Rock of Ages[2 LP]

I use this album for music appreciation. The Band was a surprise because of their "down home" style of music, which was a far cry from Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath and other groups like that. I was always listening to different groups. I especially enjoy the Band because I grew up overseas, and The Band reminded me of home, the USA.Of course the sound of the Band is comforting and reminiscent of my "home". I will always enjoy the Band, anyways.A side note; the Joni Mitchell song, A free man in paris was reminiscent of my passing through Paris was always my favorite song. It so identified my experience when I arrived to meet with my sister. I really was a free man in Paris for a short while.

This was supposed to be remastered? Booming muddy bass that overwhelms and cancels any mid-high frequency imaging. Useful if you're trying to learn the bass line, but not close to flat or accurate. Remastered is the wrong word. A muddy disappointing release. One of the most important bands ever deserves better.

Forget 'Greatest Hits' (which I feel is a great intro to The Band but lacks this dynamic spontaneity) or 'Last Waltz' (which I feel is somber in tone). This showcases The Band LIVE and lively, at top of their game, with top notch harmonies, and propelled by the addition of a horn section that adds the perfect New Orleans style vibe that complements but never overshadows, with a big thanks to Allen Toussaint. Song selection is excellent, so you'll get a great overview of what earned them entry into the Hall of Fame. The clarity of sound with the 24 bit digital mastering is phenomenal. My only comment: I thought the horns cost "King Harvest" the sense of spookiness that marked its original sound, and some of the great tunes to follow are obviously not here, but overall, there is just one heck of a powerful concert CD.

I have the regular 2 CD [non SACD] version. Its muddy and congested. It sounds poorly recorded. Alot of live albums are and I cannot tell from the reviews here whether folks have the MoFi or non SACD CD. I am guessing that they have the latter. I wonder does the SACD fix this or does the SACD also sound bad? Has anyone compared the two versions?

Although The Band is immortalized for its audio/visual production,  The Last Waltz , this is really their finest live recording. While The Last Waltz dazzles with its eclectic mix of guest stars at the end of the group's history, this is a mix of almost all of their early hits as well as lesser-known tracks when The Band was in its prime. The result, while it's not as transcendent as some live releases (Dylan's  The Bootleg Series, Vol. 4: 1966: The "Royal Albert Hall Concert" , for example, which had The Hawks as backup, or Johnny Cash at Folsom Prison), Rock of Ages is a solid effort packed with a ton music and some classic moments that belongs in the collection of any fan.The album kicks off with the definitive version of perhaps The Band's most famous cover, "Don't Do It." It's funky, energetic and a classic reading of a tune first made famous by Marvin Gaye. Another live first on this album is the addition of a horn section (featured on Cahoots). They sound great on "Don't Do It," but although Allen Toussaint's horn arrangements have been the object of much fan praise, I could honestly do without them on most of The Band's classics. It sounded like the group (especially Robbie Robertson) was really looking to add something extra to their sound. I, on the other hand, love the boys just the way they already sounded! The horns don't get in the way, but they don't really add anything momentous either.The Band is in fine form on this collection, with each member shining in alternate moments. Robbie's guitar is wicked--it cuts and lifts the energy of songs like an electric razor. Garth Hudson's "Genetic Method" organ improvisation is one bonus of hearing their music live--he truly is a virtuoso, ad libbing some sweet keys and quoting recognizable snippets from several genres of music. Richard Manuel shines on is classics, "King Harvest," "The Shape I'm In," and "I Shall Be Released." His voice has so much uniqueness that every different version of a song has its own idiosyncrasies. Another track you'll get with this album is "Get Up Jake," which was the only way to get it for years. Also included are a couple classic rock and rollers, "Loving You Is Sweeter than Ever" and "I Don't Wanna Hang Up My Rock and Roll Shoes." The Band sounds like they're enjoying themselves to death while playing, and it's hard not to get caught up in it.This release also boasts quite a number of bonus tracks, some of which are essential and others a bit disappointing. It's awesome to hear such rare nuggets as "The Rumor," and "Time To Kill," as well as "Up On Cripple Creek," which wasn't originally included on the album. The tracks with Dylan at the end, though, are a little lackluster. Dylan, famous for not wanting to rehearse with his bands, sounds unprepared (he even fudges the lyrics on "Like A Rolling Stone" for goodness sake!), and the backing is a bit ragged.Overall, this is a very worthwhile live album, and although few of the live takes make the studio versions obsolete (except maybe the gnarly "W.S. Walcott Medicine Show," in which the horn section cheers on Garth Hudson's all-out sax solo), it's a great supplement to the absolutely essential studio albums of The Band.

