record collection revisited: The Band Greatest Hits

Normally, reviewing a greatest hits record would be kind of a foolish thing to do.  But, with The Band, and their deep catalog of music that spanned only eight short years (despite the band being together for about fifteen years), I find it appropriate to look at this record.  The Band actually started out as the backing group for singer Ronnie Hawkins.  They were known as The Hawks at that time.  The Band consisted of Levon Helm on drums (who now has his own band of course), Robbie Robertson on guitar, Richard Manuel on piano, Garth Hudson on organ and woodwinds (he played saxophone primarily), Rick Danko on bass, and Levon Helm on drums.

They also wrote and recorded songs with Bob Dylan and even backed him on a few occasions.  The tracks on this greatest hits album do span their career and the following albums, some of which have become a part of the cannon of great rock and roll, or even great all time records.

"Music from Big Pink" 1968
"The Band" 1969
"Stage Fright" 1970
"Cahoots" 1971
"Moondog Matinee" 1973
"Northern Lights-Southern Cross" 1975
"Islands" 1977

The tracks on the greatest hits album from the above mentioned discography are:

1. The Weight (Robbie Robertson)
2. Tears of Rage (Bob Dylan & Richard Manuel)
3. Chest Fever (Robbie Robertson)
4. I Shall Be Released (Bob Dylan)
5. Up On Cripple Creek (Robbie Robertson)
6. The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down (Robbie Robertson)
7. Rag Mama Rag (Robbie Robertson)
8. King Harvest (Has Surely Come) (Robbie Robertson)
9. The Shape I'm In (Robbie Robertson)
10. Stage Fright (Robbie Robertson)
11. Time To Kill (Robbie Robertson)
12. Life Is A Carnival (Robbie Robertson, Levon Helm & Rick Danko)
13. When I Paint My Masterpiece (Bob Dylan)
14. Ain't Got No Home (Clarence "Frogman" Henry)
15. It Makes No Difference (Robbie Robertson)
16. Ophelia (Robbie Robertson)
17. Acadian Driftwood (Robbie Robertson)
18. The Saga of Pepote Rouge (Robbie Robertson)

Check out The Band.  They have Canadian roots, but the music is most definitely a tribute to early American roots music whether it's blues, rock, gospel, Cajun, or any other genre that had it's roots here.  The Band had a way of encapsulating that spirit and promoting what roots music is all about like few others before them.  They have a unique legacy and it at least lives on in a way through Levon Helm and his band.

P.S. Rest In Peace, Richard Manuel and Rick Danko.