THE BAND Music From Big Pink CAPITOL Excellent Condition

	£		72
	$		95

A BREAKDOWN OF THE ARTIST/S :-

When the Band emerged in 1968 with Music From Big Pink, they were already a seasoned and cohesive unit. Four of the band, Robbie Robertson (Born Jaime Robbie Robertson, 5 July 1943, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; guitar, vocals), Richard Manuel (Born 3 April 1943, Stratford, Ontario, Canada, d. 4 March 1986, Winter Park, Florida, USA; piano, drums, vocals), Garth Hudson (Born Eric Hudson, 2 August 1937, London, Ontario, Canada; organ) and Rick Danko (Born 29 December 1942, Simcoe, Ontario, Canada, d. 10 December 1999, Marbletown, New York, USA; bass, vocals), had embraced rock 'n' roll during its first flush of success. One by one they joined the Hawks, a backing group formed by rockabilly singer Ronnie Hawkins that included Levon Helm (Born Mark Levon Helm, 26 May 1940, Marvell, Arkansas, USA; drums, vocals). A minor figure in the USA, by the late 50s Hawkins had moved to Toronto, where he pursued a career consisting mostly of rabble-house cover versions. "Bo Diddley" (1963) was a major hit in Canada, but the musicians later flexed their independence during sessions for the Mojo Man on "She's 19" and "Farther Up The Road", with Helm taking the vocal. The quintet left Hawkins later that year and toured America's small-town bars, performing for "pimps, whores, rounders and flakeouts", as Hudson later recalled. Billed as the Canadian Squires or Levon And The Hawks, they developed a loud, brash repertoire, drawn from R&B, soul and gospel styles, while the rural life left a trail of impressions and images. The group completed "Leave Me Alone", under the former appellation, before settling in New York where "Go Go Liza Jane" and "The Stones I Throw" were recorded as Levon And The Hawks. The quintet enjoyed the approbation of the city's famed Red Bird label.

Robertson, Helm and Hudson supported blues singer John Hammond Jnr. on his debut single, "I Wish You Would" (1964), while Helm's pacey composition, "You Cheated, You Lied", was recorded by the Shangri-Las. The trio maintained their link with Hammond on the latter's fiery So Many Roads (1965), through which they were introduced to Bob Dylan. In August 1965 Robertson and Helm accompanied the singer for his Forest Hills concert and although the drummer reneged on further involvement, within months the remaining Hawks were at the fulcrum of Dylan's most impassioned music. They supported him on his "electric" 1966 world tour and followed him to his Woodstock retreat where, reunited with Helm, they recorded the famous The Basement Tapes, whose lyrical, pastoral performances anticipated the style the quintet later adopted. Music From Big Pink restated traditional American music in an environment of acid-rock and psychedelia. Natural in the face of technocratic artifice, its woven, wailing harmonies suggested the fervour of sanctified soul, while the instrumental pulse drew inspiration from carnivals, country and R&Born The Band's deceptive simplicity was their very strength, binding lyrics of historical and biblical metaphor to sinuous, memorable melodies. The set included three Dylan songs, but is best recalled for "The Weight", which, if lyrically obtuse, was the subject of several cover versions, notably from Jackie DeShannon, Aretha Franklin, Diana Ross (with the Supremes and the Temptations) and Spooky Tooth.

The Band confirmed the quintet's unique qualities. Robertson had emerged as their principle songwriter, yet the panoramic view remained intact, and by invoking Americana past and present, the group reflected the pastoral desires of a restless generation. It contained several telling compositions - "Across The Great Divide", "The Unfaithful Servant" and "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down" - as well as "Rag Mama Rag", an ebullient UK Top 20 hit. The Band then resumed touring, the perils of which were chronicled on Stage Fright. By openly embracing contemporary concerns, the quintet lacked their erstwhile perspective, but in "The Rumor" they created one of the era's most telling portraits. However, the group's once seamless sound had grown increasingly formal, a dilemma that increased on Cahoots. Melodramatic rather than emotional, the set offered few highlights, although Van Morrison's cameo on "4% Pantomime" suggested a bonhomie distinctly absent elsewhere. It was followed by a warm in-concert set, Rock Of Ages, arranged by Allen Toussaint, and Moondog Matinee, a wonderful selection of favourite cover versions. It served as a spotlight for Richard Manuel, whose emotional, haunting voice wrought new meaning from "Share Your Love" and "The Great Pretender".

