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The Band

Across The Great Divide

review by David Levine
(Page 2)

For anyone who doesn't know The Band, I highly recommend this box set. In my not so humble opinion, The Band is one of the top three rock bands of all time. Let me count the ways:

1. They wrote great lyrics, consistently.
2. Each member was an excellent player.
3. Their arrangements were brilliant. Three guys could sing lead and harmonize like country fuckin angels.
4. The rhythm section rocked.

They didn't have a weakness except that they wouldn't compromise to fit the times. When they played at Winterland in San Francisco they asked for the light show to be turned off. They didn't need it. Just them, the music and the clouds of dope smoke.

So, let's look at the discs:

Disc one is the closest thing to a greatest hits collection. It has their three biggest hits which I mentioned before: "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down," "Up On Cripple Creek" and "The Weight." All the songs are from their first three giant, huge, mega, beyond-belief records: Music From The Big Pink, The Band and Stage Fright. A song I quote often when my girlfriend gets nudgie is "Rag Mama Rag"(86k .au) and while were talking about great lyrics, how about the chorus on "Cripple Creek"(125k .au)?

"Up on Cripple Creek she sends me/If I spring a leak she mends me/I don't have to speak she defends me/A drunkard's dream if I ever did see one."

Levon Helm is the lead singer on the aforementioned hits and he played drums, Which makes him unquestionably the best singing drummer of all time. The other great singer is the late Richard Manuel. His vocal on "King Harvest"(141k .au) beautifully conveys the mood of a man fed up and ready to join the union or anyone who promises something better.

Disc two is comprised of selections from their later releases, "Cahoots," "Rock Of Ages," "Northern Lights Southern Cross" and "Islands." These records aren't quite as strong as the first three monsters, but there are some great cuts. Listen to my favorite cover of Elvis' "Mystery Train"(92k .au), sounds like Garth Hudson was listening to Stevie Wonder keyboard pads. If you want some sweet harmonizing, then slap on the chorus of "Arcadian Driftwood".(121k .au) {#12/ 01:04} What I really dig though, is The Band's version of "Don't Do It"(149k .au); you get a good idea of how fun-kay the rhythm section is.

Disc three is a gold mine of previously unreleased and live cuts that Band fans will love. Some stand-outs are Richard Manuel singing "She Knows"(139k .au) in 1986 at the Lone Star Roadhouse, complete with cash register in the background. Also Robbie Robertson's "He Don't Love You"(136k .au). Motown? Richard Manuels vocals are, well... yes he's white. That's from 1964 in Port Dover, Ontario. Now listen to "Katie's Been Gone"(139k .au) from 1967 off The Basement Tapes. They are not just a great bar band anymore; they have their own sound and still retain the chops of road-tested veterans.

Well, I hope you enjoy listening to these great tunes. My parents had these records so they were part of the soundtrack to my blurry teenage years. I hope you enjoy discovering them as much I enjoyed rediscovering them. Oh, and one more thing, if you see me, say hi!

THE BAND IS:

• Robbie Robertson: guitar
• Levon Helm: drums
• Richard Manuel: piano
• Rick Danko: bass
• Garth Hudson: everything else