The Band, “The Band”

Tom Heerman:

The Band by The Band is a record that sounds loose and casual in spite of the obvious skills of the musicians. The electric guitar is not the key instrument, rather just a player along with aberrant contributions from saxes, tubas, carnival piano, strings, and three multifarious vocalists. They were deliberate in their approach, playing tight and very accomplished as a “Band,” while intentionally sounding detached. It’s been highly ranked for many years on “best of” lists, and it actually made it to #9 on the Billboard charts in 1970. Which I think is surprising given the lack of a radio-friendly single. Rolling Stone gave it a good review, which in those days was like printing money for the recording artists.

My opinion of the record has not varied much over the years. It’s the kind of record that is “cool” to talk about with the other music snobs. It shows a certain je ne sais quoi if you own it on vinyl. It feels good to be one of the cognoscenti, all these years later, since The Band never really went that huge and unfortunately most of the members are deceased. But, alas, I have never had the aha moment with it. It’s never captured me in the way that so very many records have.

I think the reason is maybe the multiple lead vocalists they employ. Richard Manuel sings lead on five songs, Levon Helm sings lead on four, Rick Danko on three. I rank them in reverse order to that. And I never get used to any of them. Another thing I have noticed is that in spite of its “Americana” reputation, it sounds better loud. And the rockers are my favorite songs on it. So, maybe I just haven’t played it loud enough. Or, more likely, the songs — “Up On Cripple Creek” and “Jemima Surrender” — are the only songs I really love. The rest are good, and quite interesting story songs, but not improved with repeated listenings. And lastly, for such a collection of artists who are clearly gifted and committed to music, really, the name “The Band” is just awful. I have to believe the name alone has held them back in popularity. A name is supposed to simplify a group association, not require added explanation. How could they have settled on that?

I give The Band a score of 27.33.

Chris McJaggerly:

Agreed. The Band’s eponymous second album is a bit over-rated.

In particular, I agree with you about the singing. Having multiple lead singers can be a great asset to a group, providing a built-in variety in sound. But in the case of The Band, it’s more like the football team with more than one starting quarterback. “If you have more than one, you don’t have any.” While the singing is usually adequate, and even good at times, it’s never powerful. If The Band had a great rock singer with vocal power – say, Bob Seeger or John Fogerty – they would have been exceptional.

Also, you singled out the two best songs: “Up On Cripple Creek” and “Jemima Surrender.” “Cripple Creek” is absolutely fantastic. The clarinet sound is tremendous, and it’s a really heartwarming lyric about a man’s deep appreciation for the love and loyalty and sense of humor of a woman. “Jemina Surrender” rocks, and has a nice, subtle reference to The Band’s former name, “The Hawks.” I also like “Rag Mama Rag” and “Look Out Cleveland.” But for me, the rest of the album is pretty forgettable, despite the trademark loose Americana style and good instrumental arrangements.

“The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down” should be singled out. It’s supposed to be a classic, and it ought to be right in my wheelhouse, since I read a ton of history, particularly about the Civil War, and “Old Dixie” is one of the few Civil War themed songs of the rock era. But for me, it falls flat. For one, the mediocre singing just kills the upward sweep of the chorus. For another, the lyrics are wrong – Richmond fell in April 1865, not May! I know that’s quibbling, but it seems like something a songwriter would get right. And last, why would the defeated Southerners be singing “la la la la?” I get a “la la” chorus in a song like “Brown Eyed Girl,” but not in a song about wartime defeat. I give The Band credit for creating a song with sympathy about a starving, desperate, grieving people from the distant past, but I just don’t find myself enjoying “Old Dixie.”

Finally, one comment about the name “The Band.” For years, they were the backing band for Ronnie Hawkins, and then Bob Dylan, sometimes known as “The Hawks.” As a backing band, they were referred to (dismissively, at times) as “the band.” They got used to the moniker, and adopted it as their official name. It’s pretty lame – I agree – but with that context, maybe not as bad as you make it sound.

I give The Band, The Band a score of 28 1/3.

Scott DeToffol:

The Band by The Band is an album I’m built to love, but I just want to be friends. It has an amazing Americana pedigree, and is perhaps the first Americana concept album. Robertson’s songs are very well crafted and arranged, but I find the performances somewhat lacking. I agree that the vocals are part of the problem, but I think the overall production detracts from the songs.

Agreed that “Up on Cripple Creek” is the stand-out. It has the tightest performance, which may have something to do with its success. Some of the songs have too many flourishes, like the aggressive church organs on “Whispering Pines” that are too far forward in the mix. I know these musicians had a long history together, but some of these songs sound like a super-group effort that was recorded in their rehearsal space after three takes.

A majority of these songs are good, with a few very good ones, especially on side one. “Across the Great Divide” is a good opener and sets the tone for the rest. I prefer Levon’s singing, and adore his drumming.

I’m not a big fan of “Rag Mama Rag,” and maybe that’s because Richard Manuel played drums on it, while Helm sang and played mandolin. Source

“Jemima Surrender,” “The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down” and “Jawbone,” which has some interesting syncopation and timing changes, round out my picks for top songs. The rest are okay, but aren’t very memorable. And for a top 50 album, I think you need more stand-out songs.

This is an important album, but not a great one. And not in my top 50. I give The Band a 27.