This is a wonderful live album by perhaps the greatest ensemble of artists in the history of rock and roll, right up until the last four tracks on the second disc, "Down In the Flood," "When I Paint My Masterpiece," "Don't Ya Tell Henry," and " Like a Rolling Stone," all with The Band backing their former front man, Bob Dylan. At that point, the record becomes transcendant. This live version of "Rolling Stone" is the one track I want on a my desert island -- it alone is worth the price of the double CD. Even the most ardent Dylan-disputer or hater will never be able to resist this one. One earlier review complains about mumbled lyrics or bad sound on RS, which may be true -- But who cares?? The fierce beat layed down by Danko and Helms, Manuel's gut busting piano, Robertson's searing guitar, and Hudson's magical organ will tear what is left of your heart out and, by the end, kick the living daylights out of it.Rock and roll can never be better than this.The first disc has great live versions of most of the Band standards from the brown cover and Big Pink albums, with the addition of Allen Toussaint's horn arrangements for a marvelous set of brass. Once or twice the horns intrude on one's memories of what these songs are supposed to sound like from the studio versions, but they leave you wondering which version is better. It all works. CD 1 finishes up with a breathtaking rip through Chuck Willis's "Rock and Roll Shoes," which goes on and on, and never sounded better.Since I love great, restored, live rock and roll records, I'm tempted to say if you buy this you don't need The Band's first two albums at all, not brown nor Pink. But, of course, everyone makes mistakes.

