Classic Albums - The Band: The Band

The story of the Band and their classic album is told here in vivid words, pictures, and music. Rock legends Eric Clapton and George Harrison, lyricist Bernie Taupin, and musician-producer Don Was pay tribute to the Band and explain why this album is at the top of their classic album lists. Band members Levon Helm, Rick Danko, Robbie Robertson, and Garth Hudson, along with the album's coproducer, John Simon, give unique insight as to how the album came to be recorded in the former residence of Sammy Davis Jr. in the Hollywood Hills and spawned such timeless recordings as "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down," "Rag Mama Rag," and "Up on Cripple Creek."

Among the many musical highlights are "I Shall Be Released," "The Weight," "Rockin' Chair," "King Harvest (Has Surely Come)," and "The Unfaithful Servant," all performed in the Band's distinctive, memorable style and underlying their enormous contributions to the annals of popular music history. 75 minutes.

Filled with vintage footage of the Band in rehersals, as well as interviews with Robbie Robertson, Levon Helm, the reclusive Garth Hudson, and the late Rick Danko, "The Band" chronicles the making of this amazing album, focusing on the disparate musical influences- country, bluegrass, rockabilly, black R&B, rock n roll, and folk/Americana- that led to many of guitarist/vocalist Robbie Robertson's greatest songs.

The surviving members at the time of this documentary (made in 1997-pianist Richard Manuel had died in 1986) add their own anecdotes to the music, giving the songs unique colors and life. Levon Helm, Robbie Robertson, and Garth Hudson (the most pleasant surprise on the dvd taking into account his well known reclusive nature) add to the fun by playing some of the tunes based on their perspective, offering running commontary as they go. Add to the Band's perspective those of Eric Clapton, (who wanted to join the Band at one point) George Harrison, Elton John's lyicist Bernie Taupin, and producer Don Was, and the cup of greatness runneth over.

The performances, including "The Weight," "Rockin' Chair," "I Shall Be Released," "The Unfaithful Servant," and "King Harvest (Has Surely Come)," as well as a touching tribute to the late Richard Manuel, make the dvd all the more valuable to fans of the Band. The music is timeless, the interviews vintage, and the performances sparkle as they never have. That makes this dvd one to have in any collection.

R.I.P. Richard Manuel and Rick Danko


A Must Have DVD   January 21, 2001
Michelle Hensley (Blue Ohio)
31 out of 31 found this review helpful

If you love The Band (is there such thing as a casual Band fan?) you MUST own this! There is some repetition of the usual stories, such as Clapton telling us his 'Big Pink' story, but others are fresh and exciting. Also, there are solo tidbits that will break your heart. Robby doing Dixie, and Rick, God rest his soul, doing When You Awake. Absolutely essential.


A Joyful Little DVD   July 31, 2001
Steven Barnett (USA)
17 out of 17 found this review helpful

As a fan of the group, I decided to take a chance on this DVD though I knew nothing about it. It very easily could have been a dud, but it turned out to be something very special. The surviving members of the group actually participated in this documentary, and they show a lot of pride and a lot of affection for their days together, and for the music they made.

Just watch Levon listening back to "Rocking Chair," his eyes closed, delighted at the sound of Richard Manuel's voice, basking in the joy of what The Band created together so many years ago. He still retains that modest, down-home quality that is so endearing.

Then there's "Brother Garth." Band fans will find this DVD worth the purchase price just to see Garth improvising at the keyboard, displaying just what a lovable crazed-genius he really is.

And then there is plenty of Robbie Robertson, giving some very insightful information about The Band's writing and recording processes. Like Levon, Robbie just can't contain the thrill he obviously feels listening back to the original multitracks from the album.

Unfortunately, it doesn't appear that Robbie ever "reunited" with the others for this program, even if just to listen to the tracks together. The interviews are all done separately. But that's not really a complaint, just an observation.

Anyone who is a fan of The Band, and anyone who has a genuine interest in the creative process and in making music, will certainly love this DVD. I'm a picky guy, but I gave this the highest rating I could.


Essential for hardcore Band fans   February 22, 2002
14 out of 15 found this review helpful

If you're not a lifelong, hard shell Band addict, go to the next review. Only these people will probably appreciate the rest of this review. The following are my personal highlights.
It has several different sections of footage of Garth. Intertwining classical, gospel, circus midway, blues, and folk licks, his nose approximately two inches from the keyboard, occasionally talking to the keyboards as he plays---The man is beyond genius status. He's also very cool.

Watch and listen to Rick play "When You Awake" on flattop.

Watch the unabashed joy in Levon's face when he is at the mixing board listening to Richard and Rick (and himself) harmonize on "Rockin' Chair", or to Garth's keyboards on "Rag Mama Rag". ("Ain't it easy when you know how"--Levon on Garth's playing).

Watch Robbie Robertson sing proudly into a purposely dead mike. You might fool some of the people some of the time...

Watch Robbie take credit for the writing when it was obviously a group effort almost every time.Richard wrote the lyrics to several songs; Garth and Rick wrote a lot of the music--very seldom did they receive credit (or royalties)--only Robbie.

Listen to Eric Clapton and George Harrison reveal that the Band's music was beyond anything they had heard or played.

Listen to Robbie's chord work and his excellent explanation as to why the Band sang harmonies a certain way (that was all they could reach)and why he frequently played odd, partial guitar chords (they just sounded right).

Just watch and listen to Levon.Whether he's singing, playing, or being interviewed, he is extremely entertaining. He, like Garth, is also one of a kind.

Listen to Richard sing anything. I'm positive he and Rick are members in good standing in God's choir.

This is a wonderful DVD. It has much more footage than the TV version I taped off of television. I bought it new.., although I think it ususally sells for [more]. I would have paid [more] for it. If you're a Band fanatic-this is a must have.


A documentary on a classic album   January 31, 2000
Michael Bradley (usa)
12 out of 13 found this review helpful

When purchased I thought it may have been an older concert they had put on to dvd. When it came in I found out it was a documentary on the making of the Bands self titled album. Then I thought it would be some thirty year old documentary they put on dvd. But I was very suprised and glad I bought it. Just recently made, I believe in 1997, it interviews each of the living members of the Band even Robbie. Each telling how the album came together. Levon and Robbie, who take a few of the songs and put them on a mixing board to let you hear the individual voices and instruments, I found to be the most interesting. For any fan of the Band this is one you have to have. It talks about one the greatest albums ever made. Also purchased The Band Live at the New Orleans Jazz Festival. It was everything I thought it would be.