The Band Guestbook, October 2019

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Posted by:

Ray Mizumura

Location: Lawrence, Kansas/the heartland/flyover country

Subject: BOOKER T. JONES

This week is a good one for those who love quality music and who enjoy reading about those who make it.

Yes, the Booker T. Jones autobiography, "Time is Tight," has been published.

In it you will find memories of The Band and many other brilliant musicians. Recommended most highly.

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Posted by:

Bill M

Web: My link

Subject: Levon box

Yes, indeed. Add Summertime Blues (Dutch 45), Gimmee A Stone from Largo, lots of collaborations with others, Ringo Starr All-Star Band. It could be massive if it was comprehensive.

On which check out "how to do it" with The Kinks box sets for Village Green and Arthur … i.e. you put in a 7" single of Summertime Blues as well.

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Posted by:

Joe Frey

Location: Saratoga Springs

Subject: Levon

I think that I am ready for a Levon Helm box set. I would like to see his solo records, side projects and live work mined for the best. I have an old scratchy file of Levon singing Blue Moon of Kentucky.I would love to have a clean version of that.

I also heard that the reformed Band made a record with Champion Jack Dupree that has not seen the light of day. There there are also the Sweetfish recrod sides, Ringo's band, Let it Rock cd, his Blues Band and Rambles. Plus, I suspect, a lot more that I don't know about as well as boots that are floating around.

I know we are all waiting for the pre-Band Levon and the Hawks box set. But Levon deserves, a comprehensive perspective on his talents and contributions to music. Wishful thinking on my part.

Joe

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Posted by:

Bill M

Wallsend: Karen Dalton had a great talent to go with her sad story, and I'm thankful to the Light In The Attic for reissuing her Woodstock LP. Her version of Dino Valenti's "Something On Your Mind" in magnificent, thanks in part to the stellar fiddling of Bobby Notkoff. "In A Station" is also a stand-out.

John D: I leafed through a new book on Janis Joplin and noted and producer Gabriel Mekler didn't call in just Goldy McJohn to play piano of "Kozmic Blues", he also called in Goldy's Steppenwolf confrere, Jerry Edmonton to drum. (I suppose this was because of the disappearing act performed by yet another Canuck, Skip Prokop, who signed up then split to form his own group, Lighthouse.) The book is not without its failings, as it credits Mekler with producing the second Paupers album when that was Elliot Mazur's project. And while it mentions Prokop's previous Grossman-managed group, the Paupers, it doesn't seem to know that Brad Campbell, "a 23-year-old Canadian", was also brought over to the Kozmic Blues Band from the Paupers.

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Posted by:

brown eyed girl

Web: My link

Hi John D. I did post about Echo Doc a few months ago with this link.

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Posted by:

Peter V

Web: My link

Subject: Harper

I've re-started my series of reviews of classic films of the 1960s, perhaps the colder weather prompts it. Link is to Harper with Paul Newman from 1966.

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Posted by:

Dag B.

Subject: 'Pinched' guitar playing

From Bob Dylan - The Rolling Stone 20th Anniversary Interview, 1987:

Kurt Loder: A lot of fans would say that the Band, which was backing you up in the mid-Sixties, was the greatest group you ever had. Would you agree?

Bob Dylan: Well, there were different things I liked about every band I had. I liked the Street Legal band a lot. I thought it was a real tight sound. Usually it’s the drummer and the bass player that make the band. The Band had their own sound, that’s for sure. When they were playin’ behind me, they weren’t the Band; they were called Levon and the Hawks. What came out on record as the Band — it was like night and day. Robbie [Robertson] started playing that real pinched, squeezed guitar sound — he had never played like that before in his life. They could cover songs great. They used to do Motown songs, and that, to me, is when I think of them as being at their best. Even more so than “King Harvest” and “The Weight” and all of that. When I think of them, I think of them singin’ somethin’ like “Baby Don’t You Do It,” covering Marvin Gaye and that kind of thing. Those were the golden days of the Band, even more so than when they played behind me.

Kurt Loder: What were some of the most memorable shows you guys did together?

Bob Dylan: Oh, man, I don’t know. Just about every single one. Every night was like goin’ for broke, like the end of the world.

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Posted by:

Wallsend

This video was just posted on Youtube: Behind The Song: "The Weight" (Part 1) | Playing For Change

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Posted by:

Bill M

Did Robbie often incorporate the "bamba bamba" bit of the chorus from"La Bamba" when he played LARS on the '66 tour, or just the Pittsburgh show? I'd never noticed before.

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Posted by:

Wallsend

I think the idea of 'race' has long been discredited and now we talk of 'ethnicity'. I have just been listening to Karen Dalton's version of 'In a Station'. Hers is a sad story.

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Posted by:

JQ

Subject: Race

Is there really any such thing? Is an American of Egyptian decent considered an African American? Or what’s the diff genetically between an Egyptian and a Sicilian? I don’t know but certain cultures like ours and So Africans tied themselves in knots trying to get a precise measurement of when somebody becomes black. Humanity - what the fuck was Ma Nature or JFC thinking?

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Posted by:

joe j

Dusty was being magnanimous.

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Posted by:

Dunc

Location: Scotland

I’m definitely with Kevin. I think I get what he is meaning.

For me, Richard Manuel is right up there...as high as it gets. Seeing Joe Cocker live was brilliant.

Hamish Stuart and Alan Gorrie were tremendous at their peak. Saw both relatively recently and still great. The White album is one of the greatest soul albums of all time. It’s my favourite soul album and I have many of the classics as regular posters will know.

Me and a lot of other people think the singing on Steely Dan albums is great. Difficult to define, but there is something different, is there not?

And in the ladies, Lucinda Williams is really good. Loved her when I saw her live. Playing her all afternoon. The best Amy Winehouse album is great.

Great African American singers and I love Marvin Gaye, but I don’t agree that white soul is second best...or you need white as an adjective...an adjective which is perhaps meaning ‘not bad, but a little second classy.’

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Posted by:

Kevin J

This reminds me of how things change in this “gender neutral” world we are now living in. Canada’s national anthem was recently changed from ““True patriot love in all of thy sons command” to “in all of us command.”

…… job applications for ever and ever would contain the line…Sex? applicants would answer Male or Female. The cheeky answer to the Sex question was “Once, in Las Vegas!……Sadly, this is no longer an option. Some immigration cards at entry in some parts of the world still have a section/question called Race? Answering that one has caused delays at immigration for many. Fans of the Orange Clown are never stumped on that one though.....

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Posted by:

Pat B

Kevin J, please. I'm just agreeing with Dusty who said many time she didn't hold a candle to the many AA singers she learned from.

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Posted by:

Bill M

For a soulful First Nations singer we need look no farther than Robbie's Redboy album, specifically Sadie Buck on "Stomp".

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Posted by:

Kevin J

I wish the term “white” could be dropped when describing a singer as having soul. Seems silly to me at this point. Dusty Springfield had all kinds of soul in her voice as Chet Baker did in his horn. Does Marcus King or Greg Allman make you feel soul or just white soul? The Jazz and rock areas don’t designate in this way, at least they generally don’t any longer, and they shouldn’t. And, I have had the pleasure of hearing First Nation singers in Canada that cut right to the bone with the soul in their voices.....How do we describe their soul?

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Posted by:

Peter V

Location: NOLA/Chicago

I’ve been reading the articles and GB entries about OWB, which I haven’t seen yet, and I also just listened again to the wonderful Playing for Change “The Weight” (thanks to the GB stalwarts for alerting me to that). I was touched by the warmth and joy and stellar talent of that video, and then I thought about the origin version with the guys, and how each one of them played such a soulful and essential role in making that song and that Band a lasting part of our culture.

So, while it’s part of human drama that I engage in as much as anyone to think about who did what & who deserved what, it is nice to step back and appreciate that it matters because of how great they all were together.

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Posted by:

Wallsend

I wasn't suggesting there was anything wrong with the agreement or intending it as a negative comment about Albert who, like Bill Graham, seemed like an interesting person. I just got the impression with certain parts of Testimony that some of what Robbie wrote wasn't aimed at the general reader as he seemed to be sending some kind of message to specific people. Of course, that could all just be in my imagination.

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Posted by:

joe j

Subject: It's All Good

Thanks to all who gave best wishes (and brought soup) during our recent issues. Getting better all the time.

Have not been listening to much of the Band lately; hope to hear the new Van shortly.

Spent Sunday afternoon listening to some of my favourite lady singers; Petula Clark, Dionne Warwick, Sandy Denny, Nina Simone, Linda Ronstadt, Margo Timmons and Dolly Parton. Ended up with an hour of Dusty Springfield. Does it get any better?

Just heard of the passing of Paul Barrere. 'Waiting For Columbus' always a fave. Shared a flight with Bill Payne years ago. An unusual gentleman.

Enjoying some 'Playing for Change' videos. Thanks Norm.

Why don't you all come to Twillingate next summer. Can't get you into any of our shows (Not So Righteous Bros. all presold) but there's a whole lot else to do around here. Scenery, food, & music. Book early. I do have a couple rooms in the attic, no charge.

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Posted by:

Kevin J

Subject: Bob Dylan Publishing

The proper approach to paying someone back who has been of great help in your life is to never explicitly state - especially publicly - that you are paying them back. And, good management can help guide groups through things like that. Albert Grossmen was not all bad. In fact, he had many good qualities.

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Posted by:

Wallsend

The idea that the agreement with Dwarf Records was more of a 'payback' than the act of voluntary kindness Robbie portrays it as makes more sense to me.

