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The one, the only Garth Hudson.

 

The Band are known for a number of things, one of them being their organist Garth Hudson. Garth also played clavinet and piano on a number of songs, and in this video displays his encyclopedic knowledge of music, informed by Classical and Jazz.

The other members of The Band were unusually (for Rock ’n’ Roll) talented as well; no one played drums as did Levon Helm (and Richard Manuel on a surprising number of Band songs, including about half of the brown album), bass like Rick Danko, piano like Richard Manuel, and guitar like Robbie Robertson. And then there was their singing; Three lead singers, all unique.

After you listen to Garth in this video, listen to his piano playing (and Richard’s drumming) in "Rag Mama Rag" on the brown album. The only other Rock band keyboardist I've heard who imo plays on the same level as Garth is Terry Adams of NRBQ.

 

https://youtu.be/eGs34RcdDz8

 

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Showing 1 response by bkeske

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bkeske
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@bdp24

Yeah Bill, especially that of Richard Manuel, whose suicide brought me to tears. The only death of a musician I’ve cried about.

I was lucky, so to speak, to see The Band at the Columbus Agora the night, or two, before Manuel committed suicide. Maybe it was a week….cannot remember exactly. I was shocked when I heard the news, but knew then and there, there would never be another chance to see them again. Even without Robbie.

And, for me, that night, Garth was the highlight. Special person and musician.

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