Notes

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A Musical History: Track details

Below are detailed information for all tracks on the 2005 The Band box A Musical
History:

Producer note: Regarding the recording dates -- all efforts have been made to
determine the actual date of the recordings. Earlier period tracks were recorded
in single sessions, therefore the date provided is the exact date of the
recording drawn from the tape logs. Later period recordings were produced and
tracked over a number of sessions. If an exact date appears, it represents the
first known date recording began on a particular track. Note that subsequent
sessions were employed to yield the final master.

Disc 1

1) Who Do You Love - Ronnie Hawkins & The Hawks 2:40
COMPOSER:  Ellis McDaniels
ORIGINALLY RELEASED: Roulette single 4483, 1963 & "The Best Of
Ronnie Hawkins" Roulette LP 25255, 1964
REC DATE: January, 1963 Bell Sound Studio - New York City, NY
Produced By Henry Glover

Ronnie Hawkins - vocal
Rick Danko - guitar
Roy Buchanan - bass
Levon Helm - drums
Richard Manuel - piano
Robbie Robertson - guitar

2) You Know I Love You - Ronnie Hawkins & The Hawks 2:44 (stereo)
COMPOSER: Jimmy Reed
ORIGINALLY RELEASED: Ronnie Hawkins & The Hawks "The Best Of Ronnie
Hawkins" Roulette LP 25255, 1964
REC DATE: 9/13/61 Bell Sound Studio B - NYC
Produced By Henry Glover

Ronnie Hawkins - vocal
Rick Danko - bass
Levon Helm - drums
Jerry Penfound - sax
Robbie Robertson - guitar
Dionne Warwick, Dee Dee Warwick, Cissie Houston - vocals

3) Further On Up The Road - Ronnie Hawkins & The Hawks (stereo) 3:06
COMPOSER:  Don Robey/Joe Medwick Veasey
ORIGINALLY RELEASED: Ronnie Hawkins & The Hawks "Mojo Man" Roulette
LP SR-25390, 1964 (Canada)
REC DATE: 9/18/61 Bell Sound Studio - NYC
Produced By Henry Glover

Rick Danko - bass
Levon Helm - vocal, drums
Jerry Penfound - sax
Robbie Robertson - guitar

4) Nineteen Years Old - Ronnie Hawkins & The Hawks (stereo) 4:12
COMPOSER: McKinley Morganfield
ORIGINALLY RELEASED: Ronnie Hawkins & The Hawks "Mojo Man" Roulette
LP SR-25390, 1964 (Canada)
REC DATE: 9/18/61 Bell Sound Studio - NYC
Produced By Henry Glover

Roy Buchanan - rhythm guitar
Rick Danko - bass
Levon Helm - vocal, drums
Robbie Robertson - guitar

5) Honky Tonk - Levon & The Hawks 3:02 #
COMPOSER: Don Robey
REC DATE: Spring, 1965 Bell Sound Studio - NYC
Produced By Henry Glover for Ware Records

Rick Danko - bass
Levon Helm - drums
Garth Hudson - organ
Richard Manuel - vocal, piano
Robbie Robertson - guitar

6) Bacon Fat - Levon & The Hawks 2:38 #
COMPOSER: Garth Hudson/Robbie Robertson
REC DATE: October-November, 1964 Hallmark Studios - Toronto, Canada
Produced By Duff Roman for Roman Records

Rick Danko - bass
Levon Helm - drums
Garth Hudson - organ
Richard Manuel - vocal, piano
Jerry Penfound - saxophone
Robbie Robertson - guitar

7) Robbie's Blues - Levon & The Hawks 3:36 #
COMPOSER: The Hawks
REC DATE: October-November, 1964 Hallmark Studios - Toronto, Canada
Produced By Duff Roman for Roman Records

Rick Danko - bass
Levon Helm - drums
Garth Hudson - organ
Richard Manuel - piano
Jerry Penfound - flute
Robbie Robertson - guitar

8) Uh Uh Uh - Levon & The Hawks (released as: Canadian Squires) 2:21 *
COMPOSER: Robbie Robertson
ORIGINALLY RELEASED: Ware single #6002 (USA) &
Apex single 76964 (Canada), 1965
REC DATE: Spring, 1965 Bell Sound Studio, NYC
Produced By Henry Glover for Ware Records 

Rick Danko - bass
Levon Helm - vocal, drums
Richard Manuel - vocal, piano
Robbie Robertson - guitar, harmonica

9) Leave Me Alone - Levon & The Hawks
(released as: Canadian Squires) 2:37 *
COMPOSER:  Robbie Robertson
ORIGINALLY RELEASED: Ware single #6002 (USA) & Apex single 76964 (Canada), 1965
REC DATE: Spring, 1965 Bell Sound Studio, NYC
Produced By Henry Glover for Ware Records

Rick Danko - bass
Levon Helm - vocal, drums
Garth Hudson - organ
Richard Manuel - vocal, piano
Robbie Robertson - guitar

10) He Don't Love You (And He'll Break Your Heart) - Levon & The Hawks 2:37 
COMPOSER: Robbie Robertson
ORIGINALLY RELEASED: Atco single #6383, 1965
REC DATE:  September, 1965 - most likely Empire Sound - NYC
Supervised By Eddie Heller

Rick Danko - bass, vocal
Levon Helm - drums, vocal
Garth Hudson - organ
Richard Manuel - vocal, piano
Robbie Robertson - guitar, vocal

11) (I Want To Be) The Rainmaker (song sketch) 2:58 #
COMPOSER: Robbie Robertson
REC DATE: 1965 Hotel Room - Somers Point, NJ

Rick Danko - vocal
Levon Helm - fingersnaps & handclaps
Robbie Robertson - acoustic guitar
Richard Manuel - fingersnaps & handclaps

12) The Stones I Throw  (song sketch) 1:08 #
COMPOSER: Robbie Robertson
REC DATE: 1965 Hotel Room - Somers Point, NJ

Richard Manuel - vocal
Robbie Robertson - guitar, vocal

13) The Stones I Throw - Levon & The Hawks 2:06
COMPOSER: Robbie Robertson
ORIGINALLY RELEASED: Atco single #6383, 1965
REC DATE: September, 1965 - most likely Empire Sound - NYC
Supervised By Eddie Heller

Rick Danko - bass, vocal
Levon Helm - drums, vocal
Garth Hudson - organ
Richard Manuel - vocal, piano
Robbie Robertson - guitar, vocal, harmonica

14) Go Go Liza Jane - Levon & The Hawks 2:11
COMPOSER: Traditional; Arrangement: Robbie Robertson
ORIGINALLY RELEASED: Atco single #6625, 1968
REC DATE: September, 1965 - most likely Empire Sound - NYC
Supervised By Eddie Heller

