Songs of the Week – Legendary

This week’s selection is comprised entirely of…

THE EPIC.

THE LEGENDARY.

THE BAND.

Need I say anymore? It’s The Band!

The Band is – or was – made up of Robbie Robertson, Richard Manuel, Garth Hudson, Rick Danko, and Levon Helm. They’re all awesome. I’d have to say, though, that my favorites are Levon Helm and Rick Danko.

The video above is from their documentary, The Last Waltz. When I first watched this, I thought about how awesome it is that they have the Staple Singers up there performing with them. They, too, are a legendary bunch.

Rick Danko (the bassist) has an amazing, but weird, stage presence (the weirdness comes from drugs, I think). His vocals in the video above are so great.

And Levon Helm… He is the definition of “beast.” Not only is he giving spectacular vocals, but he is drumming in a sort of Ringo-gone-country delicious way.

Robbie Robertson (the one with the double neck guitar) looks eerily similar to Mick Jagger.. Maybe they’re the same person! Maybe Mick/Robbie was originally a member of The Band until he reinvented himself as a pop icon and dominated rock n’ roll. Or maybe not.

Okay, I think it’s time I stop gushing and get to the music.

There are two versions of The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down on this playlist – one’s live, one’s from the studio. Enjoy!

(Embedded playlist courtesy of Grooveshark)