album. I suspect the idea would make Levon puke.

Posted on Wed May 16 03:26:50 CEST 2001 from inktomi1-bel.server.ntl.com (62.254.32.4)

niall kelly

Wow it seems that we also have some people here who know their stuff. Can anybody recommend a rick danko album for me?

Posted on Wed May 16 01:31:20 CEST 2001 from pm471-07.dialip.mich.net (207.75.178.113)

jamie

hi jan, yes its good to be back in the neighborhood.

Of course, you knew I'd be back - It was only a matter of time before I couldn't keep from sticking in my two cents about something, and besides, I still owe you those musical biographies of Rick Bell and Stan Szelest.

Posted on Wed May 16 00:35:27 CEST 2001 from dialin-55.poughkeepsie.bestweb.net (216.179.15.86)

Gene

Does anybody know how good the Cardiff Rose "Complete Last Waltz" is, compared to the Cool Daddy original?

Posted on Wed May 16 00:19:22 CEST 2001 from 209-130-140-178.nas2.mon.gblx.net (209.130.140.178)

Lars

I haven't checked in here in a while, so some of this is in response to some older (last week's) posts.

Tom Pacheco sang "I'll Leave A Light On For You" at the Newtown show last year, he opened with it. Then he did "They Can't Touch You Now" and finished with a song that went something like "...someday I'll go to Bluefield (?)."

As for "Acadian Driftwood" I guess it's a matter of taste whether you like it or not. It's my favorite Band studio song. I thought it was disappointing in "The Complete Last Waltz." And a week or so ago Jan included an audio file of "Driftwood" on his "What's New" page. Rick Danko and Garth Hudson played with a Norwegian "house band" with Rick giving a quick intro to the song. I listened to it and I was stunned. To me, it's the most beautiful version of the song I've ever heard.

I guess beauty can be found many places. Even Yellow Tavern.

Posted on Wed May 16 00:04:53 CEST 2001 from pm3-pt57.pcnet.net (206.105.29.131)

Laura P.

I guess my point was... my theory is that a lot of Band fans either consciously or subconsciously discount the Band’s collaborations with Dylan because we want the Band to stand on its own, as an entity completely separate from Dylan, and for them not to be overshadowed by him or thought of as his backup band (as non-knowledgeable music fans might think of them). And they are a separate entity that can stand on its own, of course. But in an effort to give the Band the respect it deserves, we take this to an extreme and ignore a whole slice of the Band experience that’s available to us. Anyway, that’s just an idle theory that I thought was interesting to ponder; I have no idea what other fans are thinking and I don't mean to offend anyone. Of course, people should like/listen to/talk about whatever they want! It's just so fun to psychoanalyze the GB, though. ;-)

Posted on Tue May 15 23:47:38 CEST 2001 from jan-hoiberg.hiof.no (158.36.52.15)

jh

Jamie, good to see you're back. It's been a while...

Posted on Tue May 15 23:24:02 CEST 2001 from grmn-105ppp83.dialup.valstar.net (199.224.105.83)

Diamond Lil

Bobby Jones: Condolences on the loss of your brother. I hope the memory of the last days you spent with him bring you comfort and peace of mind.

Posted on Tue May 15 23:22:51 CEST 2001 from inktomi1-bel.server.ntl.com (62.254.32.4)

niall kelly

Well i've been to this web-page before very briefly and tonight i have alot of time on my hands. As i sit here and been listening to "the band - the collection" and earlier the bands second album, "the band". i have to say it so far has been a very enjoyable, relaxing evening. Especially going through the rick danko tribute with the woodstock radio show."

" Keep up the great work and long live rick and richards beautiful sound that fills the air of so many of our lives. Peace from n. ireland.

Posted on Tue May 15 23:15:42 CEST 2001 from pm3-pt39.pcnet.net (206.105.29.113)

Laura P.

Wow, lots of great posts lately. I love it when we actually talk about The Band's music! :-)

One quick thought, which I've wondered for a long time... how come no one on the GB (yes, this is an exaggeration) ever includes the basement tapes in conversations about The Band's songs? The other stuff the guys did with Bob is rarely talked about also... like the '66 Tour, Tour '74, Planet Waves, the super-cool Woody Guthrie tribute concert tunes, Isle of Wight, etc.

I just find it a little weird... I mean, just because Bob was involved doesn't mean The Band wasn't still The Band, and some of those Dylan collaborations feature absolutely mind-boggling stuff from our guys. And Bob *wasn't* even involved in a lot of the released basement tapes stuff... I think the released Basement Tapes should absolutely be considered a real Band album.

As for the *unreleased* basement tapes... wow. There's as much Band brilliance (and realness, and humour, and beauty, and inspiration, and...) as there is two or three of the post Brown albums put together, if you ask me. (Slight exaggeration there maybe... maybe not.) Is it because they didn't write the stuff? So what? Part of what makes The Band so great is that they are a Band, right?

Here's my personal non-live Band album ranking, for how much I enjoy the actual album (not my opinion of the songs on it as separately entities that could in some cases be vastly improved in different performances):

The Band--Music from Big Pink--The Basement Tapes

Moondog Matinee

Cahoots--Northern Lights-Southern Cross

Stage Fright :-)

I don't have Islands and the later stuff.

Posted on Tue May 15 23:08:58 CEST 2001 from spider-wb061.proxy.aol.com (205.188.192.176)

Ben Pike

Somebody said David Bromberg was touring and I forgot to mention that I dig him and I hope he comes to these parts. He has many Band links, most notably the RINGO album. O.K. boys, step aside: FIVE: Pink, Brown, Stage, Rock, BTs, and "Feed The Birds." FOUR AND A HALF: Northern, Cahoots. "Get Up Jake(studio)" FOUR: "Between Trains". Islands. THREE AND A HALF: LW, Jerico. "Leave Me Alone." Redboy. THREE: Robbie Robertson. Levon Helm and The R.C.O. All Stars. RR version of "Christmas Must Be Tonight." American Son. "Little Liza Jane". TWO AND A HALF: Storyville. "The Stones I Throw". Levon Helm(Capital). Rick Danko(Arista). TWO: Levon Helm(ABC). High On The Hog. ONE: The Band Is Back (Japan video tour.) ZERO: Acting in "Man Outside."

Posted on Tue May 15 23:10:03 CEST 2001 from dialin-127.poughkeepsie.bestweb.net (216.179.15.158)

Gene

Bobby Jones. My mom passed away 11 years ago...cancer. I still miss her like crazy. We shared a love of music, we both loved The Beatles & she wanted to hear a Beatles tape as she was in decline. I think that's how I'd like to go, too. God Bless

Posted on Tue May 15 23:06:30 CEST 2001 from du-tele3-003.mailbox.co.uk (195.82.121.3)

Peter Viney

"Yesterday" is credited to "Lennon-McCartney" though only Paul wrote and recorded. Because of the way some foreign copyright / performance royalties are calculated, on some receipts only the first named writer gets paid. The story is that Yoko has earned more from "Yesterday" than Paul as a result. He asked to switch this one song to "McCartney-Lennon" as it is the most played in their canon. She declined. At least that's what British newspapers have today. Being alphabetically-challenged with "V" and having co-written with the alphabetically advantaged, I know that the problem does exist. Think I'll change my name to Aardvak.

Posted on Tue May 15 22:19:38 CEST 2001 from spider-wq034.proxy.aol.com (205.188.200.157)

a'Bayou Sam

for cryin' out loud - Richard meant "break even" in LIFE. He didn't want any more or less than he had when he got here. Sadly, he must have felt that he was beginning to lose at the end.

Levon is singing "there goes a' Robert E. Lee". IMHO - Same kind of thing as "The Times They Are A'Changin'".

A great stretched word is from Jefferson Airplanes "Somebody To Love" when Grace sings = "tears are runninnnnnnnnnnng......down your dress"

Posted on Tue May 15 22:08:50 CEST 2001 from spider-wm064.proxy.aol.com (205.188.199.179)

Amanda

Bobby Jones: I send you heartfelt sympathy regarding the loss of your brother. You are so fortunate you had those last tender moments. Treasure his life with all your heart. You are a dear brother. Take care.

Posted on Tue May 15 21:28:47 CEST 2001 from (169.200.133.37)

Bones

The soundtrack from the movie "Shrek" came out today. I just picked it up, and was delighted to see Robbie Robertson as one of the Executive Producers. It includes songs by Smash Mouth, Rufus Wainwright, Eels, Proclaimers, Leslie Carter and others. No Robbie originals, sadly, but I will give a review after I listen to it.

Posted on Tue May 15 21:04:58 CEST 2001 from cache-hki-5.inet.fi (194.197.68.45)

Kalervo

Ah...I didn' t think that people in this club are living so much in the past. Now they are even picked dull albums of the past instead finding rave albums today. Noone reacted my enthusiasm on Stupid Hat or Clearlake...Or anything new in general...I am almost 50, but I am listening new records 60- 70 % of my listening time......Maybe I' ll come back before Christmas and show my love for Christmas Must Be Tonight.....I know this is a club for grave-digging, but to appreciate the spirit of the Band and especially Robbie I would love to see some dynamic, refreshing visions, too...... Kalervo

Posted on Tue May 15 20:52:47 CEST 2001 from max2-182.intellistar.net (206.105.68.182)

Dan

At the conclusion of last night's TNT NBA telecast, "Showdown at Big Sky" was the theme song for the promo of the upcoming Spurs-Lakers series. I am really enjoying Rock of Ages & Moondog Matinee. The Dylan section makes me wonder what Before the Flood would have been like if they played some songs from the Basement era, shared vocals & all. Dylan songs always left a lot of space for The Band to play. I have enjoyed Big Pink for the inclusion of "Ferdinand the Impostor," Stage Fright and The Brown Album for the sound. I don't think I'll buy NLSC because I already like the old disk & there is only one extra.

Posted on Tue May 15 20:46:41 CEST 2001 from sam25.revealed.net (208.16.227.120)

Mike

5: Rock Of Ages (is there a better live album?), Music from Big Pink, Northern Lights

4: Stage Fright, Brown Album, Moondog Matinee

3: Islands

2. Cahoots

I don't have anything as 1 star.

I aldo can't rate Jericho, High On The Hog and Jubilation as I have not heard them yet. In time...But some of you in here have given me opinions on them. I'll just have to try them :) Peace.

Mike

P.S. I am also trying to locate the following Band bootlegs:

The Joint (live 1996)

Live At The Hollywood Bowl 1970

Ophelia (1983 Japan Tour)

Live In D.C./The Band Played On (live 1976)

If anyone can help, I'd appreciate it. I do have boots to trade. Please email me...Thank ya :)

Posted on Tue May 15 20:41:35 CEST 2001 from sam25.revealed.net (208.16.227.120)

Mike

5: Rock Of Ages (is there a better live album?), Music from Big Pink, Northern Lights

4: Stage Fright, Brown Album, Moondog Matinee

3: Islands

2. Cahoots

I don't have anything as 1 star. I can't

I rate Jericho, High On The Hog and Jubilation as I have not heard them yet. In time...Peace. But some of you in here have given me opinions on them. I'll just have to try them :) Peace.

Mike

Posted on Tue May 15 20:35:12 CEST 2001 from (141.211.54.38)

jamie

On "break even" -- I can't recall where I read this interpretation, and I guess I don't really believe it, but it does seem to make sense of the context.

Earlier, in TLW there was a (much - told) story about Hawkins' recruiting methods. He would say "Son, you won't make much money, but you'll get more [ahem - female company] than Frank Sinatra."

In the context of a conversation about how much Richard loves women on the road the "I just want to break even" remark refers back to that anecdote; essentially: "*More* than FS? I just want to get as much."

Posted on Tue May 15 20:35:08 CEST 2001 from (4.20.68.20)

Rich

Brien: Exactly right!

Posted on Tue May 15 20:04:43 CEST 2001 from (38.161.244.20)

Tiny Montgomery

5: Brown, Rock

4: Pink, Stage, Jericho, LW

3: Jubilation, NLSC, Moondog, Cahoots

2: Islands

1: Hog

Posted on Tue May 15 19:51:31 CEST 2001 from (38.161.244.20)

Tiny Montgomery

I missed the "Holy Cow debate" but I would have been interested. I've always been convinced that the goofy voice on Holy Cow, Teenage Prayer etc. was Robbie's. Was this theory put forth, or was it strictly Rick vs Richard? (Or was the debate about something else entirely?) As for Driftwood, I'll have to listen again, but I thought all three singers sang some French lyrics.

Posted on Tue May 15 19:49:35 CEST 2001 from du-tele3-052.mailbox.co.uk (195.82.121.52)

Peter Viney

Having just had a pleasant 70 mile drive with Wingspan on full volume, I noted how often McCartney does an “Aca-dee-ya” stretch. “Door-uh-wer’ was an obvious one which doesn’t indicate an inability to pronounce 20th century English. I can tell when British people carry a strong accent into French, but am not so clear with North Americans who tend to try harder to pronounce the words in a French style. When I was at school we used to compete to see who could Anglicize the pronunciation the most. Perhaps surprisingly, the French say they find English accents in French just as charming as we find French accents in English. In the early 70s a beautiful French lady came into my office and asked me to advise “Ow I can lose my terribleh Frrrench accen.” The sensible answer was “don’t.” I suspect that some of the French presenters/ performers on British TV as well as French footballers work hard on maintaining the accent. However, this is in Europe, and there may be more recent political aspects in Canada. I thought one Montreal waiter was deliberately abtuse in persisting to confuse my French pronunciation, but on the whole I felt French-Canadians seemed on the side of any English speaker who attempted to stay in French. In other words, it’s not that Rick did it badly that counts so much as that he did it at all.

My wife tells me she was having a coffee this morning when Alice Cooper walked in and took the next table (He’s playing locally tonight). ‘Did you speak to him?’ ‘No, he looked very pleasant and as if he was enjoying the view, and I thought he’d just want to be anonymous.’ Anonymous? Alice?

Posted on Tue May 15 19:40:33 CEST 2001 from dap-209-114-164-163.nfas.monroe-tnt-1.sns234.pa.stargate.net (209.114.164.163)

Mary (bear)

Bobby Jones: So sorry about your loss. Your brother was so lucky to have you by his side. It will take time, but take comfort in knowing you were able to be there with him. So many, have nothing but regret. My dad passed away one year ago today, on his 77th birthday. It has, needless to say, been a very difficult day for me. I love you dad and Happy Birthday. Take care Bobby.

Posted on Tue May 15 19:00:31 CEST 2001 from (208.194.70.30)

Brien Sz

What the hey.., it's only space

UpperTier (5 star and or plus records):
ROA, Brown, Pink, StageFright, LW ---

Middle Tier (3-4 star) NLSC, MoonDog, Jubilation, Jericho

Lower Tier (2 or less) Cahoots, Islands and High on the Hog

Posted on Tue May 15 18:51:50 CEST 2001 from m198214176061.austin.cc.tx.us (198.214.176.61)

Pehr

best to Bobby Jones and to Rick S.

Posted on Tue May 15 18:43:15 CEST 2001 from 209.18.145-13.means.net (209.18.145.13)

alli

you guys rule!!!!!!!!!! peace&love,alli

Posted on Tue May 15 18:08:48 CEST 2001 from pool-63.52.230.157.ipls.grid.net (63.52.230.157)

Bobby Jones

In 1984 after the Toronto show, I asked Rick about Acadian Driftwood. He explained the french lyrics to me and a few friends. He also went on to state the song is really about how you feel about your homeland and the longing in your heart for the things that are treasured, and the anguish of these things being lost forever. I know this is not a revelation to anyone, but it was clear Rick felt that evening that this song was more about more emotion.

On a personal note.

I haven't been posting much or even coming to the G.B. during the past month and a half. I had been enjoying my brothers company as his life was flickering away. He past away at the age of 27 last week. The Last Sounds he heard was Richard singing I shall be released. Although he wasn't a real fan he liked this song and I found it fitting as his struggle was over.

I have alot of catching up to do.

Posted on Tue May 15 18:07:26 CEST 2001 from (12.33.126.131)

John W.

In my opinion, Adam is right on the money with his rankings of The Band's albums. I would also put Moondog on that second tier right with Cahoots, and Last Waltz just a notch below Rock of Ages. As far as the later stuff, I think Jericho is right up there with the first 3, Jubilation just a step below, and High on the Hog is at the level of NLSC. Of course this is just personal taste, "to each his own."

Posted on Tue May 15 17:57:45 CEST 2001 from user-33qt8r1.dialup.mindspring.com (199.174.163.97)

Pat Brennan

Bill, no unit in the Civil War was ever called "The Robert E. Lee's". And I wonder how excited a Confederate veteran would get seeing a riverboat. Shoot, if he lived near the Mississippi, he'd see them with some regularity. And I simply can't imagine the sight of a riverboat would prompt him to consider the high moral questions that follow the sighting in the song.

Posted on Tue May 15 17:55:02 CEST 2001 from (141.211.54.38)

jamie

Pat: excellent reply; I will try to get a few moments sometime to explain why I remain unconvinced.

Bill: I like the point about "the Robert E. Lee" I hadn't thought of that before and it really does fit. Also glad to see the PPCLI finally take a place on the guestboard. More Canadian military content!

Looks like nobody else finds Rick as grating in French as I do, so I'll just shut up on that one.

Posted on Tue May 15 17:51:11 CEST 2001 from (205.232.50.155)

Dave Hopkins

Am I the only one who hears Richard, not Rick, on the French lyrics at the end of "Acadian Driftwood"?

Not that I'm spoiling for another "Holy Cow"-type debate, mind you...

Posted on Tue May 15 17:37:08 CEST 2001 from (205.245.52.66)

carmen

Hear is an interesting news flash (per Fox News)- Sir Paul claims that YOKO has denied him songwriting credits. Although this is not BAND related, this topic does come up from time to time.

Best Regards!

Posted on Tue May 15 17:26:29 CEST 2001 from rm0001b.studlife.fsu.edu (128.186.193.26)

Adam

Acadian Driftwood just "a shade" better than Dixie? I have a hard time swallowing that. Historical references or not, I feel that Dixie is the better song, head and shoulders above Driftowwd.

My esteemed colleague Brent disagrees to the extent of my issues with Driftwood, but at our listening party the other night, I commented that Driftwood was no better than Smoke Signals. I stand by that comment.

While the vocal interplay is a welcome nod to the past for Band fans, the songwriting is just not there. You can have Rick, Levon, and Richard singing their hearts out (which is nearly always the case) and Robbie shredding a solo, but if the song is weak the overall force of the whole thing is lost on me. This is where NL-SC loses it for me. Rags and Bones and some of the others are just weak songs. Robbies solos sound good on the record, but they bring to mind "Porno Robbie:" with his scarf wrapped around his neck, his 1970's porno star shades, and his clean stractocaster sound. I prefer the slightly dirtier telecaster sound of his solos of the past, and feel his tone weakened as his songwriting did.

And I know this will always be contended on this list, but Stage Fright belongs with Big Pink and the Brown album, Cahoots one step down, NL-SC another couple of steps down, and Islands sinking on the bottom. Jericho is a more enjoyable album than Islands, and I think I listen to it more than NL-SC as well. I do think Ophelia and It Makes No Difference are incredible, and Driftwood is ok, but thats where it stops for me.

Rock of Ages is one of the greatest live recordings ever, imho, and the reissue just cemented that in my head.

I did get to check out the WINGSPAN tv special, and thought it was incredibly well done. I am anxiously awaiting the limited edition CD from Amazon.com.....

As far as Music DVD's go (i think there was a recent thread of this, if not, here ya go!) Gimme Shelter Criterion, Bruce Springsteen: Blood Brothers, The Band at Jazz Fest, The Band Classic Albums, Who's Next Classic Albums, Beach Boys Endless Harmony, Neil Young Friends and Relatives are my most recent favorites. We need The Last Waltz immediately on DVD....

Well, enough for me. Stage Fright rules, NL-SC drools.

Posted on Tue May 15 17:02:30 CEST 2001 from dax30.revealed.net (208.16.227.173)

Mike

In regards to all of the posts about Cahoots...Well, it's an album that, if I were to give it a letter grade to, would get a C+. Carnival, Masterpiece and Moon Struck One are highlights for me. I know I'll probably get whipped for that one :) Also, I find DJMitch' comments on The Long and Winding Road vs. Moon Struck One interesting. To strip down TLAWR an add that production to Moon Struck One would be neat to hear. Check out Beatles Anthology Volume 3 for that. The Long And Winding Road without the strings and choir (still the same master take, just NO Spectorian production). As for NLSC, I think it's a superb album. Garth's keyboards add a new dimension to The Band. The album's credits should have Garth Hudson listed as co-writer and co-producer! I forget who posted it but in regards to Robbie's flanged, wha wha sound on Moondog...I actually like it. I think Robbie maybe wanted a different sound for the album so he tried something new. I have never thought Robbie's guiatr tones have sounded dated at all. His playing sounds like nobody else, in my opinion. I will say that Let It Be is better than Cahoots. Let It Be could have had more songs from the rooftop performance (it already has 3) and made it stronger and less Spector "wall-of-sound" production. Some tend to forget that Let It Be was recorded before Abbey Road BUT it was released afterwards. I still consider Abbey Road The Beatles swansong and perhaps their finest hour! I think every band makes an album like Cahoots...A depiction of a dark and confusing period, a transitional time...Look at Led Zeppelin's Presence, Beach Boys Love You (VERY disturbing!), The Byrds' Byrdmaniax, etc...I don't really hear a "funk" sound on NLSC as someone posted, except for on Ring Your Bell. But there's no imitation or emulation of the funk music happening at that time (Tower Of Power, Ohio Players, etc..). Though both could really groove! I also don't think comparing Dixie and Acadian Driftwood is fair. I can see why some of have done it. They are "storyteller" songs in a sense. Acadian being longer and more of a saga. I love both songs. When I first heard Dixie (it was the studio version), I immediately thought of Stephen Crane's novel " The Red Badge Of Courage" and various Civil War scenes from movies...it seems to carry a sad finality to it. The live version from TLW (best version in my opinion) really brings it homes for me...THAT would have been a way to close TLW, with Dixie instead of Don't Do It...Acadian Driftwood seems to be Robbie more in touch with his canadian roots and heritage in some ways. Neither weren't meant to be historically correct or accurate but rather to depict the struggles and take you to the heart of the matter, so to speak. Ok, I gotta run. Don't whip me for liking The Moon Struck One ok :) I'll take Islands before Cahoots anyday. At least, at this point in time I would. Peace. Mike

Posted on Tue May 15 15:37:28 CEST 2001 from gw.itac.ca (209.146.161.1)

Bill

Re: Robert E. Lee. Despite what all you people say, I'll go on hearing Levon sing "there goes THE Robert E. Lee". And I will continue to reject the Marcusian slander that Joan Baez thought she was singing about a boat. I too reach for the dial when her version comes one, but I'm happy to credit her with singing about an army or a brigade - which are often known as THE something (e.g., THE Princess Pats).

On a related point, as the many of you who have spouses know well, the fact that one spouse says to the other spouse "oh look, there's an X" doesn't mean that whatever is there is really an X or that the other spouse agrees. so don't be so quick to blame Virgil or Robbie!

In closing, I'll side with Peter on the extending-the-sound issue. A simple example: I've often heard "Happy Birthday" in french - by anglophones and by francophones. It always comes out sounding like "Bunna Fetta" rather than Bun Fet. Singing does that!

Posted on Tue May 15 15:21:48 CEST 2001 from ukscsys.soundcraft.com (195.217.233.205)

DJMitchison

Just wanted to get a few words in before the thread gets forgotten...

Cahoots vs Let It Be

Similarities:

Both often-slighted albums by bands known to be capable of greatness

Both feature a sprinkling of acknowledged classics, alongside plenty of much-dismissed “lesser” material

Both are produced unflatteringly

Both albums were immediately followed up with masterpieces (Rock Of Ages, Abbey Road), indicating that neither band had lost the plot completely

Both were recorded at times of internal conflict between band members and not aided by external problems with drugs, etc.

Both feature hugely enjoyable contributions by guest musicians (Van Morrison, Billy Preston)

On the whole, the comparison between the two albums is a pretty solid one. As to which one is the better, I reckon I’ve listened to Let It Be more often in my life, but that’s not especially a good indication of anything at all except my whims.

While neither album showcases the respective bands at their best, I would tend to disagree with Peter Viney’s assertion that they only have three good songs apiece. In both cases, what I hear when I listen to these albums are collections of “might-have-beens” – ideas that weren’t so bad in themselves, that (had they been produced at a time when the band members shared a united vision, and with appropriate production) could have been hugely enjoyable.

For example, neither “Two Of Us” nor “Thinking Out Loud” is bad at all, really. Both are utterly pleasant songs that seem to be guilty by association. “Volcano” and “I Me Mine” are perfectly serviceable B-list tunes, undermined by production values proclaiming them to be something that they are not. “Smoke Signal” and “I’ve Got A Feeling”, with just a bit more work on them, could have been great. Really, they could.

The problems with production set the albums apart, however. Let It Be is pretty uniformly regarded as overproduced, and most (except Hank) are in agreement that “The Long And Winding Road” was ruined by the bombastic orchestration. Cahoots, on the other hand, seems to suffer from the lack of someone with a vision at the mixing desk, leaving some songs (e.g. “Last Of The Blacksmiths”) sounding a bit thinly-scored, whilst Mr. Viney’s favourite whipping boy, “The Moon Struck One”, might not have been so offensive to some ears had it been treated to a Gil Evans arrangement (which would have been wonderful, snake-stings or not), rather than the fairly plodding performance the Band’s rhythm section give it.

Actually, imagine “The Long And Winding Road” and “The Moon Struck One” with arrangements / production values swapped. Interesting. Perhaps frightening. (Digression.)

I think the point I’m trying to make here is that you don’t have to have contempt for so-called lesser albums. Robbie Robertson certainly wasn’t trying to rewrite the brown album when he wrote the songs on Cahoots – he was trying something new and adventurous (a consistency in his career, if we ignore Nicky Love), and while some of the ideas didn’t work out 100%, it’s not difficult to imagine how they might have worked with, say, John Simon at the controls and a fully-committed Band. Plus a bit more polishing. And “Shoot Out In China Town” (my own least favourite Band song) scrapped. Similarly, if you insist on dismissing Let It Be for lack of great songs, you miss out on some almost-great songs, that the Beatles in, say, 1965-1966 could have turned into pure magic. (Digression: actually, I would have loved a Dylan version of “Dig A Pony”.) As Frank Zappa once said, “Let’s use our imaginations, ladies and gentlemen.”

Returning to Ben Pike’s list, there are several albums there that I would make the same arguments about. I adore Nighthawks and The Beach Boys Love You, and in the right frame of mind would make a case for Goodbye Cruel World as well. (In fact, the remastered, bonus-tracked GCW is better than the remastered, bonus-tracked Cahoots. As evidence, I put it to you that Cahoots only has one really great bonus track [“Endless Highway”], since we all had “Bessie Smith” anyway and “Don’t Do It” and “Masterpiece” don’t really add much to the previously-available versions, while the manic-depressive, acoustic stuff appended to GCW makes the perfect antidote to the album.)