I have often wondered what Levon did while he was away apart from working on the oil rig. I came across this quote from Earl Cate recently and hopefully there will be more details in the new book about Levon:

“He was definitely one of a kind, a great guy with a lot of charisma. He treated everybody like he’d known you all your life. He helped us a lot through the years; in fact, got us the best record deal we ever had. We met back in ’62 when they were playing with Ronnie Hawkins as his band ‘The Hawks.’ Levon’s folks had moved to Springdale, so he always came in to visit them and would come see us play when he was in town. In ’67, he sat in with us on drums a couple of gigs when we didn’t have a steady drummer. He’d drop by the music store where I worked and one day came in and told me he was heading up to Woodstock to work on a record they had signed to do with Capital. That was ‘Music From Big Pink.’ After ‘The Band’ broke up, he started leaning on us pretty heavy as his band. He was always a treat to behold. A true personality.”

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Posted by:

Pat B

In RR's book, he states that they did an early version of Chest Fever and Ruben Remus with a studio drummer. RR places the session a week after they recorded Quinn the Eskimo with BD in the basement which would have been well into the summer.

John D, I loved that movie but found Jakob a bit wooden. I don't think Joni was in it for medical reasons.

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Posted by:

Kevin J

Let's just go with Buffalo gossip and move on........As to the the Laurel Canyon film, I am looking forward to seeing it....I recall reading the reviews at the time and while generally positive - the unanimous complaints seemed to be the absense of conversation on the person most identified with the Canyon - Joni Mitchell.

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Posted by:

Peter V

You see, he says "

QUOTE: Sandy virtually became a member of The Band when he took over for Levon Helm on perhaps the most legendary tour in Rock history, when Bob Dylan ‘went electric’. UNQUOTE

So the writer is calling them "The Band" more than two years before they ever called themselves The Band.

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Posted by:

Peter V

Subject: Stan Szelest

I think you maybe misread him, Bill. This is what he says:

QUOTE: As Levon & The Hawks were in the the process of becoming The Band they apparently asked Stan to join them but he didn’t want to travel that far from home. Rumor has it that in their early days they came down to Buffalo to see Stan’s new Ravens band and watched them ‘like hawks’ (sorry!), Robbie especially trying to figure out how Stan’s guitarist Chuck McCormick got his sound. From what I’ve heard of Chuck’s unique style and tricks – like ‘pinched’ false harmonics – this stuff showed up in Robbie’s playing later.

Stan eventually did become an actual member of The Band himself – replacing Richard Manuel when he passed away. Ironic, as Manuel had originally replaced Stan in Hawkins’ band. On Stan’s passing another ex-Hawk (Richard Bell) was brought in to complete their ‘Jericho’ album; Stan and Bell’s keyboards both appear on it but Stan gets several writing credits. Rebel Payne and Sandy Konikoff were two other Buffalonian members of Stan & The Ravens who were brought North by Stan for stints with Ronnie Hawkins. Sandy virtually became a member of The Band when he took over for Levon Helm on perhaps the most legendary tour in Rock history, when Bob Dylan ‘went electric’. Levon got tired of the booing and quit, and the Band guys turned to the Buffalo pool of talent they knew very well. UNQUOTE

I think the writer could equally be thinking about Levon & The Hawks leaving Ronnie. "The process of becoming the Band" is vague and often "The Band" is an afterthought, as in countless articles on the 1966 tour.

Did Stan ever place his comment in 1967, or Woodstock? Just Googled. Buffalo to Toronto is a 2 hour drive, Buffalo to Woodstock 5.5 hours. But I guess both are "far away" to a degree. Then again the Hawks post Ronnie were also heading to Oklahoma and Texas.

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Posted by:

Bill M

Web: My link

Subject: the missing post

Wallsend, Peter V: Here is the link. Note not just the bit about Stan, but also the bit about Chuck McCormack's playing on Robbie. (I have no idea if either claim is true, or if they were even made directly by Stan and Chuck; maybe they're just Buffalo gossip.)

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Posted by:

John D

Subject: Echoes In The Canyon

Although I don't ever expect for someone to comment on one of my posts, I just want to mention again that if your interested in the California sound of the 60's you should really check out this film. I don't know why I was surprised to see Jakob Dylan host the film; but he did a pretty good job. I don't think Bob would do this sort of thing. Just my opinion.

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Posted by:

John D

Subject: Wallsend Quote

Wallsend writes, "I found some of the things in Robbie's book a little odd, his explanation about the decision to publish their songs with Dwarf Music being one of them. That sounds like the kind of thing Albert Grossman would have come up with."

Norm J

Location: Pacific Northwest

Subject: John Cruz

I expect some have taken notice of John Cruz. He does great work on several of the Playing for change recordings and videos. He sings a verse in "All Along the Watch Tower", also in "The Weight".

For a moment put up and watch the Playing for Change video of John sitting on a picnic table in a park (by himself) with acoustic guitar playing and singing Dylan's old song "Jokerman". You will be hard pressed to hear a better version of this song. This fellow from Hawaii is amazing to me. I watch some other videos of his performances and I'm amazed we haven't heard more of him.

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Posted by:

Peter V

They hadn't really discovered Richard as a drummer- Levon expressed surprise on return that he was drumming at all and at his style. Robbie and Richard both did a bit of drums on the tapes. I don't think either impressed at that point. It was once Levon got back and they started swapping around that Richard sounded good to me..

Mickey Jones was ideal for playing loud in big venues. My kids and grandkids loved dancing to Live At PJs by Trini Lopez which is Mickey Jones, as are some Johnny Rivers albums.

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Posted by:

Wallsend

An interesting quote from Mickey Jones:

"When I talk to young kids today who want a career in the music business or show business in general, you have to remember that in show business, there is the show and there is the business. They are two different things. When I was young, all I wanted to do was the show, I did not want to know about the business. I was 37 years old before I realized that I needed to take care of the business as well. Young musicians need to write their own songs and form their own publishing company so that when some major artist comes along and wants to record their song, they are the owner and publisher. That major artist is going to want to know who the publisher is. When you say, "I am", they know that you are a business person and ask to split the publishing and you will say, "OK". Remember, 50% of something is better than 100% of nothing. TAKE CARE OF THE BUSINESS OF THE MUSIC BUSINESS!"

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Posted by:

Wallsend

I found some of the things in Robbie's book a little odd, his explanation about the decision to publish their songs with Dwarf Music being one of them. That sounds like the kind of thing Albert Grossman would have come up with.

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Posted by:

Kevin J

Subject: Drummers in the basement....

.....and they had a pretty good drummer in the basement with them already named Richard Manuel.

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Posted by:

Todd......Really nice to see your post and happy that your trip to the UK was a good one. I thought of you while watching that fabulous Playing for Change "The Weight" video and the female duo you have championed (Larkin Poe ) appeared.

Van Morrisson: That voice is such a force of nature.......loving the new album.....favs....March Winds in February, Fame will Eat the Soul, Dark Night of the Soul, Three Chords and the Truth, Days Gone By.

Broken Arrow........another part of the false narrative that Robbie was just "wearing them Armani suits" in LA and living high on the hog off the work of his long lost brothers is no one ever mentions that RR likely earned as much or likely much more from Rod Stewart's cover of "Broken Arrow" than he did from any Band sales or air play during this same period. The song was included on Rod's 1991 Vagabond Heart album that was Top 10 in USA, number one in Canada and reached top of the charts all over Europe. Not to mention, Robbie actually had a day job working at a desk at DreamWorks ( VP creative would be in the neighbourhood of 1.5 M a year ) and a regular gig with Martin Scorsese, of course.

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Posted by:

Dunc

Location: Scotland

Some of the posts here deserve a wider audience, Bill M. (I’m not meaning mine.)

Last five played this week, is quite easy for me. I’m playing the first eight JJ Cale albums. I got into him quite early, but had not been playing him so much until a couple of years ago. Absolutely brilliant music.

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Posted by:

Peter V

Last five albums:

Three Chords & The Truth – Van Morrison

Jamie – Brittany Howard (of Alabama Shakes)

Sinematic – Robbie Robertson

What’s Going On – Live – Marvin Gaye (new release)

Rumors – Fleetwood Mac. (Exercise bike for my knee today. There are days when the easy familiarity of Rumors goes down a treat).

FIVE FAVOURITE SONGS THIS WEEK:

1 Fame Will Eat The Soul – Van Morrison & Bill Medley

2 Walk in Beauty Way- Robbie Robertson & Laura Satterfield

3 St Dominic’s Preview – Van Morrison (1973 original)

4 Stay High- Brittany Howard

5 Gloria – The Lumineers (produced by Simone Felice)

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Posted by:

Peter V

Subject: Return of Levon

The more I read on this, the more it seemed that there was a conscious (or maybe tacit) agreement among The Band members never to mention it during the 60s and 70s. It didn't fit with the "Band of brothers playing the bars every night for the last ten years" that they projected. It wasn't true. As far as I can see they didn't perform on stage in front of an audience between the Royal Albert Hall in May 1966 and the Woody Guthrie show on 20 January 1968. This meant they hadn't played on stage with Levon between Washington DC 28 November 1965 and 20 January 1968. Just over two years. If John Simon's tale about Levon returning for Halloween 1967 is right, that's 23 months, virtually two years absence. At that age, it's a very long time.

