07 March, 2012

127. The Band | Music from Big Pink (1968)



  1. Tears of Rage
  2. To Kingdom Come
  3. In a Station
  4. Caledonia Mission
  5. The Weight
  6. We Can Talk
  7. Long Black Veil
  8. Chest Fever
  9. Lonesome Suzie
  10. This Wheel's on Fire
  11. I Shall Be Released

Music from Big Pink is a bittersweet album. The songs are a mix of country and rock and roll–a re-invention or re-interpretation of country music. Presumably, the musicians are quite capable seeing that they were Bob Dylan's supporting band for a time.

At first blush, the music is likable, but then I get a nagging feeling that the music is inauthentic and superficial. It's a feeling that won't go away. To me, it's a soulless re-invention of country music. I suppose I make it sound worse than it really is. However, this album is another foreshadowing of the dreaded adult-oriented rock that is soon to come.

I can see why it's on the 1001 Albums list, but it's a toss up whether it's worth listening to. There is a lot of filler, but the stand out songs: Tears of Rage, The Weight, Long Black Veil and Chest Fever are pretty solid.

★★★★★★★☆☆☆

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