What is the point of this story? I like music, and when it comes down to it, I’d rather enjoy more of it than less of it.

Posted on Tue May 15 14:44:08 CEST 2001 from (12.33.178.160)

twilight

I heard the most recent Dylan recording at the end of "The Sopranos" the other night - a beauty called "Return To Me". It sounded like a 30's tune - a sort of jazzy old-time feel. It was stunning and well placed in the show. As for Sir Paul - I'm glad somebody mentioned "Tug of War". On the heels of the death of JOL, it is quite a moving piece of work. His tribute to John was very McCartney, but it still retains a lot of power. Eric Clapton's tribute to Richard Manuel was called "Holy Mother", and it was a bit flashy - I have always wished that he would do a stripped version - or something "unplugged". It's raining, it's pouring - but we had a few great days here in Michigan.

Posted on Tue May 15 14:15:21 CEST 2001 from (205.230.10.2)

Bob R

Anyone have any info regarding the re-release of Danko/Fjeld/ anderson--I see it is getting the double CD treatment with one disc being a live show--I would love to get my hands on it--will it be strictly a Scandanavian (?) release or will it see the light of day here in the states as well ?

Posted on Tue May 15 13:36:26 CEST 2001 from du-tele3-024.mailbox.co.uk (195.82.121.24)

Peter Viney

I for one am enjoying the dissection. Some great posts overnight , especially Jamie, Pat and Ahroo on historical authenticity. Yes, I get Jamie’s point. Even when I was a kid playing with toy soldiers I got pissed off with kids who wanted to mix in plastic knights in armour with the plastic cowboys and indians, so historical authenticity is something I notice. And the reversal of the eviction and the battle on the plains of Abraham is like saying after Waterloo, Nelson went on to the Battle of Trafalgar (right time period). BTW, Shakespeare was particularly weak on Geography too. I don’t think I considered the differences between Quebec and Acadie, seeing them collectively as French-Canadian, which is what Robbie probably did. As for Rick stretching out the Acad-ee-ya, isn’t that something that happens in songs? They aren’t coming to mind, but there must be lots of examples of stretched words in English.

Posted on Tue May 15 11:59:27 CEST 2001 from i153-211.nv.iinet.net.au (203.59.153.211)

Nancy

Richards joke about "breaking even" never confused me, but to be honest I've checked the Oxford dictionary before posting, to verify my thoughts before demonstrating any stooooopid ideas on the hallowed guestbook. Oxford and I basically concur on the meaning of the phrase, but whether Richard does with his flippant comment as well remains a mystery.

Here's what Oxford says anyway:

break even emerge from a transaction etc. with neither profit nor loss.

So was he joking or not? Kinda sad if he wasn't.

Posted on Tue May 15 08:46:03 CEST 2001 from spider-tk072.proxy.aol.com (152.163.206.207)

Ben Pike

I think this endless, vulture like picking apart of the Band's songs robs them of their magic, and I think it must drive the Artists crazy. In fact, RR caputured this paradox of a sucubus like culture in his masterful "Last Of The Blacksmiths"( a song that is better than "Eve of Destruction" "Dandy" and "The Rain, The Park, and Other Things") : "Tonto, Van Gough, and Geronimo, they used up what was left." Damn stright.

Posted on Tue May 15 06:03:19 CEST 2001 from spider-wk053.proxy.aol.com (205.188.198.173)

Bayou Sam

I know this is old territory for some of you but I'm just listening to The Complete Last Waltz for the first time, and a couple of initial reactions from me are - Robbie made it look (and sound) like he saved the day more than he did (after editing)when Eric's guitar slipped. RR's actual solo at that point was kind of stumbling. Don't get me wrong - his solo proper is great........... I love that Last Waltz theme - into Evangelene, but it sounds as if they just learned the tune an hour before...... I'm going to listen to more tomorrow on the way to work.

Posted on Tue May 15 05:41:05 CEST 2001 from host-209-214-113-6.bna.bellsouth.net (209.214.113.6)

BWNWITennessee

I, too, used to dislike Cahoots, but I've recently listened to it a bit and now I actually enjoy it. I think I've discovered that the way to look at it is as being kind of an experimental, different-sounding phase for The Band, regardless of whether or not it turned out very well. A lot of the songs on it are longer, a bit disjointed and elliptical, in a good way. The album didn't turn out very well, but I think that even if everyone was in the proper frame of mind, and a lot more attention was put into the album, that with that particular batch of songs, it would still be different and sort of awkward sounding. And I don't mean the production or the instrumentation, but the actual songwriting. I think if the album had turned out well, it would have been something like Pink Floyd's Animals - different, but very interesting once you got into it. I don't think they could ever have gotten that batch of songs to sound like the Brown album, but I think they were kind of going for something different. But it is marred by crappy production and some uninspired lyrics. I think it also marks the beginning The Band's mid 70's "funk" kind of sound, which reached a culmination on Moondog Matinee and NLSC. I think Moondog is the worst offender in this regards. I think that it's mostly due to Robbie's goofy flanged, wah-wah guitar tone. It makes the music from that period sound very dated, and very **not** timeless - timely, I guess. I just finally got Planet Waves, and it's got the same kind of bad funk groove thang happenin' on it. Maybe "Twilight" is about the worst case of this disease. It just sounds so cheesy and That '70s Show that it's almost painful to listen to; it could practically be a John Holmes soundtrack.

I'm glad to hear some other people don't know quite what to think of Richard's "break even" comment, I was afraid I was the only one. Okay, technically - to break even, he's trying to sleep with as many women as have slept with him. Um... I guess it's more like the idea of playing the slots - you keep putting more and more money into it under the excuse that you're just trying to break even. But I think really it's one of those things that just sounds like it means something, but under close inspection really doesn't - kind of like most of my posts.

I think that "Dixie" simply works better as a story than AD, it has more emotion and passion in the characters to make them believable, and there are more visceral reasons for the characters - or Virgil, at least - to feel passion. AD is more just like a history lesson told as a narrative, you get no real feel for anyone in the song. It tries to make you feel some emotional connection, but doesn't really give you a whole lot of reason to. Virgil Caine was hungry and just barely alive, he works on the same land as his father before him and his brother who was shot dead at 16, that he swears by the mud(!) over. The biggest problems Nanuck is facing is that people told him, "best keep movin' on," there was a big flood, and he's got winter in his blood. His story could be as moving as Virgil's, but it sure ain't in the way AD turned out.

When I lived in Canonsburg there was a big statue of Perry Como right next to my apartment building. They even had a Perry Como Days celebration, that they finally repaved my road for. Man, senior citizens flocked to that all the way from Bridgeville to South Strabane. It was kind of like that episode of "Night Court" - I held a picture of Mel Torme out my apartment window and yelled, "Mel, Mel!" between the octagenarian hooligans' chants of "Perry, Perry."

Posted on Tue May 15 05:29:32 CEST 2001 from ch8smc.bellglobal.com (206.47.244.58)

brown eyed girl

For those of you who are interested in a history lesson on ACADIA: Region and former French colony, Eastern Canada, centred on Nova Scotia and including Prince Edward Island and mainland coast from Gulf of St.Lawrence S into Maine. First and chief town, Port Royal, was founded 1605. Attacked and taken by British 1710. In 1755 French settlers who refused to swear allegiance to Great Britain were deported. Exiles found refuge in many places.

Longfellow's "Evangeline" tells of those in St.Martinville, La., where the Cajuns-as they are popularly called-maintain a separate folk culture. In 1762 a new mass deportation was thwarted, and gradually some exiles returned. Today in Canada, Acadian (French Acadien) means a French-speaking inhabitant of Maritime Provinces.

Bronx Sam.........shhhhhhhhhh.......I know that you are really Bayou Sam :-D.......as I am posting I am listening to the remastered "Yazoo Street Scandal (Outtake) which I particularly like and the first thing that popped into my head was.......Paul McCartney in Wings singing "Maybe I'm Amazed".....what do you think?

The other song that really grabbed my attention was just the BEGINNING of the remastered "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down" (alternate mix).......but as soon as the fear inspiring acoustic guitar playing and........very brief singing or more like humming subsides.......I am so disappointed.........I thought I was going to hear a REAL alternate interpretation of this song.

Bill M: I posted a long time ago that Robbie also lived in the Annex area in Toronto........for some reason he likes to mythologize Cabbagetown....... :-D

Posted on Tue May 15 04:37:21 CEST 2001 from ip63.chicago32.il.pub-ip.psi.net (38.33.75.63)

Pat Brennan

Jamie: "If a song purported to be an epic about the American civil war, and it represented (and by its tone meant it seriously not allegorically) Washington fighting against Robert E. Lee, or Grant riding a riverboat up the Mississipi to Philadelphia, or General Sherman burning down Cleveland, it would be regarded as a flat failure as an historical epic due to its evident silliness."

"..and I served on the Danville train." At the end of the Civil War, the Confederacy was forced to concentrate most of its forces near Richmond. The last winter of the war was brutal, and there were no major cavalry raids which would have demanded troops protecting the rail lines. In fact, when the Federals would mount a cavalry raid, the Confederates would counter. They did not rely on garrison troops. In all likeliehood, few Confederates--Virgil Caine included--would have been serving on the Danville train.

"Til Stoneman's Cavalry came, and tore up the tracks again. In the winter of '65, we were hungry..." Stoneman's final raid was a small affair, but it happened in the Spring of '65, almost immediately prior then concurrent with Lee's abandonment of the Petersburg-Richmond line. If Caine was starving, he would have been in the Petersburg-Richmond defenses, where Confederates were in fact starving. If he was an unlikely member of a garrison force, we would have been living off the surrounding land and people and wouldn't have been starving. Can't have it both ways.

"By May the 10th Richmond had fell..." We've had this discussion before. While "by May the 10th" is technically correct, Richmond "had fell" on April 2. US President Andrew Johnson declared all armed resistance over on May 10, which may or may not be what RR was referencing.

"Back with my wife in Tennessee..." Uh-oh. Virgil's from Tennessee? Just a quick glance at some readily available reference works show no Tennessee troops with Lee at Petersburg. That's not to say men from Tennessee weren't there, but it's highly unlikely. Most Tennessee troops fought in the Army of Tennessee--for obvious reasons.

"...there goes Robert E. Lee..." Lee never went to Tennessee after the war. Never.

Jamie, the reason TNTDODD is so highly regarded has absolutely nothing to do with historical accuracy. It captures the emotion of a people in transition, elegantly and beautifully, and coincidentally the same way Acadian Driftwood does. In the same way you won't learn much history from the movie The Patriot, you will learn of the sacrifice people make for their principles. In the same way you will get a distorted view of the 54th Massachusetts' service in South Carolina in the movie Glory, you will learn about the struggle of free blacks and runaway slaves in their pursuit of full citizenship during the Civil War. There's a million examples of Hollywood and musicians using historic events to frame emotional truths. You won't get much history, but you will get a better illuminated truth.

I find Rick Danko's singing at the end of the song incredibly effecting, whether he gets the accent right or not.

I do appreciate your comments on the historical aspects of Acadian Driftwood. They were very illuminating.

Posted on Tue May 15 03:30:20 CEST 2001 from unionppp9.union.edu (149.106.172.10)

Danny Lopez

Wonder if anyone else has noticed static/distortion on Time to Kill from ROA? Perhaps I have a defective copy.

Here's a op-ed piece on Dylan from today's New York Times. No mention of the Band, but you might like it nonetheless:

May 14, 2001

The Sound of Protest

By MICHAEL CUNNINGHAM

Bob Dylan turns 60 this month. It's been almost 40 years since Joan Baez took him on stage with her at the Newport Folk Festival, where he appalled just about everyone with his stridently unpretty singing voice and his raucous, edgy lyrics. He was then, at least in theory, a folk singer. But Bob Dylan wasn't interested in wistful melancholy or febrile lament. He sang about poverty and desperation; he sang about love's limitations in a voice hoarse with feeling.

In the 1960's, like millions of other white, middle-class teenagers, I used to jump around in my suburban bedroom, sing-shouting the lyrics to "Positively Fourth Street" and "Subterranean Homesick Blues" to my poster-covered walls and narrow bed. Bob Dylan and I were (or so it seemed at the time) ticked off about the same things — America's vanity and hypocrisy — and in love with the same things — anarchic freedom, the strange beauty of the underlife, the whole haunted shimmer of a vast and dangerous world.

I was not a particularly bookish child. I loved Bob Dylan back when names like Flaubert, Dostoyevsky and Woolf were mere rumors to me. Hearing Bob Dylan sing "Just Like a Woman" on "Blonde on Blonde," I had my first real sense of transport at the hands of a writer. I had never before heard anything so passionate and peculiar, so utterly itself. I was knocked out not only by the lithe, effortless rhymes, but by his songs' particular combination of ardor and cruelty; by their implied conviction that the yearning for happiness is a deadly serious business, and that seeking it may not leave your life in any shape you recognize as comfortable or kind.

Every adolescent has heroes, and the people we love in our middle age are rarely the ones we loved during puberty. Bob Dylan, however, has stood up for me. When I write fiction, I hope not only to honor the depth and magic of great authors but to approximate, on paper, the jangly exaltation I felt when the needle touched the grooves of "Blonde on Blonde."

Bob Dylan's most durable gift as a writer may be his obdurate, unapologetic intensity. He has never once been even slightly ironic. He has never stood to the side of anything and commented wryly. In a world swamped by irony, he's held fast.

Bob Dylan belongs to a line that includes not only Woody Guthrie and Jack Kerouac, but Flaubert, Woolf, William Gaddis, and even Maria Callas. Like them, Bob Dylan is one of the slightly preposterous and wholly necessary figures who've risked public humiliation by making no secret of their passions; who've courted reputations as fools, romantics and hysterics; who've rambled the highways so that we in our beds could imagine them out there roaming a world so immense and mysterious that the only conceivable thing to do is try to make art of it.

They understood that their strangeness was part of their strength, and that a great artist can seldom expect to come through with his or her dignity intact. I've tried to learn what I can.

Michael Cunningham is the author of "The Hours," which won the Pulitzer Prize for fiction in 1999.

Posted on Tue May 15 03:16:09 CEST 2001 from proxy1-external.blfld1.ct.home.com (24.4.252.36)

AHROOO!!

This all gets pretty fascinating about dissecting "Acadian Driftwood" compared to that of "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down." I'm not much of a history buff, but I think I can gather a few things that might be able to play into this conversation.

Obviously it's interesting to take notice that Robbie wrote both songs. More important of all is what influenced him the most, the songs sound better in a lyrical position. He was influenced by Luis Buñuel films when he wrote "The Weight" obviously reading those little scripts while being with Ronnie had an impact on him. He was inspired by his love for the South when he wrote "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down." He had always had a love or fascination with the South as he use to pick up WLAC out of Nashville and toured down through the Mississippi River. It's really a mind boggling thing to realize that Robbie is Canadian and he wrote one of the most Americana history pieces in music history, especially at a time when other issues were being made at the time in '69. Robbie has also managed to capture the hearts and minds of various Native American artists who followed in his footsteps when he came out with "Music For The Native Americans" which was another piece that managed to capture the plight of the indian people.

Maybe "Acadian Driftwood" was inspired by the play, "Acadie! Acadie" But how much did he really put all of his heart into it. How close does he really feel to his home country to write about it in such a fashion where it will come off as another masterpiece such as "Dixie?" He left Canada when he was still a teenager but America won him over. It won all of The Band over. Robbie did try to live in Montréal but that was short lived. His whole family has remained in California since '73. Maybe had he written a song about either town he was familiar with in Canada (Toronto or Montréal) to some capacity it might have carried a little more weight to it, than writing an entire history lesson on the Acadians. I can see how some would say the ending sounds stilted. It doesn't help when the singer who is singing French lyrics, somebody who isn't of that descent or from southern Ontario, even if he is Canadian. That's what gave "Dixie" it's true power, in Levon's voice because he IS from the South and let's face it when we hear Joan Baez's version of the same song, some people would rather run and hide or change the station if at all possible.

So, even though there is a lot of Canadian ingredients placed in the song whether to make it sound like that or not whether it be fiddle playing or accordian styling to keep with the sound of something French sounding, being married to a French-Canadian, adding lyrics in French, having some idea of Canadian history, being Canadian...all of it doesn't matter if you don't have the heart for it. The reason "Dixie" sounds so much better is because all of the pieces fit and it is in a character's perspective rather than one's own. Who knows how it happens but sometimes the things that you write which are from an outsider's perspective makes you look at things differently than being an insider.

AHROOO!!

Posted on Tue May 15 00:57:14 CEST 2001 from (141.211.54.38)

jamie

Peter I don't want to overstate this, because as I've said I think that AD is a pretty song that is sufficiently well sung and musically engaging enough that I can listen through what strike me as historical clunkers and (forgive me)rather banal lyrics. Garth's accordian and Berline's fiddle are lovely.

Also I don't want to slight your article on AD, which I think is well-researched and wonderful. A paradigm of what such articles can be.

What I do want to point out is that there is a miraculous authenticity to (the album) "The Band" that is missing in AD, and that this makes much of it jarring. Many of these points are indicated in your article, but I think you underestimate how grating they can be when they ignore a schoolday catechism as they do mine. Shakespeare too had his historical inaccuracies, but he didn't have (say) Cromwell fighting in the wars of the Roses, which is what the inversion of the Plains of Abe and the deportation feels like to me.

(Or for that matter, anachronisms like sailing ships "breaking down" or "nothing to declare" (at "Douanes St.-Pierre?!)

On the subject of the accent, though, there are a couple of things to say. First, on the RR research. It is possible (though somehow I think it unlikely) that the Danko prounounciation of (say) "Akadeeeya" rather than "Akadee" is authentic eighteenth century dialect, however jarring it may sound to contemporary ears immersed in twentieth century Franco -Ontarian dialect. If that is so - - and eighteenth century Acadians sounded just like Southern Ontarian anglo têtes - carrés -- then I have been unfair to RR. (I hope it is alright to use the ethnic slur, since I am an anglo tête - carré myself.)But boy, does it sound grating and dumb.

I'll pick up a small point in your message. You ask about the authenticity of the Québecois accent. Already this is a misstep - the Acadians are really a distinct French population in Canada (however much Quebecois imperialists may want to assimilate them.)In the seventies, when AD was written, Acadian self-expression was reaching a watershed, with writers like Antonine Maillet (see "La Sagouine"). It's a distinct culture with distinct dialect and concerns. If RR had been paying attention, he would have noticed - everyone my age studying in French high schools learned all about it. But in RR's song and in his pronouncements about it, Acadia gets blended into this mish - mosh of the plains of abraham, Dominique's Québecois nationalism, snow, St. Pierre, "the underdog", fishing, etc. The closer you are to the culture, the more it seems like a pastische of old American poetry and half -remembered nationalist Québecois documentaries and songs [Mon pays, ce n'est pas un pays ---- *C'est L'hiver*! Mon jardin... *c'est la neige*!]rather than the cultural tribute is professes to be.

Now I guess at this point one could say: jeez, what a dork. Pointyhead. Who cares about this kind of detail? Well, nobody, I guess, if what is at issue is "just" a pretty song which speaks generically to a sense of homesickness or betrayal or whatnot. If it is meant to be an epic that springs from the history of a particular culture (as both RR and the song itself trumpet the song to be) then we can hope for at least a minimal attention to the geography, history, and distinguishing details of that culture.

So I return to the point I urged before: I gather that "Night...Dixie" is regarded by southerners as the genuine article, and it is robustly so in that the more immersed you are in the culture the more it resonates. This makes the song, and the whole second album, a magnificent accomplishment to my eyes. It is a testament to the honest work RR put in (and I dare say a testament to Levon's grounding authenticity as well). AD fails this test drastically. You have to know only the headlines to think this song a cultural tribute, and the more you know the less the song seems like what the song says on its face that it is.

There is more I could say on the matter of nitpicking detail, but it would be more of the same. It is a pretty song, but a clumsy effort at cultural tribute.

Of course, if there are Acadians who find AD moving in the way that Southerners find "Night..Dixie" moving, then, well, who am I to say?

Posted on Tue May 15 00:37:30 CEST 2001 from (203.103.135.138)

Michael

Hank, If my memory serves me well, and I haven't seen TLW for a long time the converstation was Rick talking about all the girls, Levon said something like 'I thought we weren't going to talk about this" and Richard made the remark about breaking even. Rgds

Posted on Tue May 15 00:25:44 CEST 2001 from spider-ti032.proxy.aol.com (152.163.194.187)

Bayou Sam

Acadian Driftwood is a really sweet sounding song that's just too damn long, IMHO.

I think maybe the secret to a true music classic is for it to not make sense. Acc. Driftwood is being dissected like a frog I remember in ninth grade, but songs like Chest Fever, and I Am Walrus are considered brilliant.

Peter Viney mentions a great McCartney sleeper of an album -Tug Of War (produced by George Martin).

Ben Pike mentions a similar Clapton album, Another Ticket.

Hey, here's something to ponder, do you think that wherever Richard is right now - he feels as if he did in fact, "brake even"?

Posted on Tue May 15 00:04:20 CEST 2001 from 2cust61.tnt1.albany2.ny.da.uu.net (63.21.17.61)

rich

bob W. I accept, but respectfully dissent from your positon that Dixie is ''pure and simple thE better song'' vis a vis aCADIAN aRIFTWOOD, ENOUGH SAID, AS REASONABL;E MINDS CAN AND INDEED DO DIFFER!!!

Posted on Mon May 14 23:47:07 CEST 2001 from gw.itac.ca (209.146.161.1)

Bill

I think it's the 'vibe' of "Acadian Driftwood" that's important - both the musical and the socio-political - and not the absolute historical accuracy. Same goes for "Dixie". Each song sounds good-to-thrilling to me, depending on my mood and how often I've heard it lately.

As to accents, I'm willing to accept that Rick Danko doesn't sound like an 18th-century Acadian. However, in the absence of a good tape recording, how could he know who to mimic? Quebec of today is not Acadia of then.

Posted on Mon May 14 23:45:34 CEST 2001 from (12.40.113.50)

bob wigo

Rich,

At no time did I state that "Dixie is far and away superior" to "Acadian Driftwood". I did say "Granted, it is widely acknowledged here that the latter ( "Dixie" ) is, pure and simple, the better of the two songs" and I stand by that statement.

I happen to hold "Acadian Driftwood" in high esteem just as you do and I think the song and the songwriter are done an injustice by being held accountable for historical innaccuracies. I will go as far as to say it is a ridiculous premise upon which to judge any art form. Is there anyone here who can vouch for the accuracy of George Washington's portrait hanging in the White House ?

Posted on Mon May 14 23:39:51 CEST 2001 from 24.68.33.158.on.wave.home.com (24.68.33.158)

John D

Lil....I wouldn't feel "funny" about the Perry Como posting. Look.....one thing I've found over the years and I understand this is a scientific fact....Uh Oh. Musical artists that are loved between the ages of 13 and 19 will be your favorites until the day you die. That was major radio research a few years ago when Al Ham started "The Music of Your Life format for those over fifty. When I went to one of his seminars he said and I quote, "If Bob Dylan and the Beatles (in our case The Band) were an important part of these years to you personally....they will remain so through life." When my mother heard that Perry Como had died, she didn't miss a beat by saying "Oh NO!" Followed by....."how old was he?" I said "88." She says.......Ahhh he had a good life." But she loved Perry and I would no more make light of her then I would a Band or 1910 Fruitgum Company Fan. Wait a minute. I might make fun of the latter......

Posted on Mon May 14 23:06:13 CEST 2001 from 2cust61.tnt1.albany2.ny.da.uu.net (63.21.17.61)

rich

I quite agree with DAVE the drummer... Acadian Driftwood is a masteriece, showcasing all members in this great ensemble. In my judgment, and notwithstanding the assertions of Bob Wigo to the contrary that Dixie is far and away superior thereto, Acadian Driftwood is one of the most underrated songs in their repertiore. It sent and continues to send the same shivers up and down my spine and tears to my eyes that it did when I first heard it when released back in the seventies!! I think The lyrics are among Robbie's best work and the delivery even greater!! You can just feel the SOUL in their voices!! Although DIXIE was great,no doubt, and a commercial success, I believe A.D.is the QUINTESSENTIAL BAND!!! Richard and Levon, and to alesser exten Rick, are incredible here...Not to mention, th master...Garth!!! I guess if Byron Berline went on tour with them, they'd have play this gem in concert. To me it simply doesn't get any better than ACADIAN DRIFTWOOD.... And when you have a group this formidable, it's tough to pick the creme de la creme!!!

Posted on Mon May 14 23:04:33 CEST 2001 from du-tele3-031.mailbox.co.uk (195.82.121.31)

Peter Viney

Jamie: you got me interested. OK, I can't judge how bad the Quebecois accents are or aren't at the end. I pointed out some historical errors, and I wondered why they'd gone to St Pierre, but the SPIRIT was there right, surely? I touched on a few Evangeline references, and others noted more if I remember well, or pointed me to them. Longfellow must be the basis, possibly filtered through this play he saw (Acadie? Acadie?). According to the new liner notes RR took trouble getting the end translated into 18th century French. Again, I've no idea. is that right or wrong?

Posted on Mon May 14 23:01:08 CEST 2001 from spider-te071.proxy.aol.com (152.163.195.206)

Ben Pike

PV: Chomsky's claim is that Russell and Eienstein had basicly identical world views, and were as brillant in their fields as anyone could be. Eienstein took a comfortable reseach job, every once in a while would come out and say something vauge but politicaly pleasing, and everyone would go crazy for him. Russell, on the other hand, fought doggedly for his beliefs, suffered all kinds of abuse for them, and is comparativly forgotten. So to me it related to what you were saying about "Street Cred." Cahoots notes: To me, " Nighthawks at The Diner" is the one disposable Waits. Zardoz(just out on DVD) does have a really great soundtrack of interesting versions of Beethoven. Watch for "Not As Good As Cahoots II". P.S., Since it might well have been held in town, or on the street, it does not seem unimportant to mention that Mr. Wallcot held the show in a tent. And sinse a person in his posistion might have had to make due with improvised materials, the fact that he ALWAYS held it in a tent( a point he would not compromise on) suggests something about his dogged nature. As well as the element of mystery and cutting edge subversivness in his presentation. Slave to the ryhme? A humble servant at best....

Posted on Mon May 14 22:48:45 CEST 2001 from slip-12-64-102-47.mis.prserv.net (12.64.102.47)

Don Pugatch

Some recommendations for anyone who has not bought the 4 remasted beauties, what ya whatin for? Border's has R of A on sale, ready $12.99, others reg. price.

For the blues fans in the house, the new John Mayall and Friends, killer, some guests on the CD, Peter Green, Johnnie Lang, Gary Moore, Steve Miller, just to name drop a few.