Over the years I tried to find out more. Mickey Jones said he was on retainer to Dylan for another year after May 1966, which always made me wonder why he wasn't called in to drum on the Basement tapes … but if it was 12 months, he would have been at the end of the retainer just about as they started in the basement. Also there was no intention to perform this stuff, it was songwriting demos and for their own amusement.

You wonder how they would have got along if Levon hadn't answered Rick's phone call, though Levon found that the lead vocals had already been distributed, leaving him with … The Weight. Then the rest is history.

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Posted by:

John D

Web: My link

Subject: Bob Dylan's Music lives on in another generation

Witness The Starbugs.

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Posted by:

John D

Web: My link

Subject: Echo In The Canyon

Wallsend, I read her article too. She spent more time trying to undermine RR's authorship of The Weight by questioning his use of a typewriter than analyzing the massive potholes in the 1976 tour. I contacted her and we exchanged thoughts. Then I asked why she would say he hasn't written anything of worth since 1977. I included a list of relevant songs that would easily fill an album. She chose not to respond. My guess is that she simply doesn't know. Figures.

She is an academic who lives in the Catskills. She's a good writer.

She claims not to be interested in The Fued but why else would she question RR's authorship if she wasn't using Levon's book as a starting point. Which leads to a final point. Levon's book and occasional interviews have had a negative effect on the public perception of The Band. He soft-pedaled the truly bad stuff that gutted the group and trotted out a theory that RR was entirely responsible for the disintegration.

Her trying mightily to score points based on Bruce's and RR's cherry-picked reactions to Johnny Be Good is journalism at its worst. Again, an obvious axe to grind. And has been pointed out here already, comparing TNTDODD to any subsequent work is beyond unfair. Evidently she doesn't know what an artistic peak is.

Entered at Sat Oct 26 21:54:46 CEST 2019 from n1-43-95-157.mas2.nsw.optusnet.com.au (1.43.95.157)

Posted by:

Wallsend

After reading the Anne Margaret Daniel review of OWB I decided to rewatch the 1995 video The Band: The Authorized Biography which she writes of approvingly. I had forgotten how deception an account of The Band's history this was. Seemingly Levon never quit the 66 tour and was there for all the Big Pink sessions, Robbie played no part in the writing of the songs and there was no heroin use. I guess this was an attempt to build some kind of credibility for what by the 1990s had just become an old 'covers' act.

Entered at Sat Oct 26 20:54:29 CEST 2019 from 82-69-47-175.dsl.in-addr.zen.co.uk (82.69.47.175)

Web: My link

Subject: Ian & Sylvia The Lost Tapes

Recently a double CD of Ian & Sylvia was released. It's a 2 CD set called The Lost Tapes. One side called Classics and the other Previously Unreleased. When we think of the song Sweet Dreams most of us think of Patsy Cline. On this CD Ian remembers Faron Young's version. Very nice.

Entered at Sat Oct 26 13:35:32 CEST 2019 from 82-69-47-175.dsl.in-addr.zen.co.uk (82.69.47.175)

Posted by:

Peter V

Three Chords & The Truth so far appears to be the best Van Morrison album in a long time. Try out "Fame Will Eat The Soul" a duet with Bill Medley of The Righteous Brothers. Van's voice has held up better to the passing of time, but Bill Medley is still a phenomenal "feel" singer.

Entered at Sat Oct 26 04:47:21 CEST 2019 from toroon0812w-lp140-01-64-229-13-87.dsl.bell.ca (64.229.13.87)

Posted by:

Bill M

Location: Tronto

My big purchase of 2019 is bound to be the 36-CD boxed set of Dylan & Hawks shows in '66. (I blame it for the strained back muscles I now possess.) It's totally chronological except for the last few, which are earlier of shows that suffer from band sound quality. But I started listening at CDs 32 and 33, which are the only ones with Sandy Konikoff on drums. I called Sandy to say hello while LARS 33 was still playing, and was surprised to learn that he didn't even know it was out, never mind out with his name in the credits. Even through the crummy sound you can hear that he did a worthy job.

Entered at Sat Oct 26 04:27:36 CEST 2019 from toroon0812w-lp140-01-64-229-13-87.dsl.bell.ca (64.229.13.87)

Posted by:

Bill M

Location: Terronno
Web: My link

Subject: "Reel Beach: Growing up in southwest Scarborough, Robbie Robertson dreamed big"

The link is to an article in a Toronto neighbourhood newspaper. Some interesting factoids, and an interesting hometown-boy slant, i.e, the broader Beaches neighbourhood as opposed to all of Toronto.

Entered at Fri Oct 25 09:51:06 CEST 2019 from (2407:7000:9b95:db00:d93f:af7d:cb85:cc9e)

Posted by:

Rod

Without TLW I doubt Robbie (or The Band) would have much of a profile anymore. I had never heard of The Band before then (that's no disrespect to their earlier work - I was too young to listen to those albums). As much as he may be over it it still means a lot to to a lot of people.

Entered at Fri Oct 25 05:51:19 CEST 2019 from (32.216.251.194)

Posted by:

Todd

Location: CT

Subject: Popping In

Nice to see some old familiar names here. Kind of like old timers day! Kevin J and Zzzz's appearances may rival the infrequency of my visits of late, but it's good to hear from you both. Of course, I also appreciate the stalwarts who have kept the fires burning. Even on a slow day, this is still one of the best places on the internet. I don't get to post nearly as much as I used to, due to the daily grind, where it increasingly seems like there's much less free time than there used to be. Still listening to a lot of music though, even though I don't get a chance to discuss it as much lately.

Sorry to hear of the passing of PSB. He didn't post frequently, but when he did, it was always something of substance. He will be missed.

I've been meaning to post a follow-up to my August visit to England, but will save that for another day. It was a great experience and worked out as well as I had hoped, and better than I expected. Thanks to Peter V, Bill M, Roger, and others who offered invaluable travel tips.

I don't have much to offer on the continuing fracas between Robbie vs. Levon fans, seemingly reignited by the recent Robbie of The Band documentary, but it's my opinion that it's possible and beneficial to celebrate and elevate the contributions of all, without tearing down the contributions of any one individual. I may have shared some strong, contrarian, and occasionally snarky opinions in the past, but I'm always striving to be a better version of myself today, than I was yesterday. I don't always succeed, but it seems like a reasonable goal, eh?

Shifting gears...I'm not what one would consider a huge U2 fan, but I appreciate much of what they've created together over the years. Just randomly listened to their Zooropa album from 1993. I had forgotten that Johhny Cash sings the last track, which is called 'The Wanderer'. It was a nice surprise to hear while I was doing some late night desk work. The song is mainly biblical in it's inspiration; one lyric in particular caught my attention. It's more spiritual than religious, and Johnny's delivery is profound.

"I stopped outside a church house
Where the citizens like to sit
They say they want the kingdom
But they don't want God in it"

Not sure why that seems particularly prescient, but it seems more true today than it did in 1993.

Entered at Fri Oct 25 01:59:40 CEST 2019 from n1-43-95-157.mas2.nsw.optusnet.com.au (1.43.95.157)

Posted by:

Wallsend

I am sure Robbie finds it very tiresome having to retell the same stories over and over. Someone asked Don Mclean what American Pie meant to him and he said: 'It means I never have to work again.' I guess the same applies to Robbie.

Entered at Fri Oct 25 00:39:38 CEST 2019 from 82-69-47-175.dsl.in-addr.zen.co.uk (82.69.47.175)

Posted by:

Peter V

Robbie is 41 years away from the release of the TLW film, 43 years awAy from the concert. Many interesting things in film and music since then. It must be a drag having to continually reference that era.

Entered at Fri Oct 25 00:25:13 CEST 2019 from (24.114.65.83)

Posted by:

Kevin J

Subject: Bill M and a nod to David Baerwald

"So I say/ I say welcome, welcome to the boomtown/ Pick a habit/ We got plenty to go around/ Welcome, welcome to the boomtown/ All that money makes such a succulent sound/ Welcome to the boomtown"

Lovely place, the Chateau Laurier.........inhaling some of the power that seeps from the corridors in that town always reminds me of one of my favourite Murray McLauchlan songs "Above the Timberline" and the line "Canada ain't some cabinet man in the Rideau club at election time"

Band connection......Levon did a great video of "Acadian Driftwood" in the Murray McLauchlan CBC special early 80's called "Floating over Canada" and David Baerwald of David & David fame played with Joni Mitchell

Entered at Thu Oct 24 23:13:05 CEST 2019 from (2605:8d80:5e0:7b36:6883:1cdd:e675:2066)

Posted by:

Bill M

Kevin J: You may appreciate this. Yesterday evening I was having a drink with a friend in the lounge at the Chateau Laurier. At the table to my left sat former Conservative Prime Minister Kim Campbell. At the table to my right sat former Liberal Minister of Justice Anne MacLellan. Tables are far apart, so they didn't notice each other until one got up to leave. Then it was big hellos, big hugs and cellphone photos of the pair by their respective partners. So nice to see in this world of increasing tribalism.

Entered at Thu Oct 24 22:14:58 CEST 2019 from (24.114.82.247)

Posted by:

Bill M

I find the Robbie song snippets effective precisely because of his small voice, which serves the songs well by not distracting attention.

Entered at Thu Oct 24 21:23:27 CEST 2019 from n1-43-95-157.mas2.nsw.optusnet.com.au (1.43.95.157)

Posted by:

Yes, I read it. The usual stuff really. I thought Kevin J's comparison on Dylan's Wiggle Wiggle and McCartney was most apt. Having spent many many hours of my life watching Shakespeare, I can assure you that Henry VI (Part III), Pericles, Henry VIII, Two Noble Kinsmen and several others are NOT in the same class as Hamlet or Richard III.

