Tag Archives: Music From Big Pink

Music Monday: August 14, 2023

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Hi, everyone. Welcome to another triple play edition of Music Monday.

Bruce quote 2023

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Last month The Band’s debut record, Music from Big Pink, turned 55 years old. Last week, guitarist and songwriter Robbie Robertson passed away at the age of 80. As much as I loved the group as a whole, it was incredibly heartbreaking to see how they became so divided over songwriting credits and money (his 2020 documentary seems to validate his bandmate’s claims against him, not to mention it was conveniently released after three of them-Richard Manuel, Rick Danko and Levon Helm-died so they could not defend themselves). But for a while what those five musicians created together was incomprable. The Band influenced the likes of The Beatles, Eric Clapton, Elton John, Bernie Taupin, U2 and so many others. That leaves the group’s multi-instrumentalist, Garth Hudson who turned 86 on August 2, as the sole surviving member.

the-band-bw1-photo-elliott-landy-www-elliottlandy-com
The Band circa 1968 (L-R):  Rick Danko, Levon Helm, Richard Manuel, Garth Hudson and Robbie Robertson.   (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Legendary girl group superstar Ronnie Spector was born Veronica Yvette Bennett 80 years ago on August 10, 1943 in New York, NY. She co-founded and sang lead for The Ronettes (which included her older sister, Estelle Bennett, and their cousin, Nedra Talley) who gave us a sound and a style all their own. They played a significant role in 1960’s American music and Spector’s influence was felt by superstars such as Keith Richards, Darlene Love, Steven Van Zandt and Bruce Springsteen, amongst many others. Spector’s 1990 memoir, “Be My Baby: How I Survived Mascara, Miniskirts, and Madness, Or, My Life as a Fabulous Ronette” (alternatively titled as “Be My Baby: The Autobiography of Ronnie Spector“) is definitely worth the read. Sadly, we lost this incredible woman in 2022.

Bruce and Ronnie

Bruce Springsteen (center) with Ronnie Spector behind him with The E Street Band circa 1978 (L-R): Danny Federici, Max Weinberg, Steven Van Zandt, Clarence Clemons, Roy Bittan and Gary Tallent. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Country star Luke Combs has given a new generation an education in the strength of a great song with his cover of Tracy Chapman’s extraordinary 1988 debut single. It was a #1 hit for her on the Billboard 200 for one week in August that year and Comb’s version is currently #2 on Billboard’s Hot 100. Back in June the song hit the #1 spot on Billboard’s Country Songwriters chart, making Chapman the first black woman to hit the top of a Country chart as the sole songwriter. It is one of my all-time favorite songs and I think she is a beautiful writer and singer who deserves every accolade that comes her way. Kudos to Combs for bringing this gem back to the charts.

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Tracy Chapman and Luke Combs. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

The Band: “The Weight” (1968, written by Robbie Robertson).

The Ronettes: “Baby, I Love You” (1963, written by Jeff Barry, Ellie Greenwich & Phil Spector).

Tracy Chapman: “Fast Car” (1988, written by Tracy Chapman).

Luke Combs: “Fast Car” (2023, written by Tracy Chapman).

Stay safe and well.

Let’s Take A Moment Day 288

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Hi everyone.  Hope you are all well and continue to stay that way during this global health crisis we are facing.  But in addition to protecting your physical wellness, what are you doing to stay mentally healthy today?

Shakespeare music

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

I know we are in a serious situation, but I need a break from the gloom, doom and bullying by way of hoarding. Music has always been my refuge and watching those beautiful Italians singing to each other from their balconies reaffirmed my belief that music is the answer. So until the old normal returns, I am going to share a song I listen to that helps me escape the current state of things, if only for a few minutes each day. And if this helps anyone else, even better.

Today marks the 77th birth anniversary for the bassist for The Band, Rick Danko. Born on December 29, 1943 in Canada, he was playing banjo by the time he was in first grade. By the time he was around 13, he was in a band. In 1960 he was playing in The Hawks with Ronnie Hawkins where he would eventually meet the other four members of his next group, who went on to play for Bob Dylan before going out on their own as The Band. Today’s song is from their debut album, “Music From Big Pink”.

I love this track for a few reasons. It was highlighted in a couple of exceptional episodes in two of my favorite shows. In November 1991 it was used in “The Wonder Years” (season five episode 6, “The Triangle”) and in 2003 Aaron Neville’s version was featured in “Without A Trace” (season one episode 13, “Hang On To Me”). The song was written by Bob Dylan who let The Band record it first. But mostly I love it because Richard Manuel’s lead vocal is absolutely heartbreaking & the harmony vocals by Danko & drummer Levon Helm are superb. Both men also provided the group with one of the best rhythm sections in rock & roll.

“They say every man needs protection
They say that every man must fall
Yet I swear I see my reflection
Somewhere so high above this wall“.

The Band 1972

The Band circa 1972 (L-R): Garth Brooks, Robbie Robertson, Levon Helm, Richard Manuel and Rick Danko. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

The Band: “I Shall Be Released” (1968, written by Bob Dylan).

I do not own the rights to anything.  I am just sharing what I love and how I am coping with you.

Stay well.