One last note: The group The Radiators do a killer version of Cripple Creek, matter of fact, can still be found on El Nappy, get it before you have to code the group to ZRADIATORS

Posted on Mon May 14 22:43:28 CEST 2001 from (12.40.113.50)

bob wigo

Thank you Jamie. The Canadian perspective on the song is precisely what I'm after. None of this is common knowledge here in the States. The glaring historical misrepresentations and unacceptable French we know not. I would like to hear more voices from Canada. What say you Bill Munson, John Donabie, Paul Godfrey? Will you testify??

Posted on Mon May 14 22:22:49 CEST 2001 from (141.211.54.38)

jamie

Bad proofreading - in the last paragraph of the last message the first "it" is meant to refer to "Acadian Driftwood".

Posted on Mon May 14 22:14:54 CEST 2001 from (141.211.54.38)

jamie

If a song purported to be an epic about the American civil war, and it represented (and by its tone meant it seriously not allegorically) Washington fighting against Robert E. Lee, or Grant riding a riverboat up the Mississipi to Philadelphia, or General Sherman burning down Cleveland, it would be regarded as a flat failure as an historical epic due to its evident silliness. It could still have other virtues, but nobody would treat it as an epic tale of the American South. Especially if the last four lines were sung in Southern slang, but with an accent that was so palpably off as to sound like Jean Chretien or Maurice Chevalier, to repeat the comparison of before.

To any Canadian who paid attention in grade 9 history and grade six geography the jarring notes in AD are of that magnitude. Hence some of us (ie - me) find tiresome the myth making/propaganda that billows around AD: "RR - storyteller of the shadowland - returns to his roots, a self-exiled Canadian, who "moved to the land that cries of shame - left my home and found a name" etc. etc." I hazard that a reading of Longfellow's poem "Evangeline" had more to do with RR's inspiration than any serious immersion in the history and culture that Robertson claims to be drawing from. When writing the songs for "The Band" he not only picked up the story lines - he also did his homework, and it shows. Those songs don't depend on ignorance of the purported subject - matter for their sense of authenticity. (Or so I understand.)

Bob, if you read my post about Rags and Bones again you will see that I am saying that it is a fine song *despite* what I take to be a likely confabulation by RR about the song's origins. In this case the mythmaking doesn't get in the way of a song which can be enjoyed for what it is. If RR was a pickpocket here, as I think to some extent he was, that is fine. It is a shame he apparently felt he needed to tell stories to puff it up.

But, as I said in the last message, it is a pretty song - well played and sung. But it lacks the genuineness that made the songs of "The Band" more than that. I don't see how it is possible to listen to AD without being struck by the epic quality that it seems evidently intended to bear. Unlike "Rags and Bones", this is a case where the mythmaking and overreaching do get in the way.

Posted on Mon May 14 22:03:14 CEST 2001 from du-tele3-094.mailbox.co.uk (195.82.121.94)

Peter Viney

Bought “Wingspan” this morning. Been busy all day and just opened it – an empty case! I don’t blame Paul, even peripherally, but MVC record store will feel the fire of my wrath in the morning! They don’t shrink wrap them over here. My most-Beatlesque Paul album is “Tug of War.”

Ben! Mentioning Noam Chomsky to a writer of language books is a low blow when I don’t recognize the quote, and I am suitably humbled by my ignorance. Deep structure, hmm. Bertrand Russell sent £10 to our student’s union when we were occupying the university admin building in 1968. I nearly managed to purloin the letter with the cheque, but someone beat me to it. So I guess what Chomsky was saying is that Russell, like McCartney, was a patently “good” human being. Might he have suggested on the other hand that Einstein was an innovative genius? Well, I think Paul is too. But probably not Russell.

I would have to be in a more sober frame of mind to seriously reconsider ‘Acadian Driftwood”, but as either I said, or should have said, in my article, every British schoolkid knew where the Plains of Abraham were and what Wolfe did. I would have thought that Canadian kids would have had it engraved on their foreheads in the 1950s school system, which tended to over-rate the importance of such military skirmishes in the wholeness of time. It might be obscure history in the USA, but either Robbie assumed that it wasn’t, or … more likely … the lyric was addressed north of the border. I think it is more didactic than Dixie, which is why Dixie is just a shade better.

Posted on Mon May 14 21:33:30 CEST 2001 from spider-tl013.proxy.aol.com (152.163.207.178)

Tommy again

After posting my last post, then refreshing the page, I saw Brian Sz's post (3 posts back).......Exactly, Brian! That's what I'm gettin' at.I guess we're thinking along the same lines.

Bones;I LOVE getting that "who-plays-what" info on an album (cd, whatever...).That info DEFINETLEY should've been put into ALL EIGHT Band reissues.It's mandatory, I think, with a band like THE BAND!!!

Posted on Mon May 14 21:23:47 CEST 2001 from (199.44.161.72)

Brent

Acadian Driftwood: to me, the historical/geographical inaccuracies aren't what matter. I like the song, as I stated before. I just think that saying it is equal to "Dixie", "The Weight", "King Harvest" et al is a bit much.

Amen to the Moondog comments- really enjoying that one.

Just read Peter Viney's comments on "Works"- I guess there's no new info on that one.

I was really hoping someone would want to argue NLSC over Stage Fright! It would be interesting to hear that perspective!

Posted on Mon May 14 21:19:28 CEST 2001 from spider-tl013.proxy.aol.com (152.163.207.178)

Tommy

Concerning Peter's, Steve's and Bayou Sam's posts about McCartney;You guys hit the nail on the head.Though Macca might have some clunkers on some of his albums,the good definetley outweighs the bad.It's better, I think, to judge a persons body of work like that than the outright dismissals of Ben Pike (who I'm not knockin, but just don't agree with).

Y'know, I never noticed 'Live And Let Die's grammatical error before reading about it here in the GB..?And I've been listening to that song for YEARS!Hahaha.

As far a 'Stagefright'..I just listened to that again for about the third time in the past day.A friend of mine and I discussed the Band's albums after the Brown one...the ONLY problem I have with those albums is that it seems The Band didn't work as hard getting different textures and instrument sounds.Actually, I don't think Stagefright suffers from this.Listen to the drums on 'Strawberry Wine', then listen to them on 'The Shape Im In'...you can see there was work put into getting those different drum sounds(Maybe cause those songs had different drummers...Levon and Richard).Big Pink and the brown album are FAMOUS for all the little anecdotes about what the boys did to get certian sounds and textures.Drum tunings, plucking the snaredrum springs, playing piano in the bathroom,GARTH!(haha)

.Cahoots and the following albums suffer from this lack of "tonal individuality" ,song for song.They seem to have common instrument sounds throughout the albums.The drum/guitar/piano sounds on 'Forbidden Fruit' sound pretty much the same right on up to 'Rags & Bones'.Maybe cause the recording technology got "better"?Maybe cause it wasn't as much fun anymore for the guys?Maybe cause of the time restraints ,and pressure to put out product?Maybe cause they knew they had made thier masterpieces?Maybe they got lazy?Maybe everyone was more interested in getting stoned?There could be TONS of reasons for this.

I notice sound and production alot, and tend to pick at it alot too, being a musician and having done recording.I like natural tones..live sounds, etc.So maybe I'm just nit-picking.But do you guys (and gals) know what I'm saying?Am I making sense with this little diatribe?

Posted on Mon May 14 21:13:10 CEST 2001 from (169.200.133.38)

Bones

Finally, I finished my reissue week with Moondog Matinee....what a thrill! I think this is right up there with ROA as the best of all eight reissues. Liner notes are impressive. The "Holy Cow" debate is odd to me because it has always sounded like Rick. It seems interesting to me that a big Band fan like Peter Stone Brown actually hears Richard. I'm glad Rick himself made it clear. Also, I like the fact that Bowman tries to get into the songs. I, for one, like hearing the details of who played what.

Posted on Mon May 14 21:12:07 CEST 2001 from (208.194.70.30)

Brien Sz

To me, Cahoots lacks the charm and rustic feel of the first three. Maybe it's because the boys were caught up in money and drugs and lacked focus. RR seems to be experimenting with movie like songs (maybe he was filming the images in his head instead of writing them)and trying to hard to write a hit. Also the songs in general are longer without having to be..,This comes back to the lack of focus - the other guys weren't as interested and so music took a back seat to other distractions leaving RR with less creative input from his mates than he was used to (i could be wrong -it's just how i feel by listening to the thing)

I've grown to really enjoy NLSC but mainstream instrumentation (of the time) that now sounds dated sneaks into different portions of this record. That funk 70's groove that worked on rare occassions can be heard here. It's inevitable that the world around them would crawl into their music as oppossed to the way they shut themselves from the world in the early days(late 60's) when their music was taking onits own unique shape.

Posted on Mon May 14 21:00:17 CEST 2001 from spider-mtc-te052.proxy.aol.com (64.12.103.172)

bob wigo

To each his own. Richard's first person commentary in "We Can Talk" , although cetainly noteworthy , has no relevance to Robbie's historical perspective as it pertains to "Acadian Driftwood". I don't believe Richard was speaking from the same perspective at all. It seems clear to me that was a very personal statement.

The arts present voluminous examples of history as catalyst sans "dead-on" data. It is the line between painting and photography so to speak. I have no problem with an interpretive approach to songwriting even when historical events are related. Sources exist where one can readily find the facts ( or so we are sold ) and my local music retailer has never purported to be such a resource.

I have never regarded the line "Over what went down on the Plains of Abraham" as anything more than an attempt to establish a setting. Nowhere does Robbie say or infer that the listener requires an explanation or a geography lesson. The sense of didacticism stems more from the third person approach versus Virgil's own telling of "Dixie". I would venture to suppose Robbie was not about to atempt that same approach with "Acadian Driftwood" for obvious reasons.

As for any correlation to film or novel that "Rags and Bones" may evoke, I say "and?". Art, be it music, literature, painting or dance, has always been a pickpocket's pursuit. There is no way around it.

I am most curious to hear the opinions of others of Canadian heritage. It seems an interesting point of discussion that this attempt at a "Canadian Dixie" has fallen short of at least one mark while "Dixie" itself rings truer in those same ears. Granted, it is widely acknowledged here that the latter is, pure and simple, the better of the two songs but the topic may be worthy of discussion.

Posted on Mon May 14 20:38:42 CEST 2001 from grmn-105ppp172.dialup.valstar.net (199.224.105.172)

Diamond Lil

John Cass: If I remember correctly, the song sung in Conneticut about leaving a light on (beautiful tune) was sung by a female (anyone remember who?). Perhaps you're thinking of the very touching "They can't touch you now" by Rick's friend Tom Pacheco?

Posted on Mon May 14 20:34:10 CEST 2001 from gw.itac.ca (209.146.161.1)

Bill

Jamie: Thanks for your thoughts on "Rags and Bones". It always seemed to be a tad forced to me. I seem to recall Robbie Robertson saying at the time that his grandfather came to Canada from Israel (?) and could only find work as a rag-and-bone man. Presumably that guy would be the father of Robertson's father the gangster.

By the way, my wife remembers seeing sheenies (as they were called) in the west end in the '50s, so there's no doubt that they were around in Robertson's childhood too. Nice to see him acknowledge Bathurst and Bloor, and not just Cabbagetown.

Posted on Mon May 14 20:20:51 CEST 2001 from (205.245.52.66)

carmen

I think a better comparison is to compare NLSC and Cahoots to other releases within the same year. I don't have enough knowledge to do this, however, I would be interested to see how the music history experts on this site would rank these years!

Posted on Mon May 14 20:16:51 CEST 2001 from spider-tq021.proxy.aol.com (152.163.201.51)

Dave ~ (the drummer)

I've been reading the numerous posts regarding likes and dislikes of BAND recordings. This only goes to show that everyone has different tastes in music. To each their own. Personally; I happen to love NLSC, especially "Acadian Driftwood." I'm not really concerned if the "history" included in the lyrics is painstakingly correct when I'm listening to it. I fell in love with that track the very first time I heard it back in '75. IMHO, the trading off of verses, sweet vocal harmonies and brilliant musicianship ranks this song at the very pinnacle of the BAND's achievement. The groove and feel of NLSC just seems so natural to me. Of course,,,,, that's just my humble opinion.

Posted on Mon May 14 20:11:07 CEST 2001 from spider-wa011.proxy.aol.com (205.188.192.21)

Donna

Just reflecting here on which of all The Band albums would I consider, my favorite. Being that this was too difficult to come to a decision on, I have to say that the one that rates amongst the highest would be, "Jericho." One of my favorite songs is "Blues Stay Away From Me." As I listen to the song over and over again, I cannot figure out who is singing backup vocals on it. Since Steve Jordan, is playing drums, is Rick and Randy Ciarlante, both singing harmony vocals?

Posted on Mon May 14 19:44:18 CEST 2001 from icabrowser.doc.state.vt.us (159.105.102.6)

John Cass

I was wondering about songs that were for Richard Manuel. Robbie did Fallen Angel???? Clapton didn't he do a song for Richard on one of his albums?? All creation off the Danko, Anderson, Fjeld was for Richard wasen't it???? Too Soon gone maybe? Also I was at the Danko tribute show in Newtown Conn and this guy sang a song for Danko called Leave The Light On or it had something to do with a Light I can't remember but I do remember it was a great song the guy who sang it was from Woodstock NY and was freinds with Rick maybe even had Rick on a song or two for the album he was working on before Rick died. I hope someone can help me

Music shows Documentary favorites top five 1. Mad Dogs and Englishmen Joe Cocker, 2. Last Waltz The Band,3 Search for Robert Johnson John Hammond 4. Concert for Baglidesh 5. Woodstock lost performances. Anyone else have a list of great music documentarys or videos to recommend me

Posted on Mon May 14 19:37:49 CEST 2001 from 56k-la-00-29.dial.qnet.com (209.221.212.44)

Dave the Phone Guy

Great show at Lake Tahoe this past Saturday. Sons of Champlin back together for a handful of west coast shows. This is the ultimate Rock and Soul band complete with trumpet/sax. Give "The Sons Live" (on Grateful Dead Records circa 1998) a listen if you have never heard them. Truly a great band and wonderful people also.

They were on the bill at Winterland 1969 when The Band played their first gig as The Band.

Delbert McClinton then The Sons Of Champlin. Levon Helm and The Barnburners next. Year 2001 shapin' up quite nice so far.

Posted on Mon May 14 19:12:56 CEST 2001 from (141.211.54.38)

jamie

Sorry - that last message should have been addressed to "Bob" JT

Posted on Mon May 14 19:10:58 CEST 2001 from (141.211.54.38)

Jamie

Ben, I've long been familiar with Peter's article - it is a terrific piece of writing which I admire. But I disagree with it. (Sometimes I flatter myself that it was my years - ago rant in alt.fan.the-band that got the "historical and geographical inaccuracies in A.D." topic going, but no doubt it occurred to many people independently.)

The point about historical inaccuracies in art in general seems to me spurious. Quite the opposite: A striking strength of "Dixie" is that - so I'm told - people who are immersed in Southern life and culture can think of the song as authentically arising from the time. The closer you are to the genuine article, the more "Dixie" resonates. The more you know about the maritimes and French Canada, the more that getting Rick to sing about "Acadeee - ya" sounds forced and pretentious. Also, RR seems to be writing for people who don't know what "the Plains of Abraham" are and his public pronouncements about the song reinforce this impression -- hence a heavy and didactic tone that is again absent from "The Night..."

It is a pretty tune, though, and well played and sung.

As for the "personal sojourn to the delta" -- well, many of us Canucks have made that trek, and I think that Richard's "I'd rather be burned in Canada than to freeze here in the South" (though ungrammatical) makes the point in a clean, modest way that is more to my taste. The Band/RR is at its/his best when it/he doesn't try to force a historical grandeur that is beyond its/his scope.

But just so that I'm not all negative, I'll turn to another song from NLSC that I think is a bit underrated: Rags and Bones. In the liner notes to the reissue of NLSC Bowman reports RR as saying that it arose from a combination of two things: an experience hearing a ragman when he was a kid living at the corner of Bloor and Bathhurst and knowledge that his grandfather had been a ragman/scholar. I thought that was pretty cool, since I lived at Bloor and Bathurst when I went to University all those years ago. I can imagine a ragman wandering the back alleys there before the god-awful Honest Eds neon discount store was put up.

But the story doesn't seem to fit together. As with many of RR's stories about his past, there is a false note. My conjecture is that parts of the memory are true (he did live there, perhaps he did hear a ragman, maybe his grandfather was a scholar and perhaps a ragman too...) but the similarity with the ragman/scholar on the streets of Montreal in the movie "Lies My Father Told Me" is too close to overlook, as is the similar character in Saul Bellow's Herzog (or was it Humbolt's Gift? - my memory is slipping). The book was a big deal in the early seventies, and the movie - though it is little remembered now even in Canada - was a major event in Canadian film at the same time. I expect that one or both of these had as much to do with RR's composition as his memories, and probably more.

Is that bad? Not to my thinking - the result is a nice song. It always conjures up visions in my head for me of the old grandfather-scholar-ragman in "Lies...", and they are nice visions. In this case, RR's effort to make every one of his compositions more than it is - an element of a personal mythology of RR that he is constantly weaving - doesn't interfere with the composition itself.

Ah, well, back to work.

Posted on Mon May 14 19:10:06 CEST 2001 from (209.195.208.10)

bassmanlee

Just heard the Douglas Adams news. Another great one gone. Hope he has his towel with him.

Not to delve too deeply into the Stage Fright and Cahoots vs. the first two thread (both have been near and dear to my heart since their original releases), but Stage Fright does have a different sound quality, due perhaps in part to the Todd Rudgren produciton. As much as I like some of his work, it always has a tonal quality that sort of makes certain hairs stand on end. I can't describe exactly what it is, but maybe this contributes to Laura P.'s dislike of it. NLSC and Islands both have tracks that are multi-tracked productions, and yes, do not have the live feel that many of the other tracks do. Actually the outtakes from the Brown album surprised me in that it appears most of the basic tracks for that album, and apparently most of the first 3-4 albums were done live.

Saw a great show over the weekend - David Bromberg Band. Lonesome Dave was in great form (well, musically, at least - he's still big as a moose), re-united with his old "big band", including John Firmin (sax), Peter Ecklund (cornet), and Dick Fegy (anything with strings). I couldn't help thinking how many Band fans would have loved the show, which ranged from fiddle tune medleys to funky blues to moving country-tinged ballads. While this tour was only about 6 dates total, it looked like everyone involved was having a great time, and hopefully we won't have to wait the as many years for the next one. He is also slated to play a festival or two this summer, but I believe solo or with a smaller group. Any other Bromberg fans out there in GB land?

Posted on Mon May 14 18:58:31 CEST 2001 from grmn-189ppp141.dialup.valstar.net (216.37.189.141)

Diamond Lil

I was going to do a small post about Perry Como yesterday, but I figured after the Mike Douglas fiasco, I'd better not. Seeing however, that Crabby just mentioned his death, I think I'd like to say what I was going to say before I decided not to say it. Hmmm... :-).

Perry Como was always my Mom's favorite singer. She met him a few times, and always described him as "a real soft-spoken gentleman". I remember in my youth, when music filled the house, it was usually Mr. Como (or every so often The Mills Brothers if my dad beat my mom to the stereo :-)

Anyhow.. Mr. Como's death on Saturday brought tears to my mom's eyes, and tears to mine when she called and said "Perry died". Chillingly reminiscent of the moment I shared with her in 1999, when I called her and said "Rick died"..

Thanks for listening.

Posted on Mon May 14 18:41:22 CEST 2001 from hvc-24-164-172-134.hvc.rr.com (24.164.172.134)

Dennis

SAD NEWS: heard on Vince Scelsa's Idiots Delight show (www.wfuv.org) show this past Saturday evening....the steamboat singer, John Hartford, is deathly ill and not expected to recover. His web site, www.johnhartford.com, states that due to health problems, shows have been cancelled.

Posted on Mon May 14 18:39:34 CEST 2001 from cmldme-cmt1-c4-24-25-179-110.maine.rr.com (24.25.179.110)

MattK

Douglas Adams - 1952 - 2001

RIP, so long, and thanks for all the fish... : (

Posted on Mon May 14 18:31:11 CEST 2001 from cmldme-cmt1-c4-24-25-179-110.maine.rr.com (24.25.179.110)

MattK

I basically agree with Ben Pike's assesment of albums that are not as good as Cahoots, with two vehement disagreements.

"Nighthawks at the Diner" ranks (for me) as one of the great albums of all time. Waits gets no fewer than five albums in my top 50 - Nighthawks, Small Change, Raindogs, Franks Wild Years, Heart Attack and Vine (or Blue Valentine...sigh) would all rank, for me as better than Cahoots. Nighthawks, Small Change and Rain Dogs occupy the same rarified air in my collect as Big Pink and the Brown Album.

In the US, there were THREE Peter Gabriel albums simply titled "Peter Gabriel." Alternately referred to as PG 1, 2, and 3 OR (describing the covers) "car," "scratch," "melt," a fourth "Peter Gabriel" album was released in Europe, but in the US was labeled "Security."

I have a hard time describing any of these albums as worse than Cahoots. In fact PG III and Security are groundbreaking albums that helped open a whole range of African (the continent) influences in music (along with XTC's "English Settlement" - another album better than Cahoots).

PG III, in fact, has political implications that resulted in real historical impact. Released in 1980, the album featured the song "Biko" in tribute to the slain South African dissident. The song became something of an anthem in the West for anti-apartheid activists, and is credited with brining populist attention to the travesty of minority rule in South Africa. The song also directly inspired Steve Van Zandt to write and produce the Sun City album, which helped kick the divestment movement into overdrive.

Beyond that, PG III is a brilliant album, in my estimation, and ranks (with Security) as PG's best and among my personal top 50.

Posted on Mon May 14 18:19:21 CEST 2001 from gw.itac.ca (209.146.161.1)

Bill

Ben: I'll agree that Nigel Olsen's solo LP is a stinker overall, but I won't part easily with my "Only One Woman" 45.

John D: I too think you captured Richard's thoughts correctly. How very unfortunate it is that he must have come to the conclusion that he wasn't even going to break even.

Posted on Mon May 14 18:08:55 CEST 2001 from spider-mtc-td043.proxy.aol.com (64.12.104.168)

bob wigo

Ben,

I have always enjoyed Einstein's first solo album the most. The one with the abacus on the cover.

Posted on Mon May 14 18:01:52 CEST 2001 from 2cust113.tnt30.nyc3.da.uu.net (63.42.157.241)

Crabgrass

Perry Como dead at 87. R.I.P.

Posted on Mon May 14 17:58:41 CEST 2001 from (207.251.204.133)

G-MAN

John D.,............Richard may have said that because he realized how many DON'T break even in the world of music!!!

Posted on Mon May 14 17:39:05 CEST 2001 from spider-mtc-td043.proxy.aol.com (64.12.104.168)

bob wigo

Jamie,

For a well rounded perspective on "Acadian Driftwood" go to the Library section here and read Peter Viney's thorough study of the song. A key point is made concerning historical innaccuracies in the song ( and art in general)and the atmospheric aspects are clealy supported. In addition, the correlation between the expulsion of the Acadians and their subsequent trek south and Robbie Robertson's own sojourn to the delta make the song a powerful and very personal link to the past for the songwriter.

Check out Peter's article and possibly you can view the work in a different light. If nothing else, would you agree that the instrumentation paints a beautiful image?

Posted on Mon May 14 17:28:41 CEST 2001 from spider-we073.proxy.aol.com (205.188.195.53)

Dave Z

I like your way of thinking John D... I am finding myself drawln to Moondog moreso than the other re-issues... maybe Peter was right about it being Richard's album... in the sense that there is a lot of soul in the singin and playing... by all 3 lead singers... and I think they broke even...

Posted on Mon May 14 16:59:41 CEST 2001 from (141.211.54.38)

Jamie

On acadian driftwood being overrated: I couldn't agree more. A few years ago I had a rant on the usenet Band newsgroup about this. Among the problems is its simple inauthenticity: none of the geographical or historical references make any sense (how exactly are you supposed to be heading for St. Pierre? Just what battle was it supposed to be in which the hills were smoking and ships sank?...) Unlike "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down", which *does* strike the listener as conceivably a Civil War era song, Acadian Driftwood sounds *less* genuine the more you know about the history and geography. Also, to anyone who grew up in a relatively French-speaking part of Canada (Northeastern Ontario - Val Gagne/Iroquois Falls/Cochrane)Rick singing in French at the end sounds just silly - like Jean Chretien or Maurice Chevalier singing "Dixie".

Posted on Mon May 14 16:31:32 CEST 2001 from (199.44.161.72)

Brent

Has anyone heard tapes of the aborted "Works" project? If these exist I sure wish we could have gotten them as bonus tracks instead of the relatively lame ones on NLSC and Islands- though I do like the "Twilight" better than the released version.

Anyone else think it's Robbie on drums on the demo of "Christmas"? Sure doesn't sound like Levon or Richard.

We were discussing "Acadian Driftwood" yesterday. My buddy Adam thinks it's incredibly overrated- I like it but I too think it's a bit much to say it's the equal of anything in their catalog. Likewise, Rob Bowman's statement that NLSC is their best since the second album is just plain wrong. NLSC superior to Stage Fright? I doubt even Laura P. would agree with that! :-)

Posted on Mon May 14 16:14:40 CEST 2001 from 24.68.33.158.on.wave.home.com (24.68.33.158)

John D

HANK:

I won't pretend to read Richard's mind on his line "I just want to break even"; but what it means to me, is just a very funny (Richard way of talking that is) statement. In other words...I'm not lookin' to get rich or take over the world...."I just want to break even". Come out of it with what you put in. When you gamble and bet a $100.00 over the evening and walk away with a $100.00 at the end of the night.....You've walked away even. What makes it funny is the way Richard says it and quite frankly in a world of pompous rock stars, I thought the line was very refreshing and perhaps ( and I don't know this for sure obviously) gives us a little insight into the man himself. Richard appeared in the shot to just want to get back out of life what he put into it. Just my thoughts on this subject without really knowing the reason why it was said.

Posted on Mon May 14 15:48:43 CEST 2001 from spider-wd021.proxy.aol.com (205.188.193.156)

Amy Jo & Ray

Ray & I agree with Lil. Levon's "Don't Wait" on Jubilation really moves us... It's our favorite song from that cd (still want to say Album - showing our AGE!!! at least Ray's age as he adds another year tomorrow.. ha ha )... Peace.

Posted on Mon May 14 15:19:19 CEST 2001 from host-172.subnet-79.med.umich.edu (141.214.79.172)

Steve Knowlton

Regarding *Stagefright*, I think the sense that Laura P. gets is that The Band is trying to put something over on us. The first two albums felt entirely sincere, and it was clear *a lot* of thought had been put into arrangements, melodies, and lyrics. On *Stagefright* the musicianship is of a higher caliber than ever - these guys really smoke - but the lyrics sometimes seem like afterthoughts, with pointless elements left in just to fill out meter or the story left incomplete.