When they criticize later Robbie work, they fail to mention Fallen Angel, Somewhere Down The Crazy River, Soap Box Preacher or a dozen other songs that do rate with the work with The Band.

Stephen Davis's novel "This Wheel's On Fire" did great harm to the memory of The Band. As was noted years ago, when Levon got to read the finished book he was surprised about how bitter he came over. If you read the proofs before publication you don't get a surprise.

The old stuff about Garth's lack of screen time (which was explained - they tried) and then Richard's low profile in films gets repeated. You try setting cameras on a five piece band with three sitting and two standing, and one of them way off to one side behind a grand piano, and see what happens. It happened whoever was directing and whenever. Levon though sitting got plenty of camera, because there was a lot to see … singing, and then drumming make a good picture. Capturing someone at a keyboard doesn't have the same impact, unless it's Keith Emerson knifing it and humping it. Oh, well. So it goes.

Entered at Thu Oct 24 09:09:26 CEST 2019 from n1-43-95-157.mas2.nsw.optusnet.com.au (1.43.95.157)

Posted by:

Wallsend

There is also that little snippet of Robbie playing piano and singing TNTDODD on the making of the Brown album documentary. Robbie has an interesting but not strong voice so when he sings with just piano it sounds a lot better to me compared with when he has a loud backing.

Entered at Thu Oct 24 05:47:23 CEST 2019 from inetgate.msd.govt.nz (202.27.54.3)

Posted by:

Rod

That demo of Twilight was great - pity they didn't record it that way as it could have been a classic. Though I do quite like the studio version. Christmas Must be Tonight was another one where they messed with a Reggae beat - fortunately they didn't stick with it.

Entered at Thu Oct 24 05:43:14 CEST 2019 from inetgate.msd.govt.nz (202.27.54.3)

Posted by:

Rod

A lot of people, especially on some facebook pages, eulogize Rick, Richard and Levon to the point where all objectivity is lost. Robbie became an easy scapegoat for all the misfortune that the others faced. By my reckoning drugs and booze played a bigger part - but that's a view that's not always popular in those circles.

Entered at Thu Oct 24 03:55:20 CEST 2019 from n1-43-95-157.mas2.nsw.optusnet.com.au (1.43.95.157)

Posted by:

Jon……I am sorry that you thought it worth highlighting that article. It was written by a person quite notorious as part of the anti-Robbie Robertson club. In her case, without the usual venom and hate that seems to be part of the make-up of most in that club. A few years back, she even managed the incredible achievement of writing an entire article on ‘The Weight” without once mentioning Robbie Robertson’s name. Her thesis was that The Weight like all Band songs and all folk songs were written in an ensemble way. As if she knew this…..The latest piece seems to have started as a movie review ( likely how it got approved for publishing ) but is infected at almost every paragraph with attempts to cast doubt on RR as a writer of the Band songs…….The finale of the piece contrasts the lyrics to OWB with TNTDODD and wonders just how they could have been written by the same person. I guess McCartney’s output over the last 40 years calls into question his Beatles songs or maybe Bob Dylan’s ‘Wiggle Wiggle” means he couldn’t have written “Like a Rolling Stone” or notice how John Fogerty just hasn’t been able to match his CCR work and on and on………I am so tired of this nonsense.

Entered at Wed Oct 23 20:30:23 CEST 2019 from 74-203-77-122.static.ctl.one (74.203.77.122)

Posted by:

Jon Lyness

Location: NYC

Expectingrain dot com has a link to a good article about Robbie's songwriting and the Once Were Brothers film (link #15 under Wednesday 10/23). A number of interesting quotes, some taken directly from the film, that I've not seen before.

Entered at Wed Oct 23 12:55:17 CEST 2019 from (172.98.66.221)

Posted by:

Pluto

Truth?

Entered at Tue Oct 22 19:34:37 CEST 2019 from 74-203-77-122.static.ctl.one (74.203.77.122)

Posted by:

Jon Lyness

Location: NYC

Subject: Re: Van

Great review Peter. I would be well pleased with that setlist!

Entered at Tue Oct 22 18:17:35 CEST 2019 from (2001:4644:9569:0:d177:3e92:e2f:fc49)

Posted by:

Location: NW Arkansas

Subject: use of my photo

I find it interesting that my picture with Paine, Hawkins, Robertson, Szelest and Helms appears here... without my permission. Don't know where you got it but I do have all rights to it.

Entered at Mon Oct 21 11:41:30 CEST 2019 from 82-69-47-175.dsl.in-addr.zen.co.uk (82.69.47.175)

Posted by:

Peter V

Subject: Let It Bleed

The other of the three best albums of 1969 also gets an expensive box set, which indicates The Stones just don't know how to do it. You get 2 LPs, mono and stereo, then 2 hybrid SACD /CDs, mono and stereo, then a 7" single. OK, book of pictures, but nothing new aurally at all, plus why would I want the vinyl LP AND the SACD - most box sets are either / or. Also 1969 was past the point where Mono mixes were the superior ones.

The 2003 release of Let It Bleed was a hybrid SACD / CD anyway, so that's not new. The new one does say "2019 remix" but then it's very expensive too.

I might well get just a single new SACD / CD to hear the remix, but the box looks poorly planned.

Entered at Mon Oct 21 10:47:46 CEST 2019 from 82-69-47-175.dsl.in-addr.zen.co.uk (82.69.47.175)

Posted by:

Peter V

Yes, the speakers are great. I'm hoping "The Band" doesn't have the same issues as Big Pink remastered. What Bob Clearmountain did to Big Pink reminded me of 1970 and a friend who bought his first stereo. He insisted on turning bass and treble controls to "10" because he reckoned you "got more" that way.

A lot criticize it, but I think Giles Martin's Abbey Road remaster shows how to do it properly.

Entered at Mon Oct 21 01:08:15 CEST 2019 from cpef81d0f88efd3-cmf81d0f88efd0.cpe.net.cable.rogers.com (99.227.168.67)

Posted by:

John D

Subject: Computer Speakers

Hey Peter we use the same external Bowers & Wilkins. Love 'em.

Entered at Mon Oct 21 00:39:32 CEST 2019 from cpef81d0f88efd3-cmf81d0f88efd0.cpe.net.cable.rogers.com (99.227.168.67)

Posted by:

John D

Subject: Dallas Harms

Recently mentioned in the Guestbook. Died at the age of 84 today.

Entered at Sun Oct 20 21:14:07 CEST 2019 from 82-69-47-175.dsl.in-addr.zen.co.uk (82.69.47.175)

Posted by:

Subject: Duluth

Zzzz - I read recently that Duluth was one of our most livable cities - true story? I had relatives there once; they were Midwest crackers though..

Entered at Sat Oct 19 20:07:51 CEST 2019 from 43.sub-97-35-64.myvzw.com (97.35.64.43)

Posted by:

Zzzz

Location: Duluth, MN

Subject: Sinematic

Woke up this morning and got smacked in the face by Cool. Cranked up Hardwired Deadend Kid Beautiful Madness sooo loud that every crow trap I passed by on my drive to pickup a used empty acoustic case sang to me. First weekend off since early August, might have to drive up the shore for more.

Entered at Sat Oct 19 18:31:47 CEST 2019 from node-1w7jr9srhfsgachlmnvs5g9wy.ipv6.telus.net (2001:569:bd24:6400:41ff:e603:c2a:5b32)

Posted by:

Norm J

Location: Pacific Northwest

Subject: Th e End of The Line

Sitting back this morning listening to some old favourites. The video of this old Travelling Wilbury's song. Rolling along on that old train as I mentioned a long way back. There is a black and white picture of Roy Orbison sitting on a shelf, I'm sure to represent the black and white show. Roy's 335 is sitting on a rocking chair that is rocking so the guys all feel his presence as he sings.

Now George and Tom are also gone so that Jeff, Jim and Bob are all that is left.........kinda puts a lump in your throat.

Entered at Sat Oct 19 17:33:07 CEST 2019 from (63.142.158.9)

Posted by:

JQ

Subject: Geraint Watkins

Sorry, that was me.

Entered at Sat Oct 19 17:18:17 CEST 2019 from 82-69-47-175.dsl.in-addr.zen.co.uk (82.69.47.175)

Posted by:

Peter V

Subject: John Prine

I looked on amazon uk. Plenty of John Prine CDs available, but as you say no box set since the Great Days Anthology, which is 25 years old. There's a gap in the market!

Entered at Sat Oct 19 16:44:21 CEST 2019 from cpef81d0f88efd3-cmf81d0f88efd0.cpe.net.cable.rogers.com (99.227.168.67)

Posted by:

John D

Subject: John Prine Box Set???

Went looking for a John Prine box set this morning. The last real anthology of any kind was put out in 1993 called Great Days. I'm surprised OH BOY records, John's record company has not put out a real current box set. A lot of music since 1993. I wonder if there is a problem gathering rights; from former record labels? I'm a big Prine fan.

Entered at Sat Oct 19 04:09:25 CEST 2019 from mobile-166-137-242-133.mycingular.net (166.137.242.133)

Posted by:

Geraint Watkins - Rush of Blood

Brand new from a great artist and frequent collaborator of Nick Lowe. They both lost their producer Neil Broadbank a couple years ago along with their mate, collaborator and drummer Robert Treherne/Bobbly Irwin. They all made exquisite records together. Nick Lowe now works with Los Straightjackets and I think there’s been a dip in the sonic quality. However, whoever GW is with now, this new record is top notch all the way around.