Rick Danko - vocal, bass
Levon Helm - vocal, drums
Garth Hudson - organ
Richard Manuel - vocal, handclaps
Robbie Robertson - guitar

15) Can You Please Crawl Out Your Window - Bob Dylan (single version) 3:32
COMPOSER: Bob Dylan
ORIGINALLY RELEASED: Columbia single #43477, 1965
REC DATE: 10/5/65 Columbia Studios - NYC
Produced By Bob Johnson

Bob Dylan - vocal, guitar, harmonica
Rick Danko - bass
Levon Helm - drums
Garth Hudson - organ
Richard Manuel - piano
Robbie Robertson - guitar

16) Tell Me Mama - Bob Dylan 4:05 #
COMPOSER: Bob Dylan
REC DATE: 5/14/66 The Odeon - Liverpool

Bob Dylan - vocal, guitar
Rick Danko - bass
Garth Hudson - organ
Mickey Jones - drums
Richard Manuel - piano
Robbie Robertson - guitar

17) Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues - Bob Dylan 5:36 **
COMPOSER: Bob Dylan
ORIGINALLY RELEASED: Columbia single #43683, 1966
REC DATE: 5/14/66 The Odeon - Liverpool

Bob Dylan - vocal, guitar
Rick Danko - bass
Garth Hudson - organ
Mickey Jones - drums
Richard Manuel - piano
Robbie Robertson - guitar

18) Beautiful Thing 1:41 (song sketch) #
COMPOSER: Richard Manuel
REC DATE: Fall, 1966 Barry Feinstein's Photographic Studio, NYC
Recorded By Garth Hudson

Rick Danko - bass
Richard Manuel - vocal, electric piano

19) Words And Numbers (song sketch) 4:10 #
COMPOSER:  Richard Manuel
REC DATE: April-October, 1967 Big Pink-Saugerties, NY
Recorded By Garth Hudson

Rick Danko - bass
Levon Helm - drums
Garth Hudson - organ
Richard Manuel - vocal, piano
Robbie Robertson - guitar

20) You Don't Come Through (song sketch) 2:02 #
COMPOSER: Robbie Robertson
REC DATE: Summer, 1967 Big Pink-Saugerties, NY
Recorded By Garth Hudson

Rick Danko - bass, vocal
Richard Manuel - vocal, tambourine
Robbie Robertson - vocal, guitar

21) Caledonia Mission (song sketch) 2:28 #
COMPOSER: Robbie Robertson
REC DATE: Summer, 1967 Big Pink, Saugerties, NY
Recorded By Garth Hudson

Rick Danko - vocal
Garth Hudson - clavinet
Richard Manuel - piano

22) Odds And Ends (stereo) 1:46
COMPOSER: Bob Dylan
ORIGINALLY RELEASED: "The Basement Tapes" Columbia LP C2X 33682,
1975
REC DATE: September-October, 1967 Big Pink-Saugerties, NY
Recorded By Garth Hudson

Bob Dylan - vocal, guitar
Rick Danko - bass, vocal
Levon Helm - drums
Garth Hudson - organ
Richard Manuel - piano, vocal
Robbie Robertson - guitar

23) Ferdinand The Imposter 4:06 
COMPOSER: Robbie Robertson
ORIGINALLY RELEASED: The Band "Music From Big Pink" Capitol CD
reissue 25390, 2000
REC DATE: Fall, 1967 Big Pink-Saugerties, NY
Recorded By Garth Hudson

Rick Danko - vocal, bass
Garth Hudson - organ
Richard Manuel - drums, vocal
Robbie Robertson - guitar, vocal

24) Ruben Remus (stereo) 3:13
COMPOSER: Richard Manuel/Robbie Robertson
ORIGINALLY RELEASED: "The Basement Tapes" Columbia LP C2X 33682,
1975
REC DATE: September-November, 1967 Big Pink-Saugerties, NY
Recorded By Garth Hudson

Rick Danko - bass, vocal
Levon Helm - drums
Garth Hudson - organ
Richard Manuel - vocal, piano, drums
Robbie Robertson - guitar

25) Will The Circle Be Unbroken :55 #
COMPOSER: Traditional; arrangement The Band
REC DATE: Summer, 1967 Big Pink-Saugerties, NY

Rick Danko - vocal
Richard Manuel - vocal
Robbie Robertson - guitar

# = Track previously unissued
* = Track previously unissued on CD
** = Track previously unissued on LP (in the US) or CD
All tracks one disc one are presented in mono unless otherwise noted. Tracks 5-9,
20-23 & 25: Mixed, Mastered & Restored By Peter J. Moore & Garth Hudson at the E-Room,
Toronto - Fall, 2004. Executive Production & Research By Jan Haust

Disc 2

1) Katie's Been Gone 2:44
COMPOSER: Richard Manuel/Robbie Robertson
ORIGINALLY RELEASED: "The Basement Tapes" Columbia LP C2X 33682,
1975
REC DATE: unknown date & studio
Produced By John Simon

Rick Danko - bass, vocal
Levon Helm - drums
Garth Hudson - organ, clavinet
Richard Manuel - vocal, piano
Robbie Robertson - guitar

2) Ain't No More Cane 3:57
COMPOSER: Traditional; Arranged By The Band
ORIGINALLY RELEASED: "The Basement Tapes" Columbia LP C2X 33682, 1975
REC DATE: late 1967-early 1968 - unknown studio
Produced By John Simon

Rick Danko - vocal, bass
Levon Helm - vocal, mandolin
Garth Hudson -accordion
Richard Manuel - vocal, drums
Robbie Robertson - vocal, guitar

3) Don't Ya Tell Henry 3:12 
COMPOSER: Bob Dylan
ORIGINALLY RELEASED: "The Basement Tapes" Columbia LP C2X 33682,
1975
REC DATE: late 1967-early 1968 - unknown studio
Produced By John Simon

Rick Danko - bass, vocal
Levon Helm - vocal, mandolin
Garth Hudson - piano
Richard Manuel - drums, vocal
Robbie Robertson - guitar

4) Tears Of Rage 5:20
COMPOSER: Bob Dylan/Richard Manuel
ORIGINALLY RELEASED: The Band "Music From Big Pink" Capitol LP SKAO-2955, 1968
REC DATE: 1/10/68 - A&R Studios, NYC
Produced By John Simon

Rick Danko - bass, vocal
Levon Helm - drums
Garth Hudson - organ, soprano sax
Richard Manuel - vocal, piano
Robbie Robertson - guitar
John Simon - baritone horn, tambourine