Examples:

Strawberry Wine -- "I would try my finger and I would try my hand"; has anyone, ever, used the expression, "try my finger"? ("Pull my finger" being a different situation :))

W.S. Walcott Medicine Show -- "You know he always holds it in a tent" just sets up a rhyme; it doesn't contribute anything else (although the rhyme it sets up is a brilliant line: "If you're looking for the real thing, he can tell you where it went") This song in general seems a bit fakey - describing a situation rather than recreating it, ala "Across the Great Divide"

Just Another Whistle Stop -- The whole song seems to lack focus - what's going on at the whistle stop?

All la Glory -- What's going on in this song? It seems to be a lullaby addressed to a straying wife (?)

Daniel and the Sacred Harp -- Again, what's the point of this song? Is it advocating a hereditary caste system to exclude people from sacred rites? Doesn't that go against the entire democratic spirit the Band always stood for?

Time to Kill -- The lyrics of this one are fine, I just hate the guitar part. :)

So I think Laura might be on to something. Musically, it is a fine album, but it lacks that sense of completeness that some other Band albums have.

Regarding McCartney, I think the problem a lot of people have is with his inability to distinguish between good and bad ideas.

"Silly Love Songs": freakin' brilliant bass line, horn chart, etc. Asinine lyrics.

"Back to the Egg": half the album is ferocious punky rock that shows off the strengths of Wings Mark VI (?), the other half complete drivel.

"McCartney II": half bluesy, heartfelt songs that carry an emotional punch, half lame-ass electronica that seems designed as a torture device.

"Live and Let Die": completely breathtaking orchestral bombast that is undermined by "in this world in which we live in"? Didn't he take an O level in English?

It's just plain hard to sit straight through a Wings album, and before programmable CDs, one would constantly be moving a needle around to get a good feeling from Macca.

Posted on Mon May 14 15:11:26 CEST 2001 from spider-wo063.proxy.aol.com (205.188.200.48)

Ben Pike

You know Peter Viney, Noam Chomsky makes a comparison very simaliar to your Lennon/McCartney comparsion with Eienstein and Burtran Russell, but I refuse to get that highbrow this early in the moring(here.) I should also say, dispite my tough apprasial of Sir Paul's solo work(with exceptions noted), I do view him as one of great non-jerks on the planet; and the other two are a class act as well. Also, when I said "Peter Gabriel" I ment albums called "Peter Gabriel", of which I believe there are several. I like Clapton's little noticed "Another Ticket"; but I like Cahoots more. I think The Doors and David Bowie occupy simalair lowly places in our respective estimations.

Posted on Mon May 14 13:11:32 CEST 2001 from grmn-189ppp141.dialup.valstar.net (216.37.189.141)

Diamond Lil

Is anyone from the upstate area journeying down to NYC to say hey to our friend Hank? If so, please e-mail me. Thanks.

Posted on Mon May 14 12:59:55 CEST 2001 from dialup-363.cork.iol.ie (193.203.148.107)

Hank

Aw, Nancy all I'm saying is ....... "Lady Madonna".....R-E-S-P-E-C-T

While we're at it, folks.........Could anyone here explain what EXACTLY Richard means when he sez "I just want to break even!"...........like, what does he mean by that?.....it looks and sounds great at the end of that piece in TLW.....but WHY is that so funny?

Posted on Mon May 14 11:23:46 CEST 2001 from du-tele3-060.mailbox.co.uk (195.82.121.60)

Peter Viney

Ben’s list of stuff “that’s not as good as Cahoots” is a fun read, and one that could promote hours of discussion. It’s an extremely astute list and I chuckled at several of the choices. Of course there’s got to be something in there for every one to disagree with. So here goes my shot: David Bowie made at least four albums better than Cahoots, maybe more: Hunky-Dory, Ziggy Stardust, Station to Station, Low. The criteria must be how it stands up in time, and just on Friday I was in a store where they were playing ‘Sound & Vision” and “Love the Sound of Breaking Glass” and thought ‘I have to play this when I get home.’ A couple of months ago they were playing the remastered Hunky-Dory in a record store, and I bought it. Peter Gabriel made at least one, So. While I think R.E.M. may be the world’s most critically over-rated band, Automatic for The People might just edge past Cahoots. Eric Clapton’s “No Reason To Cry” has three tracks that are as good as the three really good tracks on Cahoots: Beautiful Thing, All Our Past times and Sign Language, plus Hello Old Friend. Oh, but most of these are Rick and Richard anyway. I enjoyed “461 Ocean Boulevard” more when it was released that I did Cahoots at the same time (Otherwise, I agree with Ben). I enjoyed Chicago Transit Authority and Chicago II a lot when they came out., Then Chicago III is one of the worst albums of all time and they went downhill from there. If you play early Chicago in 2001 against Cahoots in 2001, Ben is right. Chicago now sound awful. And I still like “Self Portrait” … Minstrel Boy and Mighty Quinn anyone? I think Ben is over-kind to The Doors. It should read “Any Doors album- period.” (delete “with no Jimbo”). As for “Let it Be,” it compares very closely with Cahoots. It also has just the three good songs on it. He’s right again though, because there is SOME merit to the rest of Cahoots. Not so for Let it Be.

Isn’t it strange? Lennon owned a large second apartment just for storing fur coats, made millions playing the stock market, got addicted to heroin, did nothing for five years in the seventies, stayed out of the UK partly to avoid tax, did some awful crap before that (Sometime in New York City anyone? Or Two Virgins?) but walked away with all the street-cred. McCartney lives in a modest farmhouse, sent his kids to local schools, campaigned for animals, contributed huge amounts to the Liverpool performing arts school and to other charities, happily paid his taxes at top rate (his mother was a midwife, and he always felt he had to pay for the health service and education) and got busted for grass – in very suspicious circumstances, which some have blamed directly on a John and Yoko set-up – in Japan. And McCartney gets no street cred, and because he’s in the public eye, people feel free to comment on how long he should have mourned and whatever. Well, it beats me! So, screw street-cred then.

Posted on Mon May 14 11:18:30 CEST 2001 from cf3k-3.lqy.tsnz.net (203.98.21.43)

ajr

I'd rather listen to any David Bowie album, Nighthawks at the Diner and Good bye Cruel World than Cahoots. Agree on the others (that I know) especially R.E.M. I'm trying to imagine the soundtrack to Zardoz. I haven't thought about that film for years and suddenly I realised I wanted to own the soundtrack-- only to be informed they never issued one! Life is full of cruel disappointment!!

Posted on Mon May 14 09:48:59 CEST 2001 from spider-wm023.proxy.aol.com (205.188.199.158)

Ben Pike

Sorry Jan, I thought there was some damn Band album you didn't like. Now that we have nipped that Wings nonsense in the bud, let's define our terms. Albums CAHOOTS is better than: Goat's Head Soup. Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme. Far From Home. Almost any Eric Clapton album. Nothing Like The Sun. Any Monkee's album except "Pieces, Aquirus etc." Any Mick Jagger solo album. Any Keith Richard's solo album. Any Bill Wyman or Ron Wood solo album. The Transformed Man. Nurds. Nighthawks At The Dinner. Final Exam. Under a Red Sky. Goodbye Cruel World. Any R.E.M. album. Gone Troppo. Rotogrove. Captain Fantastic and The Brown Dirt Cowboy. The Beach Boys Love You. Best of The Cowsills. Death of A Ladies Man. You're gonna get it! Talk Show. Any Mick Taylor solo album. Any Dave Mathews Band album. Any David Bowie album. Electric Mud. The Sensual World. Peter Gabriel(pick two). Chicago one to whatever they are on now plus Hot Streets. Any Ian Stewart solo album. Heavy Horses. Too Old To Rock N Roll, too Young To Die. Islands. Jim Croce's Love Songs. Walking Man. Any Leon Redbone album except "Christmas Island." German Afternoons. Bad. Many Moods of Murry Wilson. George Martin's Album. John Simon's album. That Creedence album where the other ones do songs. I'm in you. McCartney II. Milk And Honey. Self Portrait. Levon Helm(pick 2) . Nigel Olson solo album. Let It Be. Door's albums with no Jimbo. Soundtrack to "Zardoz"(faked you out, they didn't issue one.)

Posted on Mon May 14 07:51:43 CEST 2001 from spider-mtc-tg054.proxy.aol.com (64.12.102.174)

Bayou Sam

yeah it's me again - I was just checking out rocksbackpages.com , and there's a cool article on Before The Flood with some nice photos of Zimmy and The BAND. In the immortal words of Paul McCartney,"check it-check it out"

Posted on Mon May 14 07:40:59 CEST 2001 from spider-mtc-tg054.proxy.aol.com (64.12.102.174)

Bayou Sam

somebody mentioned the thought of Rick or Richard singing My Love. That would have been interesting - and on the other side, I remember awhile back we were suggesting Band songs that would be great to hear others cover. The one I liked was Sir Paul doing "It Makes No Difference".

Posted on Mon May 14 07:35:20 CEST 2001 from spider-mtc-tg054.proxy.aol.com (64.12.102.174)

Bayou Sam

BWNWITenn = how's it going man? - Paul mourned ALOT longer than three months. But that's not something for us to judge anyway.

Ben Pike = YIKES - you picked one or two McCartney duds. I can name ten great songs by Paul for every so-so one you pick. Do you love EVERY song by The Band?. Hey, before you condem the whole Speed of Sound album, give Beware My Love another try.CRANK IT!

Posted on Mon May 14 07:18:38 CEST 2001 from pm3-pt29.pcnet.net (206.105.29.103)

Laura P.

Chastened? No, really, not in the least, Rod. I don't think of my disliking Stage Fright as a matter of right or wrong... and I certainly don't except or want others to agree with me about it, or anything. It's more of an emotional reaction than a quality judgement one. I'm happy that others like it, and I wish I did too, but I just can't.

And, honestly, I don't feel too bad about it... there are plenty of other Band recordings that I adore, and I get to enjoy a lot of the Stage Fright songs in their live incarnations. The Last Waltz version of "The Shape I'm In" (along with quite a few other recordings of that song) and the version of "The Rumor" that's on RoA and Academy of Music are probably in my list of top ten favourite Band songs. The Last Waltz version of "Stage Fright" is also utterly fantastic. BTW, Ben Pike, your posts were hilarious! I loved them.

I listened to NLSC a few more times, last night. The album version of "It Makes No Difference" is quite good, although I still think the Last Waltz version is superior. One marvellous thing about the album version, though, is that you can hear Richard's crying cat backup vocals on the refrain, which you can't in the LW mix. (They are wonderfully audible on the *Complete* Last Waltz mix, though... and are absolutely heart-rending.)

The album version of "Ophelia" isn't bad, either, but I like that better live also. I do like "Acadian Driftwood," and "Jupiter Hollow" is weirdly addictive. (None of these were new to me... I'd heard all but four songs on the album in one way or another.) I also like the minimalist outtake of "Twilight" (a lot more than I like the regular version of "Twilight"). I'm not too crazy about any of the songs that are new to me, yet. "Forbidden Fruit" gives me a sort of... sick/unclean feeling. "Hobo Jungle," as I said, reminds me of "The Moon Struck One"... I find it hard to get beyond the uninspiring lyrics. I don't like "Rags and Bones" much either. "Ring Your Bell" is fairly enjoyable, though, and I may be getting fonder of it. It *is* nestled in the middle of a pretty nice run of songs.

I guess much the reason I find NLSC a lot less enjoyable than The Band's earlier great albums is that, for many of the songs, I'd vastly prefer to listen to a more "real" feeling live version, so I just have much less reason to actually listen to the album itself. (Of course, the same thing goes for Stage Fright, in spades.) That's not the case with the basement tapes tunes, Big Pink, or the Brown album. For those earlier recordings, I find the album versions utterly perfect (although in most cases there are brilliant live versions that I also love).

Well, enough mindless rambling from me for tonight.

Posted on Mon May 14 06:37:41 CEST 2001 from recycled-02.iinet.net.au (203.59.24.133)

Nancy

Before I start I would like to point out that this really is me here, not Bob Wigo or Hank or Sam or Crabby posing to be me. I know I'm not Crabgrass because he is too nice these days :)

Hank: since you insisted on getting a response from a female GB'er, here's mine. While I applaud your sentiments about respect for women, don't you think you are doing MEN an injustice by saying that Most of them do not respect their womenfolk?

BWNWINTennessee: Awwwwwwww, you are SO romantic!!!!

Posted on Mon May 14 05:34:23 CEST 2001 from dialup-299.cork.iol.ie (193.203.148.43)

HANK

Just watched "Wingspan".......I STILL think "My Love" is a song Rick or Richard coulda sang really well........Denny Seiwells drumming is VERY LEVON on that and other early Wings stuff.....I admire Paul McCartney alot, folks, but as ever...you always get the feeling that Paul is not telling us everything......same as The Beatles Anthology.....but y'know....the documentary showed how much he and Linda were devoted to one another and it's probably Pauls way of protecting his family...which is understandable and right...... It's a case of trust the art, not the artist with Paul McCartney....not according to Ben Pike, 'tho!.......

BWNWinTenn ...for what it's worth, I think it's great he's found someone else as a companion.....if he went around screwing every woman in sight (Ha!..like he used to!) THEN you could say "what a cad!".....but he found a woman who has prosthetic legs and does'nt care what anyone thinks of that or their being together.......fair play, I say......fair play.......most women don't get that kinda respect from their menfolk....ain't that right, sisters?.....I said AIN'T THAT The Truth, GALS?!!!!!!

Posted on Mon May 14 05:31:35 CEST 2001 from spider-tk072.proxy.aol.com (152.163.206.207)

Amanda

I have had a great Mother's Day. I have been listening to the reissued Rock of Ages all day. I have been dancing and having a good ole time. I have had a couple of margaritas and a few beers...mind you...I hardly ever drink. I just put in The Basement Tapes...actually about 30 minutes ago. I don't think there is anything more beautiful to me than those lovely songs. How divine it must have been to see The Band LIVE...I would love to hear some stories. Levon's voice just sends me right over the rainbow. Levon..you are so gorgeous...I hope you are happy and having the BEST time. Sweet dreams everyone!!

Posted on Mon May 14 03:58:19 CEST 2001 from akcf3.xtra.co.nz (203.96.111.201)

Rod

I still rate Stage Fright as one of the best Band albums - along with the Brown album and Moondog. What prevented from being a classic is that a) it needed another song or two (Bessie Smith and or Katies Been Gone would have done nicely) and b) it was more conventional an album than the Brown album or BP.BP is probably regarded as a classic because it was so different to anything else being released at the time. However had it been released in 1971 it may have been regarded in a lesser light - a great abum but not a classic.

I hope you don't feel too chastened Laura. I feel the same way about Jubilation.

Posted on Mon May 14 02:52:53 CEST 2001 from spider-ta021.proxy.aol.com (152.163.205.51)

javalina

No disrespect intended, but I don't think that a good person like Ed Blazor should be punished and not let on the site because there are few knucklehead's who can't control themselves. I don't know Ed personally, but I do know that I've seen his post's from time to time and he is a true fan of the Band. If Mr. Jan can come up with another solution to this problem, I'm sure Ed would be grateful, and a true fan can remain a family member. We need all the positive folks we can get. thank you javalina

Posted on Mon May 14 02:10:30 CEST 2001 from spider-wb081.proxy.aol.com (205.188.192.186)

Tommy

When I saw The Crowmatix (with Garth), they did a really good version of 'Don't Wait'.I don't know if they do it on any of their albums ,though.That's one of the best songs from Jubilation, which I think, has the most number of high quality songs on all the post-Robbie Band albums.

Jericho's first half is really good, but the other half leaves something to be desired as far as song quality (for me).

I haven't listened to High On The Hog enough to judge properly.

Posted on Mon May 14 01:59:27 CEST 2001 from svcr-adsl-216-37-220-133.epix.net (216.37.220.133)

Kevin Gilbertson

Lil: I agree, while Rick's live version is not bad, especially with only guitar and piano, Levon's version from Jubiliation is very hard to beat.

Happy Mothers Day to all the Mom's out there.

Posted on Sun May 13 23:46:47 CEST 2001 from spider-wb014.proxy.aol.com (205.188.192.154)

Tommy

Re;Ben Pike's question addressing how bad Wings/McCartney is,"Do we all need to belabor this?"...

I guess not ,Ben.If you don't like it, I guess we all shouldn't.What WAS I thinking???

Posted on Sun May 13 23:34:13 CEST 2001 from cf3k-3.lqy.tsnz.net (203.98.21.43)

ajr

I'd imagine if someones ISP is blocked they probably can't view the GB at all. Its not just that they are unable to post. But I dunno.

Count me among the bad people who "underrate" Cahoots. I give it shelf space in my house for the sake of When I paint my Masterpiece. For the rest…Life is a Carnival is ok but I prefer the Last Waltz version. Shoot out in China town is fun in a novelty number way. I like the trippy feel of the Moon Struck One but the lyrics ruin it for me. 4% Pantomine is ok but feels too much like an effort to recapture the magic of the Basement tapes. As for the rest…I feel like Garth did the best he could but the material he had to work with just wasn't that strong.

Good for you if you hear something in it that I can't. I have tried to like it but every time I give it another chance I end up skipping most of it. I'm sorry if this means I have to go to "unbeliever not a true fan" hell with the other blasphemers. Hopefully we will be allowed to keep one copy of Stage Fright. I don't mind if Ben Pike and the other believers keep all the copies of Cahoots!!!

What a low blow Tennessee. I'll check back later today to see if you have been appropriately scolded & if not I'll give it my best shot!!

Posted on Sun May 13 22:59:58 CEST 2001 from host-209-214-118-125.bna.bellsouth.net (209.214.118.125)

BWNWITennessee

I'm sure I'll get yelled at a lot for this, but -

Re. McCartney's deep love for his wife of 30(?)-some years, it took him exactly how long to stop mourning and find a new girlfriend? Three months? Maybe there's more to it that I don't know, not being a Beatles fan, but it did strike me as a bit surprising when I heard he was so quickly dating what's-her-name.

Flame away!

Posted on Sun May 13 22:56:13 CEST 2001 from spider-wb042.proxy.aol.com (205.188.192.167)

Stephen Novik

Just heard the bonus tracks off "Moondog" and well, I'm always impressed to hear *new* stuff from the Best Band Ever!

Posted on Sun May 13 22:54:54 CEST 2001 from 24.68.33.158.on.wave.home.com (24.68.33.158)

John D

I was just re-watching for the umpteenth time the short video of Levon playing "Short Fat Fanny from the Drumming Video." I love the way he plays and sings that song. Damn! It's cool! Watching Lee's drive and watching Rick smiling wide is really a breath of fresh air. I wish Levon had released Short Fat Fanny on one of his solo albums. You never know....when Levon sings again he just may do it with the Barnburners and I know he will sing again!

Posted on Sun May 13 22:37:07 CEST 2001 from spider-wn074.proxy.aol.com (205.188.197.184)

Butch

Last night, in NYC,,,, Levon & The Barn Burners took Chicago Blues by storm,,,,,,,,,,,,

with many Guest Bookers, old friends/fans & a buncha new ones,,, ( Hey Skellbag Tommy,,, )Levon, the fellas & Amy went through two hot sets of the BLUES,,,,our pal, Jimmy Vivino, of The Conan O'Brien show, sat in & scorched everything in his path,,,,,,,,,,,

Jimmy was celebrating the birth of his FIRST child , a son, Marcello Gino Vivino, & we were happy to have him,,,,,,,,

He gave the Barn Burners their name originally,, & he loves to play with Pat O'shea,,, Rhythm, slide, or lead,,, he's a bluesman,,,,,,,,,

Levon was in fine form,, ( put his foot right through the kick drum, LOL,,,,& chris was wailin on both the harp & his vocals,,,,,Amy & Jimmy V, duetted on SHAKE-A-HAND,,,,with chris adding a third harmony part,, the old man was beaming at "the kids",,,,we had a fun time, in the old town,, & a packed house & a standing ovation or two, did nothing to dampen anyone's spirits,,,,

so THANKS to all who made it,, & those that didnt,,, we're on our out to you,,,,,soon,,,,,,,,,,Be Readyyyyyyyy

butch

Posted on Sun May 13 22:16:39 CEST 2001 from atmax-8-5.enter.net (207.16.154.107)

Little Brøther

I go to the rental office on Saturday, see? Then I find that my package isn't the Band reissues, but something from LL Bean. Then I leave, disappointed, toss my package in my unit and head off to do some mundane errands. THEN I come back to find a NEW delivery slip in my mailbox, from the RELIEF mailman, scribbled up with some confusing directions about where my package is and what to do about it.

Karen, my regular mailperson, is totally hip to the apartment scene and would've just re-delivered it to the office on Monday.

So now I'm playing Reissue Tag with the USPS, God help me. Wish me luck, all you softies.

Meanwhile, I had a bright idea that MIGHT be helpful to folks like Ed Blayzor, or any other innocent bystander inadvertently excommunicated from the GB because of the misbehavior of others. If the I.B. wishes to post, they could e-mail their posting to a friendly GB-buddy who could post it on their behalf!

It's not that difficult a chore, just a bit of copy & paste, and I don't see that it would in any way circumvent Jan's intent to preserve a decent, civilized Guestbook as far as possible. I suggest that the "buddy" doing the posting enter the info (name, etc.) of the person, then add a simple line like, "Posted by brown eyed girl for Ed Blayzor". (BEG, your comments in defense of Ed gave me the idea of taking it another step.)

It would save the unintentionally excluded persons from having to switch ISPs just to be able to post here.

Again, I'm proposing only a "buddy system", in which GB members in good standing can cooperate to preserve access. Am I being naive? Just a thought.

Posted on Sun May 13 21:30:31 CEST 2001 from ts1-11.steveston.axion.net (207.34.146.11)

Cupid

Almost forgot: was channel surfing late last night and what should my red eyes spy on TV5 [the French channel up here] but a recap of the Eurovision song contest. I was just in time to see the Estonian entry...The Horror, The Horror. Peter Viney, now I understand why you said you can't watch this stuff for long....Peace Cupid

Posted on Sun May 13 21:17:13 CEST 2001 from spider-tf062.proxy.aol.com (152.163.197.202)

Ben Pike

In this ever forgiving guestbook, in which we post in, I'm afraid you have forced the issue, I must open the door and Let'em in, Grade Z wings music: Theme to "Spys Like Us." Speed Of Sound(with all time abomination "Silly Love Songs" which deserves every bit of derision that has been dumped on it and more. London Town. The now forgotten but allmost as bad "My Love" from the now forgotten but allmost as bad "Red Rose Speedway." Bad historical song about Picasso. Simply having a wonderful Christmas time which is bad but I listen to anyway because it's Christmas. The whole "Wildlife" album. Teddy Boy, which I assume the other lads drew the line on so it ruins the first otherwise rather likeable album. Comming Up, which every time I hear I think it's my lunch that is comming up. Look, do we need to belabor this? All post Beatles music, sic, is pretty bad. Call it a classic case of having nothing to prove.

Posted on Sun May 13 21:11:49 CEST 2001 from spider-wb084.proxy.aol.com (205.188.192.189)

Rick S.

Happy Mother's Day to all moms, especially my wife Pat. She's taught me a lot about class and grace under fire. She's under the weather today, but the big picture is very good. Thanks to our moms for their support. Thanks to the Band family GB'ers (what a great bunch) for those who've expressed good wishes and prayers. Special thanks to Randy Ciarlante for being positive and encouraging.

Posted on Sun May 13 20:54:24 CEST 2001 from ts1-11.steveston.axion.net (207.34.146.11)

Cupid

My thanx to those who support Fast Eddie,

John D: An excellent idea I'll pass it along. I'm not sure it will work but it's worth a shot. I agree with you that Jan did what had to be done.

Brown Eyed Girl, I love your mind :^)

Happy Mothers Day to all the GB Mom's and Mom's to be too [You had that bundle yet dylangirl ?]...peace Cupid

Posted on Sun May 13 20:21:46 CEST 2001 from 24.68.33.158.on.wave.home.com (24.68.33.158)

John D

Couldn't Mr. Blazor open a Yahoo or Hotmail account and come in that way; or does it still show up as WebTV? One way or the other I applaud Jan for his decision. Something had to be done...........or as it has been pointed out we just ignore those we don't care for, instead of getting into a dialogue with them. We all know that if someone attacks you verbally and you don't answer....they will tire very quickly.

Posted on Sun May 13 19:27:43 CEST 2001 from spider-ti083.proxy.aol.com (152.163.194.213)

Bayou Sam

Put me down as someone who does NOT think eb and Bill w. are one in the same. In fact, I think BW is probably reveling in the fact that he ruined at least one persons good time. Perhaps, after awhile, Jan could lift the block on webtv and if the "king mixer" comes back we ignore him completely. Yeah, I know that I'm not the best ignorer but I'll try. We're behind you eb.

Hank = I kind of know what you're saying about Paul trying to be cool. He was the most conscious about public image and always smiling for the camera. I think he got it from Brian Epstein. BUT - he was right not to go with Klein (Ron De-Klein in the Rutles). The other Beatles even admitted later that Klein was not the right guy. Klein even got in trouble for selling promo copies of Stones albums. He was a shady character. You also hit on a subject that I love to defend Paul on. At the time of Let It Be, he was NOT this big ego maniac that he's made out to be. The fact is that he was the only Beatle that was interested in keeping the band going. If there was one person on the whole planet that could have taken the reins with Paul - it was John, and he just didn't care to. There's a great scene in the Let It Be movie where Paul is rambling on to JL about what the band could do next to connect with the fans, and John is so not interested in what Paul is saying that it's almost comical. I don't think Macca HAD to be in charge, but you know what?, he certainly had/has the qualifications to be in charge..........One more thing Hank - when are your gigs in NYC? I think we have the makings of a gathering of GB folks happening.

Hey, I enjoyed chatting with some of you folks in the chatroom last night - it's been awhile.

Posted on Sun May 13 19:23:46 CEST 2001 from pool-63.49.29.69.mmph.grid.net (63.49.29.69)

Dexy

I'm an old fan, and STAGEFRIGHT has always been my personal favorite, all things considered. JERICHO is in many ways right up there for me too. As for Mr. McCartney vs. the other solo Beatles efforts, I love them all, certainly respect Paul's virtuosity on various instruments (including the voice), but The Beatle with the hightest level of consistency in solo is our own George H. While not nearly as prolific, his stuff just holds up the best. So there.

Posted on Sun May 13 19:22:50 CEST 2001 from (129.237.24.77)

RPence

Unless I've missed something, I'm surprised that no Guestbookers have commented on the priceless archival photo of The Band on the back of the Islands reissue booklet. It would have been a better cover photo than what the original album had on the back or front, and it also looks like Robbie has half the watermelon to himself while "the guys" get to divide up the other half...or maybe that's an optical illusion. But Levon looks even unhappier than he did in parts of TLW, and how about Garth, rising above the rest?

