Levon Helm, “Blues So Bad” from Levon Helm and the RCO All-Stars (1977): Across the Great Divide
Left to his own devices after the dissolution of the Band, Levon Helm returned to the things that had been his strengths, his succor, and his joy.
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Robbie Robertson, “The Lights” from Contact from the Underworld of Redboy (1998): Across the Great Divide
Songs like “The Lights,” from Robbie Robertson’s adventurous 1998 solo album, could only come from this songwriter, in this moment.
The Band, “Back to Memphis” from ‘Moondog Matinee’ (1973): Across the Great Divide
The Band simply stole “Back to Memphis” from Chuck Berry, who tended to wink his way through it. Levon Helm, however, found something darker.
Garth Hudson, “Garth Largo” from Largo (1998): Across the Great Divide
Garth Hudson’s genius has been rightly celebrated across all manner of disciplines. “Largo,” perhaps his least-heralded triumph, reminds us why.
The Band, “(I Don’t Want To) Hang Up My Rock ‘n’ Roll Shoes” (1971): Across the Great Divide
This old Chuck Willis tune, forgotten in the wake of his early death, gave the Band a chance to let loose — and let loose they most certainly did.
Robbie Robertson, “It Is a Good Day to Die” from Music for ‘The Native Americans’ (1994): Across the Great Divide
Crazy Horse, as Robbie Robertson’s “It Is a Good Day to Die” makes clear, wasn’t being boastful. This wasn’t a warrior’s cry.
Levon Helm, “Even a Fool Would Let Go” from Levon Helm (1982): Across the Great Divide
A journeyman country tune makes the case all over again for Levon Helm’s tender, heart-openingly emotional side.
The Band, “Where I Should Always Be” from ‘High on the Hog’ (1996): Across the Great Divide
A song with this aching classicism, the Band’s “Where I Should Always Be” has gained resonance with each year since Rick Danko’s passing.
Bob Dylan and the Band, “On a Night Like This” from Planet Waves (1974): Across the Great Divide
The longer I’ve lived with Bob Dylan and the Band’s “On a Night Like This,” the more it’s spoken to me.
Rick Danko, “Driftin’ Away” from Danko / Fjeld / Andersen (1991): Across the Great Divide
His solo recording career had lain largely dormant since a promising late-1970s debut. But this solidified a striking resurgence for Rick Danko.
