On their historic Before the Flood tour, the Band co-headlined and performed with their old boss and frontman, Bob Dylan. This set, taken from a two night stand at the L.A. Forum on that legendary tour - contains only Band selections. Various songs from this tour did end up on the double live LP of the same name, though there's no mention of where those tracks were taken from.
The Band gives some mighty good renditions of their biggest hits at this show, including "Stage Fright," "King Harvest,” "Up On Cripple…entire summary
Robbie Robertson - vocals, guitar
Rick Danko - vocals, bass guitar
Levon Helm - vocals, drums
Garth Hudson - vocals, keyboards
Richard Manuel - vocals, piano
On their historic Before the Flood tour, the Band co-headlined and performed with their old boss and frontman, Bob Dylan. This set, taken from a two night stand at the L.A. Forum on that legendary tour - contains only Band selections. Various songs from this tour did end up on the double live LP of the same name, though there's no mention of where those tracks were taken from.
The Band gives some mighty good renditions of their biggest hits at this show, including "Stage Fright," "King Harvest,” "Up On Cripple Creek,” "Rag Mama Rag” and their legendary ballad "The Weight.”
The Band was one of those few, gifted groups in which nearly all its members were good enough to sing lead; and every one save Garth Hudson take the spotlight at one point in the set. Bassist Rick Danko, who co-wrote "This Wheel’s On Fire” with Dylan, gives a heartfelt performance of that number, as he does on "When You Awake.” Robbie Robertson’s guitar playing is also outstanding, as evinced especially on his solo during "Stage Fright.”
Also notable is a brilliant version of their classic Civil War epic, "The Night They Drove Ole Dixie Down.” Sung by drummer Levon Helm, the work remains one of the most poignant rock songs of all time, and would eventually even go on to become a Top 10 hit for Joan Baez.
Through both band member autobiographies and film documentaries about the group, it's become well known that some of the members were fighting a constant battle against drugs and alcohol during their touring heydays of the early and mid-1970s. It is hard to believe that they were able to make such amazing music while fighting such fierce personal demons, but recordings like this one offer unequivocal testaments to the effort. Those who disparage rock 'n' roll for having no viable ethical dimension would do well to listen in on one of these sets. For all their personal and collective struggles - for all the strife and trials - the Band still delivered some of the most poignant music in rock music history during this period - and there's certainly courage in that.
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