Music from Big Pink [50th Anniversary Edition] (1968)

None of the Band's previous work gave much of a clue about how they would sound when they released their first album in July 1968. As it was, Music from Big Pink came as a surprise. At first blush, the group seemed to affect the sound of a loose jam session, alternating emphasis on different instruments, while the lead and harmony vocals passed back and forth as if the singers were making up their blend on the spot. In retrospect, especially as the lyrics sank in, the arrangements seemed far more considered and crafted to ... Read More

None of the Band's previous work gave much of a clue about how they would sound when they released their first album in July 1968. As it was, Music from Big Pink came as a surprise. At first blush, the group seemed to affect the sound of a loose jam session, alternating emphasis on different instruments, while the lead and harmony vocals passed back and forth as if the singers were making up their blend on the spot. In retrospect, especially as the lyrics sank in, the arrangements seemed far more considered and crafted to support a group of songs that took family, faith, and rural life as their subjects and proceeded to imbue their values with uncertainty. Some songs took on the theme of declining institutions less clearly than others, but the points were made musically as much as lyrically. Tenor Richard Manuel's haunting, lonely voice gave the album much of its frightening aspect, while Rick Danko's and Levon Helm's rough-hewn styles reinforced the songs' rustic fervor. The dominant instrument was Garth Hudson's often icy and majestic organ, while Robbie Robertson's unusual guitar work further destabilized the sound. The result was an album that reflected the turmoil of the late '60s in a way that emphasized the tragedy inherent in the conflicts. Music from Big Pink came off as a shockingly divergent musical statement only a year after the ornate productions of Sgt. Pepper, and initially attracted attention because of the three songs Bob Dylan had either written or co-written. However, as soon as "The Weight" became a minor singles chart entry, the album and the group made their own impact, influencing a movement toward roots styles and country elements in rock. Over time, Music from Big Pink came to be regarded as a watershed work in the history of rock, one that introduced new tones and approaches to the constantly evolving genre. [The hallmark of the 50th anniversary deluxe edition of Music from Big Pink is a new remix from Bob Clearmountain that offers a cleaner version of the original John Simon production, one that has more separation between the instruments and, on "The Weight" and "Lonesome Suzie," extraneous studio chatter. Apart from an "a cappella" version of "I Shall Be Released" (which appears to be nothing more than the vocal track from the released version), all of the six bonus tracks were also on the bonus track-laden reissue from 2000; from that expanded CD, the bonus tracks "Katie's Been Gone," "If I Lose," "Orange Juice Blues (Blues for Breakfast)," and "Ferdinand the Imposter" are missing in action here.] ~ William Ruhlmann, Rovi Read Less

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  	Edition: 2018, Capitol CD, New	Details: UPC: 602567480617 Discs: 1 Label: Capitol Released: 08/31/2018 Alibris ID: 18008376526	Shipping Options: Standard Shipping: $4.99 Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
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2018, Capitol UPC: 602567480617 CD See All from $18.80