Rating: 
Summary: Leaves VH1's "Behind the Music" in the Dust
Review: If the rest of the "Classic Albums" series is as good as "The Band," you can say goodbye to shows like VH1's "Behind the Music." While the VH1 shows are usually interesting, they really aren't "Behind the Music," but rather "Behind the Lives" of the performers. You get some of that with "The Band" too, but the focus of this DVD really IS the music. It was a pleasure watching Levon Helm and Robbie Robertson especially talking with such love and affection about their music and how it was put together. Some great photos and live shots make this DVD a must-have for fans of The Band.
Rating:
Summary: Leaves VH1's "Behind the Music" in the Dust
Review: If the rest of the "Classic Albums" series is as good as "The Band," you can say goodbye to shows like VH1's "Behind the Music." While the VH1 shows are usually interesting, they really aren't "Behind the Music," but rather "Behind the Lives" of the performers. You get some of that with "The Band" too, but the focus of this DVD really IS the music. It was a pleasure watching Levon Helm and Robbie Robertson especially talking with such love and affection about their music and how it was put together. Some great photos and live shots make this DVD a must-have for fans of The Band.
Rating:
Summary: A Must Have DVD
Review: If you love The Band (is there such thing as a casual Band fan?) you MUST own this! There is some repetition of the usual stories, such as Clapton telling us his 'Big Pink' story, but others are fresh and exciting. Also, there are solo tidbits that will break your heart. Robby doing Dixie, and Rick, God rest his soul, doing When You Awake. Absolutely essential.
Rating:
Summary: Essential for hardcore Band fans
Review: If you're not a lifelong, hard shell Band addict, go to the next review. Only these people will probably appreciate the rest of this review. The following are my personal highlights.
It has several different sections of footage of Garth. Intertwining classical, gospel, circus midway, blues, and folk licks, his nose approximately two inches from the keyboard, occasionally talking to the keyboards as he plays---The man is beyond genius status. He's also very cool.Watch and listen to Rick play "When You Awake" on flattop. Watch the unabashed joy in Levon's face when he is at the mixing board listening to Richard and Rick (and himself) harmonize on "Rockin' Chair", or to Garth's keyboards on "Rag Mama Rag". ("Ain't it easy when you know how"--Levon on Garth's playing). Watch Robbie Robertson sing proudly into a purposely dead mike. You might fool some of the people some of the time... Watch Robbie take credit for the writing when it was obviously a group effort almost every time.Richard wrote the lyrics to several songs; Garth and Rick wrote a lot of the music--very seldom did they receive credit (or royalties)--only Robbie. Listen to Eric Clapton and George Harrison reveal that the Band's music was beyond anything they had heard or played. Listen to Robbie's chord work and his excellent explanation as to why the Band sang harmonies a certain way (that was all they could reach)and why he frequently played odd, partial guitar chords (they just sounded right). Just watch and listen to Levon.Whether he's singing, playing, or being interviewed, he is extremely entertaining. He, like Garth, is also one of a kind. Listen to Richard sing anything. I'm positive he and Rick are members in good standing in God's choir. This is a wonderful DVD. It has much more footage than the TV version I taped off of television. I bought it new.., although I think it ususally sells for [more]. I would have paid [more] for it. If you're a Band fanatic-this is a must have.
Rating:
Summary: a history so meaningful it should be taught in school
Review: There's nothing more to say than this is probably the best album ever recorded. I recommend this DVD to anyone. The Band never got the recognition they deserved...it's a shame. Their music is timeless and will be held with the highest honor in the hearts of their fans forever.
Rating:
Summary: A documentary on a classic album
Review: When purchased I thought it may have been an older concert they had put on to dvd. When it came in I found out it was a documentary on the making of the Bands self titled album. Then I thought it would be some thirty year old documentary they put on dvd. But I was very suprised and glad I bought it. Just recently made, I believe in 1997, it interviews each of the living members of the Band even Robbie. Each telling how the album came together. Levon and Robbie, who take a few of the songs and put them on a mixing board to let you hear the individual voices and instruments, I found to be the most interesting. For any fan of the Band this is one you have to have. It talks about one the greatest albums ever made. Also purchased The Band Live at the New Orleans Jazz Festival. It was everything I thought it would be.