5) To Kingdom Come (full-length version) 3:57 # %
COMPOSER: Robbie Robertson
REC DATE:  February, 1968 - Capitol Studios - Los Angeles, CA
Produced By John Simon

Rick Danko - bass, vocal
Levon Helm - drums, vocal
Garth Hudson - organ
Richard Manuel - piano, vocal
Robbie Robertson - vocal, guitar

6) In A Station 3:31
COMPOSER: Richard Manuel
ORIGINALLY RELEASED: The Band "Music From Big Pink" Capitol LP SKAO-2955, 1968
REC DATE: 2/13/68 - Capitol Studios - Los Angeles, CA
Produced By John Simon

Rick Danko - bass, vocal
Levon Helm - drums, vocal
Garth Hudson - clavinet, organ
Richard Manuel - vocal, piano
Robbie Robertson - guitar

7) The Weight 4:36
COMPOSER:  Robbie Robertson
ORIGINALLY RELEASED: Capitol single #2269 &
The Band "Music From Big Pink" Capitol LP SKAO-2955, 1968
REC DATE: 1/12/68 - A&R Studios - NYC
Produced By John Simon

Rick Danko - vocal, bass
Levon Helm - vocal, drums
Garth Hudson - piano
Richard Manuel - organ, vocal
Robbie Robertson - guitar

8) We Can Talk 3:03
COMPOSER: Richard Manuel
ORIGINALLY RELEASED: The Band "Music From Big Pink" Capitol LP SKAO-2955, 1968
REC DATE: 1/10/68 A&R Studios - NYC
Produced By John Simon

Rick Danko - vocal, bass
Levon Helm - vocal, drums
Garth Hudson - organ
Richard Manuel - vocal, piano
Robbie Robertson - guitar

9) Long Black Veil 3:04
COMPOSER: Danny Dill/Marijohn Wilkin
ORIGINALLY RELEASED: The Band "Music From Big Pink" Capitol LP SKAO-2955, 1968
REC DATE: 2/23/68 Capitol Studios - Los Angeles, CA
Produced By John Simon

Rick Danko - vocal, bass
Levon Helm - drums, vocal
Garth Hudson - organ
Richard Manuel - electric piano, vocal
Robbie Robertson - guitar
John Simon - baritone horns

10) Chest Fever 5:15
COMPOSER: Robbie Robertson
ORIGINALLY RELEASED: The Band "Music From Big Pink" Capitol LP SKAO-2955, 1968
REC DATE: 1/10/68 A&R Studios - NYC
Produced By John Simon

Rick Danko - bass, vocal, violin
Levon Helm - drums, vocal
Garth Hudson - organ, tenor sax
Richard Manuel - vocal, piano
Robbie Robertson - guitar
John Simon - baritone horn

11) Lonesome Suzie (alternate version) 2:57  %
COMPOSER: Richard Manuel
ORIGINALLY RELEASED: Bonus Track on The Band "Music From Big Pink"
Capitol CD reissue 25390, 2000
REC DATE: January, 1968 A&R Studios - NYC
Produced By John Simon

Rick Danko - bass, vocal
Levon Helm - drums
Garth Hudson - soprano sax
Richard Manuel - vocal, piano
John Simon - baritone horn

12) This Wheel's On Fire 3:11
COMPOSER:  Bob Dylan/Rick Danko
ORIGINALLY RELEASED: The Band "Music >From Big Pink" Capitol LP SKAO-2955, 1968
REC DATE: 1/10/68 - A&R Studios - NYC
Produced By John Simon

Rick Danko - vocal, bass
Levon Helm - drums, vocal
Garth Hudson - clavinet, organ
Richard Manuel - piano, vocal
Robbie Robertson - guitar

13) I Shall Be Released 3:12
COMPOSER: Bob Dylan
ORIGINALLY RELEASED: Capitol single #2269 &
The Band "Music From Big Pink" Capitol LP SKAO-2955, 1968
REC DATE: February, 1968 - Capitol Studios - Los Angeles, CA
Produced By John Simon

Rick Danko - bass, vocal
Levon Helm - drums, vocal
Garth Hudson - organ
Richard Manuel - vocal, piano
Robbie Robertson - guitar

14) Yazoo Street Scandal 3:54 # %
COMPOSER: Robbie Robertson
REC DATE: 1/10/68 A&R Studios - NYC
Produced By John Simon

Rick Danko - bass
Levon Helm - vocal, guitar
Garth Hudson - organ
Richard Manuel - drums
Robbie Robertson - guitar
    
An alternate take appears on "Music From Big Pink" Capitol CD
reissue 25390, 2000

15) I Ain't Got No Home (w/Bob Dylan) 3:47
COMPOSER: Woody Guthrie
ORIGINALLY RELEASED: Various Artists "A Tribute To Woody Guthrie-Vol. 1"
Columbia LP KC-31171, 1972
REC DATE: 1/20/68 Carnegie Hall - NYC - Woody Guthrie Memorial
Concert (Afternoon show)

Bob Dylan - vocal, guitar
Rick Danko - bass, vocal
Levon Helm - drums, vocal
Garth Hudson - organ
Richard Manuel - piano, vocal
Robbie Robertson - guitar

16) Orange Juice Blues (Blues For Breakfast) 3:18
COMPOSER: Richard Manuel
ORIGINALLY RELEASED: Across The Great Divide CD Box Set - Capitol 89565, 1994
REC DATE: 2/20/68 Gold Star Studio - Los Angeles, CA
Produced By John Simon

Rick Danko - bass
Levon Helm - drums
Garth Hudson - organ
Richard Manuel - vocal, piano
Robbie Robertson - guitar


17) Baby Lou 3:38 # %
COMPOSER:  Jimmy Drew
REC DATE: 2/20/68 Gold Star Studios - Los Angeles, CA
Produced By John Simon

Rick Danko - bass
Levon Helm - drums
Garth Hudson - organ
Richard Manuel - vocal, piano
Robbie Robertson - guitar

18) Long Distance Operator 4:32 # %
COMPOSER: Bob Dylan
REC DATE: 2/21/68 Gold Star Studios - Los Angeles, CA
Produced By John Simon

Rick Danko - bass
Levon Helm - drums
Garth Hudson - organ
Richard Manuel - vocal, harmonica
Robbie Robertson - guitar
John Simon - piano

An edited version of this track appeared as a bonus track on "Music
From Big Pink" Capitol CD reissue 25390, 2000.