You were nowhere in Rock if you hadn't had a double live album by 1972 - and debuted since 1968 - The Band struck on a cool idea to make their first foray into the obligatory 2LP arena circuit souvenir stand out.Fresh from an invigorating recording experience with New Orleans Soul Man and Brass Arranger Allen Toussaint on their September 1971 "Cahoots" album with the Little Feat-funky "Life Is A Carnival" – the much-respected Toussaint prepped horn charts for their forthcoming end of year concerts in 1971 at the Academy Of Music in New York. The Band did four nights with the shows split in two. So after the intermission, the five-piece group of Robbie Robertson, Levon Helm, Richard Manuel, Rick Danko and Garth Hudson would come back on stage – but this time bolstered up by a five-strong brass section consisting of Snooky Young, Howard Johnson, Joe Farrell, Earl McIntyre and J.D. Parson. And so along with a smattering of cleverly re-arranged cover versions, old tunes and familiar melodies were made new again and that collaborative magic was captured on "Rock Of Ages: The Band In Concert" finally issued August 1972.This 'Expanded Edition' 2CD Reissue and Remaster only compounds that triumph with 10 Previously Unreleased tracks - the final four of which feature special guest and musical soulmate Bob Dylan. To the lighted candles...UK released 8 May 2001 - "Rock Of Ages: The Band In Concert" by THE BAND on Capitol Records 530 1812 (Barcode 724353018122) is an 'Expanded Edition' 2CD Reissue and Remaster of the 1972 2LP Live Album with 10 Previously Unreleased Bonus Tracks that plays out as follows:CD1 (79:53 minutes):1. Introduction [Side 1]2. Don't Do It3. King Harvest (Has Surely Come)4. Caledonia Mission5. Get Up Jake6. The W.S. Walcott Medicine Show7. Stage Fright [Side 2]8. The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down9. Across The Great Divide10. This Wheel's On Fire11. Rag Mama Rag12. The Weight [Side 3]13. The Shape I'm In14. Unfaithful Servant15. Life Is A Carnival16. The Genetic Method [Side 4]17. Chest Fever18. (I Don't Want To) Hang Up My Rock And Roll ShoesTracks 1 to 18 are the double-album "Rock Of Ages: The Band In Concert" - released August 1972 in the USA on Capitol SABB 11045 and November 1972 in the UK on Capitol E-STSP 11. Peaked at No. 6 in the US LP charts (didn’t chart UK)CD2 Previously Unreleased Bonus Tracks (45:14 minutes):1. Loving You Is Sweeter Than Ever2. I Shall Be Released3. Up On Cripple Creek4. The Rumor5. Rockin' Chair6. Time To Kill7. Down In The Flood - THE BAND with BOB DYLAN8. When I Paint My Masterpiece - THE BAND with BOB DYLAN9. Don't Ya Tell Henry - THE BAND with BOB DYLAN10. Like A Rolling Stone - THE BAND with BOB DYLANWith liner notes penned by ROB BOWMAN in January 2001 - the 20-page booklet reproduces all the artwork of the original tri-gatefold double album as well as providing new interviews with key players (Toussaint still alive when the reissue was being compiled). It's a superbly detailed read – guest musician backgrounds, song choices discussed etc - and also shows repro promo labels of the two US 45s issued from the 2LP set - September 1972's "Don't Do It" b/w "Rag Mama Rag" on Capitol 3433 and December 1972's "(I Don't Want To Hang Up) My Rock And Roll Shoes" b/w "Caledonia Mission" on Capitol 3500. There is even a Tracking Sheet for "Loving You Is Sweeter Than Ever" as well as the usual in-depth reissue compilation credits (Cheryl Pawelski and Andrew Sandoval). This set of liner notes actually deals with the item in hand and doesn’t fill 75% of its pages with a history of the group.All Tracks are 24-Bit Digital Remasters by RON McMASTER and ANDREW SANDOVAL - both names familiar Audio Engineers on both The Band and The Kinks catalogues. The Audio is stunning, lifting up material I once thought I knew too well. To the shows and the music..."We're gonna try something we've never tried before..." - Robbie Robertson announces as they arrive back on stage and he introduces the brass-pumping newcomers. Horn Section Leader and Flugelhorn player Snooky Young had cut his teeth with some huge big band names – Jimmie Lunceford, Count Basie, Lionel Hampton and Benny Carter – while Baritone Saxophonist Howard Johnson had sessioned and recorded with Ray Charles, Miles Davis, Gil Evans and new kid on the Blues Rock/Americana block - Taj Mahal. So first up is a cover version, and what a smart choice it is. Marvin Gaye's barnstorming September 1964 Tamla R&B smash "Baby Don't You Do It" gets reduced in name to "Don't Do It" – the Holland-Dozier-Holland winner a standout before we even get to Band material. But what's important is that it's clear within seconds that the whole ensemble is tight – Levon Helm whacking the drums and signing with gusto while Rick Danko plucks that Bass with precision. Capitol edited "Don't Do It" down for a 45 that made No. 34 on the US singles charts.Next up is a Soulful take on "King Harvest (Has Surely Come)" - the bass lovely in the remaster. Their particular Soul-Rock sound emerges again in Robbie's "Caledonia Mission" - can't get to you through your garden gate - him channelling Otis Redding in this great tune. Both "Get Up Jake" and the rocking Side 1 finisher "The W.S. Walcott Medicine