"The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down".


 

I am very fortunate in having heard this amazing song performed live by The Band on their tour in support of the s/t "brown" album. The only other live music experience I’ve had that equals it was hearing Little Village perform John Hiatt’s "Lipstick Traces" on a soundstage in Burbank in ’92. The Little Village album was not so hot, but they sure were!

The Beatles? Saw them in ’65. Hendrix? Saw him in ’68 and ’69. Cream? Saw them in ’67 and ’68. The Who? Saw them in ’68 and ’69. Who else ya wanna name? Sorry, hearing The Band live spoiled me for just about EVERYONE else. Not Iris DeMent, whom I just saw this past Thursday. Stunningly great!

 

Here’s J.R. Robertson, Eric Levon Helm, and some other guy talking about the song and its’ creation:

 

https://youtu.be/nVYBW_zCvOg?t=1

 

 

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Showing 1 response by jonwolfpell

Just heard yesterday on Sirius / XM a liver version of “ Don’t Do It”  -outstanding!

The re -mastered  2nd “brown album” on Qobuz is also excellent!  It’s a simple & very good recording with the real tone & power of Levon Helm’s drum kit shining through & really nice layered background vocals especially on “ Up on Cripple Creek ”. 

I don’t think to really appreciate the Band, you need a system that has a full bottom end & can play pretty loud. As with many bands, the bass guitar & drums drive the music & this is especially true w/ Rick Danko & Levon.  What a uniquely talented group of artists!