19) Key To The Highway 2:22 #
COMPOSER: Big Bill Broonzy/Charles Segar
REC DATE: 9/10/68 Capitol Studios - NYC
Produced By John Simon

Rick Danko - bass, vocal
Levon Helm - vocal, drums
Garth Hudson - organ, soprano sax
Richard Manuel - piano, vocal
Robbie Robertson - guitar
John Simon - peck horn

Original mix - a new mix appeared on "Music From Big Pink" Capitol CD
reissue 25390, 2000

20) Bessie Smith 4:16
COMPOSER: Rick Danko/Robbie Robertson
ORIGINALLY RELEASED: "The Basement Tapes" Columbia LP C2X 33682, 1975
REC DATE: Probably late 1968 - unknown studio
Produced By John Simon

Rick Danko - vocal, bass
Levon Helm - drums, vocal
Garth Hudson - organ
Richard Manuel - piano
Robbie Robertson - vocal, guitar

# = Track previously unissued

Disc 3

1) Across The Great Divide 2:53
COMPOSER:  Robbie Robertson
ORIGINALLY RELEASED: The Band "The Band" Capitol LP STAO-132, 1969
REC DATE: March-April, 1969 Sammy Davis, Jr.'s Poolhouse - Hollywood, CA
Produced By John Simon

Rick Danko - bass, trombone, vocal
Levon Helm - drums, vocal
Garth Hudson - organ, tenor & baritone sax
Richard Manuel - vocal, piano
Robbie Robertson - guitar
John Simon - baritone horn

2) Rag Mama Rag 3:06
COMPOSER: Robbie Robertson
ORIGINALLY RELEASED: Capitol single #2705 &
The Band "The Band" Capitol LP STAO-132, 1969
REC DATE: March-April, 1969 Sammy Davis, Jr.'s Poolhouse - Hollywood, CA
Produced By John Simon

Rick Danko - violin, vocal
Levon Helm - vocal, mandolin, harmonica
Garth Hudson - piano
Richard Manuel - drums, vocal
Robbie Robertson - guitar
John Simon - tuba

3) The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down 3:33
COMPOSER: Robbie Robertson
ORIGINALLY RELEASED: Capitol single #2635 &
The Band "The Band" Capitol LP STAO-132, 1969
REC DATE: March-April, 1969 Sammy Davis, Jr.'s Poolhouse - Hollywood, CA
Produced By John Simon

Rick Danko - bass, vocal
Levon Helm - vocal, drums
Garth Hudson - organ, melodica, bugle
Richard Manuel - piano, vocal
Robbie Robertson - guitar

4) When You Awake 3:14
COMPOSER: Richard Manuel/Robbie Robertson
ORIGINALLY RELEASED: The Band "The Band" Capitol LP STAO-132, 1969
REC DATE: March-April, 1969 Sammy Davis, Jr.'s Poolhouse - Hollywood, CA
Produced By John Simon

Rick Danko - vocal, bass
Levon Helm - guitar, vocal
Garth Hudson - organ
Richard Manuel - drums, vocal
Robbie Robertson - guitar

5) Up On Cripple Creek 4:34
COMPOSER: Robbie Robertson
ORIGINALLY RELEASED: Capitol single #2635 &
The Band "The Band" Capitol LP STAO-132, 1969
REC DATE: 5/7/69 The Hit Factory - NYC
Produced By John Simon

Rick Danko - bass, vocal
Levon Helm - vocal, drums
Garth Hudson - clavinet, organ
Richard Manuel - piano, vocal
Robbie Robertson - guitar

6) Whispering Pines 3:57
COMPOSER: Richard Manuel/Robbie Robertson
ORIGINALLY RELEASED: The Band "The Band" Capitol LP STAO-132, 1969
REC DATE: 6/16/69 - The Hit Factory - NYC
Produced By John Simon

Rick Danko - bass
Levon Helm - vocal, drums
Garth Hudson - organ, roxichord
Richard Manuel - vocal, piano
Robbie Robertson - guitar

7) King Harvest  (Has Surely Come) 3:37
COMPOSER:  Robbie Robertson
ORIGINALLY RELEASED: The Band "The Band" Capitol LP STAO-132, 1969
REC DATE: March-April, 1969 Sammy Davis, Jr.'s Poolhouse - Hollywood, CA
Produced By John Simon

Rick Danko - bass
Levon Helm - vocal, drums
Garth Hudson - organ
Richard Manuel - vocal
Robbie Robertson - guitar
John Simon - electric piano

8) Get Up Jake 2:16
COMPOSER: Robbie Robertson
ORIGINALLY RELEASED: The Band "The Band" Capitol CD reissue 25389,
2000
REC DATE: March-April, 1969 Sammy Davis, Jr.'s Poolhouse - Hollywood, CA
Produced By John Simon

Rick Danko - vocal, bass
Levon Helm - vocal, drums
Garth Hudson - organ
Richard Manuel - piano, vocal
Robbie Robertson - guitar

9) Jemima Surrender (early version) 3:47 # %
COMPOSER: Levon Helm/Robbie Robertson
REC DATE: 5/7/69 - The Hit Factory - NYC
Produced By John Simon

Rick Danko - bass
Levon Helm - vocal, drums, guitar
Richard Manuel - piano
Robbie Robertson - guitar

10) Daniel & The Sacred Harp (alternate take) 4:21 %
COMPOSER: Robbie Robertson
ORIGINALLY RELEASED: The Band "Stage Fright" Capitol CD reissue
25395, 2000
REC DATE: 6/4/70 The Hit Factory - NYC
Produced By The Band

Rick Danko - bass, vocal
Levon Helm - vocal, drums
Garth Hudson - organ
Richard Manuel - vocal, percussion
Robbie Robertson - guitar

11) Time To Kill 3:25
COMPOSER: Robbie Robertson
ORIGINALLY RELEASED: Capitol single #2870 & The Band "Stage Fright"
Capitol LP SW-425, 1970
REC DATE: June, 1970 Woodstock Playhouse - Woodstock, NY
Produced By The Band

Rick Danko - vocal, bass
Levon Helm - drums, vocal
Garth Hudson - piano
Richard Manuel - vocal, clavinet
Robbie Robertson - guitar

12) All La Glory (early version) 3:24 # %
COMPOSER: Robbie Robertson
REC DATE: 6/13/70 Woodstock Playhouse - Woodstock, NY
Produced By The Band

Rick Danko - bass
Levon Helm - vocal, guitar
Garth Hudson - organ
Richard Manuel - drums
Robbie Robertson - guitar

13) The Shape I'm In 4:01
COMPOSER:  Robbie Robertson
ORIGINALLY RELEASED: Capitol single #2870 & The Band "Stage Fright"
Capitol LP SW-425, 1970
REC DATE: June-July, 1970 Woodstock Playhouse - Woodstock, NY
Produced By The Band

Rick Danko - bass, vocal
Levon Helm - drums, vocal
Garth Hudson - organ
Richard Manuel - vocal, pianette
Robbie Robertson - guitar