Rating:
Summary: THE BAND: THE BROWN ALBUM
Review: When the "Classic" series of videos came out, I could only wish for anything on The Band. The "Brown Album" or their 2nd album is highlighted here in story and song. The interviews are well worth the price of admission. The Brown Album has always surfaced as one of the top 10 favorites of many other music artists. Watching Garth Hudson at the keyboard; or Levon Helm explain his drum technique; or sitting at the recording console and listening to the harmonies with producer John Simon, is a look inside of a group that changed the sound of North American music in the late 60's to mid 70's. This was probably their best effort of them all and to have it chronicled here is great. I have both the VHS & DVD versions. Since then I purchased Live at the New Orleans JazzFest.
Rating:
Summary: THE BAND: THE BROWN ALBUM
Review: When the "Classic" series of videos came out, I could only wish for anything on The Band. The "Brown Album" or their 2nd album is highlighted here in story and song. The interviews are well worth the price of admission. The Brown Album has always surfaced as one of the top 10 favorites of many other music artists. Watching Garth Hudson at the keyboard; or Levon Helm explain his drum technique; or sitting at the recording console and listening to the harmonies with producer John Simon, is a look inside of a group that changed the sound of North American music in the late 60's to mid 70's. This was probably their best effort of them all and to have it chronicled here is great. I have both the VHS & DVD versions. Since then I purchased Live at the New Orleans JazzFest.
Rating:
Summary: wonderful
Review: With the recent remastering and re-releasing of the full Band canon, interest in one of America's greatest musical acts has never been higher. This is as good a time as any to pick up a copy of "The Band," one in Rhino records series called "classic Albums," which documents the making of classic albums. (other dvd's include the Wailers, the Who, and the Grateful Dead) This dvd documents the classic lp "The Band" from 1969. Filled with vintage footage of the Band in rehersals, as well as interviews with Robbie Robertson, Levon Helm, the reclusive Garth Hudson, and the late Rick Danko, "The Band" chronicles the making of this amazing album, focusing on the disparate musical influences- country, bluegrass, rockabilly, black R&B, rock n roll, and folk/Americana- that led to many of guitarist/vocalist Robbie Robertson's greatest songs. The surviving members at the time of this documentary (made in 1997-pianist Richard Manuel had died in 1986) add their own anecdotes to the music, giving the songs unique colors and life. Levon Helm, Robbie Robertson, and Garth Hudson (the most pleasant surprise on the dvd taking into account his well known reclusive nature) add to the fun by playing some of the tunes based on their perspective, offering running commontary as they go. Add to the Band's perspective those of Eric Clapton, (who wanted to join the Band at one point) George Harrison, Elton John's lyicist Bernie Taupin, and producer Don Was, and the cup of greatness runneth over. The performances, including "The Weight," "Rockin' Chair," "I Shall Be Released," "The Unfaithful Servant," and "King Harvest (Has Surely Come)," as well as a touching tribute to the late Richard Manuel, make the dvd all the more valuable to fans of the Band. The music is timeless, the interviews vintage, and the performances sparkle as they never have. That makes this dvd one to have in any collection. R.I.P. Richard Manuel and Rick Danko
Rating:
Summary: wonderful
Review: With the recent remastering and re-releasing of the full Band canon, interest in one of America's greatest musical acts has never been higher. This is as good a time as any to pick up a copy of "The Band," one in Rhino records series called "classic Albums," which documents the making of classic albums. (other dvd's include the Wailers, the Who, and the Grateful Dead) This dvd documents the classic lp "The Band" from 1969. Filled with vintage footage of the Band in rehersals, as well as interviews with Robbie Robertson, Levon Helm, the reclusive Garth Hudson, and the late Rick Danko, "The Band" chronicles the making of this amazing album, focusing on the disparate musical influences- country, bluegrass, rockabilly, black R&B, rock n roll, and folk/Americana- that led to many of guitarist/vocalist Robbie Robertson's greatest songs. The surviving members at the time of this documentary (made in 1997-pianist Richard Manuel had died in 1986) add their own anecdotes to the music, giving the songs unique colors and life. Levon Helm, Robbie Robertson, and Garth Hudson (the most pleasant surprise on the dvd taking into account his well known reclusive nature) add to the fun by playing some of the tunes based on their perspective, offering running commontary as they go. Add to the Band's perspective those of Eric Clapton, (who wanted to join the Band at one point) George Harrison, Elton John's lyicist Bernie Taupin, and producer Don Was, and the cup of greatness runneth over. The performances, including "The Weight," "Rockin' Chair," "I Shall Be Released," "The Unfaithful Servant," and "King Harvest (Has Surely Come)," as well as a touching tribute to the late Richard Manuel, make the dvd all the more valuable to fans of the Band. The music is timeless, the interviews vintage, and the performances sparkle as they never have. That makes this dvd one to have in any collection. R.I.P. Richard Manuel and Rick Danko
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