In 1974 the Band backed Bob Dylan on his acclaimed Planet Waves album and undertook the extensive tour documented on Before The Flood. The experience inspired a renewed creativity and Northern Lights-Southern Cross, their strongest set since The Band, included "Acadian Driftwood", one of Robertson's most evocative compositions. However, the individual members had decided to dissolve the group and their partnership was sundered in 1976 with a gala performance at San Francisco's Winterland ballroom on 25 November. The event, The Last Waltz, featured many guest contributions, including those by Dylan, Eric Clapton, Muddy Waters, Van Morrison, Neil Young, Joni Mitchell and Paul Butterfield, and was the subject of Martin Scorsese's film of the same name and a commemorative triple album. (A remarkable 4-CD box set was issued in 2002 with 24 extra tracks.)

The Band also completed their contractual obligations with Islands, a somewhat tepid set notable only for "Knockin' Lost John", which featured a rare lead vocal from Robertson. Levon Helm then pursued a dual career as a performer and actor, Rick Danko recorded an intermittently interesting solo album, while Hudson saved his talent for session appearances. Robbie Robertson scored soundtracks to several more Scorsese movies, but kept a relatively low profile, refusing to join the ill-fated Band reunions of the mid-80s (he was replaced by Jim Weider). A third tour ended in tragedy when, on 7 March 1986, Richard Manuel hanged himself in a motel room. His death inspired "Fallen Angel" on Robertson's outstanding "comeback' album, but despite the presence of Hudson and Danko elsewhere on the record, the guitarist refused to join his colleagues when they regrouped again in 1991 with Weider and new members Randy Ciarlante (drums, vocals) and Richard Bell (keyboards). Their first studio album in 17 years was released in 1993, but Jericho and 1996"s High On The Hog both suffered from lacklustre songs and the lack of Robertson's powerful presence. Altogether different was the legendary 1973 concert recorded at Watkins Glen Racetrack, which was finally released in 1995 and captures the band at a musical peak. Jubilation was the last recording to feature Danko, who died in his sleep in December 1999, after which the various members went their separate ways.

The Band smelt of Americana (or Canadiana) like no other before or since. This is the flavour of Barney Hoskyns' compelling biography, which argues with some conviction and evidence that they were North America's greatest ever rock 'n' roll band.

Discography:
Music From Big Pink (Capitol 1968)*****, The Band (Capitol 1969)*****, Stage Fright (Capitol 1970)****, Cahoots (Capitol 1971)***, Rock Of Ages (Capitol 1972)****, Moondog Matinee (Capitol 1973)***, Northern Lights-Southern Cross (Capitol 1975)****, with Bob Dylan The Basement Tapes (Columbia 1975)****, Islands (Capitol 1977)**, with various artists The Last Waltz (Warners 1977)****, Jericho (Pyramid 1993)***, Live At Watkins Glen 1973 recording (Capitol 1995)****, High On The Hog (Transatlantic 1996)**, Jubilation (River North 1998)***, with various artists The Last Waltz 4-CD box set (Warners 2002)****.

THE HISTORY OF THE RECORD :- Released in 1968, it employs a distinctive blend of country, rock, folk, classical, R&B, and soul. The music was composed partly in "Big Pink", a house shared by Rick Danko, Richard Manuel and Garth Hudson in West Saugerties, New York. The album itself was recorded in studios in New York and Los Angeles in 1968, and followed the band's backing of Bob Dylan on his 1966 tour (as The Hawks) and time spent together in upstate New York recording material that was officially released in 1975 as The Basement Tapes, also with Dylan

"Big Pink" is a pink house in West Saugerties, New York located at 56 Parnassus Lane (formerly 2188 Stoll Road). The house was built by Ottmar Gramms, who bought the land in 1952. The house was newly built when Rick Danko, who was collaborating with Bob Dylan at the time, found it as a rental. It was to this house that Bob Dylan would eventually retreat to write songs, play them and experiment with other songs, in its large basement. The 2-track recordings made by them, as a sort of audio sketch book, in the basement itself, came to be known as The Basement Tapes. These tapes were circulated among other musicians at the time, and hits were made of "Too Much of Nothing" and "Mighty Quinn" as recordings by other artists, Peter, Paul and Mary and Manfred Mann respectively. The house became known locally as 'Big Pink' for its pink siding. Members of Dylan's band (with Dylan himself writing one and co-writing two) wrote most of the songs on Music from Big Pink at or around the house, and the band then adopted the name The Band. The cover illustration for the album is by Dylan.

