The Band - Myth or Reality?

You sure they didn't sneak one in when you weren't looking?

 

I never saw 'em. I couldn't care less about 'em. I just like checking facts that don't ring true

http://www.setlists.net/?search=true&venue=&city=&state=&month=&day=&year=&songs=The+Weight&submit=Search

 

Do you know what the capital of Djibouti is?

 

"The Weight" is on "Before the Flood," a live recording released in 1974, I believe. So the only time in the 1970s they performed it live must have been with Dylan on that tour.

I saw the Band with Eric Clapton in July or August of 1973; they came on first, Clapton joined them for about the last half hour, and then went backstage, got all messed up and sucked for his show.

Robbie Robertson had a broken hand or something but still played guitar that night. It was quite a sight seeing Clapton on stage with RR.

The Band also played at Watkins Glen with the Allman Brothers the following summer, I think, but I did not go.

Love The Band. Levon Helm's drumming really drives them, I think.

I might also be the only person to buy Rick Danko's solo album, which wasn't bad.

 

I picked it up in the store and thought about it until I realized it wasn't Rick Derringer.

 

JD, I knew you had great taste in music, even by accident.

 

I think that Mountain was a better band. Nantuckett Sleighride is a near perfect song.

 

Kinda like my taste in Omaha eat/drink/be merry establishments. An accident of nothing more than proximity.

 

Might be headed back there this year, if surprising early-season trends continue.

Downtown Blond at the Upstream, anyone?

 

Favorite Levon Helm trivia: He's the narrator and the guy who hands Chuck Yeager the stick of gum in the Right Stuff.

 

I love The Band simply put - at their peak the music was amazing. It Makes No Difference would probably be on a Desert Island mix if I had to make one... or I might go the other way and put something at the other end of their musical spectrum, like Ain't Got No Home on it.

I met Levon Helm briefly and got his autograph a couple of years ago. He recorded an album with a band called The Last Hombres and did a tour with them. I caught one of their shows and got everyone in the band to sign the disc. I caught Levon as he was running out the back door while the rest of the band was inside talking to the fans.

 

But what kind of gum?

Boom, you made me Google Leslie West. Tour dates say he's playing something called "Hippiefest."