Entered at Sat Oct 19 02:49:18 CEST 2019 from toroon0812w-lp140-02-64-229-182-133.dsl.bell.ca (64.229.182.133)

Posted by:

Subject: Dunc

Going to try and type it this way. They want 650.00 dollars American on Amazon.

So I was able to send this one. I don't think the site likes dot com; with a period in front of com. I kept whittling down my message to you and once i got the period before com out of the way it worked.

Entered at Fri Oct 18 15:34:04 CEST 2019 from cpef81d0f88efd3-cmf81d0f88efd0.cpe.net.cable.rogers.com (99.227.168.67)

Posted by:

John D

Subject: Dunc

Trying to say I found it Dunc; but Johnny Cash keeps giving me the finger.

Entered at Fri Oct 18 15:29:43 CEST 2019 from cpef81d0f88efd3-cmf81d0f88efd0.cpe.net.cable.rogers.com (99.227.168.67)

Posted by:

John D

Subject: Dunc

Trying to find the Gallagher & Lyle Box Set. What is it called please?

Entered at Fri Oct 18 11:47:47 CEST 2019 from 82-69-47-175.dsl.in-addr.zen.co.uk (82.69.47.175)

Posted by:

Peter V

Subject: Box sets …

Phew! They're whizzing off the pressing plants this year. The Band, Abbey Road, Arthur by The Kinks, then I open the latest magazine to see a box set of Prince's "1999" and a Gene Clark "No Other" set remastered by Sid Griffin of The Long Ryders. Let It Bleed is not particularly tempting … just a mono ad stereo version.

Then there's the 23 singles set of Beatles. It is I think the third or fourth box set of Beatles singles, but the attraction of this one is that for each 45 they have chosen a different country's picture sleeve and used 180g vinyl. The singles from earlier box sets turn up individually secondhand which is odd … they were sold as boxes. On the other hand, they still sell for £5 each, which is more than their original value.

I try to persuade myself these things are investments. I'm not sure. Led Zeppelin boxes were £75, and I bought the Led Zep IV box set for £40 secondhand. The shop had all of them. They said it's a guy who buys new vinyl box sets, records them to CD (this preserves the analog compression so they sound like the record, not like CD) and sells them immediately. Played once. Mad.

On the other hand, it seems in the last year secondhand prices for most box sets are well beyond the original new prices.

Entered at Fri Oct 18 11:34:28 CEST 2019 from broadband.bt.com (2a00:23c5:3a46:3c00:1d92:d22d:dec3:cd5a)

Posted by:

Dunc

Location: Scotland

Thanks, Rod. Enjoyed the album.

I wish I had met Fats Domino, John D. I really do. After you retired, I searched to see if you did a blog, but couldn’t find anything? You need to make sure all that social history is recorded for Canadian posterity. You too Bill M.

We have two broadcasters, John Cavanagh and Davie Scott, and I listen to anything they bro adcast.

This has been my worst year for concerts - I’ve only been to five I think. And I know that’s what it’s all about, but the Graham Nash concert was outstanding and I was lucky to see Hamish Stuart play with a host of other great entertainers. First time I had heard Pick Up the Pieces live for quite a while and Here We Go Round Again. But one of the many highlights of the show was Hamish singing Graham Lyle’s My Father’s Son. Brilliant.

I’m still enjoying the CDcollection, but have been concentrating on Anglicana and Scottish rock. I think Gallagher and Lyle are brilliant - their own work, McGuinness Flint and Slim Chance so I thought I’d buy the boxed set on Amazon. Thought I bought have to spend 100 pounds on it, but it’s costing 400 pounds. I’ll make do with what I have.

Five for Friday

Seeds Gallagher and Lyle

Paul McCartney Tug of War

Nick Lowe The Impossible Bird

Camera Obscura My Maudlin Career

Who’s Next

Entered at Fri Oct 18 03:40:06 CEST 2019 from toroon0812w-lp140-02-64-229-182-133.dsl.bell.ca (64.229.182.133)

Posted by:

Bill M

Web: My link

Thanks John. You told the story way better.

Entered at Thu Oct 17 22:33:32 CEST 2019 from cpef81d0f88efd3-cmf81d0f88efd0.cpe.net.cable.rogers.com (99.227.168.67)

Posted by:

John D

Subject: Dallas

Bill M you've already told the story; but Ronnie has told me many times that his first night in Hamilton was a disaster. "You could shoot a cannon through the room son." Dallas comes in and told him he would take care of it. Dallas spread the word and the room was packed. Every night it was packed. It's why Ronnie loved Dallas so very much.

Entered at Thu Oct 17 22:29:13 CEST 2019 from cpef81d0f88efd3-cmf81d0f88efd0.cpe.net.cable.rogers.com (99.227.168.67)

Posted by:

John D

I don't know the 45 Cat website; but I'll find it. Cd is pretty good. My wife came upstairs and said, "this sounds like a British 60's soundtrack." I told her that's what i have been looking for. I've got the Wild West CD. Really enjoying that. Ended up cancelling my Amazon uk order; which would have been expensive; because ITunes.ca had it. Much, much cheaper. Thanks again for all your help Peter.

Entered at Thu Oct 17 19:54:32 CEST 2019 from toroon0812w-lp140-02-64-229-182-133.dsl.bell.ca (64.229.182.133)

Posted by:

Subject: Amazon MP3's & YouTube

Subject: Long Long Time to Get Old

Bill M…Amen indeed. I love that lyric by Ian Tyson and had never seen it before - so thank you…and a good song as well. On the subject of lyrics, I like Robbie’s shout out to the Scarborough Bluffs in “Dead-end Kid” and in addition to Kid and the two gorgeous instrumentals on Sinematic, I am really liking “Street Serenade” though there is that lyric that seems a bit unlikely where he refers to “Someone wailing on a bottleneck guitar/ Comes blasting out of a gay bar”.....Couldn't find a rhyme with Robbie Williams, I'm guessing.

Santana: Not sure this will stop you from repeating the Santana is atrocious live story, Peter.... but while I have no doubt you had the unfortunate experience of attending a bad gig where equipment and hall were mismatched, Santana has a well-earned reputation of being a superb live act. My 2nd ever concert was 1976 Santana ( my mom insisted my older sister tag along with me and my buddy Larry as we were grade 9 ! ) and it was a great show. Also, as to your speculation that drugs may have been the cause of the concert issues you experienced…..not from Carlos as the 76 show and tour stood out for Carlos having short short hair and a guru approved all white suit and it was quite well publicized that he was on a the straight and narrow during that period. Vivid memories of hearing “Samba pa ti” and “Europa” played beautifully. Also, the smell of pot for the first time……..I have seen Santana on three occasions live over three decades and the shows and sound have been excellent each time - one indoor and two outside…….Funny though, I saw the Eagles at the end of their Hotel California tour ( summer 1978 ) at the Rideau Carlton raceway in Ottawa and they were terrible. I’ve never forgiven them!

Entered at Tue Oct 15 14:23:57 CEST 2019 from cpef81d0f88efd3-cmf81d0f88efd0.cpe.net.cable.rogers.com (99.227.168.67)

Posted by:

Subject: Shangri-La

I've finally got an "album" up on Spotify and YouTube music. It's called Shangri-La and it's intended to be a tribute to The Band's Shangri-la years. There are no covers but hopefully it captures the spirit of those years.

Entered at Tue Oct 15 04:22:14 CEST 2019 from cpef81d0f88efd3-cmf81d0f88efd0.cpe.net.cable.rogers.com (99.227.168.67)

Posted by:

John D

Subject: Bill M

No Bill, I did not encounter him in Vancouver I'm afraid.

Entered at Mon Oct 14 10:44:40 CEST 2019 from 82-69-47-175.dsl.in-addr.zen.co.uk (82.69.47.175)

Posted by:

Peter V

Right at the start of seeing live bands at Bournemouth Pavilion Ballroom, circa 1962 and 1963, they were always "dances" as with The Hawks, I'd guess. A few would-be guitarists stood at the front watching fingers on frets, but mainly you tried to find someone to dance with. I'm 50% on whether I saw The Outlaws … not sure, but I strongly remember Johnny Kidd & The Pirates. Like Ronnie Hawkins' bands, these groups were training schools for later well-known musicians. We also used to get the Irish show bands coming through (which is where Van Morrison got his start as a sax player).

Entered at Mon Oct 14 01:55:42 CEST 2019 from toroon0812w-lp140-01-64-229-13-216.dsl.bell.ca (64.229.13.216)

Posted by:

Subject: Santana

Love, Devotion & Surrender is a favourite here too. McLaughlin's earlier "Devotion" even more so. My favourite Santana album was Caravanserai. So that was 1972 to 1973. I saw them around 1976 and they had a full stadium rig in a classical concert hall and were one of the worst bands I ever saw. Ear-splitting volume bounced the sound around in a confused mess and they were stumbling about on stage. Drugs? I don't know. I'd guess so.