The house was sold by Mr. Gramms in 1977 to M. Amitin, who rented the house to Parnassus Records, a label specializing in classical music which used the basement as its headquarters. In 1998, Mr. Amitin sold the house to Don & Sue LaSala, who maintain the house as a private residence and keep the creative tradition alive by creating music in the basement with friends from the Woodstock area and beyond

THE COVER :- Single laminated sleeve

THE LABEL :- Capitol labels

THE VINYL VISUALLY :- On initial inspection of this piece of vinyl I cannot see any areas of immediate major concern such as gouges or deep scratches. The vinyl sits perfectly flat on the turntable so there are no nasty warps to worry about. On Side One there are just a few very faint hairlines and on Side Two there are also a few faint hairlines and a few paper scuffs. On the whole for its age not a bad piece of vinyl though. Graded as Excellent Minus visually.

THE VINYL PLAY GRADED :- The playgrading of the vinyl reveals on a small amount of lessening in the sound quality. It lives up to its visual grading and probably plays half a grade better. There is the very lightest amount of background crackle in places but nothing overpowering and to be honest it is not even apparent generally unless between tracks or in very soft passages. I have played both sides of the album and there are no skips or jumps, not even pops really just that light crackle in certain areas, moreso on Side Two I would say. These vinyls from the mid to late 60's were renowned as bullet proof being so heavy set with deep grooves so it comes as no surprise that surface noise is at a minimum. I would grade the vinyl audibly after hearing both sides as just about Excellent condition.

THE SLEEVE FRONT CONDITION :- Garrod & Lofthouse laminated front sleeve. The front of the sleeve is free from writing, free from stickers or evidence of previously removed stickers. I would say that there is no ringwear on the front. There is no cracking of the laminate. There is a very small amount of corner wear and a couple of creases in the laminate near the opening edge, these finger shape type creases can only really be seen when tilted to the light. There is light feathering of the opening edge. All very minor stuff though. The colours are bright and crisp still. A very tidy cover and graded as Excellent condition.

THE SLEEVE REAR CONDITION :- The rear of the sleeve has laminated flipbacks with the rest being unlaminated. There is a ringwear tide mark on the rear but generally the white areas are pretty good apart from that. The photo actually does it no justice. There is no lifting of the flipbacks and they are pretty clean. There is no writing or sticker residue. Just the merest corner wear. Given the nature of the white unlaminated areas the rear is in Excellent condition but I would grade as Excellent Minus to be on the safe side.

THE LABEL SIDE ONE CONDITION :- Original Capitol label in excellent order free from stickers or writing and no damage at all, light signs of play around the spindle hole. Excellent condition.

THE LABEL SIDE TWO CONDITION :- Original Capitol label in excellent order free from stickers or writing and no damage at all, light signs of play around the spindle hole. Excellent condition.

THE SPINE CONDITION :- The writing on the pinched spine is crystal clear, no spine splits at all just very light signs of shelfwear in areas. Excellent Plus condition

THE INNER SLEEVE CONDITION :- Original EMI inner which sometimes is missing is in Excellent condition

THE EXTRAS :- No extras were given with this album

THE CATALOGUE NUMBER :- ST 2955

THE YEAR OF RELEASE :-  1968

THE LABEL :- CAPITOL

THE COUNTRY OF ORIGIN :-  UK

PLAYING FORMAT :- STEREO

THE MATRIX NUMBERS :-  ST 2955 A5  &  ST 2955 B6

TRACK LISTING :-

SIDE ONE :-

1. TEARS OF RAGE
2. THE KINGDOM COME
3. IN A STATION
4. CALEDONIA MISSION
5. THE WEIGHT

SIDE TWO :-

1. WE CAN TALK
2. LONG BLACK VEIL
3. CHEST FEVER
4. LONESOME SUZIE
5. WHEELS OF FIRE
6. I SHALL BE RELEASED

WHAT WE PLAY THE RECORD ON :- 

We use a Project 6 Perspex Turntable to play grade our records which delivers a rich authoritative sound and achieves a rich and weighty vibrancy unrivalled by the majority of decks within its price range

HOW WE CLEAN YOUR RECORD :- 

We use a V.P.I. HW-16.5 record cleaning machine to clean your vinyl. "A highly recommended machine" as quoted by Stereophile magazine. This removes any excess dirt before playing

HOW WE PACKAGE YOUR RECORD :- 

Your record will be package very securely to minimise any risk of damage during transit. We remove the record from the outer sleeve unless asked not to do so. This helps to minimise the risk of seam spliting. We use a high quality record mailer which is designed to give superior protection for your vinyl record. We place stiffeners either side of the record for added protection. The album will also be placed in a 450 gram Poly outer sleeve for even extra added protection

