The Band - Myth or Reality?

Somehow the original band thread got deleted. Not sure why unless there were some improper posts made in my absensce this afternoon and the Moddy's deleted.

Anyhow it was such an interesting thread I wanted to restart. I am hoping the mods won't delete again.

From memory this is pretty much what I wrote in first thread:

Honestly I've never been really sure why so many seem to do flips over "the band. It seems like over time their place in music history has grown larger than deserved.

I've honestly never got the whole Band thing since The Last Waltz Came out and the musical snobs were lactating over the movie.

Sad they broke up and liked a few of their songs but then again I was sad when Archie Bell and the Drells broke up

 

I couldn't name one song The Band ever did. I know I've heard at least a couple on the radio, but I have no idea what they are.

 

Their place in music history was pretty much established early on. They were an anomaly at the time because they were all accomplished musicians. Whatever place they have is well deserved.

One of the best concerts I ever attended was at Maple Leaf Gardens with The Band and Bob Dylan.

Before "The Band" they were known as "The Hawks" and backed up Ronnie Hawkins.

They used to play regularly at summer arena dances in my hometown in the 60's. Not concerts. Dances.

And just out of curiosity, Boom, did you pick their name out of a hat?

 

Listen to their second album, simply called "The Band'. Then you'll know what they were about.

It's as brilliant today as it was forty years ago when it was released.

 

jr - don't know what you are asking me.

 

Personally, I shed a tear when Brenton Wood faded away.

 

OK, Boomer.... sing along with the Spaceman....

"Standin by your window in pain
a pistol in your hand,
and i beg you, dear molly, girl,
Try and understand your man the best you can.

Across the great divide, just grab your hat, and take that ride
Get yourself a bride, and bring your children down to the river side."

Get it, now?

 

"The Weight" is one of the best drunk, buddy sing-along songs of all-time. And the Grateful Dead used to play it all the time in the late-80s and early-90s.

I pulled into Nazareth, I was feelin' about half past dead;
I just need some place where I can lay my head.
"Hey, mister, can you tell me where a man might find a bed?"
He just grinned and shook my hand, and "No!", was all he said.

(Chorus
Take a load off Fannie, take a load for free;
Take a load off Fannie, And (and) (and) you can put the load right on me.

I picked up my bag, I went lookin' for a place to hide;
When I saw Carmen and the Devil walkin' side by side.
I said, "Hey, Carmen, come on, let's go downtown."
She said, "I gotta go, but m'friend can stick around."

(Chorus)

Go down, Miss Moses, there's nothin' you can say
It's just ol' Luke, and Luke's waitin' on the Judgement Day.
"Well, Luke, my friend, what about young Anna Lee?"
He said, "Do me a favor, son, woncha stay an' keep Anna Lee
company?"

(Chorus)

Crazy Chester followed me, and he caught me in the fog.
He said, "I will fix your rags, if you'll take Jack, my dog."
I said, "Wait a minute, Chester, you know I'm a peaceful man."
He said, "That's okay, boy, won't you feed him when you can."

(Chorus)

Catch a Cannonball, now, t'take me down the line
My bag is sinkin' low and I do believe it's time.
To get back to Miss Annie, you know she's the only one.
Who sent me here with her regards for everyone.

(Chorus)​

 

Space - you always bring clarity to the matter at hand.

 

I don't understand this at all.

Whose children are these? Shouldn't there be a bride before there are children? No wonder that Molly has a pistol, she probably just found out he has kids. Jerk.

 

I look upon the Band the same way I look upon the Dead.

If you liked them, you loved them; you thought they were the greatest ever. And if you didn't, they didn't register a blip with you. Count me in the second camp on both bands.