Posted on Sun May 13 18:21:28 CEST 2001 from spider-tk023.proxy.aol.com (152.163.206.183)

Donna

My heart is full this morning, and I felt the need to share this story with my Band friends here. I woke up this morning to a tray of muddy coffee, burnt toast, and runny half cooked eggs! With three smiling faces, wishing me a Happy Mother's Day. May They Stay Forever Young!

Wishing all the mom's here a Very Happy Mother's Day! To all of those that this does not apply, Have A Great Day! This also includes, "the very nice and pleasant one." Hehee...

Eb Blayzor: We miss you and we are all hoping that you find your way back in here soon!

Posted on Sun May 13 16:59:00 CEST 2001 from ch8smc.bellglobal.com (206.47.244.58)

brown eyed girl

I just wanted to reiterate that Eddie Blayzor is not Bill W as well.........Eddie and I are reggae buddies and we have chatted many times and I have sent him Dylan and Emmylou Harris tapes....oops.....I still have to burn for him a reggae mix......which also reminds me.........he still has to burn for me Hiatt and Prine CDS.......Anyway, Bill W has always sent me cordial email concerning my posts about The Stones or Lou but I know he is a different person from Eddie....so those of you who think they are the same person you made a mistake so please correct it!......I guess Jean Paul Sartre was right.......sometimes......."Hell is other people"!

Norbert: Your ma can borrow my Dylan shades anytime......they're knock offs anyway........

Posted on Sun May 13 16:41:03 CEST 2001 from dialup-367.cork.iol.ie (193.203.148.111)

Hank

Paul McCartney?....Eurovision?.....Wha?........

My wife taped "Wingspan" last night as I was out playing a gig......she said it was a wonderful show which highlighted the love between Paul and Linda.......although I DID sing "Every Night" at the gig I did last night...........I've got a friend who sez it shoulda been called "WingNUT".....it's funny, in the new "Mojo", Ozzy Osbourne speaks of how "She Loves You" changed his life in 1963 and that he STILL has "What if" Beatle fantasies.........that's comforting, 'cos so do I and probably millions more do as well......I have all kindsa feeling about Paul McCartney.....in short, I think he's a genius but that he tries TOO hard to be cool........John, George and Ringo are effortlessly cool in almost everything they do...not that it's always GREAT, but they're cool if you know what I mean in that "Hey Jude " sorta way.

I think Paul DID make his world a little colder in '69-'70.....a BIG mistake not to go along with Allen Klein.......THAT'S what broke his beloved Beatles up....Y'see, Paul was BOSS Beatle....but he was'nt Beatle LEADER....that was John........no matter how screwed up John may have gotten with Yoko or drugs or religion or TV.....he was ALWAYS the Leader of The Beatles.........Paul obviously needed to be leader and so he got Wings together........I'm looking forward to watching "Wingspan" tonight

I guess you could say the same about Levon and RR......Levon was The Leader of The Hawks/Band but RR was the Boss.....when they clashed around the time of TLW...it was all over......

Just in case anyone wants clarification about The Boss/Leader thing....a LEADER takes you where you're going ...a BOSS tells you what to do when you get there......maybe McCartney took Dylans thing of "don't follow leaders" to heart.............

Thank You PETER VINEY for mentioning my name in the same sentence as the Eurovision!........I did'nt watch it last night but I was'nt surprised that Ireland did so badly........I saw the winning entry on a news programme at 4AM after watching "O Brother, Where art Thou?" on video at a friends place post-gig.....(What a show that is!!!!).....anyway, The Eurovision is always a worth a look because it can lead to a mild form of international subversion.....witness ABBA, Riverdance, The Hothouse Flowers and Cliff Richards "Congratulations" coming second .........Hey Peter!....do you remember The Shadows entry for The UK in 1975? ....."Let Me Be The One Who's Loving You Tonight"...... The Most Band-like entry ever, I'd say......yeah?

Posted on Sun May 13 15:31:10 CEST 2001 from zorg36.revealed.net (208.243.237.36)

Mike

To Pat Brennan... What I meant by Watkins Glen was a debate over the legitimacy of things. That's all. But the Watkins Glen release has been established for quite some time now. Ya know, I love coming in here and posting. I don't get to it as often as I like but when I do, I enjoy it. It's the only place I know of where I can discuss The Band with other fans. And a few people here have been kind enough to want to trade Band music with me. And to them I am grateful :) Everyone else I know who has heard them thinks their music is weird, even those who are Band/Byrds fans think so. Oh well...I still love them. If I need a jumpstart by The Band I either put on Rock Of Ages (my first Band album) or play the studio version 'The Weight' about 20 times. Gotta run. Happy Mothers Day to those of you in here to whom it applies :) And to the rest of ya, enjoy the day. Peace. Mike

Posted on Sun May 13 14:04:26 CEST 2001 from spider-mtc-tg024.proxy.aol.com (64.12.102.159)

bob wigo

I have been blessed over the years to be able to attend far more than my fair share of shows. That having been said, I would rank Paul McCartney's presentations at or very near the top of the list.

I know the material is not everyone's cup of tea but his musical abilities are positively awe inspiring. It is also fair to say he is someone who has held up his end of the deal with his own family while treating his fans with great respect. I'm on record as a McCartney fan. A marvelous musician and , it certainly seems, a pretty solid citizen.

God willing, he'll roll back through Philly sometime soon. I'll be there.

Happy Mother's Day to all the wonderful ladies here. Bless you all.

Posted on Sun May 13 13:44:05 CEST 2001 from grmn-105ppp182.dialup.valstar.net (199.224.105.182)

Diamond Lil

Kevin: Thanks so much for pointing us towards Rick and Aaron doing "Don't Wait". I've played it several times now.. and I love it.. although in my opinion, Levon's version on 'Jubilation' is still the one that touches me most.

I'd also like to echo Cupid's post by saying that Ed Blayzor and the now defunct Bill W are _not_ the same person..and I hope "eb" finds his way back here soon.

Happy Mother's Day to all the other mothers out there. I have to go to work, so someone relax for me, ok?

Have a good day everyone. Hug Jan.

Posted on Sun May 13 11:39:54 CEST 2001 from (61.12.197.6)

Erin

I've only just got around to seeing the clip from Rick Danko's Electric Bass Techniques on the video files page (so forgive me for being a little behind everyone else.) I couldn't believe the way Rick sings 'Just Your Fool'. It was so beautiful.

Posted on Sun May 13 11:28:03 CEST 2001 from schltns.demon.nl (212.238.41.164)

Ragtime p.s.

Mmmm. Just browsed through the guestbook entries from the first weeks of May and couldn't believe my eyes: the Holy Cow discussion popped up once again, hey hey hey...

Holy Cow, watcha doing to me... Well, its a better topic than that other never ending story (the "feud") anyway :-)

Posted on Sun May 13 09:45:40 CEST 2001 from schltns.demon.nl (212.238.41.164)

Ragtime

Ilkka's dog, beloved quadruped: I deliberately missed (as always) the Eurovision song contest, but I'd like to hear your barking comments on it.

Norbert: I'm wearing Dylan sunglasses as we speak, but your mom can come and pick them up right now, since mrs. Ragtime doesn't like them.

Playing the RoA-plus version of Rockin' Chair all the time, great great performance of my favourite song.

Posted on Sun May 13 09:10:05 CEST 2001 from spider-mtc-ti022.proxy.aol.com (64.12.101.157)

Tommy

First off;Ben Pike..."Wings blew",huh?...I guess I have bad taste in music.What can I say...?

LEVON AND THE BARNBURNERS!!Fantastic show, as usual!!!a special added suprise bonus was the addition of Jimmy Vivino on guitar.He's great!Man, Levon looks like hes having more fun than anyone else in the place!!!He was POUNDING away on those drums, and I had a good view from about 6 feet away.He even broke his bass drum skin!!!GREAT!They turned it BACKWARDS so Levon could finish.He is a master, and the rest of the Barnburners are just superb.I am a lucky man to have seen them so many times...and I'll see them again,that's for sure.They always put on a top notch live show.I always come home TIRED from their shows cause I can't stop my foot from stomping along!People, if they come to your town ,GO SEE THEM!!!!!You WILL NOT be disapointed.

Butch;Thanks for taking that picture for me.Maybe that'll be one for my wall.Hope to talk to you again at more shows soon.

Posted on Sun May 13 08:35:12 CEST 2001 from ts1-5.steveston.axion.net (207.34.146.5)

Cupid

Sigh...Sorry about this friends. The other night Ed Blayzor put up post in here regarding the whole Bill W thing, asking Bill to behave so that Ed and other webtv users wouldn't get blocked from posting in the GB. His post went up right after one of mine which was also addressed to Bill.Since then he has been receiving threatening e-mails from some GB regulars accuseing him of being Bill W. using yet another name.Well I'm here to tell you HE'S NOT BILL SO STOP WITH THE THREATS!!! God can we put this behind us people? Eddie is a great guy and does not deserve this kind of crap Unfortunatly he can't address this himself as he's unable to post now. He just wanted to voice his frustration with Bill and now he's got clowns threatening his family.So in closing Ed is not Bill in fact he's pissed at Bill becouse he can't post anymore or join me and the rest of the heathens in the chatroom...he did want to thank those of you who sent letters of support, they are appreciated....Now those of you [and you know who you are] who sent Eddie nasty notes do the right thing and apologize...Peace Cupid

P.S. I know some may be wondering, no it wasn't just Bill being an E-dink and sending notes to Ed it was somebody else...actually a few somebodies.

Really enjoying the reissue posts and I'm looking forward to getting them myself...peace

Posted on Sun May 13 08:02:17 CEST 2001 from shiva-56.ppp-63.wi.net (207.67.70.244)

whitedove

A friend from work lent me your CD since he knows that I listen to Native American Music. I enjoy it very much and will purchase a copy for myself. The Underworld Of Redboy is excellent! I too an Mohawk, thank you. Would be interrested in any other releases.

Posted on Sun May 13 07:04:19 CEST 2001 from ip235.chicago37.il.pub-ip.psi.net (38.33.45.235)

Pat Brennan

Mike, what exactly is a "Watkins Glen" thing?

Posted on Sun May 13 06:50:43 CEST 2001 from jed47.revealed.net (208.23.178.142)

Mike

Hello again :) I hope I don't cause confusion or anger in regards to my post about "Twilight" As a fanatic, it's just something I noticed. I could be wrong. I'd like to have feedback on this. I just hope it doesn't swell into a "Watkins Glen" thing. Ya know, I still LOVE Twilight. But, it's nice to have all of their 70's albums remastered and expanded. I'm buzzing with excitement from a Sting concert tonight so I'll go lay down and go to sleep. Damn, I need to relax :) Peace Mike

Posted on Sun May 13 05:40:02 CEST 2001 from spider-wm073.proxy.aol.com (205.188.199.183)

Bayou Sam

"Thinking Out Loud" is one of my favorite Band songs - so there

John Lennon once said that he had to give Paul credit. After the Beatles split, Paul started from scrach and put a band together, and traveled around in a van playing gigs at colleges and splitting up the money in the van. He built a pretty impressive band out of that initial project. I could never understand the bad rap that some folks put on Paul. I beleive he's one of the most all around talented musicians in music. The whole "sappy/soft" image that people hang on him is so off base. The range that Macca has had in his songwriting and singing may be unmatched by ANYONE. I haven't even mentuioned his bass playing which is fantastic. Unfortunately, I'm convinced that Paul will get more of a fair shake by most people after he's gone. Lennon has been put on such a pedistal (which he probably would have hated) since his death, that Paul seems to be partly in the shadow of. Paul's a classy guy, a great musician, and has great family values - what's not to like about him?

Posted on Sun May 13 05:20:51 CEST 2001 from proxy.lfpress.com (204.101.153.10)

Mike Nomad

Say, Paul Godfrey, do you have any poop on that show up there in--what do you call it, Canada?

Posted on Sun May 13 02:23:26 CEST 2001 from ip132.chicago37.il.pub-ip.psi.net (38.33.45.132)

Pat Brennan

Ben, actually I like Cahoots alot. I thought you were referring to that.

Posted on Sun May 13 02:08:14 CEST 2001 from spider-ta023.proxy.aol.com (152.163.205.53)

Ben Pike

Sorry Pat, somebody around here dismisses Moondog, and for that matter, why don't you give "Thinking Out Loud" one more chance, great tune.... As for Wings, they blew, but I do find "Back To The Egg" somewhat abused.

Posted on Sun May 13 02:04:55 CEST 2001 from svcr-adsl-216-37-220-133.epix.net (216.37.220.133)

Kevin Gilbertson

Check out Rick's live version of Don't Wait in the audio files.

Of all the Band albums, Jubilation will have the least amount of live versions of the songs. Shame, I would have loved to hear some of these done live. Any tapes circulating from the few shows that were done in Levon's club?

Rick did Book Faded Brown often in his solo shows but this is the only time I've heard him tackle this song.

It's under audio files under Rick solo.

Thanks to Jan for adding it.

Enjoy.

Posted on Sun May 13 02:00:18 CEST 2001 from spider-wm064.proxy.aol.com (205.188.199.179)

Tommy

Well friends, it's time for me to head off to the Levon and the BarnBurners show!I'll talk tomorrow, or maybe I'll post tonight when I get home.Either way, have a good night everyone...I know I will.

Posted on Sun May 13 01:50:24 CEST 2001 from ppp183.a2-1.56k.execulink.com (209.239.4.249)

paul godfrey

John D. Like you I enjoyed Wingspan. Very impressed with Paul being so down to earth. Yes.."play the music and have fun" seemed to be the theme. His love for Linda is touching. Seemed to me he actually encouraged her on keyboards when he told her to carry on with the middle c's etc. WINGSPAN was a wonderful window on Paul, Linda, his family and Wings. I caught them at MLG around 1976. Song I remember best from the show was'Baby I'm Amazed'

Summer is coming so let the sun SHINE ON everybody.

Oh and we are looking forward to Levon & BB July 15 in London Ontario Canada.

Posted on Sun May 13 01:46:33 CEST 2001 from cc5414-a.hnglo1.ov.nl.home.com (213.51.109.69)

Norbert

GOOD NEWS......Eurovision Song Contest......we reached not even 15th......so no participation next year......yep!

BAD NEWS......nu wil Ma, voor moederdag ook een Dylan zonnebril! (bedankt, dame met de bruine ogen!!!)

Posted on Sun May 13 00:51:14 CEST 2001 from du-tele3-165.mailbox.co.uk (195.82.121.165)

Peter Viney

Eurovision. Estonia won. 198 points. When I posted earlier it was before voting started. I just saw that Estonia were 25-1 until voting started. Wish I was a betting man! Ireland (6 points), Norway (3) and Iceland (3) all got relegated. The UK didn’t avoid relegation by much. In a re-run of the “Father Ted” script, everyone wants to lose because the winner has to stage next year’s contest.

Posted on Sun May 13 00:09:20 CEST 2001 from 0-1pool30-44.nas2.dayton1.oh.us.da.qwest.net (63.232.30.44)

Justin

Dear Garth, I've been playing for quite some time (18 years) and I was wondering if I could get a lesson from you. Travelling does not bother me, and I have great respect for you and your style. I'll also make sure you are compensated for your time and expertise. Thank you for all you've done for me... Justin

Posted on Sat May 12 23:27:22 CEST 2001 from jan-hoiberg.hiof.no (158.36.52.15)

jh

Peter et al.,
I've added some info. about how to order the new D/F/A 2-CD set to the "Whats' new" page. And now, back to the Eurovision Song Contest....

Posted on Sat May 12 23:10:35 CEST 2001 from ti15a21-0099.dialup.online.no (130.67.112.163)

Dag Braathen

Re: the Eurovision Song Contest; for those outside of Europe who would like to suffer, there's a live webcast of the show at the above link...think they're about to start voting.

Posted on Sat May 12 22:56:54 CEST 2001 from ip51.chicago31.il.pub-ip.psi.net (38.33.74.51)

Pat Brennan

Ben Pike: "I"VE EVEN looked the other way at PAT B's weird hangup about MOONDOG..." Ben, I believe you mean Cahoots, a hangup which appears less weird in light of all this talk about McCartney.

Posted on Sat May 12 22:53:13 CEST 2001 from du-tele3-173.mailbox.co.uk (195.82.121.173)

Peter Viney

A brief respite from the rigours of the song contest. So far, I rate Estonia's dose of 60s soul (aided and abetted by what must be an African-Estonian). But you can't watch this stuff for long. At all really.

Posted on Sat May 12 22:52:02 CEST 2001 from spider-wb071.proxy.aol.com (205.188.192.181)

Ben Pike

Laura P, now that all the softies have made nicey nice with you, I reiterate that you are in a desperate situation, and only drastic measures will save your blasfeaming soul. Sure, you hate me now, but if you ever crawl out of this living hell of your own making, one day you may thank me. Pat B., just got my first taste of the Moondog outtakes, and you are clearly right about "Back To Memphis" and "Endless Highway." The latter does not bother me much, as the Richard lead/ Studio take is the way to go with that tune now anyway. I think it does create a sort of "Back To Memphis" crisis. Those of us who have come to love the FAKE version, must now reajust to the real thing. AND I LIKED hearing Bill Graham. What a fakeout. Not since Santa, or that old Stones album....

Posted on Sat May 12 22:29:58 CEST 2001 from syr-24-24-5-34.twcny.rr.com (24.24.5.34)

Dr Pepper

Robbie's performance of "The Weight" on SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE in 1992 was a last-minute decision because Robbie "blew his voice out in rehearsal" and needed to substitute a second song on which others could share the vocal duties." This is a true story but it was a rehearsal with the Hawk in the late 50's.

Posted on Sat May 12 22:29:12 CEST 2001 from du-tele3-133.mailbox.co.uk (195.82.121.133)

Peter Viney

I haven’t seen “Wingspan” but I’m not one of those who apologises for thinking Sir Paul a genius both with and without the Beatles. What the critics fail to understand, is that Paul was born to be an entertainer and takes deep pleasure in seeing people enjoying his music. Now I read every report of Levon and the Barn Burners and this same thing is mentioned again and again, and I’ve Levon in The Band. The obvious joy of seeing people enjoy themselves to the music you’re producing.

Tonight all over Europe we are avoiding watching the Eurovision Song Contest finals. Like all sensible people, I will listen to none of the songs (which are total crap), but switch on for the excitement of the voting at the end. That’s what it’s all about. I’ll applaud England’s successes even though I have no idea what the song is, who it’s by or what it’s like. In North America you miss out on a genuine Trans-European pleasure. I hope Ragtime, Illka, Hank and Jan are watching. As Hank knows, Ireland usually win (a fact which the great “Father Ted” series famously lampooned).

Posted on Sat May 12 22:24:30 CEST 2001 from spider-wq044.proxy.aol.com (205.188.200.166)

Dave Z

Jan & John D: I'd like to pick up One More Shot too... Please let me know how I can order it too if you have any luck finding out... Thanks in advance...

Peter, I'd love to hear your opinion of JAM after you've had a chance to listen... Garth speaks at the end of track 4... something about fishin'... Maybe I should ask Freddie Funk about the fishin'?... Now that I think of it, I bet the Crowmatix could do a mean cover of Islands...

Posted on Sat May 12 22:19:56 CEST 2001 from hvc-24-164-175-110.hvc.rr.com (24.164.175.110)

Woodstock Records

Hi All!

Lots happening with Professor Louie & The Crowmatix!

Their new cd "JAM" just came out and they have added alot of new tour dates spanning the country this summer, don't miss 'em !

Also, former Grateful Dead member Vince Welnick joins the Crowmatix for a show in East Troy,Wisconsin this Labor Day.

As always, check www.woodstockrecords.com or www.breezehill.net for any up to the minute information.

Peace from Woodstock -

Tom/Woodstock Records

Posted on Sat May 12 21:47:47 CEST 2001 from m198214182126.austin.cc.tx.us (198.214.182.126)

Pehr

Can't seem to preview today, I'll be short, sweet.

The interplay between Garth's solo, the open spaces w/o crowd noise or horns, and the interplay of RR's rhythm chops on "Shape I'm In" help me imagine what a good heroin experience might be like.

Posted on Sat May 12 21:16:38 CEST 2001 from spider-wn064.proxy.aol.com (205.188.197.179)

Tommy (III)

(Or his 90s stuff...Third time's a charm, folks!)

Posted on Sat May 12 21:15:50 CEST 2001 from spider-wn064.proxy.aol.com (205.188.197.179)

Tommy once again

(I didn't go into McCartney's 80s catalogue..I was focusing on his Wings stuff and 70s stuff, like in the documentary)

Posted on Sat May 12 21:13:19 CEST 2001 from spider-wn064.proxy.aol.com (205.188.197.179)

Tommy

John D pretty much echoed what i'd said a few posts back about 'Wingspan'.

After watching last night, I busted out my McCartney/Wings songbook and the guitar and started playing.Wings always gets a bad rap, and even though some of their stuff is flitty,I listen to Macca's solo stuff ALOT more than I listen to John's, George' and Ringo's.All in all, I find McCartney's solo catalogue alot more experimental/risk taking/interesting.When McCartney is dismissed as making sappy pop, or "Muzak" as its refered to often,I wonder if the people making these claims actually LISTEN to his albums!?!

Im not saying I like ALL McCartney's stuff, but I do like 85-90% of his albums.McCartney, Ram,Wild Life,Band On The Run,Venus And Mars,Back To The Egg...In my opinion, these are great records!!!'McCArtney II' from 1980 is another favorite of mine.It's him having fun in his house, experimenting with new music, and making great songs to boot!

Check some of these albums out,folks.

Posted on Sat May 12 20:44:03 CEST 2001 from 24.68.33.158.on.wave.home.com (24.68.33.158)

John D

I didn't think I would be saying this; but I really enjoyed the Wingspan special on the story of Wings and the relationship between Paul and Linda. This was truly a beautiful love story. This man truly loved his wife. There was no mention of the stories of Paul turning down her keyboards and vocals in the early days of Wings. It was all postive.

The interviewer was Paul and Linda's first child (Together) Mary who was the baby on the album cover of Paul's first solo album cover. She looks like Paul more than any of the children. As he said "We just wanted to start a band and have fun." Although Wings body of work can be critically dissected, I did enjoy the hits and a few of the albums very much. Ram being my favourite.

Posted on Sat May 12 20:27:39 CEST 2001 from 24.68.33.158.on.wave.home.com (24.68.33.158)

John D

JAN: Checked various sites. Do you have any idea how one can order the new "One More Shot" CD from Danko/Fjeld/Andersen?

Posted on Sat May 12 20:19:52 CEST 2001 from 24.68.33.158.on.wave.home.com (24.68.33.158)

John D

PETER VINEY & DAVID POWELL: OUR SCHOLARS OF THE GUESTBOOK WORLD

I hope you both respond publicly to Mike's question about "TWILIGHT" on the new re-issue. I think it would be of great interest to all of us.

Posted on Sat May 12 18:09:47 CEST 2001 from spider-to033.proxy.aol.com (152.163.204.58)

Bayou Sam

Bob Wigo = I thought I was the only one thinking of the Scooter :-)

LauraP = you've proven that if your a nice person and speak your mind in a nice manner - nothing bad happens. Of course, you're completely wrong about Stagefright :-)

Rollie = SMARTASS !

HEY WITT = wanna try the chatroom tonight(Sat)? say 11:00 - 11:30?

Tommy = I had to work last night, but I taped Wingspan and look forward to seeing it.

I was talking to a guy at work yesterday who was recently hired, when it came to light that he is into Greatful Dead bootlegs. I asked him if he had anything by the Band and he said "yeah, I've got something about the Academy of Music" I asked if he ever heard of the Complete Last Waltz and he said "Oh yeah, I have that too - ya wanna borrow them?". Needless to say I said "yes" since I don't happen to own either one. I couldn't beleive it. Small world.

Posted on Sat May 12 15:36:16 CEST 2001 from sid14.revealed.net (208.23.178.157)

Mike

Hello again :) I have been listening to the remaster of Islands. I don't want to jump to conclusions but I think there's a 'mixup'! Well, Twilight (b-side) is on there as a bonus track. I noticed that the mix doesn't sound the same as the version from the "Across The Great Divide" set, also on 1976's "The Best Of The Band". Did they accidentally use an alternate mix or did they remix it?! Or did the remastering really clear the sound up?! Here's a major difference I noticed: during the chorus of "Don't leave me alone in the twilight, cause twilight is the loneliest time of day" Richard is not to be heard on the "remastered" version. But on the so called "other" version, you can hear him. Also, certain synth lines from Garth and electric piano lines from Richard that were audible on the "Best Of" version are practically tucked away on the "remaster". Maybe I am wrong but I have pretty good ears. Anybody else notice this? Peace. Mike

Posted on Sat May 12 15:06:41 CEST 2001 from proxy3-external.union1.nj.home.com (24.4.252.87)

Brien Sz

I say tomato, you say tomato - Though i don't agree with Laura P about SF, there is something nasaly about Strawberry Wine. I remember listening to it for the first time thinking something must be wrong with the turntable-like the speed was off - but alas it wasn't. So from the git go, i recall just being put off. Though after repeated listenings (something akin to that memerable scene in Clockwork Orange)I learned to love it..,And since I'm not a deep lyric guy (if i don't have them in front of me, I'm pretty poor at figuring them all out, plus i rarely just sit and listen to music)I generally don't hear all the words to the story(as a footnote-i know a good part of the Bands lyrics but not all) - I'll get the gist but not always the details. This is especially true now that i'm listening to NLSC- the liner notes help me to get a jump start on what the songs are about. So Laura, what specifically about the lyrics to some of these songs disturb you? the story? the subject? just curious.

Posted on Sat May 12 14:28:45 CEST 2001 from du-tele3-158.mailbox.co.uk (195.82.121.158)

Peter Viney

STAGEFRIGHT: I’ve always rated it up there with the first two. A couple of quotes

John Bauldie (writing in Q ):
Stage Fright, the third Band LP from 1970, may well be the greatest of their records. There is more of Robbie Robertson’s wonderful guitar playing on Stage Fright than any other LP; there is The Band’s greatest rock ‘n’ roll song, The Shape I’m In; The Band’s greatest Americana song, The W.S. Walcott Medicine show; the best of The Band’s trademark “interactive” vocals, on Daniel and The Sacred Harp and The Rumour; and the best of Robbie Robertson’s gentle ballads, Sleeping and All La Glory.

Chris Morris (Billboard)
Considering the excellence of Stage Fright, it’s incredible to recall that the album was looked upon as a disappointment in some critical quarters upon its release by Capitol. That opinion, which has certainly blown away in the winds of time, was likely more a response to what had gone before in the career of The Band than to any (apparent) deficiencies in the album itself … Twenty years later, Stage Fright is a durable, exciting and often profoundly affecting record that can be counted among the most distinguished in The Band’s very noteworthy catalog … Forget about what those long-ago detractors may have said - this is The Band near the peak of its considerable abilities.

