The Band’s ‘Christmas Must Be Tonight’ Remains an Unjustly Overlooked Holiday Classic
The Band’s perhaps too ambitious “Christmas Must Be Tonight” never became the seasonal favorite it should have been.
Across the Great Divide
Robbie Robertson was again sparked by America, old friends on Storyville
Robbie Robertson found another deeply resonant setting for his unique brand of storytelling with ‘Storyville,’ released on Sept. 30, 1991.
Robbie Robertson + Rick Danko, “Hold Back the Dawn” (1991): Across the Great Divide
A moving turn by former Band mate Rick Danko gives shape to a yearning at the center of Robbie Robertson’s darkly mysterious “Hold Back the Dawn.”
Levon Helm, “A Mood I Was In” from Levon Helm and the RCO All-Stars (1977): Across the Great Divide
Levon Helm and the RCO All-Stars seemed to come together through happenstance. Unfortunately, they went their separate ways in a similarly random way.
Rick Danko, “Times Like These” from Times Like These (2000): Across the Great Divide
When Rick Danko’s posthumous “Times Like These” ends, it’s like coming awake again after a beautiful – if powerfully sad – reverie.
Bob Dylan Found Refuge, Rebirth with the Band on ‘The Basement Tapes’
“Don’t Ya Tell Henry,” released 40 years ago this month on ‘The Basement Tapes,’ illustrates how Bob Dylan and the Band pushed each other to greatness.
Levon Helm, “Tennessee Jed” from Electric Dirt (2009): Across the Great Divide
‘Electric Dirt,’ and standout cuts like “Tennessee Jed,” marked Levon Helm’s return not just as a grizzled survivor but as an artist in full again.
Robbie Robertson, with Neil Young + Garth Hudson, “Soap Box Preacher” from Storyville (1991): Across the Great Divide
“Soap Box Preacher” rewarded those who’d waited in the hopes that Robbie Robertson’s solo career could conjure that old Band magic again.
Rick Danko, “Tired of Waiting” from Rick Danko (1977): Across the Great Divide
As with much of 1977’s ‘Rick Danko,’ “Tired of Waiting” feels loose and personable, but an added bit of funk gives it no small amount of grit.
Garth Hudson, “Little Island” from ‘The Sea to the North’ (2001): Across the Great Divide
On an album that justly earned accolades for touching upon every element of Garth Hudson’s roving genius, this grace-note finale often gets overlooked.