Funny thing, I read Wallsend's posts with my Sunday morning tea in bed and thought Christchurch? How come I missed that concert? Then I remembered that the old Christchurch town hall was demolished and they just left an entrance section by a new little mall, and it was a very small building anyway. Plus gigs in Christchurch were at the Regent cinema … then DOH! I realized it was Christchurch,. New Zealand not Christchurch, Dorset. I once looked it up and Christchurch New Zealand is supposed to be named after the Oxford College. But no one in Christchurch, Dorset thinks that. Christchurch Dorset got its name because when the priory was being built, every morning carpenters found an extraordinary amount of work had been done overnight, and that there was a mysterious carpenter working in the rafters who never appeared for food, and never collected pay. It's a better story.

Entered at Sun Oct 13 13:10:28 CEST 2019 from 82-69-47-175.dsl.in-addr.zen.co.uk (82.69.47.175)

Posted by:

Peter V

This is a major news item in the UK, but may not have gone elsewhere. The spouse of an American diplomat was involved in a car crash which killed a young motorcyclist. CCTV cameras outside a US base show her travelling around 400 yards on the wrong side of the road. She left the UK on a US transport plane, not a scheduled flight in spite of promising to stay and help the police investigation. She declines to return. President Trump has refused calls for her to return, though in international law her immunity was waived when she fled the country. And it was her husband, not her, who had diplomatic status. Trump said:

TRUMP: “The woman was driving on the wrong side of the road, and that can happen. You know, those are the opposite roads, that happens. I won't say it ever happened to me, but it did. So a young man was killed, the person that was driving the automobile has diplomatic immunity, we're going to speak to her very shortly and see if we can do something where they meet.

TV cameras revealed he had a note which read: “Note, as Secretary Pompeo told Foreign Secretary Raab, that the spouse of the US government employee will not return to the United Kingdom.”

So this is how you treat “your closest ally.” Everyone knows it was an accident, but it looks like at a minimum “Driving without due care and attention” ranging up to an extremely serious “causing death by dangerous driving.”

I have driven in the USA and Europe. You have to concentrate on driving on the other side, but if you’re driving a UK Right Hand drive car it will seem more natural in the UK. That’s why now I fly and rent a Left Hand Drive car rather than taking a Right Hand Drive car to Europe. Trump appears to think it’s somehow “our fault” for driving on the other side … like Japan, India, Australia and many African countries. I have sometimes had a momentary confusion in the USA, but only on empty suburban roads (like coming out of someone’s driveway) and then, because I concentrate, for never more than 20 yards. This was 400 yards on a main road.

Entered at Sun Oct 13 06:37:42 CEST 2019 from n1-43-95-157.mas2.nsw.optusnet.com.au (1.43.95.157)

Posted by:

Wallsend

It was just the Santana band although I saw the Mahavishnu Orchestra about the same time. I would have loved to have seen one of those Santana/McLaughlin concerts. Maybe I like those early Santana and Mahavishnu albums even more than our guys.

Entered at Sun Oct 13 04:56:40 CEST 2019 from toroon0812w-lp140-01-64-229-13-216.dsl.bell.ca (64.229.13.216)

Posted by:

Bill M

Wallsend: I wonder if Santana' appearance in Christchurch was part of the "Love, Devotion, Surrender" tour with John McLaughlin (sp?), which passed through Toronto that year. I saw the Toronto show and it was totally phenomenal. I think the two guitarists brought out the best in each other. Unbelievably intense.

Entered at Sun Oct 13 00:03:25 CEST 2019 from n1-43-95-157.mas2.nsw.optusnet.com.au (1.43.95.157)

Posted by:

Wallsend

Peter, I know you are a harsh critic of live Santana based on your own experience but I just came across this quote about the concert he did in Christchurch in 1973 which I saw. He probably says this kind of thing about every concert but anyway I found it interesting:

In an interview with The Press in May, Carlos Santana said the best gig he had ever performed in his life was in Christchurch in 1973 at the Christchurch Town Hall. "I am telling you from the centre of my core, it's the best concert I've ever done in my life," he said. ''Oh my god, it was like the sky opened up and I could see into the great beyond. There was something about that concert in Christchurch in 1973. Once in a while everything just happens with a divine flow, you don't have to try, it just happens."

Entered at Sat Oct 12 18:23:18 CEST 2019 from (142.114.165.152)

Posted by:

Mike Nomad

Good to hear from you, Angie.

Entered at Sat Oct 12 16:32:23 CEST 2019 from toroon0240w-lp140-08-64-231-150-204.dsl.bell.ca (64.231.150.204)

Posted by:

brown eyed girl

Web: My link

Happy Healthy Thanksgiving Weekend. I am thankful for the time we shared with PETER STONE BROWN on this site. I agree Kevin J that YOU DON'T HAVE TO CLOSE THE DOOR is so good that I keep listening to his song.

Nomadic Mike and JD...Although I posted about the Gala night opening with Once Were Brothers; I ended up seeing the Doc at a local cinema instead.

Also thankful to all the posters who dropped by recently.

Entered at Sat Oct 12 10:57:09 CEST 2019 from 82-69-47-175.dsl.in-addr.zen.co.uk (82.69.47.175)

Posted by:

Peter V

Subject: Record Collector

Record Collector has a long Robbie interview this week.November issue with The Kinks ‘Arthur’ on the cover. Robbie picture above title. Very good, though nothing new for most here. Record Collector is one I have bought for twenty years, but is fast moving into mainstream stores like W.H. Smith and getting major interviews and articles.

Entered at Sat Oct 12 08:08:27 CEST 2019 from n1-43-95-157.mas2.nsw.optusnet.com.au (1.43.95.157)

Posted by:

Wallsend

If anyone has a spare $8000 they may be interested in this: "Richard Manuel's typed, working manuscript of Lonesome Susie, with his 5 final handwritten changes, amending the lyrics from the song he typed to the song as recorded."

Entered at Sat Oct 12 06:37:25 CEST 2019 from 214.sub-97-35-64.myvzw.com (97.35.64.214)

Posted by:

Zzzz

I could see Robbie do a Cirque d'Toronto type show, haha. Seriously. I'm trying to look at his new work differently now. There's stuff he does that nobody else does. I didn't have any problems with the Guardian article too (I read it on FB and people are fighting again). The song Dead End Kid I view like the Gord song In My Fashion. Getting your long term dream to work out in a tough world. To me it doesn't take away from the others. All Band members have done great post Band work that I enjoy. Levon's Barn is great! The DFA stuff is wonderful! The Barnburners and Crowmatix were fun to see live. I also thought Robbie looked good with the Roots too. And Garth is my fav! Let's hope for more good music to come out in the future! Switching gears, Dead Man's Pop is awesome! Does anybody here outside of Mpls follow The Mats or Westerberg? Talk about snarky. I wonder if SN&Y will put out an album about Trump and include an unempeached Croz, haha. I'm rooting for Buckingham to return to Fleetwood Mac too. Oh well.

Entered at Sat Oct 12 06:05:49 CEST 2019 from 214.sub-97-35-64.myvzw.com (97.35.64.214)

Posted by:

Zzzz

Subject: Sinematic

I like The Shadow. Reminds me of rummaging around in my Grandfather's room and also listening to his stories. Very charming language from another time.

Entered at Fri Oct 11 16:42:23 CEST 2019 from 82-69-47-175.dsl.in-addr.zen.co.uk (82.69.47.175)

Posted by:

Peter V

Web: My link

Subject: P.P. Arnold

Just posted my long review of P.P. Arnold at Newbury yesterday. This is the tour supporting 'The New Adventures of P.P. Arnold' album. Steve Cradock of Ocean Colour Scene and Paul Weller fame leads the band. Lots from the new album, but her classics too. Undiminished power from Britain's best soul singer.

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Posted by:

Dunc

Location: Scotland

Thanks Kevin. I had been neglecting What’s New. Just played the excellent Rag Mama Rag and Robbie tracks, and reread several PSB articles.

Entered at Fri Oct 11 04:53:14 CEST 2019 from inetgate.msd.govt.nz (202.27.54.3)

Posted by:

Subject: Backing Band

I notice no one is naming the band that backed Robbie on the Tonight Show. That is the Tonight show house band better known as "The Roots" who tour on their own. They are really hot. Disappointed that Robertson didn't actually play the guitar. Picked a few notes here and there. The guitar was used more as a prop. I did enjoy the song however. I was thinking that Robbie might be like B.B. King. I'm serious here.

BB was often quoted as saying he could not sing and play guitar at the same time. That is why all his great guitar breaks were done between verses. Just thinking out loud.

Entered at Thu Oct 10 22:54:55 CEST 2019 from 74-203-77-122.static.ctl.one (74.203.77.122)

Posted by:

Jon Lyness

Location: NYC

Subject: Re: Robbie

It is a great performance. It makes me think again, it would be so great to hear a full show from RR in a live setting. Wouldn't have to be a full tour, as that is not his style; maybe a few 'select cities' ;) one-offs? The material from Sinematic and How to Become Clairvoyant would sizzle with a band like the one in the Fallon clip, along with a mix of Robbie-written Band originals that he could rethink and interpret with something more resembling his current sound, and guest vocalists could be sprinkled through here and there. As an interesting point of comparison, when Brian Wilson has done tours in recent years, the concerts are not always 'Beach Boys greatest hits' shows as much as a showcase for Beach Boys and solo songs that he himself has written, of which he is rightly proud. Perhaps a pipe dream but it would be wonderful to see Robbie spearhead something like that someday.

