Product: Classic Albums: The Band - The Band (1997)
Rating: 5.0
Essential for hardcore Band fans
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.