But Laura P, you were not alone in liking it less. Friends of mine at the time of its release, people who had really loved the first two, loathed it. My opinion is that the second side equals the first two albums. No question. It might even be the best “side” they ever cut. On the first side, ‘Sleeping’ and ‘All la Glory’ are as good as anything they ever did. Taking Ben’s scale, that’s seven songs I’d rate at ten too. ‘Strawberry Wine’ is a great funky song, but it’s not up to their very high standards because it lacks the originality of most of their stuff, in arrangement and most especially in melody. Other people could have done this. Other people couldn’t have done Rag Mama Rag. And Strawberry Wine was in the wrong place. Seven, I’m afraid, and I believe that just this song and its position here caused the original critical assault. I was very slightly disappointed when I first heard ‘Time to Kill’ and ‘Just Another Whistle Stop’. They aren’t bad in any way, better than nearly all of Cahoots or Islands, just maybe nine rather than ten. Nine and a half even. But the original ‘The Shape I’m In’ beats any live version for me. It’s full of swagger and strut, goin’ down town, but then there’s the rumble in the alley. You know, all they really had to do was reverse the sides to open with this and everyone would have loved it. And then they’d have loved ‘Strawberry Wine’ too as a change of pace. ‘All la Glory’ would have been just as good a closer as ‘The Rumor.’ I always played side two before side one in the days of vinyl. So program your CD player 6-7-8-9-10-1-2-3-4-5 and you might learn to love it.

Posted on Sat May 12 13:18:09 CEST 2001 from grmn-105ppp181.dialup.valstar.net (199.224.105.181)

Diamond Lil

Laura P: I think we've just discovered part of the 'mystery' of the music here. So many of us that love this Band of ours, hear different albums and different tunes in different ways. I don't think there's any 'right or wrong' when it comes to music. It's just kind of the way it hits you I guess.

For me personally..."Stage Fright" has always been my _favorite_ album by The Band. It's a bit mysterious and a bit magical...and it's the one I reach for first when I want to hear music that'll make me smile. One of my 2 favorite Band tunes has always been "All la Glory" (the other one being "Whispering Pines").

Have a good day everyone. Hug Jan.

Posted on Sat May 12 08:32:59 CEST 2001 from 1cust192.tnt1.idaho-falls.id.da.uu.net (63.28.242.192)

Bob W

Had ya'll scared for a minute didn't I?--rollie

Posted on Sat May 12 08:22:12 CEST 2001 from spider-mtc-ti043.proxy.aol.com (64.12.101.168)

Ben Pike

LAURA P, ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR FRIKKEN MIND?? STAGEFRIGHT IS A MASTERPEICE!!! What did you do, read MYSTERY TRAIN BEFORE you started listening to THE BAND?? LOOK, I have put up with people who underrate "CAHOOTS", who fail to find anything redeaming in ISLANDS, I"VE EVEN looked the other way at PAT B's weird hangup about MOONDOG... BUT WE HAVE TO DRAW THE LINE SOMEWHERE!!!! LET's rate the tracks of "STAGEFRIGHT" on a SCALE OF one two ten: "Strawberry Wine," superfunky Levon masterpeice 10!!! "Sleeping" what a beautiful song, Richard nearly equals"Wispering Pines" , what kind of drugs are you taking not to love this song? 10!! "Time To Kill" loose, funky, sexy fun, 10!! "Just Another Whistle Stop" a searing political masterpeice, Richard at his most assured, 10!! WHY DO I EVEN HAVE TO REVIEW THIS WITH YOU!!" All La Glory" Levon's tenderest reading, shimmering and lovely, Garth at his best mega 10! The Shape I'm In... may have suffured overplay over the years, maybe there most overperformed song...a 10 anyway! W.S. Wallcot a 10 with Garth on Sax, yeah Laura, thats a real bland, soulless solo he blows, STOP TAKING SO MANY DRUGS!! Daniel, and alagorical 10 masterpeice, STAGEFRIGHT, A title track ten, The Rumor, ten socail commentary. Look, We have all had the to face the fact that Pink and Brown albums can never really be equaled, but it is lazy and immoral to ignore the GREATNESS of an album like Stagefright. GET YOUR ACT TOGETHER Laura P, as long as you don't like Stagefright, you will have to be considered a terrible person by all thinking people. There may be hope for you yet, but the hour is getting late.

Posted on Sat May 12 08:01:42 CEST 2001 from spider-mtc-tg021.proxy.aol.com (64.12.102.156)

Tommy

Hey, did anyone catch 'WINGSPAN', The Wings documentary? It wasn't bad! It mostly focused on the relationship of Paul and Linda McCartney while they were in Wings together, and it wasn't corny!!!!It was actually very genuine and (dare I say it) sweet.Paul looked good and they showed alot of cool footage from the 70s.

The documantary was made by Paul's son-in-law and he was interviewed by his daughter, Mary (The one in his jacket on the back cover of the 'McCartney' album).I don't know if ABC is gonna air it again, or when and if it'll be on in Canada, but keep a look out, folks.If you're a fan of Macca, you'll like this documentary.And if you're not a fan, watch it anyway...maybe you'll become one.

(Or you can just go buy some albums and see if you like em.)Goodnight friends!!!

Posted on Sat May 12 07:59:13 CEST 2001 from ool-18b995aa.dyn.optonline.net (24.185.149.170)

John

I can't stop listening to the Band........help ok, here's my Backstreet Boys fanzine type question:Who's your favorite member? They are all too good for their own good, but Rick is my God=}

Posted on Sat May 12 07:28:38 CEST 2001 from abby9.revealed.net (208.16.227.200)

Mike

Hello, back from a bit of an absence...Just picked up the reissues tonight. Well worth the wait and delay. Rock Of Ages fixes all of the flaws from the original cd, thank goodness! No more sequencing mix up's and drop outs in the songs!The others are just fabulous. My girlfriend who happened to be stop by, happened to hear I Ain't Got No Home! I never realized it but you can really dance to that song! And we did! NLSC and Islands...OK, they are all great! Now, what's this I have read about Laura P's comments on Stage Fright?! Well, I personally disagree with her opinions. However, she's entitled to them. She's not bashing anything I don't think. Whether you agree with her or not, I think it's healthy to have different opinions here. As long as you see them as such and they aren't intentionally negative. Oh well. Laura's pretty generous too...I got 7 Band bootlegs from her and I didn't have to pay much at all! And they are all of great quality. My point?! Hell, I'm too wound up to have one but go easy ok! Peace. Mike

Posted on Sat May 12 05:55:52 CEST 2001 from (199.105.252.66)

Charlie Young

PS: Robbie sang "Holy Cow." He taught all the guys to sing and could mimic their voices perfectly, but did so only on rare occassions due to modesty (just like what Dylan once said about being able to hit all the same notes as Caruso).

Seriously, I just got a CD-R copy of a 1993 Bruce Hornsby show in which he explains that Robbie's performance of "The Weight" on SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE in 1992 was a last-minute decision because Robbie "blew his voice out in rehearsal" and needed to substitute a second song on which others could share the vocal duties.

On a completely different matter, I spoke to my friend who works for EMI-Capitol today and he told me that his own favorite recording by The Band in his collection is the original British vinyl pressing of CAHOOTS! No, Peter, he didn't say it had anything to do with "The Moon Struck One"...

Posted on Sat May 12 05:51:35 CEST 2001 from spider-ta084.proxy.aol.com (152.163.205.84)

bob wigo

Rick is the walrus. I think.....wait. Why does Phil Rizzuto's name keep popping into my head?

I have to get some sleep.

P.S. Happy Mother's Day !

Posted on Sat May 12 05:42:27 CEST 2001 from ch8smc.bellglobal.com (206.47.244.58)

Blind Willie McTell

A while ago, someone in the GB asked for the best Band desert island album. ROA because it was 2 cd's long. Holy Cow it's even better now!

Posted on Sat May 12 05:34:21 CEST 2001 from pm3-pt12.pcnet.net (206.105.29.86)

Laura P.

Wow, guys, thanks for the support. I must admit, that was the first time I ever dared admit my feelings about the Stage Fright album to anyone.

I bought Stage Fright right after I first got Big Pink and the Brown album (which was, what? about a year ago?) but I was so turned off that I *never* listened to it. Then when the first round of reissues come out, I bought it again, hoping things would be different somehow. They weren't. I wanted to like it, but I just couldn't. The sound, or the mix, or something, is just repulsive to me.

It feels artificial and electronic somehow--the complete antithesis of what turns me on about The Band in Pink, Brown, and the basement stuff, and in their live recordings. One of the things I love so much about The Band is the realness that comes through in the music and the voices, the *organic*ness... It's like rich warm dirt. Stage Fright feels sanitized to me. From the moment I turn it on, the voices sound all wrong--too high-pitched, almost like everything is digitized and speeded up. It's too bright and cold. Almost the whole album feels like it's on the wrong speed.

Like the album version of "The Shape I'm In"... yuck. "The Shape I'm In" is one of my very favourite songs live, but I can't *stand* the album version. It sounds way too fast and sprightly, completely rushed. Richard's voice is too "good"; it's not real and gritty like it should be for "The Shape I'm In." (Ak, those "ahhhhh! parts are just obnoxious!) I love the hoarse "down and out," emotional versions; they are convincing, they are moving... while this is just... tinny and music-box-like. Fake. It just all seems so fake and wrong to me.

The lyrics of some of the songs also really bother me on an emotional level, but I won't get into that. I need to turn this off and put on Rock of Ages immediately.

That's my honest thought of the day. Geez, I hate putting into words this kind of thing.

Posted on Sat May 12 03:14:33 CEST 2001 from cf3k-3.lqy.tsnz.net (203.98.21.43)

Rod

Back on the subject of Holy Cow.....

Rick and Richard's vocal style changed quite a bit between BP and TLW and I'm sure they influenced each other along the way. My favourite Rick vocals are on the latter albums while Richard was always good in the studio but changed from a falsetto to a barotone along the way. One thing that still strikes me about Richard is that his best performances were on the non RR songs. I don't know why this is other than maybe he would pick covers that gave him a chance to use his voice to the max. There again Robbie's style of writing wasn't in the raw emotive stype of The Great Pretender or Share Your Love so didn't lend itself to that style od singing. The closest Robbie came was It makes No Difference but even that song is quite limited as far as the melody and dynamics go (not that this is a bad thing in this case).

Posted on Sat May 12 03:09:24 CEST 2001 from spider-tj032.proxy.aol.com (152.163.213.187)

Charlie Young

John Hartford, the wonderful singer, songwriter, storyteller, poet, author, dancer, fiddler, banjoist, guitarist, body-percussionist, steamboat pilot and all-around amazing human being is apparently near death according to friend and fellow bluegrass wizard Mark O'Connor. I saw Hartford play a few months ago (joined onsatge by his friends David Grisman and Mike Seeger) and he mentioned between sets that he was fighting lymphoma for the third time. The syndicated "Mountain Stage" radio program recently presented a tribute to Hartford, and released the first in a series of "Best of" collections called "John Hartford: Live From Mountain Stage." Hartford is scheduled to be the host of a Carnegie Hall concert featuring the musicians from the OH BROTHER, WHERE ART THOU? soundtrack, but now, sadly, it looks as if he may not make it.

If you're a Hartford fan, I highly suggest getting the "Mountain Stage" collection. Now if we can just bug Blue Plate Music (at www.ohboy.com) to release the show that Rick Danko and Garth Hudson contributed ten years ago.

Posted on Sat May 12 03:07:17 CEST 2001 from bgm-24-24-88-187.stny.rr.com (24.24.88.187)

PaddyB

Make that Van Dyck! Wonderful venue by the way, in a beautiful neighborhood. Gotta at least get the name right!

Posted on Sat May 12 01:45:34 CEST 2001 from bgm-24-24-88-187.stny.rr.com (24.24.88.187)

PaddyB

Here's my two cents on the "Holy Cow" debate. It's definitely Rick, but he's intentionally doing an uncanny job of mimicking Richard's phrasing style and vocal nuances. Why? Probably just for kicks. Sounds good though! Have always loved this FANTASTIC site and hope to be a regular from now on. I caught the BBs at the Van Dyke and they are the REAL DEAL! Was a huge thrill to watch Levon work his drumkit from only 20 feet away.

Posted on Sat May 12 01:35:34 CEST 2001 from syr-24-24-5-34.twcny.rr.com (24.24.5.34)

Dr. Pepper

Hey Lars, Thanks! I lost your email address so get in touch.

Posted on Sat May 12 00:34:49 CEST 2001 from spider-mtc-tg013.proxy.aol.com (64.12.102.153)

Ben Pike

Peter Viney: I challege: Where did Greil Marcus credit Richard with singing "Holy Smoke?" Mystery Train does make, and repeats in all reprints I know of, the mistake of crediting "A Change Is Going To Come" to Richard. This mistake is officaly set right by Robertson in Crawdaddy interview of 76..... EVERYTIME I TRY TO GET OUT THEY KEEP PULLING ME BACK!!!!!!!!!!!!! Buy the way, this repeated error suggests that whoever was ghost writing Levon's book had "Mystery Train" on his knee....

Posted on Sat May 12 00:25:27 CEST 2001 from user-33qta0u.dialup.mindspring.com (199.174.168.30)

Pat Brennan

Since Don't Do It has been credited on Band releases to the proper writers many times, I think we can safely assume that it's a typo on RoA. And all of you somewhat upset about Dylan's trouble with the RS lyrics, recall that he is doing an unrehearsed walk-on after midnight on New Years Eve. Uhhh, that's New Years Eve, people. And the song is a four verse monster (yeah, I know he only does three verses) that he hadn't sung in a couple of years.

What I find interesting about the Dylan stuff is that it's Richard doing the drumming on three of the four songs (it's Levon on RS). It adds to the looseness of the affair, but I find it most appealing.

Laura P. is a valued contributor to the site, so it's not surprising no one is overly upset with her over her problems with Stage Fright and NLSC. Oddly enough, I've always found the Stage Fright album to be as organic in its own way as the first two. Sounds to me like it's the group onstage playing together with little overdubbing. NLSC is an album I listen to with as much regularity as any Band album. I don't find it manufactured, any more so than any of the other albums. It's just recorded better, at least to my ears. Also, I think it's some of Levon and Rick's best rhythm playing, and certainly some of RR's best extended guitar playing. The vocals are wonderful and the songs, with the exception of Hobo Jungle, are of a high standard. Acadian Driftwood and Rags & Bones rank very high on my song meter. The liner notes confirm my own feelings that the boys had a ball making this album. It represents a turn away from their "country" roots to a direction more obviously R&B/New Orleans, a turn I like a lot. They thought enough of their new material that they played it alot on their last tours: Forbidden Fruit, Ring Your Bell, IMND, Ophelia, Twilight, and Acadian Driftwood all received the live touch.

Again, no knock on Laura P. Music moves people in different ways which is one of its many beauties.

Posted on Sat May 12 00:19:05 CEST 2001 from spider-tk021.proxy.aol.com (152.163.206.181)

Amanda

Thanks Jan for getting rid of the Big Bad Wolf! I have enjoyed reading all the comments about the reissues. I am pretty sure my dear husband has purchased them for my Mother's Day present. I mean really...I told him exactly where to go! I can't wait!! I saw Bob Dylan last Friday night in Atlanta at the Music Midtown Festival. I went by myself, no husband, kids, friends, etc. What an experience. The whole downtown area was packed. I finally made my way, across the park, to the stage. I was all the way in front, leaning on the barricade, surrounded by all types, sexes and ages of Dylan fans. It was a wild night. Dylan was smiling and having a good time. Charlie Sexton was great on guitar. Check out "Hoochie Coochie Man" at www.bobdylan.com/performances.....it rocks! Just waiting for The Barnburners to head South. A review in today's Island Packet about "A Nod to Bob"...."Guy Davis' bluesy version of "Sweetheart Like You", with drumming by Levon Helm, turns the song into a sad, lonely, barroom tragedy." Levon just never misses..lucky for us all! Have a great weekend and Hugs to all the Moms!

Posted on Fri May 11 23:12:48 CEST 2001 from (129.237.77.56)

RPence

I agree with Ahroo that "Rockin' Chair" is the tour de force on an album that's nothing but highlights as it is...what I am left with after experiencing a composition like that is the feeling of how the Band at their most supernaturally brilliant could make the best work of most popular musicians seem downright trivial..."Chair" isn't ABOUT the characters in the song, it's a chance to literally STEP INTO A WHOLE WAY OF LIFE AND SPEND A FEW GLORIOUS MINUTES THERE...and speaking of just a few minutes, isn't it uncanny how the Band could do so much in the space of 3-4 minutes on most of the ROA performances? Just a couple of other thoughts on ROA: did Dylan need cue cards for "Like a Rolling Stone," reminiscent of Marlon Brando on the movie set? And why can't the real writers of "Don't Do It" get a break from Rob Bowman? First, on Cahoots reissue, he says Marvin Gaye wrote the song. Now on ROA reissue, Robbie's the writer! I guess Levon's not the only one who can complain about writing credits...

Posted on Fri May 11 22:47:59 CEST 2001 from 1cust209.tnt9.poughkeepsie.ny.da.uu.net (63.10.13.209)

Hi

I just read Peter's interesting post which included the question about who sang lead on "Holy Cow" and "A Change is gonna Come." I was surprised that there was any question. Forgive me if I'm redundant since I came in late on this one. It was always my belief that it was obviously Rick singing lead on both......This gives me a flimsy excuse to bring up a Band link to NRBQ whose headquarters for most of the 70's and 80's was Saugerties..They also recorded Lee Dorsey's "Holy Cow" but according to a '75 interview with their member Al Anderson didn't release it because the Band beat us to it.....They also recorded a still unreleased tune with Dylan.....Also there's the hilarious tv promo for their 1981 album Tiddleywinks filmed at Big Pink with Captain Lou Albano.

Posted on Fri May 11 22:37:32 CEST 2001 from dialup-315.cork.iol.ie (193.203.148.59)

HANK

"The Band were so heavily talented, they should've been declared illegal"....Sid Griffin reviewing the re-issues in the latest Mojo

Well, it's kinda like they HAVE been declared illegal sometimes, is'nt it?....when you listen to alot of what's being shoved out these days, eh?....I'm gonna have to wait till I get to NYC to by the re-issues

Posted on Fri May 11 22:13:47 CEST 2001 from ts1-23.steveston.axion.net (207.34.146.23)

Cupid

Afternoon all, Jan: It's too bad you had to take the steps you did but something had to be done.Thanx mate.

A big thanx to the brothers and sisters who gave me an Amen, yours will be the Kingdom come...

All this talk of reissues is wonderful! can't wait to get out and buy them now so I too can revel in the wonders contained there in.

Laura P welcome :^) good to have you amongst us..../n Unfortunately Fast Eddie Blayzor is one of the webtv users who won't be able to post in here anymore, too bad he's one of the good guys....Peace Cupid

Posted on Fri May 11 22:04:11 CEST 2001 from du-tele3-136.mailbox.co.uk (195.82.121.136)

Peter Viney

Holy Cow: What do we know? We know they both sing on it. We know they cut in and out and interweaved on the chorus. Just because Rick “arrives” in part of the chorus (which he certainly seems to) doesn’t mean he didn’t sing the verse. Double-tracking had been known for many years. Actually, listening to the remaster today I get the suspicion that this might have been recorded in the modern style. i.e. line-by-line. A lot of stuff is now recorded word-by-word. The Band almost always “performed” songs in the studio rather than assembled bits. Not so sure here. The question is the verse. There’s the evidence of our ears, which disagree. Levon has Richard (but also for Change Is Gonna Come in the same sentence, which is clearly wrong so could be a typo / slip of the tongue), Marcus has Richard, Hoskyns has Rick. Little John Tyler (where are you? Sorely missed in spite of the Moon struck One reference!) asked Rick directly in 1998, and Rick said categorically it was Rick. While he might have cheerfully bullshit(ted) a fan, I don’t think he’d have taken credit away from Richard. We know Robbie “approved” the reissue notes, in that he “disapproved” the initial Hoskyns ones and generally kept control over the project. Robbie couldn’t have let a whole paragraph of what would then be glaring error escape his attention. So on my left, in the Danko corner, we have Rick himself, Hoskyns, Robbie (we must assume), Rob Bowman, a great majority of GB posters, and a poster who recalled seeing Rick sing it in New Jersey in 73. On my right in the Manuel corner, we have Levon (in a poorly-checked paragraph that also refers to himself singing on “Fats Domino’s Saved” – he must have meant “I’m Ready”), Greil Marcus and a vociferous (but equally expert) minority of GB posters. Is there anybody out there who can straight forwardly ask Garth (or Levon of course) and get a final decision?

Also there have been hints / complaints here that Garth and Levon were not properly consulted about the releases. Surely they’d have to be about the unreleased material? I think Moondog reveals more, i.e. is improved more markedly even than the others and it has gone up in my estimation too. “What Am I Living For?” is a gem even though it only has a three piece. Levon’s rumbling bass was a great concept, and one they should have finished off properly. Fantastic performance from Levon, whatever. Bowman rightly points out that a Rarities/ B sides album was a newish concept around the time of “Islands’ otherwise they might have embellished it with stuff like this. As it was a “contractual obligation” album it’s odd that they didn’t put Twilight, Endless Highway and Get Up Jake on it in the first place. “Twilight”, reverse4d for “Best of the Band” would have raised “Islands” a definite notch or star. But Levon’s “What Am I Living For” is the best track of 2001 (by anyone) so far. Mind you, we still haven't heard Nikki Love yet. According to the experts this will be great. we know this without hearing a note.

Posted on Fri May 11 21:11:02 CEST 2001 from (169.200.133.38)

Bones

Now on to NLSC....it's nice to see that the reissue has put "Rags and Bones" and "Jupiter Hollow" in their rightful positions. My first cd had "Jupiter Hollow as the last track and that always bothered me. Great liner notes discussing the instrumentation on almost all the songs; however, I wish they had not left out what instruments each Band member plays on each track. That was in the original lp and cd release but not on the reissue. They should always keep the original liner notes then add from there. I think Bowman has done a great job with these liner notes. I don't believe ol' Barney would have done as well. I like how each liner note picks up where the other left off. It would be nice to read all eight together as a nice, short biography.

Posted on Fri May 11 20:26:28 CEST 2001 from spider-mtc-tb052.proxy.aol.com (64.12.104.42)

Tommy

Laura P.....While I dont feel the same way as you regarding NLSC and ,especially ,Stagefright, I don't think anyone here would mind you stating how you feel.Isn't that the point of this GB..to see, and then discuss what we all think?..If we agree or not.It's not like you were saying those things to get a rise out of anybody, or hurt anyones feelings.Say what ever the hell you want!!!And most of all, feel confident doing it.Cause if YOU don't believe enough in your opinions, why should anyone else,right?

Posted on Fri May 11 18:45:58 CEST 2001 from host-172.subnet-79.med.umich.edu (141.214.79.172)

Steve

Jan: With my finances, I'm not in a position to buy the new reissues, but I'd love to read the liner notes. Is it possible to post them under "Articles"? Thanks, Steve

Posted on Fri May 11 18:19:48 CEST 2001 from (12.33.126.131)

John W.

The remastered Rock of Ages is AMAZING. Really brings up a flood of memories for me. I was 12 years old when it first came out and I used to play that vinyl on a Mono turntable, along with Stagefright and the Brown album, all the time. Hearing Time to Kill and The Rumour, from that same show, with this kind of CD sound quality, just unbelievable. Good to see they have restored the Genetic Method on Disc 1, I never liked the fact the first CD was "abridged." Moondog remix sounds great too and I love the outtakes especially Rick singing Crying Heart Blues. Phenomenal. Between all the reissues and reading this Guestbook I'm like obsessed with The Band right now. Guess I'll have to check out Levon and the Barn Burners tomorrow night.

Posted on Fri May 11 17:49:53 CEST 2001 from (164.156.231.55)

Little Brøther

P.S.: After all, Laura, as a resident of East Berlin, you of all people should champion freedom of expression-- isn't why that damn Wall came a-tumblin' down?

Posted on Fri May 11 17:28:28 CEST 2001 from (164.156.231.55)

Little Brøther

My reissues are a day away, unless the apartment complex manager decides to expand the concept of "Mother's Day" and cancel Saturday hours.

But I want to jump in to give Laura P. a dorsal nudge, synthesizing the positive aspects of a pat on the back and a kick in the butt.

In a nutshell, please continue to have the courage to post with all the honesty you can muster. It is appreciated.

You're quite right to worry that any unflattering, negative, or even merely critical comment about the Band's music and personnel can draw fire. But if there's one thing we've learned from soldiering in this Guestbook, it's not to let the bastards get ya down.

I found your observations thought-provoking; for what it's worth, I agree more with your impressions of NL/SC than "Stagefright". But accepting at face value that you value honesty, and that your comments were produced while actually listening to the music and reflecting on it-- you go, girl!

Now, all those vigilantes (might) wanna make a move, but we've got your back.

I mean, Laura, we've all had to put up with those charming predatory, sociopathic visitors who infest the place like vermin or viruses, merely to spew venom and leave toxic slime. Surely the reason we stick around and dodge those human bags of flaming poo is to commune with the nobler element. (The rest of us.)

Now, the heartfelt, ecstatic testimonial postings are fine and wonderful, but a yin with no yang becomes monotonous and insipid in the end. So we NEED folks of integrity and good will to risk afflicting the comfortable. I repeat: You go, girl.

Well, that's my sermon; twan't very long, anyway. Eleven o'clock in Grover's Corners. You all have a good day, and Happy Mother's Day, all you mothers out there. You know who you are.

Posted on Fri May 11 17:19:52 CEST 2001 from spider-mtc-te013.proxy.aol.com (64.12.103.153)

butch

JIMMY & GENEVA VIVINO,,,,,,,Good Band family friends,, & musician extroidinaire,,,is now the proud PAPA & MAMA of baby MARCELLO VIVINO !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

7&1/2 lbs,,, mother doing well,,,,baby FINE,,,,, playing slide guitar already,,,,,,,,,,,, May he stay,,,Forever Young,,,,,,,,,,

Posted on Fri May 11 17:14:30 CEST 2001 from dm2c81.bell.ca (198.235.69.171)

Richard

... and the Gods of Hollywood looked down upon the masses and smiled, and "the word" was digitally remasterd... (with bonus "words" : )... AMEN BROTHER BRIEN !

...and AMEN BROTHER CUPID... Hi LIL!

Posted on Fri May 11 15:24:04 CEST 2001 from spider-mtc-tg013.proxy.aol.com (64.12.102.153)

Bayou Sam

Cupid = Amen

Jan = THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU.