14) Stage Fright 3:41
COMPOSER: Robbie Robertson
ORIGINALLY RELEASED: The Band "Stage Fright" Capitol LP SW-425, 1970
REC DATE: June-July, 1970 Woodstock Playhouse - Woodstock, NY
Produced By The Band

Rick Danko - vocal, bass
Levon Helm - drums
Garth Hudson - organ
Richard Manuel - piano
Robbie Robertson - guitar

15) The Rumor 4:14
COMPOSER: Robbie Robertson
ORIGINALLY RELEASED: The Band "Stage Fright" Capitol LP SW-425, 1970
REC DATE: June-July, 1970 Woodstock Playhouse - Woodstock, NY
Produced By The Band

Rick Danko - vocal, bass
Levon Helm - vocal, drums
Garth Hudson - organ
Richard Manuel - vocal, piano
Robbie Robertson - guitar

16) Slippin' & Slidin' 3:19 #
COMPOSER: Eddie Bocage/Al Collins/Richard Penniman/James Smith
REC DATE: 7/5/70 Festival Express Tour - Calgary, Canada

Rick Danko - vocal, bass
Levon Helm - vocal, drums
Garth Hudson - organ
Richard Manuel - vocal, piano
Robbie Robertson - guitar, vocal

17) Don't Do It 3:46
COMPOSER:  Eddie Holland/Lamont Dozier/Brian Holland
ORIGINALLY RELEASED: The Band "Cahoots" Capitol CD reissue 25391, 2000
REC DATE: February, 1971 - Bearsville Sound Studios - Bearsville, NY
Produced By The Band

Rick Danko - bass, vocal
Levon Helm - vocal, drums
Garth Hudson - organ
Richard Manuel - piano, vocal
Robbie Robertson - guitar

18) Strawberry Wine 3:52 # %
COMPOSER: Levon Helm/Robbie Robertson
REC DATE: 6/2/71 The Royal Albert Hall - London

Rick Danko - bass
Levon Helm - vocal, guitar
Garth Hudson - accordion
Richard Manuel - drums
Robbie Robertson - guitar

19) Rockin' Chair 4:14 # %
COMPOSER: Robbie Robertson
REC DATE: 6/2/71 The Royal Albert Hall - London

Rick Danko - bass, vocal
Levon Helm - mandolin, vocal
Garth Hudson - accordion
Richard Manuel - vocal, piano
Robbie Robertson - guitar

20) Look Out Cleveland 3:29 # %
COMPOSER: Robbie Robertson
REC DATE: 6/2/71 The Royal Albert Hall - London

Rick Danko - vocal, bass
Levon Helm - drums, vocal
Garth Hudson - organ
Richard Manuel - piano, vocal
Robbie Robertson - guitar

21) 4% Pantomime 6:01 # %
COMPOSER: Robbie Robertson/Van Morrison
REC DATE: June, 1971 Bearsville Sound Studios - Bearsville, NY
Produced By The Band

Van Morrison - vocal
Rick Danko - bass
Levon Helm - drums
Garth Hudson - organ
Richard Manuel - vocal, piano
Robbie Robertson - guitar

# = Track previously unissued


Disc 4

1) Life Is A Carnival 3:57
COMPOSER:  Rick Danko/Levon Helm/Robbie Robertson
ORIGINALLY RELEASED: Capitol single #3199 &
The Band "Cahoots" Capitol LP ST-651, 1971
REC DATE: August, 1971 Bearsville Sound Studios - Bearsville, NY
Produced By The Band

Rick Danko - vocal, bass
Levon Helm - vocal, drums
Garth Hudson - organ
Richard Manuel - pianette, vocal, handclaps
Robbie Robertson - guitar
Allen Toussaint - horn arrangement

2) When I Paint My Masterpiece 4:20
COMPOSER: Bob Dylan
ORIGINALLY RELEASED: The Band "Cahoots" Capitol LP ST-651, 1971
REC DATE:  July-August, 1971 Bearsville Sound Studios - Bearsville, NY
Produced By The Band

Rick Danko - bass
Levon Helm - vocal, mandolin
Garth Hudson - accordion
Richard Manuel - drums
Robbie Robertson - guitar

3) The Moon Struck One 4:09
COMPOSER:  Robbie Robertson
ORIGINALLY RELEASED: Capitol single # 3199 &
The Band "Cahoots" Capitol LP ST-651, 1971
REC DATE:  July-August, 1971 Bearsville Sound Studios - Bearsville, NY
Produced By The Band

Rick Danko - bass
Levon Helm - drums
Garth Hudson - organ
Richard Manuel - vocal, piano
Robbie Robertson - guitar

4) The River Hymn 4:39
COMPOSER: Robbie Robertson
ORIGINALLY RELEASED: The Band "Cahoots" Capitol LP ST-651, 1971
REC DATE:  July-August, 1971 Bearsville Sound Studios - Bearsville, NY
Produced By The Band

Rick Danko - bass, vocal
Levon Helm - vocal, mandolin
Garth Hudson - organ, intro piano
Richard Manuel - drums, vocal
Robbie Robertson - piano
Libby Titus - vocal

5) Don't Do It 4:36 %
COMPOSER: Eddie Holland/Lamont Dozier/Brian Holland
ORIGINALLY RELEASED: Capitol single #3433 &
The Band "Rock Of Ages" Capitol LP SABB-11045, 1972 (unedited version on LP)
REC DATE: December 28-31, 1971 Academy Of Music - NYC
Produced By The Band

Rick Danko - bass, vocal
Levon Helm - vocal, drums
Garth Hudson - organ
Richard Manuel - piano, vocal
Robbie Robertson - guitar
Allen Toussaint - horn arrangement
Rock Of Ages Horn Section **

6) Caledonia Mission 3:22 %
COMPOSER: Robbie Robertson
ORIGINALLY RELEASED: The Band "Rock Of Ages" Capitol LP SABB-11045, 1972
REC DATE: December 28-31, 1971 Academy Of Music - NYC
Produced By The Band

Rick Danko - vocal, bass
Levon Helm - drums
Garth Hudson - keyboards
Richard Manuel - piano
Robbie Robertson - guitar
Allen Toussaint - horn arrangement
Rock Of Ages Horn Section **

7) Smoke Signal 5:09 # %
COMPOSER: Robbie Robertson
REC DATE: 12/28/71 Academy Of Music - NYC
Produced By The Band

Rick Danko - bass, vocal
Levon Helm - vocal, drums
Garth Hudson - organ
Richard Manuel - piano, vocal
Robbie Robertson - guitar

