Wick's Review

Summary - OK 2.5

The Band was a throwback during their Sixties heyday. Half a century later, they seem doubly backdated. Thus this documentary about their best album is worth seeking out only for true fans. For a onetime casual fan like me, it was mildly interesting and minimally affecting.

Still, The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down and The Weight are two all-time great songs. Seeing how they were made was worth the watch, albeit as a way to pass the time during a workout. On second thought, perhaps that wasn’t the best setting to tune in, as their music is only intermittently energizing.

Acting - OK 2.5

Eric Clapton and George Harrison were fans of The Band, and turn up in the doc to tell why. Hey, where’s Dylan? Bob? Anyone seen Bob?

Film - Good 3.0

Edge - Tame 1.0

Reality - Natural 1.0

4 Comments

• Wick Apr 20, 2013 9:53AM

  Regarding Wick’s Review
  Not that there’s anything wrong with being a throwback. The Blasters were throwbacks when you turned me on to them back in the day, Rocket88. Loved ’em right from the jump. Still do.

  Hey, why hasn’t someone done a doc about them?

• Rocket88 Apr 20, 2013 7:38AM

  Regarding Wick’s Review
  I agree this documentary was a little boring even for a fan. But I will join Brett in respectfully disagreeing with Wick and the term throwback. The Band’s influences were and are so subtle that 35 years on we take them for granted. An it doesn’t sound nearly as groundbreaking as it was when Music From Big Pink was released because others have incorporated what they were trying to do. But their influences continue to this day as evidenced here by two contemporary groups Alabama Shakes and My Morning Jacket jamming on a killer version of a Band classic at Newport last year.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eA5Nwo3_kGs

• Wick Apr 19, 2013 9:13PM

  Regarding Wick’s Review
  None taken. The Band suffers in comparison to the other three Classic Album rockumentaries I’ve reviewed, the greatest of which was the one about the King – Classic Albums Elvis Presley. Seminal.

  The Weight remains one of my ATFs. Depend on that.

• BrettHarrison Apr 19, 2013 10:39AM

  Regarding Wick’s Review
  Wick no offense, but I respectfully disagree with calling them a throwback during their sixties days. Although they were definitely influenced by old timey music and early rock and roll there was something surprisingly contemporary in their approach and songwriting that made them a perfect fit for their time. But also, I just listened to “Music from Big Pink” the other day and it doesn’t sound dated to me at all. But that’s just me.

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