Takes one to know one


I find what one artist has to say about another fascinating. Here's what Eric Clapton has to say about one such:

"I met the genius of that outfit, who was Richard Manuel. He was as close to genius as I've ever met in a white guy---all the other geniuses I've met have been black Blues players, like B.B. and Buddy Guy. The reason I say they're geniuses is that they do what they do effortlessly with a gift that is so powerful that they don't need to engage in any kind of thinking to pursue it."

I would add Levon Helm, Rick Danko, Garth Hudson, and even Robbie Robertson (somewhat begrudgingly ;-), the other members of The Band, to the list of geniuses. There has never been, and never again will be, a Group containing so much talent. I listen to their music every single day of my life, and have done so for years. Their debut and second album are in my Top 10 albums of all-time list. Both are available on LP and SACD from Mobile Fidelity Sound Labs. Ignore them at the cost of your own musical wealth!

128x128bdp24
Thanks, @thelid. I had read this long ago, but printing it here is a great idea. It explains The Band's downward spiral real well. There are a couple of places I want to make it to before I die, Big Pink being at the top of the list.
All of the good info (and subjective analysis) on this thread has got me digging through my vinyl this weekend. I have no Band stuff on CD and Youtube ain't cutting it.

I found Stage Fright, Cahoots, Big Pink and Rock of Ages, but no BROWN ONE! I thought I had one in decent shape, but it's awol. And Big Pink has a lot of surface noise.

I may have to look into the SACDs since somebody up there was raving about them. Meanwhile, I found a mint Basement Tapes and I'm spinning that.
@2channel8, I saw Carney when it was in the theaters, and thought Robbie did pretty good. Levon appeared in a number of movies, doing a fine job in Coal Miner's Daughter (playing Loretta Lynn's daddy) and The Right Stuff (playing the plane maintenance man, who offers Sam Shepard a piece of gum), both really good movies. Carny was not so hot.