I hope all you other webtv folks have another way in here

I'm a "Time To Kill" fan. Great song. I enjoy Stagrfright as much as Pink and Brown..........Hey, I was just wondering - when the Band did the song Stagefright live, did Richard play the piano intro, or did Garth play it and then jump to the organ in one of those amazing Garth moves?

Posted on Fri May 11 15:00:46 CEST 2001 from citrix2.doc.state.vt.us (159.105.102.7)

John Cass

My goal is to convert new Band Fans when all you go out and buy the reissues as we all have give your old copys to someone who you feel will appreciate it I gave mine to my twin brother hopeing he will throw those old Styx and Journey cd's of his away. So far he can't stop listening to the old ROA, man I can't wait to play him the new ones!! Since we all have to admit seems like the casual music fan always say Who?.. the Band? what did they sing?? I say well you must of heard of the Weight.... you know pulled into Naserith feeling.. they say Oh yea I heard that song!!!!

Its a shame yea the Weights a great song but hey the Band had better and spread the music I want a casual fan to say yea The Band! man that song Rockin Chair kicks ass!! that guy Garth can sure play that Organ on Chest Fever.. some day they will all know!!

Posted on Fri May 11 13:51:50 CEST 2001 from proxy3-external.union1.nj.home.com (24.4.252.87)

Brien Sz

My brothers and sisters, my eyes have been opened and now I can see! OOOh how i used to bash NLSC and MoonDog.., forgive me.., for now my eyes are open. Though i walk(ed)in the valley ignorance, i now am a convert. Yeaaaah, though the word is not as strong as the first three books, I now jiggle my head, snap fingers and smile wide when when listening to the word and the song of the two before-mentioned books in the holy cataloge of the Band.., Can I have an Amen!

This might inspire me to go out and buy Islands but i recall that being the least favorite of the lot. I too am a big fan of StageFright - I listen to it more than Pink but tied with Brown. I probably listen to ROA the most.

Posted on Fri May 11 13:02:38 CEST 2001 from (205.245.52.66)

carmen

Happy Friday to all Gb'ers.

My vote goes to Rick on Holy Cow.

One thing I noticed with the reissues is the clarity of the piano. Is this Richard or Garth I am hearing?

Posted on Fri May 11 12:32:16 CEST 2001 from grmn-105ppp111.dialup.valstar.net (199.224.105.111)

Diamond Lil

Thank you Jan.

I have a question for you. I like the way you have 'names' for your computers. I seem to remember a "Levon" and a "Robbie"..but no "Rick", "Garth", or "Richard". Did I just miss those...or are you gonna have to buy 3 new computers? :-)

Have a good day everyone.

Posted on Fri May 11 10:32:50 CEST 2001 from hoiberg.hiof.no (158.36.51.55)

jh

Users from the "webtv" domain are no longer allowed to post in the guestbook or chat room. Most of you know why. Please also note that I have added "webtv" to my e-mail junk filter, to avoid more threats and bulls**t from this guy. Other "webtv" users that are shut out should complain to their ISP about abuse.

After a comparison of archived e-mails and guestbook entries, I'm now pretty sure that the jerk in question is the same person that has been pestering this site for years, under various male and female nicknames and from various ISPs. I have no idea what motives he has for keeping on doing this, and I don't want to know. Let's just ignore the insignificant idiots and focus on the music and the good discussions between the nice people and contributors here. Thanks for listening.

Posted on Fri May 11 10:22:18 CEST 2001 from aclermont-ferrand-101-2-1-29.abo.wanadoo.fr (193.251.12.29)

Zoe

I usually enjoy reading the post on this GB, I like it because it is peacefull, there are sometimes a few arguments between the Levoners and the JRers but it never really came to nastiness, at least not since a few days ago when Bill W. went off the rails... Bill W., do you really have to spread personal information about anyone, here ? Couldn't you just give us a break for a while ??? Is that too much to ask ? Peace. Zoe

Posted on Fri May 11 09:02:56 CEST 2001 from proxy.newmedia.no (212.71.66.13)

Jens Magnus

I find it natural that we discuss the different albums of the Band from time to time. I like to join ajr; Stagefright is perhaps my favourite Band album (together with ROA). I don't understand people who dislike Time to kill. It is my wife's all time favourite. Okay, maybe it is not so deep or profound or whatever, but it is a splendid sample of good time rock'n'roll. (Isn't that what it's all about?)

Posted on Fri May 11 08:55:14 CEST 2001 from proxy-1351.public.svc.webtv.net (209.240.220.172)

Ed Blayzor

Bill W.: I tried to e-mail this to you but you posted a phony address,why the personal attacks on so many? can`t you at least take it to e-mails. As a WebTV user also you might ruin it for a few others who use WebTV here,should i have to worry about not being able to access this site because you cant keep your mouth shut from spewing out verbal asualts on people who come here just to share their love of a Band who`s music has touched and enlightened all our lives here. The people who you have tormented here especially Jan seem to be kind, honest people who don`t need your shit. Here`s hoping you can get the help you need.Lastly be nice or be gone!

Posted on Fri May 11 08:55:37 CEST 2001 from ts1-16.steveston.axion.net (207.34.146.16)

Cupid

Bill W. at the risk of having you vent your spleen in my direction I must ask, why do you continue to come here if everybody here pisses you off? You seemed a reasonable sort[ Wigs and Sam,honest he did] in the e-mails you sent me regarding my songwriting posts.I just can't understand why somebody would open themselves up to further attacks after having had such a public debate with other GB regulars. Is it your intension to get Jan to shut the GB down? if he did would that make you happy? a lot of folks like coming here and swapping stories, do you find this distastefull? or are you just a lonely little man living over his Mom's garage who has nothing better to do but look at naked pigmies in old National Geographic magazines and slag people who have the unmitigated gall to have lives and be likeable?... I'd like to think not, but only you know for sure... Peace Cupid

p.s. I have not addressed your comments towards Lil, however if you continue to beak off at her I will come down on you like a ton of bricks ,cop or no I will not stand by while this fine lady is bad mouthed. Nor I suspect will the vast majority of GB regulars...can I get an Amen to that...

Posted on Fri May 11 07:14:13 CEST 2001 from host-209-214-115-121.bna.bellsouth.net (209.214.115.121)

BWNWITennessee

Just wait till she gets to Islands. Laura, no matter what you do, DO NOT PLAY THE TITLE TRACK!

I think maybe MattK's right about Bill W's secret identity. I seem remember an anti-Diamond Lil thread/obsession before from Patricia/Jarp/Transient/Norman Bates. Here we go again.

Posted on Fri May 11 07:02:00 CEST 2001 from proxy-1391.public.svc.webtv.net (209.240.220.204)

Bill W.

Guestbook entry removed.

Posted on Fri May 11 06:37:20 CEST 2001 from pm3-pt20.pcnet.net (206.105.29.94)

Laura P.

Thanks, ajr. Actually, to me, "Time To Kill" is one of the *most* disturbing songs on Stage Fright. I find it disturbing even live, which I don't most of the other songs.

Ben: nope, Cahoots doesn't trigger anything, actually. :)

Posted on Fri May 11 06:32:29 CEST 2001 from spider-wl071.proxy.aol.com (205.188.199.51)

Ben Pike

Laura P, Do you get "Oprah" over there? Cause there is this bald guy named Doctor Phil who may be able to help you. Whatever you do, don't put on "Cahoots", it could trigger something major. Pat, this whole Watkins Glen thing has gotten too complicated for me to follow, but I'm assuming now that the WG "Time To Kill" with Levon's asides, is legit? No, please no, not the "who sang "Holy Smoke?" thing again... I will have to call Dr. Phil myself.....

Posted on Fri May 11 06:29:15 CEST 2001 from www-cache-external.vuw.ac.nz (130.195.196.201)

ajr

Someone will probably flame you, Laura, but, you know, that’s really their problem--adults should be able to deal with an honest and real response even if its not identical to their own. I found your comments very interesting. That said I love Stage Fright. I listen to it far more than the Pink/Brown Albums and I don’t find it disturbing at all. Some of the subject matter may be but the songs are just so easy to sing along with that I can’t help but feel happy and uplifted listening to them. And what could be disturbing about a song like “Time to Kill” or “All la Glory”? To me, they seem to be such warm songs. They celebrate all that is good about human relationships.Different strokes for different folks, I guess.

Posted on Fri May 11 05:21:28 CEST 2001 from pm3-pt20.pcnet.net (206.105.29.94)

Laura P.

I was just thinking aloud on the GB (no one else is around), and here's what I wrote. I wouldn't normally post something like this. It's too honest. But maybe my reaction is worth saving:

NLSC kind of sickens me a little. I don't know. Not as much as Stage Fright does, but there's this rottenness there that is just so depressing.

Forbidden Fruit as an opener makes me somewhat queasy. I guess it all just hits too close to the inner sadness, adriftness [bad drugs]. Something about these songs feels too forced, too false. It's not the way it used to be, that's for sure. I know that, but it sure is painful to think about. And you have to think about it when you listen to this stuff. How can you not?

Part of it is that this music doesn't feel "real" like the Basement tapes/Big Pink/Brown Album songs did. I don't feel right at all about the overdubbing. The Band isn't close enough to the music; they aren't a part of it.

It's manufactured.

The songs from the album that they did live are great live. But. But. This, I don't know. Maybe I can get used to it, but my initial reaction is sadness.

It's a lot less distressing that Stage Fright is, though. It feels like somewhat more of a peaceful sadness than a sick repulsion.

(That comment was written while listening to "Hobo Jungle." I think it helps if you don't really listen to the words.)

For what it's worth, I honestly can't listen to the Stage Fright album at all, although some of the songs from it are live favourites of mine.

I know I shouldn't have posted this.

Posted on Fri May 11 04:43:59 CEST 2001 from spider-wm084.proxy.aol.com (205.188.199.189)

Tommy

I just listened to NLSC for the second time in my life.Im still trying to wrap it all around my head, but here are some of my comments so far;

'Ophelia' is another song that is outshined by the version in 'The Last Waltz'.Levon really beats that one up in the movie!Great!After being so used to the version from the movie, the NLSC version is a little too slow for me.Great song none the less.

I noticed alot of extended jamming sections on these songs.Not in the usual Band style I would say, but it's great to hear the guys rockin' out a bit.Lettin loose and all that.

Richard's vocal(leads) are a little too "down" for me on this album.I was looking forward to some nice high,emotional "belting out" from him.Nothing beats 'Tears Of Rage' for that, I guess.Also, I found the ensemble vocals (and individual vocals) alot clearer on NLSC.The instruments too, especially the acoustic guitars and drums.Is this because of the remastering or was the original lp release like that as well?(Remember folks, this is the first time I'm hearing most of this album.)

Posted on Fri May 11 03:48:07 CEST 2001 from akcf3.xtra.co.nz (203.96.111.201)

Rod

Can't wait to get the 2nd set of reissues - both for the music and the liner notes.

There's no doubt Rick does Holy Cow but Richard may be singing in unison and he can be definitely herd on the chorus. I think some of the confusion about When You Awake may be due to that song being co-written by Richard. I think that is the only example of him not singing one of his own compositions.

Posted on Fri May 11 01:27:57 CEST 2001 from spider-to071.proxy.aol.com (152.163.204.76)

Bayou Sam

All this re-issue talk is killing me. I'll have to go to the store tomorrow and pick up whatever my budget will allow. It's nice to read all the Richard stuff in here since he's the longest gone and there isn't usually anything new about him to talk about. Also, what a great thing it would be to have a collection of "new" Richard stuff ala "Country Boy".... I was listening to Before The Flood recently and Richard's performance on "I Shall Be Released" might well be the most soulful, and heart-tugging vocal in all Banddom - my God, is that a blueprint for singing with feeling.......and right behind that song would be Rick's "It Makes No Difference" from TLW.

Posted on Fri May 11 00:25:58 CEST 2001 from proxy1-external.blfld1.ct.home.com (24.4.252.36)

AHROOO!!

These reissues are GREAT! The version of "Rockin' Chair" on ROA is worth the price of the the release alone ($12.99 at Borders). There is nothing like Richard singing "I Shall Be Released." His heartbreaking solo makes me need a Kleenex next to the stereo. The clarity on the NLSC and Islands CDs is really noticable. I think I prefer the multi version of "Twilight" with Levon and Rick doing vocals. The outtake of "Christmas Must Be Tonight" wasn't as good as the version left on Islands. Garth's playing reminds you why he is the master of all keyboardists. I never paid too much attention to the background instrumentation of "Georgia On My Mind" but Robbie does some of the most tasteful guitar fills that add just the right touch without heavy soloing. The great thing from that is the outtake of "Georgia." More of a stark version of Richard displaying his vocals with little background added and Richard joking until the end of the disc, that was a great way to round out the conclusion of this eight piece set.

Somebody brought up that an album of Richard's stuff should be released as one CD. They should clean up that great live show he did at The Getaway in Woodstock from '85. That was truly a showing of what Richard could do on his own.

AHROOO!!

Posted on Thu May 10 23:39:48 CEST 2001 from pm3-pt38.pcnet.net (206.105.29.112)

Laura P.

BTW, I listened to disc two of the RoA reissue again in the car. I must say, I don't think much of the Dylan tracks. I'm a big Dylan devotee, and they are certainly neat to have, but they sure don't measure up to the solo Band numbers. Dylan messes up the lyrics *so* badly in "Like A Rolling Stone"; it's worse than the Isle of Wight version! The best part of the ROA LARS is the piano playing. Now *that* is very cool.

And yeah, ha, Dylan does sound like he's trying to do a Levon impersonation in "When I Paint My Masterpiece" and "Don't Ya Tell Henry."

The lyrics in some of these NLSC songs are a bit stilted. "Hobo Jungle" kind of reminds me of "The Moon Struck One." (Sorry.)

Posted on Thu May 10 23:37:40 CEST 2001 from user-33qt9dj.dialup.mindspring.com (199.174.165.179)

Pat Brennan

Quite a week: Among other notable events, Powell and I shed tears (probably not alone), Viney becomes enshrined, and Laura P. gets to hear NLSC for the first time. Then there's that thing with mattk, Wigs, Sam and Jan (still confused but I guess anything is possible with the internet). Can it get any better?

Well....they did record all four nights at the Academy of Music. Then there's that Palladium show from September of 76. And Woodstock 69. And whatever show Dontcha Tell Henry is from. And the real Watkins Glen is sitting around somewhere....

Posted on Thu May 10 23:35:22 CEST 2001 from (206.187.219.39)

Elly

Good, great miraculous news to posters! Great music is in the air on this gorgeous day! Maybe like a Rock and Roll or Baseball Hall of Famer kinda day! "Rhythm Come Forward" great reggae tape on this type of summery day with "THE TRUTH" ("I tried to tell you, everything is truth")by Quicksilver "Land of 1000 Dances: by Sham The Scam and The Dark Shadows and "Running On Empty" (Jackson Brown)"Their The Losers" ("and they lost someone quite dear to them, but not to her")"What Do You Want The Girl To Do?" Bonnie Raitt" Fresh Air" by Quicksilver Messenger Service "The Saving or the Healing" by John Lee Hooker "Dear GOD" by XTC "The River" Bruce "Talking 'Bout Your Reputation" The Who "Hound Dog" ("And you ain't no friend of mine") "and he treated his friend to a flake of his life and when he got home she was nobody's wife) "FAMOUS BLUE RAINCOAT" (Leonard Cohen), "If This Is Your Last Chance" ('80's rock song British) "funny how it seems she's so kind to ones who don't scheme...that's love, happening all the time, they'll never change the world...but she will" ("That's Love", Jim Capaldi)Love To Change the World" (10 Years Later("and I know just what to do")"Get Up, Stand Up" (Bob Marley) and "Stand and Fight" James Taylor "That Old School" by Steely Dan("and I ain't never going back to that old bad school") "SUNNY CAME HOME WITH A MISSION..." "WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS" Hav a blessed, saving beautiful healing day.. And for fans of the Voodoo Lost gurus-good luck, happy trails and GOD BLESS YA ! Take care y' all. LE

Posted on Thu May 10 23:27:14 CEST 2001 from 24.68.33.158.on.wave.home.com (24.68.33.158)

John D

BUTCH.....I'M VERY JEALOUS!!!!!!!

Posted on Thu May 10 23:25:15 CEST 2001 from 24.68.33.158.on.wave.home.com (24.68.33.158)

John D

Please note that I have gone back to my old Yahoo account. I have had nothing but problems with my server dishing up the new one of the past few days. I use the yahoo account instead on my "other" e-mail account because I have noticed the tons of junk mail I have received at my yahoo account. The only place on the internet that I post using that account is right here. Therefore there are a lot of spamers checking us out. I don't need my regular account bombarded with junk. Anyway.....carry on

Posted on Thu May 10 23:12:11 CEST 2001 from pm3-pt76.pcnet.net (206.105.29.150)

Laura P.

Okay, I couldn't resist. Now, in addition to my RoA and Moondog purchases yesterday, I've picked up NLSC as well. That one is very hard to find in these parts! I think I visited four different record shops before I found one that had it. Lucky for me, it was a place that buys used CDs, so I sold back my old non-reissue copies of RoA and Moondog and ended up only having to pay $5 for NLSC. HA ha ha! I'm about to listen to it for the first time EVER now.

On the issue of who sings what... this just astounds me. It definitely sounds like Rick on "Holy Cow" to me and it's a huge stretch for me to try to convince myself it *could* be Richard. And "When You Awake"?! Wow. That, for me, is the quintessential "Rick voice" song! In order to identify if it's Rick singing parts in other songs, I ask myself if it sounds like "When You Awake." I mean, he's got that whole quavery "I'm a fool" thing going there. I guess it just goes to show how differently people can hear things!

Anyway, more later... as for hearing things, it's time for me to experience NLSC.

Posted on Thu May 10 22:47:12 CEST 2001 from spider-wc064.proxy.aol.com (205.188.193.49)

bob wigo

David, well said.

There is a remarkable clarity, a lifting of the veil if you will. With each listen I discover another hidden treasure. This morning, as I sat in the car outside my office squeezing in one more tune before the whistle went off, I was moved by the ROA version of "I Shall Be Released" for the obvious reason. But, beyond Richard's haunting vocal is some of the most emotive instrumentation I have ever heard. Late in the song Levon's tempo actually staggers, as if reeling from the raw emotion of the performance.It is magical.

Beyond the vocals, which obviously benefit enormously from the remastering, I believe Garth and Levon's instruments have gained the most from this noble endeavor. The crystalline ring of the symbols reveals the true gift of Levon's unique touch and timing. Garth's keyboards seem to whisper and spin through every melody as nimbly as I imagine the angels dancing. I am even more amazed at Garth's ability to climb high above the band one moment and then drop dramatically underneath them as if to hoist them up on his shoulders. You can feel much more clearly the "marionette" pulling on the bass strings, cajoling his mates to respond in kind above the rhythm section. Robbie's guitar strings sting and shudder with new life. Richard is lifted from the shadows he somehow managed to find during many of the live cuts and his piano and vocals guide us directly to the soul of The Band.

The music of The Band is truly "sweeter than ever".

Posted on Thu May 10 22:39:22 CEST 2001 from (205.232.51.148)

Dave Hopkins

"Holy Cow": I read the discussion about who the lead singer is in this GB before I even owned a copy of Moondog Matinee. As a result, it was hard for me to understand why there was confusion about this issue. When I heard the song, I got why there was disagreement -- in part because there are parts that Richard sings in the chorus (as follows, according to my memory as I'm writing from work):

RICK: [verse]...Holy Cow, whatcha doing to me?

RICHARD: Holy Cow, whatcha doing, child?
RICK: Whatcha doing, whatcha doing, child?
RICHARD: Holy Smoke, well, it ain't no joke...
RICK: NO joke!
RICHARD: ...hey hey hey!

RICK: [verse]

As far as who sings the verses, I definitely believe it's Rick. And we were lucky enough to get confirmation from the man himself on that point!

Posted on Thu May 10 22:05:32 CEST 2001 from du-tele3-085.mailbox.co.uk (195.82.121.85)

Peter Viney

I just looked up the notes I made in 1998! They follow.

First, I have no doubts left about 'A Change Is Gonna Come' being Rick. As to Holy Cow, I confessed that I kept wavering between the two in my article. I’d always thought it was Rick. But the more I listened while doing the article, I heard Richard, then I asked people here to contribute (this is early August / late July 98). There was a clear majority (7:1) in favour of it being Rick on ‘Holy Cow’. I also got comments from very respected contributors who confessed that like me, there are times when they just can’t be sure whether it’s Rick or Richard. Then I listened to the Chicago 74 tape and felt sure it was Rick (but surely that's the amazing thing about the way these voices can bend around).

On the CD this very day, (Japanese remaster) it sounds like Richard to me now, with Rick on the echoed “No joke” and “child”. But then I just checked Chicago again. On the Chicago tape I believe you can hear Levon and Richard come in behind the lead vocal. The fact that the words get screwed up briefly in Chicago sounds more like Rick too. However, I did have an e-mail from someone who remembers distinctly seeing Rick singing ‘Holy Cow’ on stage (Roosevelt Stadium 1973), and it was the performance of the day that really stood out for him. If he sang it on stage, then ninety nine -to-one he sang it on the record. I think they can swop and imitate each other well- just as Rick has done in taking over ‘The Shape I’m In’ in recent years. But I think Rick’s accent is more distinctive and comes through on the live version. Probably. I think. Maybe. But one thing I’ll bet anything on … er, that’s definitely Robbie on guitar. And Garth on keyboards.

Posted on Thu May 10 21:50:39 CEST 2001 from du-tele3-060.mailbox.co.uk (195.82.121.60)

Peter Viney

Holy Cow: We got very confused about this once before. I'll quote from my article, which came after a heated debate in which I found it hard to decide myself:

"The issue of Richard or Rick was a thorny one. I started off sure that both vocals were Rick, but I was heavily influenced by the apparent authority of Levon’s book. The more I listened the more confused I got. First Rick, then Richard. The phrasing and accent sounded like Rick, but then it was getting into a pretty high register. And I thought that Levon couldn’t be wrong. In the end, I posted a query on the Internet, and thanks to those of you who replied. The majority favour Danko as the singer (i.e. to be precise, seven to one). It was pointed out finally that Robbie says unequivocally that Rick sang on A Change Is Gonna Come in a Crawdaddy interview. If you’re not exhausted by this much detail, there are additional notes .

The issue re-opened in December 1998 on The Band Guestbook, and was finally resolved:

Little John Tyler:

As per Peter Viney's suggestion, I had the following bit of conversation with Rick Danko, barely anhour ago, after his show at the Towne Crier, Pawling, NY. It is as close to accurately quoted as I can recall. (And it proves that we must never doubt my man Ben Pike on matters pertaining to TheBand)

Me: Hey Rick, I've got a Moondog Matinee question.

RD:What's that?

Me: Who sang lead vocal on Holy Cow?

RD: That's me!!

Me: Ah, really? Because there are lots of folks who think it was Richard.

RD: Well Richard WAS our lead singer.

Posted on Thu May 10 21:12:59 CEST 2001 from spider-wn024.proxy.aol.com (205.188.197.159)

Tommy

Speaking of Rick and Richard's vioces being confused for one another.....For quite some time I thought that Richard sang the lead vocal on 'When You Awake'.Listen to it..it sounds like Richard a WHOLE LOT!Then, one day as I became more familiar with the voices of The Band's members, I realised it was RICK!

This led to me trying to convince my friend,Chris, who's been a Band fan a lot longer than me, that Richard wasn't singing the lead in 'When You Awake'.Showing him the section on this site ("Lead Vocals On Band Songs")finally convinced him.He felt bad for never having realised it.hahaha.

Posted on Thu May 10 20:49:34 CEST 2001 from (169.200.133.37)

Bones

WOW! I'm still on cloud nine. Just finished listening to the Islands reissue, and it sounds great! Finally, in the liner notes, Bowman touches on the real problem with this record ........MARKETING! Capitol Records tried to market this as another Band classic, when they should have presented it as an album of B-sides and bonus cuts. The Band at their worst is better than most bands at their best, and there are some wonderful tracks on here. In fact, I actually like every cut on the album. Also. I think the liner notes do this album justice.

Posted on Thu May 10 20:31:18 CEST 2001 from citrix2.doc.state.vt.us (159.105.102.7)

John Cass

Robbie gets credit for writing Holland Dozier Holland's Don't Do It what a surprize!!! he wrote all his songs to I bet (just Kidding all you Robbie fans)

Seriously though does anyone out there know if there are any plans to release a album of all Richard Manuel singing. I would love it if the powers that be would release a tribute to Richard and allow us Band fans to once again get that great feeling of being able to actually go to a CD store and get Band music that hasen't been released before like disc two of ROA. I remember when Rick got into his trouble a Rick Danko live album was released from a show he did in Foxboro Ma to raise money I wonder if they could release a Richard Manuel album. Maybe someone out there that knows more about the rights like who owns what songs who legally could release a album like that can lend us there thoughts on this matter.

Posted on Thu May 10 20:29:22 CEST 2001 from (208.218.212.2)

David Powell

THREE VOICES FOR ALL, ECHOING ACROSS THE HALL

Regarding the reissues, I'd just like to briefly touch upon one thing. Apart from any of the technical aspects, there's a bittersweet emotional level for me involving these recordings. Presented in new perspectives, we can once again marvel at the power of three beautiful voices. Beneath the surface of this music is an emotional power that's worth far more than any thousands of words from Mr. Bowman's liner notes. I'm not ashamed to admit, that more than once a tear came to my eyes as I first listened to this reissued music. That my friends is the true measure of its greatness. No words are really needed to describe the experience. Just close your eyes -- listen with your heart -- and feel it!

Posted on Thu May 10 20:24:17 CEST 2001 from (209.100.37.239)

Chris

hey now,

just got my tickets to the Levon and the BarnBurners show at buddy guy's legends here in chicago. I used to live four blocks from the place and I know that I'm still on the locals list which would get me in for free. However, tickets are $12.00 a person, which both my wife and i agree is way too little for such a great band, so we bought two a piece. I was going to buy three but my wife thought that was going to far. Oh well.

I couldn't be more excited to see the show. My wife and I just bought a house so we're doing a lot of work to get it ready for us to move in. Lots of painting and the like. Anyway, lots of long nights and early mornings. We move in this weekend and then it's just enough time to decompress and get ready for the show.

Butch, I met you, Levon, Pat O'Shea, and Frank at the Memphis shows last year. Friday and Saturday night at the Blues city cafe I believe. Anyone remember the name of that place? Anyway, everyone was great.

