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Takes one to know one

I find what one artist has to say about another fascinating. Here's what Eric Clapton has to say about one such:

"I met the genius of that outfit, who was Richard Manuel. He was as close to genius as I've ever met in a white guy---all the other geniuses I've met have been black Blues players, like B.B. and Buddy Guy. The reason I say they're geniuses is that they do what they do effortlessly with a gift that is so powerful that they don't need to engage in any kind of thinking to pursue it."

I would add Levon Helm, Rick Danko, Garth Hudson, and even Robbie Robertson (somewhat begrudgingly ;-), the other members of The Band, to the list of geniuses. There has never been, and never again will be, a Group containing so much talent. I listen to their music every single day of my life, and have done so for years. Their debut and second album are in my Top 10 albums of all-time list. Both are available on LP and SACD from Mobile Fidelity Sound Labs. Ignore them at the cost of your own musical wealth!

128x128bdp24

Showing 2 responses by onhwy61

onhwy61's avatar
onhwy61
5,150 posts
 
One of the best business decisions a band can make is to give writing credits to everyone in the band.  Check out the early Van Halen.  Do you really think David Lee Roth co-wrote "Eruption"?  The entire band credit is not a cure all, but it removes a serious money issue for bandmates.  For The Band it was a key and divisive issue.  A similar situation was The Who.  Townsend, as the songwriter, made the serious money and other members would have to beg him to tour so that they could make money too.  Pete Brown, the lyricist, made more money than Clapton or Baker did with Cream.  Think about what it must be like to have been a member of the Kinks or the Rolling Stones and not be Jagger/Richards or Ray Davies.  They have estates in France and Switzerland and drive exotic sports cars, and you got a weekly check.

When push comes to shove it's a business.  Do you really begrudge Robertson for being both talented and smart?
onhwy61's avatar
onhwy61
5,150 posts
 
Bdp24, thanks for starting this thread.  The Band deserves all the accolades heaped upon them and more.  They truly were one of the greatest.  However, you do them a disservice by slighting some of their later albums.  "Stage Fright", "Cahoots" and "Northern Lights Southern Cross" are the equals of the first two albums.  The writing and performances are terrific.  You might want to re-listen.
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