POSTAGE AND PACKAGING CHARGES FOR UK CUSTOMERS :-

We advise that items reaching over £46 in price to be insured and sent by Special Delivery. This protects both of us and ensures better handling of the parcel during transit.We are in no way out to make money from postage. The postage price includes the record mailer, stiffeners and plastic sleeve. We just want your item to reach you in the best possible condition. A breakdown of insured postal services are listed below. Please choose to use the relevant postal service for your own protection as once these rare records are lost they can quite often seldom be replaced

FIRST CLASS RECORDED FOR RECORDS INSURED UP TO £46  :-   £4.50

SECOND CLASS RECORDED FOR RECORDS INSURED UP TO £46 :- £4.00

SPECIAL DELIVERY NEXT DAY UPTO 500g :- £7.15

SPECIAL DELIVERY NEXT DAY FROM 500g - 1000g :- £8.35

(SPECIAL DELIVERY INSURES YOUR ITEM UPTO £500)

POSTAGE AND PACKAGING FOR THE EUROPEAN UNION :-    

All records reaching under £15 are sent to the European Union by Airmail small packets. We will not ship abroad without insured post for items reaching over £15

AIRMAIL SMALL PACKETS  :-  £6.22 (For items under £15)

INTERNATIONAL SIGNED FOR :-  £11.37 (For items £15 - £50)

INTERNATIONAL SIGNED FOR :-  £13.97 (For items £50 - £500)

(These prices are based on a package weight of no more than 500g and can vary for heavier packages)

POSTAGE AND PACKAGING FOR THE USA AND CANADA :- 

All records reaching under £15 are sent to the USA & Canada by Airmail small packets. We will not ship abroad without insured post for items reaching over £15

AIRMAIL SMALL PACKETS  :-  £8.78 (For items under £15)

INTERNATIONAL SIGNED FOR :- £13.93 (For items £15 - £50)

INTERNATIONAL SIGNED FOR :- £16.53 (For items £50 - £500)

(These prices are based on a package weight of no more than 500g and can vary for heavier packages)

POSTAGE AND PACKAGING FOR THE AUSTRALIA AND JAPAN AND ROW :- 

All records reaching under £15 are sent to the Australia & Japan by Airmail small packets. We will not ship abroad without insured post for items reaching over £15

AIRMAIL SMALL PACKETS :- £9.06 (For items under £15)

INTERNATIONAL SIGNED FOR :- £14.21 (For items £15 - £50)

INTERNATIONAL SIGNED FOR :- £16.81 (For items £50 - £500)

(These prices are based on a package weight of no more than 500g and can vary for heavier packages)

PLEASE NOTE THAT WE DO NOT PROFIT FROM POSTAGE, THE PRICES WE QUOTE ARE QUITE ACCURATE AND INCLUDE THE PACKAGING MATERIALS AT COST PRICE

NOTE FOR INTERNATIONAL BUYERS:

PLEASE AWAIT AN INVOICE BEFORE PAYING SO WE CAN WORK OUT THE CORRECT POSTAGE/SHIPPING CHARGES

BUYERS OF MULTIPLE ITEMS :- 

Postage prices and courier methods for multiple purchases will be calculated after the auction end. It is impossible for us at the pre auction stage to determine these prices as the final weight is unknown.If you are the winner of multiple items the please await contact from us or alternately contact us yourself for a breakdown of the shipping costs.You will only pay the stamp price + relevant packaging charges so there are big savings to be made with multiple purchases

HOW TO PAY FOR YOUR RECORD :-

We can accept the following payment methods

UK BUYERS :- 

• PayPal
• Personal cheque (Please allow to clear)
• Bankers Draft
• Postal Order

OVERSEAS BUYERS :-

• Paypal only

TERMS AND CONDITIONS :-

We always try to appraise the record for sale as openly and honestly as possible and provide plenty of pictures for you to look at but please be aware that errors however rare do occur and not everyone has the same audio  equipment. There is no problem that cannot be worked out in a civilised manner. We urge you to contact us so that we can discuss any small problems that may occur. We offer a refund of the purchase price for returned items within 7 days of purchase and are happy to help you with any questions or concerns you may have during the auction

SAVE US TO YOUR FAVOURITES LIST AS WE INTEND TO LIST MANY MORE RARE VINYL TREATS OVER THE COMING MONTHS AND YEARS