The Band - Classic Albums [DVD] [2001]

This DVD has tracks from both The Bands first two albums. So you get some analysis of the first album (Big Pink) as well as the famous brown album. The reason being that they were all recorded at the same sessions.

Its a fabulous documentary, with great interviews and analysis at the mixing desk, perhaps most memorably Levon who still gets carried away with the music.

Little known gems like Whispering Pines are given added poignancy when Richard Manuels suicide is mentioned late on in the film. Sadly Rick Danko died a few years after this film was made. When you think that Richard Manuel, Rick Danko and Levon Helm all variously sang lead vocals, depending on the song, you begin to realise how unique this group was in its original line-up.

Garth Hudson improvises at the keyboard for the camera a number of times demonstrating one of his many talents. We also see him playing Soprano Sax with John Simon - getting that classic Band horn sound.

Although not discussed in the film, it is documented that Levon has a problem with Robbie, so Robbie gets little credit (if any) from Levon. I don't think the reverse is true, but the truth in these matters is always difficult to establish.

There is some great early 70's footage of the group playing at the pink house, plus the inevitable clips from The Last Waltz.

Various musicians, including Eric Clapton, George Harrison and Don Was extoll the virtues of the group and there are some interesting points made by Greil Marcus. Sometimes Marcus can be a little pretentious, but most of the time here he doesn't go to far overboard.

This is one of the best Classic Albums DVD's and I would strongly recommend it for anyone who wants to learn more about one THE most important Rock 'n' Roll groups to come out of North America (four of them were Canadian).

Note this is a documentary, so most of the time the tracks are interrupted by people talking. If you want a concert DVD by The Last Waltz....

The 75 min expanded version of the recently broadcast "classic albums" programme was tempting. It's a few years since i've even played this wonderful record. The tv documentary is warm, funny, evocative, atmospheric, informative, and full of the music, and full of The Band. Full with interviews/playing, serious critics, modest musicians (and Robbie). The extra footage is fine. Glad i've bought it but, beware!: the DVD has no features other than language overdubs. My copy has the entire 75 mins in one 'chapter'. If you press 'skip' you're back to the start! All my film DVD's have 'chapters' - skip between scenes etc. No such facility here. Skip back and watch 'that bit' again? - no chance! Easier to rewind a VHS version I reckon. Love and recommend the film (full marks), but no marks for the DVD facilities. Are all the 'classic albums' on DVD as limited?

In the minds of most musicians and listeners, great albums fall into two categories: those that will fade away and those that will remain forever. The Band's "Brown Album" is undoubtably one of the few that will be listed in the latter category.

For many, the choice of some of the albums in this particular BBC series were dubious to say the least, but this album is definitely one of the one's that was an exception.

Featuring analysis by Jim Keltner, Eric Clapton and the late George Harrison, this album is reviewed and listened to song by song, featuring interviews with those who performed and recorded.

If you appreciate eclectic music that tells a story, then look no further, as no band does it better.