Music From Big Pink (studio album) by The Band

A fantastic record from The Band that has some phenomenal songs on here which make it such a joy to frequently revisit this album. The trio of tracks that captivate me the most are Tears Of Rage, The Weight and the sensational closer that is I Shall Be Released. This song ends the album on such a high note and always makes me leave the record feeling fulfilled. In terms of sound and style, this record is quite unique and is a varied experience which means all the songs are engaging. Despite this, there are a few tracks which aren't as good as the better ones. They aren't bad tracks or mediocre tracks they are just decent which means they don't effect the album that much but in my opinion they hold it back from being at that top level. Overall, a brilliant set of performances on instrumentation and vocal combine to create an elite level experience for the listener.

It was very brave of the Band to open their debut album with the long, slow and dark "Tears of Rage" . They were praised for this at the time, but now more than three decades later, the song may scare away new listeners which is really a big shame because is one the Band's greatest and probably their most influential album. It's not that "Tears of Rage" is a bad song; it just may take some time to get into it.
"Music From Big Pink" was actually the only Band album with two equally important songwriters; by their fourth album "Cahoots" keyboard player and occasional drummer Richard Manuel had completely stopped writing. This was really a shame, because his material on "Big Pink" equals that of Robbie Robertson. The relaxed and slightly whimsical "We Can Talk" is one of the catchiest tunes on the album and in my opinion an early Band classic. Another outstanding Manuel tune is "In a Station", which somehow reminds me of the legendary Danish band the "Savage Rose".

Darker Manuel tunes like "Tears of Rage" and "Lonesome Suzie" may be harder to get into, especially for people who have not grown up with the music of the Band. Interesting to hear the jazzier and faster alternate version of "Lonesome Suzie" among the bonus-tracks; actually I find that version more appealing.

Of course Robbie Robertson turned out to be their main song-writer and he also shines here on the debut-album. "The Weight" is more or less their signature tune; a great song showcasing all three lead-singers. In fact one of the great things about this great group is that it had these three singer whose vocals blended uniquely; especially on their earliest albums.

Another Robertson classic is the organ-riff based "Chest Fever" which eventually becane a Garth Hudson live tour-de-force.

The bonus-track are all good, though several lack in sound - "Basemant Tapes" sound. The last tune "Ferdinand the Imposter" could really have been great; also the country-inpired "If I Lose" is also quite charming.

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Every song is good. There aren’t any standout masterpieces though. Plus, although I like every song, listening to this album as a whole it gets very boring and I prefer individual songs.

From O.T. 04/01/2022 08:11

"Even stranger land" did Greil Marcus say in his essay about The Band. The opening notes carry me into a world of sonical and emotional wonders. It is disturbing music, played in new tempi, sung in unheard of harmonies nearly out of control but just because of that in total control. Carter Family, Béla Bartók, Swan Silvertones, Albert Ayler, Staple Singers and whatever more. I never heard such music before and never again.

The best album by The Band, a lot of highlights and enjoyable listen throughout the tracklist.

Really well composed and structured. Features a wonderful collection of songs and all of them are good!

really brilliant

From VictorVale 10/14/2020 11:21

Muito geniais! Folk psicodélico, flower power, americana!

From 2nd-Impressions 10/13/2020 03:28

73/100

Best tracks: Caledonia Mission, The Weight, Long Black Veil, Chest Fever, I Shall Be Released
Worst tracks: Lonesome Suzie, This Wheel's On Fire

From teague 07/06/2020 03:09

Easily album of the year (excluding White Light/White Heat). Brilliant songwriting, performances (Richard Manuel is one of the most underrated singers ever), even atmosphere.