Robbie is just all right with me, now (and the Band more than all right)
May 19, 2022 13:13:29 GMT -5
Post by oldfartbassplayrwalt on May 19, 2022 13:13:29 GMT -5
The Band has always been second-tier in my CD listening choices; I just could not love them. And Robbie just annoyed me, with his scratchy, trebly leads. So I only did occasional listens, usually in the background.
I've just finished reading a biograpy, "Across the Great Divide: The Band and America" by Barney Hoskyns. GREAT book, combines history, cultural, personal interactions, insights into their recordings, and a critical eye to all their strengths and warts.
But after reading some tasty details on how some songs were put together, I gave LPs 1-4 a closer, critical re-listen. And WOW- all the acclaim was deserved, after all. The interwoven 3 part harmonies threading in and out gave chills. Garth always was a monster player to me. But I only now really listened to Levon's quirky drum patterns, pushed by Rick's tuba-like fretless ampeg bass bottom. (Strange, a lot of my OldFartBassPlaying style seems borrowed from the Danko school, so somewhere 50 years ago I had to have been listening). The music was somehow sparse, but multi-timbral at the same time. I guess each individual note fit perfectly. They were truly a musical treasure.
But a large part of my epiphany was with Robbie. His songwriting? Geez, at least 4 albums worth of top notch, original lyrical material, with perfect understated melodic accompaniment. And sorry, Levon, it really doesn't look like you guys contributed to the songwriting effort much after the first album, for whatever reasons. Yep, his solo 'leads' are still annoying, unremarkable. However, closer listening to his accompaniment parts supporting each song gave me new respect for his musicianship. But I still don't love him as person.
So, challenge for the day- pick a group you should like better than you do, and give a closer, serious listen. You may have been missing something.
I've just finished reading a biograpy, "Across the Great Divide: The Band and America" by Barney Hoskyns. GREAT book, combines history, cultural, personal interactions, insights into their recordings, and a critical eye to all their strengths and warts.
But after reading some tasty details on how some songs were put together, I gave LPs 1-4 a closer, critical re-listen. And WOW- all the acclaim was deserved, after all. The interwoven 3 part harmonies threading in and out gave chills. Garth always was a monster player to me. But I only now really listened to Levon's quirky drum patterns, pushed by Rick's tuba-like fretless ampeg bass bottom. (Strange, a lot of my OldFartBassPlaying style seems borrowed from the Danko school, so somewhere 50 years ago I had to have been listening). The music was somehow sparse, but multi-timbral at the same time. I guess each individual note fit perfectly. They were truly a musical treasure.
But a large part of my epiphany was with Robbie. His songwriting? Geez, at least 4 albums worth of top notch, original lyrical material, with perfect understated melodic accompaniment. And sorry, Levon, it really doesn't look like you guys contributed to the songwriting effort much after the first album, for whatever reasons. Yep, his solo 'leads' are still annoying, unremarkable. However, closer listening to his accompaniment parts supporting each song gave me new respect for his musicianship. But I still don't love him as person.
So, challenge for the day- pick a group you should like better than you do, and give a closer, serious listen. You may have been missing something.