8) Unfaithful Servant 4:41 %
COMPOSER: Robbie Robertson
ORIGINALLY RELEASED: The Band "Rock Of Ages" Capitol LP SABB-11045, 1972
REC DATE: December 28-31, 1971 Academy Of Music - NYC
Produced By The Band

Rick Danko - vocal, bass
Levon Helm - drums
Garth Hudson - organ, soprano sax
Richard Manuel - piano
Robbie Robertson - guitar
Allen Toussaint - horn arrangement
Rock Of Ages Horn Section **

9) W.S. Walcott Medicine Show 4:05 %
COMPOSER:  Robbie Robertson
ORIGINALLY RELEASED: The Band "Rock Of Ages" Capitol LP SABB-11045, 1972
REC DATE: December 28-31, 1971 Academy Of Music - NYC
Produced By The Band

Rick Danko - bass, vocal
Levon Helm - vocal, drums
Garth Hudson - organ, tenor sax
Richard Manuel - piano
Robbie Robertson - guitar
Allen Toussaint - horn arrangement
Rock Of Ages Horn Section

10) Genetic Method 7:31 %
COMPOSER: Garth Hudson
ORIGINALLY RELEASED: The Band "Rock Of Ages" Capitol LP SABB-11045, 1972
REC DATE: December 28-31, 1971 Academy Of Music - NYC
Produced By The Band

Garth Hudson - keyboards

11) Chest Fever 5:04 %
COMPOSER:  Robbie Robertson
ORIGINALLY RELEASED: The Band "Rock Of Ages" LP SABB-11045, 1972
REC DATE: December 28-31, 1971 Academy Of Music - NYC
Produced By The Band

Rick Danko - bass, vocal
Levon Helm - drums, vocal
Garth Hudson - keyboards
Richard Manuel - vocal, piano
Robbie Robertson - guitar
Allen Toussaint - horn arrangement
Rock Of Ages Horn Section **

12) (I Don't Want To Hang Up My) Rock `N' Roll Shoes 4:30 %
COMPOSER:  Chuck Willis
ORIGINALLY RELEASED: Capitol single #3500, 1973 &
The Band "Rock Of Ages" Capitol LP SABB-11045, 1972
REC DATE: December 28-31, 1971 Academy Of Music - NYC
Produced By The Band

Rick Danko - bass, vocal
Levon Helm - vocal, drums
Garth Hudson - organ, tenor sax
Richard Manuel - piano
Robbie Robertson - guitar
Allen Toussaint - horn arrangement
Rock Of Ages Horn Section

13) Loving You (Is Sweeter Than Ever) 3:35 %
COMPOSER: Ivy Hunter/Stevie Wonder
ORIGINALLY RELEASED: The Band "Rock Of Ages" Capitol CD reissue
30181, 2001
REC DATE: December 29, 1971 Academy Of Music - NYC
Produced By The Band

Rick Danko - vocal, bass
Levon Helm - drums, vocal
Garth Hudson - organ
Richard Manuel - piano, vocal
Robbie Robertson - guitar, vocal

14) Endless Highway 5:08
COMPOSER: Robbie Robertson
ORIGINALLY RELEASED: The Band "Moondog Matinee" Capitol CD reissue 25393, 2001
REC DATE: 1972 Bearsville Sound Studios - Bearsville, NY
Produced By The Band

Rick Danko - vocal, bass
Levon Helm - drums
Garth Hudson - keyboards
Richard Manuel - electric piano
Robbie Robertson - guitar

15) Move Me (song sketch) 2:56 # %
COMPOSER: Rick Danko
REC DATE: 10/25/72 The Barn - Bearsville, NY
Produced By The Band

Rick Danko - vocal, bass
Levon Helm - drums
Garth Hudson - electric piano
Robbie Robertson - guitar

16) Two Piano Song 4:12 # %
COMPOSER:   Robbie Robertson
REC DATE: 10/30/72 Bearsville Sound Studios - Bearsville, NY
Produced By The Band

Rick Danko - bass violin, celli
Levon Helm - drums
Garth Hudson - piano
Richard Manuel - percussion
Robbie Robertson - piano

17) Mystery Train 5:33
COMPOSER: Herman Parker, Jr. Sam Phillips;
Additional Lyrics: Robbie Robertson
ORIGINALLY RELEASED: The Band "Moondog Matinee" Capitol LP SW-11214, 1973
REC DATE: July, 1973 Bearsville Sound Studios - Bearsville, NY
Produced By The Band

Rick Danko - bass, vocal
Levon Helm - vocal, drums
Garth Hudson - organ, clavinet
Richard Manuel - drums, vocal
Robbie Robertson - guitar

# = Track previously unissued
** Rock Of Ages Horn Section:
Snooky Young - trumpet & flugelhorn
Howard Johnson - baritone sax, tuba & euphonium
Joe Farrell - tenor & soprano saxes & English horn
Earl McIntyre - trombone
J.D. Parron - alto sax & e flat clarinet

Disc 5

1) Ain't Got No Home 3:24
COMPOSER: Clarence "Frogman" Henry
ORIGINALLY RELEASED: Capitol single #3758 &
The Band "Moondog Matinee" Capitol LP SW-11214, 1973
REC DATE: July, 1973 Bearsville Sound Studios - Bearsville, NY
Produced By The Band

Rick Danko - bass
Levon Helm - vocal
Garth Hudson - piano, horns
Richard Manuel - piano
Robbie Robertson - guitar
Billy Mundi - drums

2) Share Your Love 2:54
COMPOSER: Alfred Braggs/Deadric Malone
ORIGINALLY RELEASED: The Band "Moondog Matinee" Capitol LP SW-11214, 1973
REC DATE: 4/2/73 Capitol Studios - Los Angeles, CA
Produced By The Band

Rick Danko - bass
Levon Helm - drums
Garth Hudson - keyboards
Richard Manuel - vocal, piano
Robbie Robertson - guitar

3) Didn't It Rain 3:18 %
COMPOSER: Traditional; Arrangement: The Band
ORIGINALLY RELEASED: The Band "Moondog Matinee" Capitol CD reissue 25393, 2001
REC DATE: 6/27/73 Bearsville Sound Studios - Bearsville, NY
Produced By The Band

Rick Danko - bass
Levon Helm - vocal, drums
Garth Hudson - organ
Robbie Robertson - guitar

4) Forever Young - Bob Dylan 4:56
COMPOSER: Bob Dylan
ORIGINALLY RELEASED: Bob Dylan & The Band "Planet Waves" Asylum LP S-7E-1003, 1974
REC DATE: 11/8/73 Village Recorder - West Los Angeles, CA