The best part of the story is that I was sitting with my wife after an entirely disappointing Allman Brothers show. We were having gumbo and a beer while the Cate brothers were playing. So immediately we start feeling better. All of a sudden a guy ambles in and kind of invites himself to sit at our table. Lo and behold...it's James Cotton. He starts up a converstaion, I tell him I got an album he did with Junior Wells, Billy Branch, and Carey Bell called Harp Attack, which just smokes. He laughs bums me a Newport and we sort of relax and have fun. I'm so busy with James that when Levon walks by to say hello I totally freeze. Choke out a nice to meet you and away he goes. So Levon is standing there taking pictures and signing autographs and I have nothing to have him sign or anything. So I go back up to him and gush, "Hey Levon, your one of my all time heros I'm just glad I met you." I was embarrassed as soon as the words left my mouth. But he was so nice about it I felt better right away. The show that night rocked. We were standing front row center and just lovin' it. Amy was great, the whole band gelled. Terrific.

The point to the story is that Levon is one of my heros. I have a ton of stuff that I would have liked to have with me for him to sign. I plan on bringing the drum video and his book with me to the show. Butch, do you think I could introduce myself to you and maybe get a second chance to meet Levon.

Posted on Thu May 10 19:25:16 CEST 2001 from sdn-ar-004paphilp124.dialsprint.net (158.252.2.188)

Peter Stone Brown

Holy Cow! is my reaction not only to Rob Bowman actually saying in the liner notes that Rick Danko sings the lead on "Holy Cow," but that anyone would believe it. Given the way the track is recorded I can understand how some confusion would exist, but the difference between Rick and Richard becomes obvious when Rick does come in on the 2nd round of "whatchya doin' child(s)." I've had these remasters for a while, but hadn't yet gotten around to readinging the liner notes. However Bowman should be stripped of his music journalist license for at least six months for this one.

Another major error (pointed out to the rec.music.dylan newsgroup today) more than likely on the part of Capitol's typesetter and whoever proofread this stuff (if anyone did) is crediting Robertson with Holland Dozier Holland's "Don't Do It," which was not the case on the original album on vinyl or CD.

Posted on Thu May 10 19:15:26 CEST 2001 from cmldme-cmt1-c4-24-25-179-110.maine.rr.com (24.25.179.110)

mattk

Damn, bassman, I was hoping you might be the real deal. After watching the Sox give up 5 in the eighth last night, I figure they need all the help they can get.

No sweat on the Tubes. I run hot and cold with them myself. Though they did one of the best live shows I've seen (of course, Prince put on the best show I've ever seen, which puts me squarely in the crack smoker contingent by many GB'er's estimation).

Posted on Thu May 10 18:40:58 CEST 2001 from (209.195.208.10)

bassmanlee

mattk - I've nothing against the Tubes. I loved "What Do You Want From Life", and used to play it on my radio show back in the college days. My comment was tongue-in-cheek.

And for the record I am not now and have never been a pitcher, starter or reliever...

"Standing in the middle of a diamond all alone,

I always fade away when it comes to skin and bones

But sometimes I say things I shouldn't, like..."

Nor am I Warren Zevon. (The Brits, Aussies, and Euros are now saying, "huh?". It's a baseball thing...)

Posted on Thu May 10 17:38:41 CEST 2001 from spider-tf073.proxy.aol.com (152.163.197.208)

butch

Boy are my arms tired,,,,,,,,,,,just got in from Nashville& Memphis' festivals,,,,,,,,,,,,, 2700 miles inna week,,,me & my SAAB convertable,,,

ok , i saw,,, The Wallflowers,,GREAT,,, Dylan, TWICE,,,,BRILLIANT,, better than ever,,,, wonderful shows,, great band,,,amazing tunes,, Down in the Flood, Memphis Blues,Masters of War, Heaven's Door, Desolation Row, Highway 61,,,,& SO MANY MORE,,, i turned around & the Black Crowes were watching,, some of String Cheese Incident, WAR, John Popper ( ugh),,,all to see the MAN,,, also hung with Hubert Sumlin, Mavis was GREAT !!!!!!!!!!! Roomfull of Blues,, The Nighthawks,,, & so many more,,, TWO GREAT FESTIVALS,,,,,

So Glad G-man & the Warriors had it all in hand,, thanks for filling in for me,,,( HA ! ) Sounds Like Rando, Jimmy & The Gurus,, & The B.B.'s gave it all they had,, BTW,,The Wallflowers are HUGE GURU fans,, they love weider,,, go figure,,, so, home now,, & getting ready for to fade,, into my own parade, cast your dancing spell my way,,, i promise to go under it,,,,

ooops sorry, i digress,,,,,,

Getting Ready for Levon & The Barn Burners @ Chicago Blues,,this Sat nite,, in New York City,,,,

who else is going ???

,,,,,& Dylan is still The Man !!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted on Thu May 10 16:41:17 CEST 2001 from (12.33.178.186)

twilight

Bayou Sam - Thanks for your reply - I'm going to do some digging for the John Lennon/ Chuck Berry tape this weekend. I'll let you know. For those of you who are waiting for Robbie Robertson's book, buy the reissues and put the eight booklets together - voila! I enjoy his comments and especially those of Allen Toussaint ("I don't know where Rick Danko's bass playing came from") For the first time I really enjoyed "Endless Highway". The sound is clean on the discs - and not to start another argument (we went through this one a while ago) when I first heard the reissue of Moondog, I thought Richard was singing Holy Cow. I think Rick sings that very much in the Richard style (at moments). I suspect we will be getting some new live stuff fairly soon - with technology, bands can now release much of their vault material. I would love to hear Bring It on Home - Rick being Sam Cooke and Richard doing Lou Rawls. I'm hoping to see the Barnburners in Cleveland or Chicago or both. It's always been great to be a fan, and it's really fun right now! Take care all.

Posted on Thu May 10 15:31:21 CEST 2001 from cmldme-cmt1-c4-24-25-179-110.maine.rr.com (24.25.179.110)

MattK

Bassman Lee,

Anytime you'd care to rejoin the Red Sox bullpen, you've got my vote - Mr. Arrojo should be selling soap door-to-door.

However, I must protest your slight on The Tubes. Granted they could be prone to some nasty 80s corporate rock, but they were also capable of moments of high musicianship (I give you "wild women of wongo"). Fee Waybill is a putz, no doubt, but as a band, at their best, the Tubes offered some of the best fun this side of stupid.

Posted on Thu May 10 15:02:35 CEST 2001 from (209.195.208.10)

bassmanlee

Sundog - Vince Welnick was the last keyboard man in the Greatful Dead. Before that he was in the Tubes, but don't hold that against him! He had a band called "Missing Man Formation" at one time, but I haven't heard much about that recently.

Posted on Thu May 10 13:54:32 CEST 2001 from ottawa-ppp3517181.sympatico.ca (206.172.191.52)

Richard

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT. To those of you yet to order the reissues: EVERYTHING by the Band is on sale at CDNOW 30% off... Use Jan's link under "Merchandise" on the left of this page and let em know who sent you! Party on Garth.

Posted on Thu May 10 13:48:01 CEST 2001 from (12.34.17.217)

Johnny Flippo

I wasn't aware the Circle Jerks were playing Wankfest this year. Checked on Pollstar and found nothing. Perhaps Ms. Wabb could clear this up. Then again, don't bother.

Posted on Thu May 10 13:35:00 CEST 2001 from fa0.dc1-cache2.mel.dav.net.au (202.53.33.10)

Michael

Picked up a vinyl copy of ROA at a charity thrift shop in pristine condition, pity I've got nothing to play it on. Can only assume the owner of the record must have died, you would never give it away. I do envy you guys in the states with the easy access to the new Band material, I read this site with interest and have very fond memories of the time I spent over there, especially upstate New York, beautiful country and I can understand why the guys called it home. Apart from the odd dickhead, you will get that in any public forum, the entries here and this site in general make great reading for someone so far from the action. Regards

Hmm...seems to me there's only one 'jerk' going on (and on and on and on) around here....

-->

Posted on Thu May 10 11:51:29 CEST 2001 from (205.245.52.66)

carmen

Moondog gets my nod as most improved!

Posted on Thu May 10 11:43:34 CEST 2001 from ben.mcc.wwwcache.ja.net (194.82.103.138)

Roger Woods

Grey Whistle Test. I think they did play on the Whistle Test. Could be false memory syndrome, or age, but I've a hazy memory of it. Possibly '74 when they played in London in September (?). Congrats on the mention in the liner notes Peter. Some time ago you listed the definitive home-made compilation tape for car journeys. I love making these and if I had a definitive one it would include Rockin' Chair; Willin'; Rhythm of the Rain; Love Minus Zero;She Knows; God Only Knows; If I Fell; Safe in My Garden; Case of You; Carolina On My Mind....

I always include The Band, Dylan and the Beatles on any compilation. Anybody got other suggestions?

Posted on Thu May 10 07:43:17 CEST 2001 from cmldme-cmt1-c4-24-25-179-110.maine.rr.com (24.25.179.110)

MattK

Thank you Mr. Wabb for the inciteful comment. Please don't let the door hit you on the butt on your way out.

Posted on Thu May 10 07:14:38 CEST 2001 from proxy-1381.public.svc.webtv.net (209.240.220.196)

Bill W.

YOU GOTTA LUV IT! Hoiberg, Wigo, Psycho Sam and now Matt K. engaged in a circle jerk. The movie " The Boys in the Band" is a hot item on e-bay. Why don't you big, tough "guys" come together and get a copy for your little wankfests??

Posted on Thu May 10 06:47:19 CEST 2001 from ool-18b995aa.dyn.optonline.net (24.185.149.170)

Me

The best BAND song AND album is Islands.......im serious....listen to it......brilliant, the best ever......

Posted on Thu May 10 06:29:29 CEST 2001 from cl3030709-b.mdsn1.wi.home.com (24.183.0.216)

Tim(SUNDOG)Corcoran

Hi everyone!!! Anyone here know who Vince Welnick is?!? Well,,,He'll be sitting in with Prof. "Louie" & The Crowmatix to do a little jam'n!!! Check the web site...I hope one or two of you all can make it out here Labor Day Weekend!!!

Posted on Thu May 10 06:22:05 CEST 2001 from as1-dial43.ptsk.mi.freeway.net (208.171.20.57)

John

Although I have always been an obsessive music fan, I came of age at a time when the best music made was in the experimental / postpunk vein. Consequently, when I was of an age where I might have come to appreciate the Band, all that was available was the series of original crappy CD issues, so I never bothered. Time has made me wiser (and luckier) in that I just picked up the second batch of reissues, and I'm BLOWN AWAY YET AGAIN. And that's after expecting that the second four reissues would be hugely inferior to the first four. Haven't had a chance yet to *really* listen to all four, but ROA and MOONDOG are utterly fab. I expected "Moondog" to be inferior, but one listen to the heartbreak vocals on "Share Your Love" and I'm hooked. I love Bobby Blue Bland, but this version - surprisingly - is better than the original (which is very good.) Thanks for this site - it's rare to find ALL the information I'd want on a band (let alone THE Band) in one place, and I'm quite pleased someone has taken the time and care to do right by this important group. A very hearty THANKS.

Posted on Thu May 10 05:49:29 CEST 2001 from (199.105.252.66)

Charlie Young

Pehr: you're not the only one who thought of the '74 tour version of "Most Likely You Go Your Way" on first hearing the "Down on the Flood" from the new ROA.

Pat Brennan: I'm with you on that "alternate" version of "Georgia On My Mind." It's absolutely transcendent and proves once again that Richard Manuel outtakes are better than 95% of the new music being released today...

Posted on Thu May 10 05:01:56 CEST 2001 from spider-ti064.proxy.aol.com (152.163.194.204)

Dave Z

Boy, the Crowmatix really upped the ante with JAM!... Track 9 really stands out for me with everybody getting some time... I also like the Bayou song (took a drive with Hank's full moon last night to get a listen)... as well as the Horns song... Anybody want to give an update on their live shows of this stuff?... I remember thinking that Louie really busted loose when I saw the band, and now you get to hear those fingers moving on the new CD... Really great stuff...

What can I say... you get a CD and you just want more... pure fan greed... and look what the blues is doing to Crabby (nice pics!), gonna have to call him Smiley or something now... Can't wait for Guru and Barnburner CDs... not to mention Garth... Spring has sprung... watch out for those tornados people... ga-night... I'll sleep tight with my remasters on their way...

Posted on Thu May 10 05:02:16 CEST 2001 from 24.68.33.158.on.wave.home.com (24.68.33.158)

John D

This month Bob Dylan turns 60 years old. There have been many "tribute" CD's out of Bob's tunes in the past. May I encourage you to buy "A NOD TO BOB" on Redhouse records. A stable of there performers playing the songs of Bobby Dylan. Levon Helm drums on Guy Davis and his Dylan cover of "Sweetheart Like You."

There are 15 tracks and a few of my favorites are Suzzy and Maggie Roche singing Clothes Line Saga.....Eliza Gilkyson with Love Minus Zero (She'll remind you of Melanie)....Ramblin' Jack Elliott with Don't Think Twice and Lucy Kaplansky with It Ain't Me Babe.

Posted on Thu May 10 04:38:36 CEST 2001 from pm3-pt40.pcnet.net (206.105.29.114)

Laura P.

Re: "Christian lane"... BWNWITennessee, I think you need to go listen to "Saved" about ten or twenty times. ;-)

Speaking of which, wow, Richard sure does go all out in that song. I love it. I couldn't help but play it three times in a row during my Moondog reissue listening. I like the live version on the Jersey City bootlegs even better, though. He *really* gets out of control in that. (I especially like it when he throws in, "You're saved, too!") All of Richard's Moondog songs are so incredible. "Share Your Love" and "The Great Pretender" seem outrageously personal. I don't know if it's because of or in spite of the fact that they are cover songs, but for some reason they feel almost painfully intimate.

I haven't read any of the liner notes yet... I'm drawing this out. I guess I will buy NLSC and Islands next week (if I can find them... some other Connecticut band fan had raided Borders before I got there, and there were no copies of NLSC to be had!). Both of these albums will be totally new to me, as I was waiting for the reissues to buy them. I'm a little wary... I do want to hear that alt. "Georgia" outtake, though.

Posted on Thu May 10 04:17:10 CEST 2001 from (141.164.90.65)

Bob W.

Hello, all. I just wanted to say that "What Am I Living For" off of the reissue of Moondog Matinee is utterly amazing, IMHO. I'm not sure what it is, but it just seems so fresh, or something. I can't really explain it properly, but the first time I played it, it felt almost like Levon was right here in the room. Anybody else have a similar reaction? Bob W.

Posted on Thu May 10 03:48:36 CEST 2001 from dialup-325.cork.iol.ie (193.203.148.69)

HANK

Butch has already informed me that The Barnburners are gonna be down south while I'm in NYC at the end of this month but does anyone here know whether or not The Honky Tonk Gurus or The Crowmatix are performing in The NYC area fromMay 22nd-29th?...or if Garth is gigging? Just wondering.....I know I'll be gigging myself but you know how it is in NYC; you can do a gig and then go and catch a gig .......or vice versa.

Great to see The GB has mainly musical posts again....it was gettin' kinda weird there for a while

Posted on Thu May 10 03:24:17 CEST 2001 from spider-mtc-tf012.proxy.aol.com (64.12.103.22)

jcf

I picked up all of the reissues except Rock of Ages yesterday. I have been buying a lot of cd's over the last nine months or so, so I wasn't "able" to buy everything. It was good to see peter mentioned in the liner notes to Moondog Mantinee. That album was different than I expected. What I expected was straight ahead rcok and roll. That is not to say I have been dissapointed. It great to hear Garth play piano the way he does on save. Rick is real good on A Change is going to come and on the bonus, country cover... I am still not finished listening, not having got to Islands yet.

Posted on Thu May 10 01:23:34 CEST 2001 from cmldme-cmt1-c4-24-25-179-110.maine.rr.com (24.25.179.110)

MattK

John, I'd assumed you'd taken your DJ-ness to it's logical hip hop extreme and were saying that the reissues were "sooooo PHAT." I'm down with that, G. Peace out.

Posted on Thu May 10 01:07:35 CEST 2001 from host-209-214-115-230.bna.bellsouth.net (209.214.115.230)

BWNWITennessee

Laura, I've been on the Christian lane before, too, and you're right, it doesn't lead anywhere useful.

;-)

Posted on Thu May 10 01:06:38 CEST 2001 from 24.68.33.158.on.wave.home.com (24.68.33.158)

John D

Thanks Lil and Paul. My e-mail seems to be working OK. Man these re-isssues are a treat. Now all we need is a Barnburners CD and I'll be in 7th heaven.

Posted on Wed May 9 22:59:00 CEST 2001 from pm3-pt85.pcnet.net (206.105.29.159)

Laura P.

Strike that... instead of playing disc two of RoA again, I'm listening to "Moondog Matinee" and dancing around the room. (can't help it!) I guess there isn't much chance of hurting myself while doing laundry... (I hope).

Posted on Wed May 9 22:54:05 CEST 2001 from 24.68.33.158.on.wave.home.com (24.68.33.158)

John D

BONUS TRACKS SO FAT??? WHAT AM I ON? I meant to say I have only gone through the bonus tracks on the Rock of Ages CD so far.

Posted on Wed May 9 22:52:32 CEST 2001 from 24.68.33.158.on.wave.home.com (24.68.33.158)

John D

Well, I spoke too soon this morning. Got my new re-issues this afternoon and have only gone through bonus tracks so fat. Great!

Would somebody anybody just send me a dummy e-mail to the address I am now using to see if it works. I'm having trouble with it. Sometimes it delivers and as Lil said today it bounced back to her. Ahhhhhhh! Computers. Thanks

Posted on Wed May 9 22:48:06 CEST 2001 from pm3-pt69.pcnet.net (206.105.29.143)

Laura P.

I just picked up the "Moondog Matinee" and "Rock of Ages" reissues at Borders (discovered at the cash register that RoA was actually *on sale*, so with my $20 Borders credit, I only had to pay 10 bucks!) and, of course, I couldn't resist putting the second disc from RoA in my car CD player to listen to on the way home.

Well, wow. What *amazing* sound. "Loving You..." and "I Shall Be Released"... gulp. It was like I was hearing them for the first time (which I wasn't). Riding high on awe and bliss, cursing the fact that the drive home is so short, I was so caught up in joyfully yodeling along to "Up On Cripple Creek" (boy do they do them great in that version) that I accidentally took the wrong exit off the highway and ended up who knows where, on some road called Christian Lane that didn't seem to go anywhere the least bit useful. This, despite the fact that I already have "Academy of Outtakes." Of course, I didn't mind one bit because driving around hopelessly lost, trying and failing to find a way back onto the highway, gave me the opportunity to listen to the rest of "Cripple Creek," "The Rumor," (...sigh... can I ever get enough of this version??), and "Time to Kill."

I finally ended up in Kensington somehow and recognized familiar territory (still went the wrong direction and had to turn around, thanks to "The Rumor"), so I found my way home eventually, whilst previewing snippets of the Dylan tracks. Gosh. Now I'm going to put it in my discman and listen all over again. I hope I don't burn myself on the stove or anything.

Posted on Wed May 9 22:41:33 CEST 2001 from (208.218.212.2)

David Powell

Had a chance to give the reissues a quick listen. Soundwise, they're an improvement over previous versions, and the bonus tracks & liner notes are definitely a plus. Some secrets are revealed, but many mysteries remain. The booklet notes don't go into any detail about the remastering process, except for mentioning the 24-bit upsampling and noting that many of the previously unissued tracks were recently mixed. As someone who still listens to analog vinyl, these reissues don't sound like straight, flat tranfers from the master tapes. I'm guessing that Capitol took the remastering route of using a computer workstation to digitally EQ and otherwise "enhance" the sound. To my ears, there's plenty of detail, but they're a tad bit on the bright side of the digital road. I would have loved to have heard what Steve Hoffman, with his vintage tube gear's warm breath of life, could have done with the reissues. But at least Capitol has finally reissued the entire Band catalog with added bonus tracks. Maybe someday, Warner Brothers will release an upgraded Last Waltz soundtrack. (I've just about given up on MGM releasing the video on DVD, but that's a story for another day.)

By the way, the "Rock of Ages" 2-disc set is a bargain. I picked it up for the same price as the other (single disc) reissues at $14.99 U.S.

Posted on Wed May 9 22:39:08 CEST 2001 from spider-tl074.proxy.aol.com (152.163.207.209)

bob wigo

Crabby,

Yeah, what he said.

;-]

Posted on Wed May 9 22:19:34 CEST 2001 from du-tele3-058.mailbox.co.uk (195.82.121.58)

Peter Viney

I’ve had the new Moondog on all day. Levon’s “What am I Living For?” is totally superb (out-of-tune bass or not) and they should have worked this up as the 11th track. Richard sounds even better than before. Rick’s Holy Cow and Change is Gonna Come are great (and probably the best songs in themselves). What about “Shakin””? As no one can turn it up, it has to be simply the wrong title, as the Berry song is officially called “Back to Memphis” NOT “Going Back to Memphis” as it is here. Any guesses? I’ve given MM and NSLC total attention. Tomorrow it’s ROA. I played it just once … but I have heard Academy of Outtakes so I’ve heard the non-Dylan stuff already, including the supposedly “non-existent” Strawberry Wine and Smoke Signal.

NLSC is still a mild problem for me. Like the Van remasters, there’s “more of it” than before, and the instruments are individually clearer, but I have a feeling it’s happened at the expense of the blend, but maybe I just know the original too well.

Great photographs from Crabgrass. Thanks!

Posted on Wed May 9 22:02:39 CEST 2001 from m20677150207.austin.cc.tx.us (206.77.150.207)

pehr

picked up ROA. Richard's singing on released is amazing. RR's guitar playing may have been at it's finest. "Crash on the Levee" rocked my ass off, reminds me of "Most likely" on BTF. The Dylan stuff is valuable if just to get BT songs with good sound. Great singing by Rick on "Lovin' You". is this the same as Watkin's really? that just occured to me when I saw Brien's post.

which record has Mr. Viney mentioned in the liner notes? didnt see him on ROA.

Reviews of NLSC anyone?

Crabby I'm glad to hear you are a transient psychopathic misanthrope in addition to a good photographer. BTW, have you picked up your copy of "Islands" yet?

Posted on Wed May 9 21:36:24 CEST 2001 from (164.156.231.55)

Little Brøther

Crabgrass: You're scum and always will be.

(This has been a Public Service Announcement)

Posted on Wed May 9 21:29:24 CEST 2001 from (12.33.126.131)

John Wiessner

Tommy, you are correct -- Levon was not in attendance on the night The Band was inducted to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. He was scheduled to attend but his limosine broke down on the way from Woodstock to Manhattan. There were some who said this was an excuse, that Levon was actually avoiding Robbie. Anybody know the facts behind this story?

Posted on Wed May 9 20:56:29 CEST 2001 from spider-mtc-ti041.proxy.aol.com (64.12.101.166)

Tommy

Hello friends...

Monday night I saw a really really good band , Ocean Colour Scene (Peter Viney has probably heard of them cause they're supposedly REALLY big in the UK).My friend, who is a fan, bought me a ticket, and since I like to see different bands, I didn't object.I recommend them to anyone here.They were a good rock/pop band with (for lack of a better word) "mature" songs and great arrangements.Kinda reminded me of Neil Finn/Crowded House.Check 'em out.

Then, Last night I saw AC/DC at the Garden.Fuckin' amazing!!!For a stadium band, they still manage to convey enough personality, emotion, style and character that they make you feel like you're in a small club.This was my third time seeing them and its like they get better each time.Good times!That, my friends , is a rock 'n' roll band.

I picked up Northern Lights-Southern Cross yesterday, along with the new Black Crowes album. I didn't listen fully to NLSC cause I was running around all day yesterday and wanna devote some "quality" listening time to it.I did read the liner notes though.I was supposed to get them all at once, but I've been broke.I gotta save what money I have for the BarnBurners show on Saturday.I hope to see some of you guys there..I'll be the fat guy, probably wearing a black shirt and blue jeans.Come say hello.

Oh yeah, I got my Robbie Robertson;Going Home DVD today in the mail.It's a pretty good one.The interviews with Robbie seem very honest and genuinely gracious.Alot of good footage too from the late 60s Band .One question though.....In the show, they have some footage of The Band's Rock&Roll Hall Of Fame induction.(Theres a really great bit backstage wherein Rick is practicing and leading Clapton in the harmonies for 'The Weight'.)Was Levon there?It looked like someone else on drums.They didn't show too much of the actual show, but it definitely didn't sound like Levon's playing style.Can anyone giva me info about this?WHERE WAS LEVON???

Ok, this has been one of my longer posts.I'll be going now....

Posted on Wed May 9 20:44:05 CEST 2001 from (208.194.70.30)

Brien Sz

Having been a mechanic (oh so many years ago) I can tell you (off the record of course) that it is part of code to change the settings on the stereo..,

Listened to ROA remaster -Love it! But is Loving You really Watkins Glen which is really ROA? Rockin Chair and Dylan--what a treat - I really like the loose groove on the Dylan tracks. Can't wait to listen to the others!

Posted on Wed May 9 19:50:51 CEST 2001 from (169.200.133.38)

Bones

The Rock of Ages reissue is superb! The sound, especially on disc two, is incredible! Also, the liner notes are great and informative. The interviews with Allen Toussant were wonderful. He spoke so highly of the Band. He said that once he got a chance to watch them work, his horn charts began to change. He said they were so good that he wanted the horns to get out of their way. I love the Dylan tracks too! The ROA is a milestone reissue! I'm now going to go listen to the others.

Peter Viney: Thanks for answering my Motown question, and, yes, mechanics messing with your stereo is an international problem.

Posted on Wed May 9 19:19:22 CEST 2001 from cache-hki-5.inet.fi (194.197.68.45)

Kalervo

My old favorites, like the Band, sound good, if I take a long break from their music. Recently it has been a season of the Band and it is so refreshing............ I have a Big Mission! To praise a debut mp3 cd called Why Gommorrah Was Destroyed by a guy called StupidHat (you can find the site above). To me it is my favorite album at the moment (alongside another lovely debut: Lido by an English band called Clearlake). Fine songs and strong voice, Tim Buckley meets hmm the Jayhawks!! Is it only some weird Finn who has heard this hidden treasure! Kalervo

Posted on Wed May 9 17:27:12 CEST 2001 from icabrowser.doc.state.vt.us (159.105.102.6)

JOHN CASS

I picked up re-issue of ROA disc 2 is great Rockin Chair is by far my favorite. Already had reissues of Brown album and Cahoots both great also but I was wondering is the version of twilight on one of the albums just the version that was released with the cd best of the band? I also noticed some other reissues Joe Cocker's Whith A Little Help album and his Joe Cocker! album anyone have those and if so how are the bonus tracks on them sound worth the money? cause I already own the old ones

Posted on Wed May 9 15:09:46 CEST 2001 from dm2c81.bell.ca (198.235.69.171)

Richard

JOHN D: I saw 'Rock of Ages' at a SAM'S in Welland over the weekend... $33.99 Canadian !... Needless to say this resident from the home of the Hawks will be supporting the U.S. economy... oops political post...

Posted on Wed May 9 15:04:08 CEST 2001 from (194.75.150.6)

Michael