Another Blast From The Past

(Note-This installment is for Z at Geez, who gave me the idea for this one.)

Canada has produced some outstanding rock artists over the years. Neil Young, Rush, Barenaked Ladies, and Cowboy Junkies are all groups that were founded by Canadians. I always found the Canadian sound from my era to be very much like the one from the LA scene, in the late 60s. Folksy artists like the Byrds and Buffalo Springfield came to be identified with this distinctive style and could be heard at every turn, on the LA Basin's multitude of album rock radio stations.

One such band of this era formed together, with four Canadians and an American. It captured people's ears but never really conquered the singles charts. But make no mistake here. This album-oriented quintet made no pretensions, had no flashy shows, but plenty of talent and the willingness to use it to entertain. They passed the singing duties around enough that they created a bold, versatile, and unique sound that has yet to be completely duplicated.

This weekend, PYY presents The Band.

Opening this session, this show opener is from the film The Last Waltz, which all of these songs are from. Most of you will remember this one, Up On Cripple Creek:



Off of their first album, here is one of the greatest tunes of all time, in terms of stellar musical riffs, mixed with excellent harmonious vocals. Here is one remarkable performance of another one that most of you will remember, The Weight (Take A Load Off Annie):



This next tune is quite obscure to all but those fans who know The Band. Deep from the vaults comes this one, called Stage Fright:



Their association with Bob Dylan was the turning point in their career despite the fact there was some anxiety when he asked them to tour with him. Up to that point, Dylan was a folk singer that relied heavily on an acoustic sound. But when these guys hooked up, it was the birth of electric Dylan. Here's a song performed with him and a couple of other special guests, Ringo Starr and Ron Wood. It is entitled, I Shall Be Released:



No Band tribute would ever be complete without this final tune. It was made most famous by Joan Baez, but make no mistake whatsoever, this is The Band's song through and through. No one has ever quite done it like them, nor will they ever. Here is what I believe to be their signature song of the ages, The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down:



Enjoy.


Addenda:

Mustang is test-piloting his own musical series. Take a look and listen here, when you get a moment.

AC at Fore Left has his weekly musical post up, called Sidetracks. Check it out, the Dire Straits tune is outstanding.