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Classic Albums - The Band: The Band

Classic Albums - The Band: The Band

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Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Pure Pleasure.
Review: A fantastic, illuminating program on one of the greatest albums of all time. The previous reviews are right on the money...this one is a joy to watch. Learning about the layers of vocals and instrumentation on songs like Rockin' Chair is fascinating...you will learn more about how the group worked from this video than from The Last Waltz (as great as that is in its own way). There are riveting interviews with Robbie, Levon, Rick & Garth and even snippets of live performance as they show how some of the intricate sounds on the album were achieved. Just buy it already! :)

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: The Band
Review: Although the recording was somewhat ineresting, due to the lack of music in the recording I find very dissapointing. I will probably play it three or four times and then dispose of it.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: A Must Have
Review: As a die-hard Band fan for over 25 years, this DVD chronicles the making of their most historical works. Extremely well done. If you are a fan of one of the world's most important bands, this DVD is a must have!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: A Must Have
Review: As a die-hard Band fan for over 25 years, this DVD chronicles the making of their most historical works. Extremely well done. If you are a fan of one of the world's most important bands, this DVD is a must have!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: A Joyful Little DVD
Review: 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.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: A Joyful Little DVD
Review: 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.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: American music history by The Band !
Review: Great document about The Band's "brown" album.This document explains how The Band recorded the album and what really happend during the songs.The outstanding Garth Hudson shows he is one of a kind.With his talent he made some fantastic sounds.You see Levon Helm,Robbie Robertson and Rick Danko looking back on their second album.If you love music and history you 'll have to see this one.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: American music history by The Band !
Review: Great document about The Band's "brown" album.This document explains how The Band recorded the album and what really happend during the songs.The outstanding Garth Hudson shows he is one of a kind.With his talent he made some fantastic sounds.You see Levon Helm,Robbie Robertson and Rick Danko looking back on their second album.If you love music and history you 'll have to see this one.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: One of the best of the Classic Album DVD's
Review: I have a number of the DVD's from the Classic Album series. I find this one to be particularly compelling and balanced. It is rare to see anything about The Band that includes input from both Robbie Robertson and Levon Helm and the DVD is all the better for it. I found that the fine editing kept Levon's bitterness to a minimum (the "someone needs to tune that guitar" quip from Rocking Chair) and Robbie's contribution to the whole affair balanced. The highlights include the improvisation of Garth Hudson at the keyboard and the insights of John Simon, who produced the first two Band albums and Jon Taplin. Levon sums it up well in the end. The movie is "righteous".

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Great documentary on a great album.
Review: I've always like VH-1's Classic Albums series and this episode doesn't disappoint. Great interviews with Robbie, Levon, and other band members (Including Rick Danko, who died last December). I love how they broke down Rag Momma Rag and Rockin' Chair into it's separate parts. A must for all Band Fans.


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