Bob Dylan - vocal, guitar, harmonica
Rick Danko - bass
Levon Helm - drums
Garth Hudson - organ
Richard Manuel - piano
Robbie Robertson - guitar

5) Rainy Day Women  #12 & 35 - Bob Dylan 3:37
COMPOSER: Bob Dylan
ORIGINALLY RELEASED: Bob Dylan & The Band "Before The Flood" Asylum AB-201, 1974
REC DATE: 2/13/74 The Forum - Inglewood, CA

Bob Dylan - vocal, guitar
Rick Danko - bass
Levon Helm - drums
Garth Hudson - organ
Richard Manuel - piano
Robbie Robertson - guitar

6) Highway 61 Revisited - Bob Dylan 3:55 #
COMPOSER: Bob Dylan
REC DATE: 1/31/74 Madison Square Garden - NYC (evening show)

Bob Dylan - vocal, guitar
Rick Danko - bass
Levon Helm - drums
Garth Hudson - organ
Richard Manuel - electric piano
Robbie Robertson - guitar

7) Ophelia 3:31
COMPOSER: Robbie Robertson
ORIGINALLY RELEASED: Capitol single #4230, 1976 &
The Band "Northern Lights-Southern Cross" Capitol LP ST-11440, 1975
REC DATE:  June, 1975 Shangri-La Studio - Malibu, CA
Produced By The Band

Rick Danko - bass
Levon Helm - vocal, drums
Garth Hudson - keyboards, horns
Richard Manuel - organ, vocal
Robbie Robertson - guitar

8) Acadian Driftwood 6:43
COMPOSER: Robbie Robertson
ORIGINALLY RELEASED: Capitol single #4316 &
The Band "Northern Lights-Southern Cross" Capitol LP ST-11440, 1975
REC DATE: 6/29/75 Village Recorder - West Los Angeles, CA
Produced By The Band

Rick Danko - vocal, bass
Levon Helm - vocal, drums
Garth Hudson - accordion, piccolo, bagpipe chanter
Richard Manuel - vocal, clavinet
Robbie Robertson - guitar
Byron Berline - fiddle
Marcel Lefebure & Francois Cousineau - French translation

9) It Makes No Difference 6:32
COMPOSER: Robbie Robertson
ORIGINALLY RELEASED: The Band "Northern Lights-Southern Cross"
Capitol LP ST-11440, 1975
REC DATE: June, 1975 Shangri-La Studios - Malibu, CA
Produced By The Band

Rick Danko - vocal, bass
Levon Helm - drums, vocal
Garth Hudson - keyboards, soprano sax
Richard Manuel - piano, vocal
Robbie Robertson - guitar

10) Twilight (song sketch) 3:23 #
COMPOSER: Robbie Robertson
REC DATE: December, 1975 Robbie Robertson's House - Malibu, CA

Robbie Robertson - vocal, piano

11) Christmas Must Be Tonight 3:36
COMPOSER: Robbie Robertson
ORIGINALLY RELEASED: The Band "Islands" Capitol LP SO-11602, 1977
REC DATE: 1976 Shangri-La Studios - Malibu, CA
Produced By The Band

Rick Danko - vocal, bass
Levon Helm - drums, vocal
Garth Hudson - keyboards
Richard Manuel - vocal
Robbie Robertson - guitar

12) The Saga Of Pepote Rouge 4:13
COMPOSER: Robbie Robertson
ORIGINALLY RELEASED: The Band "Islands" Capitol LP SO-11602, 1977
REC DATE: 1976 Shangri-La Studios - Malibu, CA
Produced By The Band

Rick Danko - vocal, bass
Levon Helm - drums, vocal
Garth Hudson - organ
Richard Manuel - piano, vocal
Robbie Robertson - guitar

13) Livin' In A Dream 2:50
COMPOSER: Robbie Robertson
ORIGINALLY RELEASED: The Band "Islands" Capitol LP SO-11602, 1977
REC DATE: 1976 Shangri-La Studios - Malibu, CA
Produced By The Band

Rick Danko - bass, vocal
Levon Helm - vocal, drums
Garth Hudson - organ, tenor sax
Richard Manuel - electric piano, vocal
Robbie Robertson - guitar

14) Forbidden Fruit 5:39 # %
COMPOSER: Robbie Robertson
REC DATE: 9/18/76 The Palladium, NYC
Produced By The Band

Rick Danko - bass, vocal
Levon Helm - vocal, drums
Garth Hudson - keyboards
Richard Manuel - pianette, vocal
Robbie Robertson - guitar
Howard Johnson - horn arrangement

15) Home Cookin' 3:44 # %
COMPOSER: Rick Danko
REC DATE: 1976 Shangri-La Studios - Malibu, CA
Produced By The Band

Rick Danko - vocal, guitar
Levon Helm - bass
Garth Hudson - piano
Richard Manuel - drums, vocal
Robbie Robertson - guitar

16) Out Of The Blue 3:20
COMPOSER:  Robbie Robertson
ORIGINALLY RELEASED: The Band "The Last Waltz" Warner Bros.  LP 3WS-3146, 1978
REC DATE:  May, 1977 Shangri-La Studios - Malibu, CA &
Village Recorder - West Los Angeles, CA
Produced By Robbie Robertson

Rick Danko - bass
Levon Helm - drums
Garth Hudson - keyboards, horns
Robbie Robertson - vocals, piano, guitar

17) Evangeline (w/ Emmylou Harris) 3:10
COMPOSER:  Robbie Robertson
ORIGINALLY RELEASED: The Band "The Last Waltz" Warner Bros.  LP 3WS-3146, 1978
REC DATE: 4/29/77 MGM Sound Stage - Culver City, CA &
Shangri-La Studio - Malibu, CA
Produced By Robbie Robertson

Emmylou Harris - vocal, guitar
Rick Danko - vocal, bass, violin
Levon Helm - vocal, mandolin
Garth Hudson - accordion
Richard Manuel - drums, vocal
Robbie Robertson - guitar

18) The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down 4:32
COMPOSER:  Robbie Robertson
ORIGINALLY RELEASED: The Band "The Last Waltz" Warner Bros. LP 3WB-3146, 1978
REC DATE: 11/25/76 Winterland Palace - San Francisco, CA
Produced By Robbie Robertson

Rick Danko - bass, vocal
Levon Helm - vocal, drums
Garth Hudson - organ
Richard Manuel - piano, vocal
Robbie Robertson - guitar, vocal
Allen Toussaint - horn arrangement

Horn section:

Rich Cooper - trumpet, flugelhorn
Jim Gordon - tenor saxophone, flute, clarinet
Jerry Hay - trumpet, flugelhorn
Howard Johnson - tuba, baritone saxophone, flugelhorn, bass clarinet
Charlie Keagle - alto, tenor & soprano saxophone, flute, clarinet
Tom Malone - trombone, bass trombone, euphonium, alto flute
Larry Packer - electric violin