Entered at Thu Oct 10 10:15:12 CEST 2019 from 82-69-47-175.dsl.in-addr.zen.co.uk (82.69.47.175)

Posted by:

Peter V

Subject: Let Love reign

A great Robbie performance with a very good backing band. Loved the bass playing particularly. I know he doesn't want to go out on the road, and playing in a studio, or for 5 minutes is very different from the obligatory 90 minutes … as a friend said, your shoulder gets out of practice of having a guitar strap on it … but this band is really good, and his singing's on form. The three backing singers, sax and trumpet greatly enrich it (as on those Sevilla sessions long ago).

Entered at Wed Oct 9 22:22:11 CEST 2019 from (89.188.5.116)

Posted by:

Kevin J

Subject: What's New ?

A nod to the What's New section of this website as there are items on The Band album re-issue, Robbie's Tonight Show performance and a really nice entry on PSB that has his Band related articles and interviews all put together........Do take time to especially read/re-read his piece on the 25th anniversary of TLW.

Entered at Wed Oct 9 17:45:51 CEST 2019 from (89.188.5.116)

Posted by:

Kevin J

Subject: Bill M

Well, Bill, I did swing back into Amsterdam last night - so I was high.......and tired but funny - though one never knows as Bob loves the ladies. Speaking of ladies.......I am glad that I got to experience Amsterdam's Red Light district back in the day when it still had some edge to it.......now that porn has gone mainstream and pot is as available as a bag of chips in most cities in the world, there is nothing exciting about wandering around the district anymore......Ditto for Las Vegas......It was so much more fun to visit there when the gangsters ran the town.....Even Bangkok's night entertainment sections have been turned into tourist attractions for selfie worshipers......and basement jazz clubs without smoke also feels wrong.

Something about "Dead-end Kid" keeps me pressing replay.....just loving it.

Entered at Wed Oct 9 16:06:14 CEST 2019 from toroon0812w-lp140-01-64-229-13-216.dsl.bell.ca (64.229.13.216)

Posted by:

Bill M

Kevin J: I was just having fun with a sentence in your post, "I like that Bob particularly liked the parts on Robbie's mother."

Entered at Wed Oct 9 09:41:01 CEST 2019 from n1-43-95-157.mas2.nsw.optusnet.com.au (1.43.95.157)

Posted by:

Wallsend

The Guardian article has generated a fair amount of discussion in the comments section along familiar lines. It always surprises me how people feel confident to form an opinion about people they don't know and have never met.

Entered at Wed Oct 9 00:00:55 CEST 2019 from (89.188.5.116)

Posted by:

Kevin J

Bill M: Below is what I am still seeing on my screen.....perhaps the European edition is a bit looser:

"After Dylan watched Once Were Brothers, so he could sign the release, “he called me and said, ‘My God, I started watching this, and I got completely hooked. I love this film!’” He especially liked the part where Robertson talks about his mother, whom Dylan also knew (the two musicians lunched with each other’s mothers: “I know!” Robertson says. “It doesn’t seem like we would be the type!”) Now he and Dylan “have got an idea that we might pursue together, so we’ll see what happens”.

Entered at Tue Oct 8 23:54:00 CEST 2019 from toroon0812w-lp140-01-64-229-13-216.dsl.bell.ca (64.229.13.216)

Posted by:

Bill M

Kevin J: Someone must have edited since you read it, since my screen says nothing about Bob liking Mrs Robertson's parts. I guess they took your advice.

Entered at Tue Oct 8 23:27:08 CEST 2019 from (89.188.5.116)

Posted by:

Kevin J

Subject: The Guardian....Bob Dylan & Robbie

Location: Boston

Subject: Robbie at Nashville Last Waltz show

THE LAST WALTZ NASHVILLE Saturday, November 23 Bridgestone Arena, Nashville, TN Inaugural holiday event captures the excitement of The Band’s historic 1976 Thanksgiving concert with some of music’s biggest stars and a very special appearance by music icon Robbie Robertson of The Band. FEATURING Darius Rucker, Michael McDonald, Emmylou Harris, Vince Gill, Nathaniel Rateliff, Warren Haynes, Jamey Johnson, Lukas Nelson, Margo Price, Don Was, John Medeski, Cyril Neville, Dave Malone, Bob Margolin, Terence Higgins, and Mark Mullins & The Levee Horns.

Entered at Tue Oct 8 13:38:24 CEST 2019 from n1-43-95-157.mas2.nsw.optusnet.com.au (1.43.95.157)

Posted by:

Wallsend

There is a piece in the Guardian on Robbie and The Band.

Entered at Tue Oct 8 11:26:02 CEST 2019 from 180.199.154.77.rev.sfr.net (77.154.199.180)

Posted by:

Kevin J

Subject: You Don't Have to Close the Door

PSB's song "You Don't Have to Close the Door" is posted at the bottom of the link on Expecting Rain today relating to a Dylan cover. Scroll down to the bottom. Well worth it. A wonderful song from the album he released in the 90's.

Entered at Tue Oct 8 09:43:01 CEST 2019 from 82-69-47-175.dsl.in-addr.zen.co.uk (82.69.47.175)

Posted by:

Peter V

PSB was a wonderful writer, and there was another fine aspect. When I said something particularly misinformed or ignorant here (Yes, readers, I know you'll find that hard to believe, but it has happened) he'd send a gentle and friendly e-mail correcting the information, or giving a different view. He'd also often offer some insights, opinions or knowledge that wasn't for publication. It was always a pleasure to see his name pop in the mailbox, a well as on this Guestbook. I've often looked for his music, but I don't think it was issued in the UK. I will look further.

Entered at Tue Oct 8 06:23:55 CEST 2019 from (2600:1017:b80c:be2:b48c:4835:3a22:7396)

Posted by:

Whoever made that 'Gonks Go Beat' movie must have been into some serious pharmaceuticals.

Entered at Mon Oct 7 23:18:51 CEST 2019 from n1-43-95-157.mas2.nsw.optusnet.com.au (1.43.95.157)

Posted by:

Wallsend

Sad to hear about PSB.

Entered at Mon Oct 7 16:57:07 CEST 2019 from (2605:e000:8c82:b800:6c44:5885:9ebc:4e3c)

Posted by:

Sebastian Robertson

Subject: Peter

Sad to hear of the passing of Peter. A great writer and enthusiast of The Band. He will be missed.

Entered at Mon Oct 7 15:45:27 CEST 2019 from 82-69-47-175.dsl.in-addr.zen.co.uk (82.69.47.175)

Posted by:

Peter V

Dick Heckstall-Smith on saxophone and the great John McLaughlin on guitar. I saw that band at least twice. I just didn't know they were future superstars.

Entered at Mon Oct 7 15:41:38 CEST 2019 from toroon0812w-lp140-01-64-229-13-216.dsl.bell.ca (64.229.13.216)

Posted by:

Bill M

Peter V: Thanks for the link to the GBO clip. Were any of the others, e.g., the guys holding up Jack Bruce?

Entered at Mon Oct 7 14:08:10 CEST 2019 from 82-69-47-175.dsl.in-addr.zen.co.uk (82.69.47.175)

Posted by:

Peter V

Web: My link

Subject: Ginger Baker

A friend posted this link to Graham Bond Organization in the cult pop film "Gonks Go Beat" from 1965. This is about as early as you'll see Ginger Baker.

Entered at Sun Oct 6 18:47:48 CEST 2019 from cpef81d0f88efd3-cmf81d0f88efd0.cpe.net.cable.rogers.com (99.227.168.67)

Posted by:

John D

Subject: PSB

Thanks Dag B.

Entered at Sun Oct 6 16:51:48 CEST 2019 from 82-69-47-175.dsl.in-addr.zen.co.uk (82.69.47.175)

Posted by:

Peter V

Thanks Dag B. Tributes are on his link at Expecting Rain. The sad list of the fallen on this Band website has added another great poster.

Entered at Sun Oct 6 16:21:01 CEST 2019 from 67.90-149-232.nextgentel.com (90.149.232.67)

Posted by:

Dag B.

Web: My link

Subject: Peter Stone Brown

post by trevgibb » Sat Oct 05, 2019 10:45 pm

"It's with deep sadness that I report to you all the loss of our brother in all things Dylan, Peter Stone Brown.He passed 3.28am today, Saturday October 5th after a long battle with cancer.I hope that everyone who read him or knew him will take time from their day to listen to his music or read his wonderful words ..."

(link above)

Entered at Sun Oct 6 14:53:15 CEST 2019 from cpef81d0f88efd3-cmf81d0f88efd0.cpe.net.cable.rogers.com (99.227.168.67)

Posted by:

Deeply sorry to hear that, Pat. No news online yet. One of the most perceptive writers on music and greatly valued here whenever he commented.

Entered at Sun Oct 6 08:57:31 CEST 2019 from 108-88-109-12.lightspeed.cicril.sbcglobal.net (108.88.109.12)

Posted by:

Pat B

RIP PSB

Entered at Sun Oct 6 03:38:45 CEST 2019 from 153.sub-97-41-0.myvzw.com (97.41.0.153)

Posted by:

Zzzz

You're right Dunc. Today, I'm loving Dead End Kid, and Hardwired. Street Serenade is my favorite song with singing though, reminds me of that firefighter movie song in feel. I too think there's lots of good guitar. Today, I notice how out in front his voice is on the songs, and I wonder if it wouldn't be cooler if it was more hidden in the music... but I don't even know why I think about these things. Robbie's music as a solo artist is different from his work in the Band. It's a fine album for a lot of reasons. I haven't even opened Dead Man's Pop yet because I have been listening to Sinematic non-stop since I bought it. I hate Let Love Reigh because up here it has rained all through September and everyday now in October. I want some fucking sun.

