The Band "Music From Big Pink"

In 1967, after backing up Dylan on his rough "electric" tour, The Band retreated to a rented house called "Big Pink"  in Woodstock, NY where they wrote and recorded over 100 songs with Dylan, which produced the eventual release called the  "Basement Tapes" in 1975. The music written for Music From Big Pink was also from that period.

When this album came out in '68, I remember being taken aback with it's un-pretentiousness and honesty. The Band sounded as though they were musicians from the late 19th century, often with a Salvation Army band supporting. Everything about this album was different for the times: the music, the lyrics, the dress, the jacket photos, the sound, etc. Even when using modern instruments like the electric keyboards and guitar with effects, their sound is earthy and early America. The songs mix country, folk, blues, jazz, rock, gospel and even classical elements. There was soul in the lyrics, in the playing, in the singing, in the groove of the drums, and in the solos. Clapton has often referred to this album as being a favorite of his. In his recent biography he states "It stopped me in my tracks...".

Most of the album was recorded on four tracks at A&R in NY where two tracks were used to record the band live. Track three was used for horns, and track four for vocals and tambourine. These two recording sessions included the hit "The Weight" and a classic turn it up tune "Chest Fever".

This 2000 Capitol Records CD re-issue was 24 bit digitally remastered by Dan Hersch and Andrew Sandoval. It includes an 18 page booklet with additional photos and liner notes by Rob Bowman. It also includes nine bonus tracks totaling 32 minutes of music from the period. Only two of these tracks are alternate versions of songs on the album; "Tears of Rage", which is maybe just below the original, and "Lonesome Suzie", which is given a shuffle/swing style arrangement.

The other original bonus tracks include the very strong "Yazoo Street Scandal", Dylan's "Long Distance Operator" with an excellent drum groove by Helm, "Kattie's Been Gone", "Orange Juice Blues" a great song demo with just bass, piano and vocal by Manual, and "Ferdinand The Imposter", another good tune. but in mono. There are two covers: Poole's "If I Lose" and Big Bill Broonzy's "Key to the Highway", which takes my vote as the weakest track on the compilation.


As far as the sound quality goes, a few of the bonus tracks suffer, but are worth having regardless. Some of the outtakes sound very good. The original album tracks sound totally acceptable with good depth, dynamics, timbre and balance. Though I prefer the MFSL vinyl pressing, this CD is definitely worth buying.



Cat: Capitol 72435-25390-2-4
Format: 2 channel CD, 16/44.1k
Remastered by: Dan Hersch and Andrew Sandoval at DigiPrep, Hollywood, CA,  with bonus material by Andrew Sandoval at Penguin Recording in May 2000.
Sound Quality: 3.5 of 5  Respectable
Content: 4 of 5  Classic "must have" rock
Extras: 3 of 5  Makes you want more.