19) The Weight (w/ The Staples) 4:36
COMPOSER:  Robbie Robertson
ORIGINALLY RELEASED: The Band "The Last Waltz" Warner Bros. LP 3WB-3146, 1978
REC DATE: April-May, 1977 MGM Sound Stage - Culver City, CA &
Village Recorder - West Los Angeles, CA
Produced By Robbie Robertson

Mavis Staples - vocal
Roebuck Staples - vocal, guitar
Cleotha Staples - vocal
Yvonne Staples - vocal
Rick Danko - vocal, bass
Levon Helm - vocal, drums
Garth Hudson - piano, keyboards
Richard Manuel - organ, vocal
Robbie Robertson - guitar, vocal

# = Track previously unissuedGiven the countless Band compilations released over the years, plus the exhaustive bonus-track-laden reissues of the proper albums in 2000 and 2001, it's easy to be suspicious of the six-disc A Musical History, especially since it's the third Band box set released in the CD era. It would seem that all the worthwhile previously unreleased music has been excavated and that the Band's career has been anthologized in ever possible way, but A Musical History proves that's not true. As its title implies, the set is a biography, tracing the group's career from their early days as the Hawks supporting Ronnie Hawkins, through their stint as Levon & the Hawks, through their time as Bob Dylan's backing band in 1966, through their emergence as the Band in 1968, then through their years of stardom in the early '70s, leading up to their departure at The Last Waltz in 1976. No previous compilation has done this -- they've either picked up the story with Music from Big Pink or offered up the greatest hits, and they've never weaved Ronnie Hawkins or Bob Dylan tracks into the story line -- and this thorough, all-encompassing approach does result in an absorbing narrative that does provide some revelations, most arriving on the spectacular, necessary first disc that traces the evolution of the band before they were the Band. Here, for the first time on a Band album, you get to hear the group's beginning as a rough rock & roll and blues combo, and while some of this material is a bit generic (albeit in the best possible sense, since they were a lean, tough, straight-ahead rock & roll group), this music echoes throughout the four CDs that follow, whether it's in the muscular R&B grooves of Levon Helm and Rick Danko, Robbie Robertson's tight, squealing guitar, or Richard Manual's piano chord clusters, or how the group touched on rockabilly, Motown, New Orleans R&B, country, and folk even on their earliest recordings. In this context, their teaming with Dylan not only seems like a natural outgrowth of their work as the struggling Levon & the Hawks, but it's clear that Dylan helped give the band focus and ideas, inspiring not just the songs that the group wrote for Music from Big Pink, but the whole Americana aesthetic that came to define the Band and made them separate from their rock & roll peers of the late '60s.Once A Musical History hits the second disc, the Band's story enters familiar territory and the revelations start drying up even if the unreleased material doesn't (there are a whopping 32 unreleased tracks on this 102-song set, and there's about ten or so other cuts that could qualify as rarities, as well). All the same, the conventional story line carries more weight here, since the first disc not only provides context, but because the sequencing and song selection are excellent, helping to drive the Band's story in addition to just being flat-out entertaining. Plus, there are some great rarities scattered throughout here, including an exciting, careening live version of Woody Guthrie's "I Ain't Got No Home" with Bob Dylan that was only released on a Woody tribute album, the funky, gritty "Baby Lou," a raucous "Slippin' & Slidin'" from the Festival Express tour in 1970, hard-rocking live versions of "Strawberry Wine" and "Look out Cleveland" from Royal Albert Hall in 1971, a live "Highway 61 Revisited" with Bob Dylan from a 1974 Madison Square Garden show, and Rick Danko's sweet, lazy unreleased "Home Cookin'" from 1976. These not only help keep a familiar story interesting to the hardcore fans (who, after all, are the primary audience for such a lavish set as this), but help fill little details within that story, along with illustrating how good the Band could sound as a band right up until the very end of their career. Despite all this, the arc of their career -- the sudden, glorious beginning and the slow descent into equal parts pretension and lethargy -- can't help but shine through in a biography such as this. No amount of well-chosen rarities and expert song sequencing (all the group's major songs, along with all of their noteworthy minor tunes, are here in some incarnation or another) can hide the downward turn in the Band's fortunes. There was a pretty steep decline in quality material after their third album, Stage Fright, in 1970, and while the next four studio albums, plus the live Rock of Ages and The Last Waltz, are summarized on the final two discs of the set, it's hard to ignore how covers keep popping up or how numerous songs are repeated in different versions (no matter how good the alternate versions are, it's clear that the group was running out of strong new songs), nor is it easy to ignore that the rest of the Band, for whatever reason, simply stopped writing, transferring the burden to Robbie Robertson, who struggled to come up with songs that seemed as effortless and graceful as his early songs, despite a slight rejuvenation on Northern Lights-Southern Cross. That doesn't mean these last two discs are bad -- far from it, they put the best spin on an uneven era -- but they do make it clear that the Band were caught at an awkward spot and were unable to successfully move forward, no matter how much Robertson prodded. As the accompanying DVD, which has nine live performances beginning with a 1970 clip from Woodstock and ending with three spots from Saturday Night Live in 1976, illustrates, Robertson had his mind elsewhere, but the rest of the guys were happy to simply be in a band. Being the one with ambitions, Robertson made the move and brought the curtains down on their career when the rest of the Band weren't necessarily ready to call it quits, as evidenced by their ongoing reunions in the '80s and '90s.Despite the existence of a touring Band minus their guitarist and songwriter, Robertson wound up as the member who was generally acknowledged as the one who kept the spirit of the group alive, at least according to the mainstream rock press. He also shepherded nearly all of the official Band reissues, including this one, where he acts as executive producer and the main interview for Rob Bowman's detail-heavy, perhaps too affectionate liner notes. Bowman's long piece ends abruptly when Robertson leaves the group; it's acknowledged that the Band soldiered on, but this fact is dismissed quickly, since it doesn't fit the romanticized notion of the Band's career that Robertson has been selling since Martin Scorsese's The Last Waltz. The bad blood between Robertson and Levon Helm runs too deep for them to make friends over this project (Garth Hudson is credited as an archival producer), but that acrimony is only noticeable within the liner notes to this beautiful hardcover book-styled box set. The five discs captures the Band at their peak as a band, containing their very best music. Music from Big Pink and The Band remain the essential, definitive albums, the records that not only capture their essence but have a nearly mythical grandeur. This box is for those who already know and love the group, who know their ups and downs, and who want to hear them in all their glory -- and, as this proves, the Band were glorious indeed.