Entered at Sat Oct 5 22:52:54 CEST 2019 from (2600:1700:a550:8460:5b4:87a1:6238:b238)

Posted by:

Adam

Have to say, "Walk In A Beauty Way" is literally the one song I've always been skipping. I'm not kidding... to each his own. The whole album otherwise sounds great to me. 12/13

Entered at Sat Oct 5 13:14:35 CEST 2019 from c83-250-73-203.bredband.comhem.se (83.250.73.203)

Posted by:

NorthWestCoaster

Location: Greater Copenhagen

Subject: This gb

"Richard Stallman, founder and president of the Free Software Foundation, has resigned as the president and from its board of directors." As far as I know as a free and open software fantast (incl. Linux) he has been forced to do this by feminist and gender activists on MIT.

What has this to do with this site, you may ask. - This site is running on Linux server - which is a part of free software movement. Mr. Hoiberg has mentioned Mr. Stallman here on this site - positively.

Entered at Sat Oct 5 01:16:51 CEST 2019 from (2407:7000:9b95:db00:e017:312d:886c:517f)

Posted by:

Rod

Location: casting The Band

I'd go for the two leads from the first series of Narcos. The two DEA agents could have been doubles for Rick and Robbie. Maybe Pablo as Garth?

Entered at Fri Oct 4 22:16:50 CEST 2019 from toroon0812w-lp140-03-67-70-151-237.dsl.bell.ca (67.70.151.237)

Posted by:

Bill M

Peter V: Nice piece of work.

John D: And Olivier probably went to his grave proud of that role. I imagine that if he cringed thinking about anything he'd done, it would have been his role as a Canada in "The 49th Parallel". Even if it was for a good cause (i.e., WWII).

Entered at Fri Oct 4 18:27:28 CEST 2019 from 82-69-47-175.dsl.in-addr.zen.co.uk (82.69.47.175)

Posted by:

Peter V

Posted by:

Kevin J

Subject: Robbie Robertson on The Tonight S

Landmark…..All the best getting through whatever it is that has hobbled you recently……and do stay away from those Hong Kong horses in the meantime.

Robbie and The Roots: Wow. What a performance last night! Just stunning that a guy who has not performed live in any format for over 8 years ( the last being the sensational spot on Jimmy Fallon doing “Straight Down The Line” with Robert Randolph ) is capable of just walking on and knocking it out of the park like he did. His vocals were the best I have ever heard him live. And all this at 76! Thanks to Jon L for alerting us to this. I am travelling in Europe and was excited to get up and watch it on youtube. I had rated “Let Love Rule” as one of my favs on the new album but the Roots took it to a whole other level with the horns. I have replayed the clip about 20 times already.

A few other thoughts:

* Sinematic: Agree that “Walk in Beauty Way” is the standout track…..other favs include “Wandering Souls” – a gorgeous instrumental, “Let Love Reign” – especially the funked-up Roots version”, “Dead End Kid”, “I Hear You Paint Houses” , “Praying for Rain” and “Street Serenade”. There are a few clunkers led especially by “Once Were Brothers”. Almost like trying to get personal about The Band just paralyzed him lyrically. “Shanghai Blues” is another that could have used a re-write.

* Wallsend: Made reference a while back that to not understanding why Robbie wouldn’t just do a guitar prominent album…….say what? Have you listened to Sinematic? The album could actually have been called “All Guitar – No Lyrics” There is more guitar on this album by far than on anything Robbie has done since The Hawks. If it’s guitar you are looking for…..it’s here and it’s prominent on just about every song, including two full songs of just guitar. Some wicked playing all over Sinematic.

* Thank you to Bill M and BEG for your thoughts and shout-outs a while back and very belated thank you to Mike Nomad for the same a long time earlier…….all good in life – just needed a break from routines for a while……hope everyone else no longer around but surely checking-in are all doing ok………Bob F – I miss very much reading his thoughts and that crazy, shit disturbing but occasionally brilliant Jeff are really missed.

Entered at Thu Oct 3 18:07:55 CEST 2019 from toroon0812w-lp140-03-67-70-151-237.dsl.bell.ca (67.70.151.237)

Posted by:

Bill M

Thanks Norm. A simpler time, when everybody in the band seemed to like and appreciate everybody else. How much longer did Randy last.

Entered at Thu Oct 3 17:41:32 CEST 2019 from 82-69-47-175.dsl.in-addr.zen.co.uk (82.69.47.175)

Posted by:

Peter V

Web: My link

Subject: Rocketman

A somewhat belated review of the Elton John biopic ROCKETMAN (follow link) to coincide with its DVD release. I’m afraid the musicologist in me takes over and I spent too much time noting inaccuracies. Well, the promotions do say “based on a true fantasy.”

Entered at Thu Oct 3 05:38:21 CEST 2019 from node-1w7jr9srhfsgcbxhhh9n4kt1k.ipv6.telus.net (2001:569:bd24:6400:c47e:d78c:5e58:e008)

Posted by:

Norm J

Location: Pacific Northwest

Subject: As good as it gets! Some History

I have been a fan of the Band..........well since before they were the Band. Y-know the old Ronnie Hawkins days and all that. I was sitting here this evening doing what I do a lot of the time to entertain myself with the music that I love.

I came to a decision. Thru, my history of music in giving credit where it is due. It is impossible to not recognise the vocal extreme talent of Rick, Richard and Levon. However in listening to one of my all time favourite performances, there is no one! who can match the vocal of Randy Meisener on his song he wrote. (The first million seller of Eagles). Take it to the Limit.

The concert in Washington in 1977. Randy hit notes that not Roy Orbison, Rick Danko, Del Shannon or any one else has ever done. It was fucking mind blowing what that boy did. I don't care if you are an Eagles fan or not. The production of that song, harmonies and all can't be matched......so there.

Entered at Wed Oct 2 21:51:49 CEST 2019 from 82-69-47-175.dsl.in-addr.zen.co.uk (82.69.47.175)

Posted by:

Peter V

Subject: The Zombies

Indeed, my best friends' band, Tetrad, did both Time of TheSeason and She's Not There. Lead vocal in their band was John Wetton. Later, I saw Argent on the circuit and much more recently Colin Blunstone with The Manfreds.

Entered at Wed Oct 2 18:25:26 CEST 2019 from 74-203-77-122.static.ctl.one (74.203.77.122)

Posted by:

Jon Lyness

Location: NYC

Peter V, were The Zombies much on your radar back in the day? I just saw them open for Brian Wilson & band at a theatre show here in NY and they blew me away. They played the full Odessey & Oracle album as well as a handful of their big hits and some new material... all excellent. They told a great story about making the album at Abbey Road Studios and being able to use recording equipment that John Lennon had had trucked in when The Beatles were out. One of those great shows where I could have left after the opening act and still felt satisfied.

Entered at Wed Oct 2 16:14:54 CEST 2019 from cpef81d0f88efd3-cmf81d0f88efd0.cpe.net.cable.rogers.com (99.227.168.67)

Posted by:

Location: Scotland

Thanks Norm and Peter, but my favourite version of A Change Is Gonna Come is The Band’s version - a beautiful piece of music.

Entered at Tue Oct 1 15:57:12 CEST 2019 from broadband.bt.com (2a00:23c5:3a46:3c00:d5fa:7b6e:707e:8074)

Posted by:

Dunc

Location: Scotland

Hope you get on well with your teeth, Zzzz. And remember what George Harrison said when alluding to Bob Dylan’s later work - ‘Music needs time to bed in.’

Last five played

The Band Jericho really enjoy the first eight or nine tracks. And the entire album shows good musicianship.

The Band Live at the Academy of Music - Is Rag Mama Rag on this live version not similar to the posted outtake. Love this version especially the piano playing and love this album. Recent buy.

The Band Live at Woodstock - brilliant set

Robbie Robertson Sinematic really enjoying it.

John Martyn Serendipity- I had neglected it

Entered at Tue Oct 1 14:05:40 CEST 2019 from 49.sub-97-35-66.myvzw.com (97.35.66.49)

Posted by:

Zzzz

Subject: Sinematic

2nd pass through, out driving before the sun comes up over the Lake... and I am enjoying it much more. Love the harmonica, don't know why the bass bothered me last night, and it swings. Now that the local fog has lifted gonna need to let this soak in over the rest of the week. And now off to setup a dentist appointment...

Entered at Tue Oct 1 07:44:58 CEST 2019 from 49.sub-97-35-66.myvzw.com (97.35.66.49)

Posted by:

Zzzz

Location: Foggy Rainy Duluth

Subject: Sinematic

First pass through has me moved only by lucky 13: Remembrance... and 8. Wandering Souls. Then 9. Street Serenade. I'm distracted by the need to have two teeth pulled though, and all I could latch onto tonight was a bit of guitar tone hope. He's kinda got an identity with an American Indian shuffle he's trademarked but the bass throughout bugs me, and other people do industrial electronica better (The Black Angels: Snake in the Grass). I will pass 2 tomorrow but right now I'm tripping over doing the head math that says it's feeling more like Once Were Cahoots... without the desperation. Maybe some poverty of spirit needs to build. I liked what he said about fuck-it, doing what I want,... but he's not taking taking me to good lost or good crazy. I mean, I just started watching TV again after 6 years, and yesterday Black Mirrors scared the shit out of me. Oh well, good night. Try try again, aiming for the center where the red and black roads cross, hoping I can hear tomorrow what was right in front of me tonight. But I musta missed it.

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