Show" benefit from the oomph the brass section adds them.Side 2's "Stage Fright" comes from the first half of the show (minus the brass) and acts as perfect lead-in for "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down" - that trumpet adding a sense of history to an already loaded song. The crowd cheers the lyrics "Standing by your window...a pistol in your hand..." as they launch into "Across The Great Divide". More cheers for the Bob Dylan/Rick Danko written "This Wheel's On Fire" while "Rag Mama Rag" explodes out of familiarity into something exciting and new with the brass boys going all New Orleans on its Americana ass.Take a load off Fanny, take a load for free, and put the load right on me - "The Weight" feeling epic even in 1971. One of my faves is the Little Feat Funk of "The Shape I'm In" – again filled out by a band cooking and enjoying themselves. Things get plaintive with "Unfaithful Servant" – gotta be sent away – left her key – gone to pack. Back to Soul-Rock with the fantastic "Life Is A Carnival" – the Horn Section elevating The Band sound into Little Feat live. We romp to the end with a church organ vs. synth solo for seven minutes of "The Genetic Method" – then go into a lethal one-two pair of enders – the fantastic "Chest Fever" with stunning Toussaint brass jabs and the crowd pleaser "(I Don't Want To) Hang Up My Rock And Roll Shoes".For many CD2 will call to them - feel warm and fuzzy like a chance meeting with a friend you haven't seen since collage. Shocking is a word that jumps to mind when you think how good these are. It opens with a cover of the Four Tops Tamla hit penned by Ivy Hunter and Stevie Wonder "Loving You Is Sweeter Than Ever". Things mellow big time with the Soulful "I Shall Be Released" – that squeaky vocal strangely beautiful and drug-haunted in ways. Funky returns with "Up On Cripple Creek" and so misused song "The Rumor" could easily have been on the album or even a B-side of one of the single. Our comes the Harmonica for the whole-life-at-sea song "Rockin' Chair" - take me home to sooth away the rest of my years. Dylan had just released "Greatest Hits Volume II" (a month before the concerts) with five new cuts on it - one of them was the excellent "Down In The Flood" (a Basement Tapes tune) while a second was the now much-loved "When I Paint My Masterpiece" - both versions given throaty versions his Bobness. Levon Helm duets with Dylan on "Don't Ya Tell Henry" - while Robbie Robertson lets rip too. The crowd get a cracking Band/Dylan version of "Like A Rolling Stone" - huge cheers - the tune still fresh to 1971 ears.A cracking great live double-album bolstered up with ten Bonus Tracks actually worthy of the moniker - no longer a complete unknown. "Loving You Is Sweeter Than Ever" - ain't that the truth...THE BAND on Capitol Records 1968 to 1977Expanded Edition CD Reissues and Remasters(September 2000 and May 2001 UK Series)1. Songs From Big Pink (July 1968) – Sept 2000 on Capitol 525 3902 (Barcode 724352539024)2. The Band (September 1969 USA, January 1970 UK) - Sept 2000 on Capitol 525 3892 (Barcode 724352538928)3. Stage Fright (August 1970) - Sept 2000 UK CD on Capitol 525 3952 (Barcode 724352539529)4. Cahoots (October 1971) – Sept 2000 UK CD on Capitol 525 3912 (Barcode 724352539123)5. Rock Of Ages: The Band In Concert (August 1972 2LP Live Set) – May 2001 UK 2CD Set on Capitol 530 1812 (Barcode 724353018122)6. Moondog Matinee (October 1973) – May 2001 UK CD on Capitol 525 3932 (Barcode 724352539321)7. Northern Lights-Southern Cross (November 1975) – May 2001 UK CD on Capitol 525 3942 (Barcode 724352539420)8. Islands (March 1977) – May 2001 UK CD on Capitol 525 3922 (Barcode 724352539222)

Amazing value...£14.50 for a double live album? It's like going back in time to 1987. Plus you get a MP3 download voucher code! And then there's the music... Put your headphones on and imagine you are at a Band gig with Levon & co. at the top of their game and enjoying themselves, accompanied by a brilliant brass section. You can almost forgive Garth Hudson's bonkers doodling before they kick into a stratospheric version of Chest Fever. Superb.

I bought this album when it first came out in 1972 and loved it, so when I saw it on cd i decided to buy it thinking it would be an exact copy of the LP version but was delighted to find there were extra tracks included- in particular the wonderful -'Rag mama rag'-.The quality of the sound is excellent and as usual with Amazon the delivery and packaging was also faultless. Everyone who loved this period should not be without this and I do not hesitate in recommending it.

Great live album with an earthy sound. Features Bob Dylan singing on some of the later tracks on the album.

Originally issued in 1972 as a double live album, 'Rock of Ages' captures The Band in concert at the height of their powers. Over the piece, for my money, there are more 'best' versions here than on the still staggeringly good 'Last Waltz' set. And the horn section are truely awesome and beautifully recorded! In all honesty, the second CD of songs with Dylan and some extra Band numbers, doesn't add an awful lot, though thanks all the same.In it's original form, this was one of the great live albums. Still is!