Product Details

• Actors: The Band, Classic Albums
• Format: Color, NTSC
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: Rhino / Wea
• VHS Release Date: May 19, 1998
• Run Time: 75 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (40 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 6304928246
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #324,687 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Initially associated with Bob Dylan, with whom they toured and recorded, the Band were soon to be acknowledged as a truly seminal group in their own right, truly The Band. Comprised of Rick Danko, Levon Helm, Garth Hudson, Richard Manuel, and Robbie Robertson, the Band were signed to Capitol Records in 1968 and embarked on a recording career that witnessed eight U.S. Top 40 albums, including three million-sellers. The Band's eponymously titled 1969 album reached No. 9 on the Billboard chart, stayed 24 weeks in the top 40, and was their second million-seller. It is now regarded as a rock classic, emphasizing their brilliant ability to merge various musical influences, including rhythm & blues, country, rockabilly, and rock & roll.

The story of the Band and their classic album is told here in vivid words, pictures, and music. Rock legends Eric Clapton and George Harrison, lyricist Bernie Taupin, and musician-producer Don Was pay tribute to the Band and explain why this album is at the top of their classic album lists. Band members Levon Helm, Rick Danko, Robbie Robertson, and Garth Hudson, along with the album's coproducer, John Simon, give unique insight as to how the album came to be recorded in the former residence of Sammy Davis Jr. in the Hollywood Hills and spawned such timeless recordings as "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down," "Rag Mama Rag," and "Up on Cripple Creek."

Among the many musical highlights are "I Shall Be Released," "The Weight," "Rockin' Chair," "King Harvest (Has Surely Come)," and "The Unfaithful Servant," all performed in the Band's distinctive, memorable style and underlying their enormous contributions to the annals of popular music history. 75 minutes.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

95 of 96 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars wonderful, May 11, 2001

By 

Sean M. Kelly (Portland, Oregon United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Classic Albums - The Band: The Band (DVD)

With the recent remastering and re-releasing of the full Band canon, interest in one of America's greatest musical acts has never been higher. This is as good a time as any to pick up a copy of "The Band," one in Rhino records series called "classic Albums," which documents the making of classic albums. (other dvd's include the Wailers, the Who, and the Grateful Dead) This dvd documents the classic lp "The Band" from 1969.

Filled with vintage footage of the Band in rehersals, as well as interviews with Robbie Robertson, Levon Helm, the reclusive Garth Hudson, and the late Rick Danko, "The Band" chronicles the making of this amazing album, focusing on the disparate musical influences- country, bluegrass, rockabilly, black R&B, rock n roll, and folk/Americana- that led to many of guitarist/vocalist Robbie Robertson's greatest songs.

The surviving members at the time of this documentary (made in 1997-pianist Richard Manuel had died in 1986) add their own anecdotes to the music, giving the songs unique colors and life. Levon Helm, Robbie Robertson, and Garth Hudson (the most pleasant surprise on the dvd taking into account his well known reclusive nature) add to the fun by playing some of the tunes based on their perspective, offering running commontary as they go. Add to the Band's perspective those of Eric Clapton, (who wanted to join the Band at one point) George Harrison, Elton John's lyicist Bernie Taupin, and producer Don Was, and the cup of greatness runneth over.

The performances, including "The Weight," "Rockin' Chair," "I Shall Be Released," "The Unfaithful Servant," and "King Harvest (Has Surely Come)," as well as a touching tribute to the late Richard Manuel, make the dvd all the more valuable to fans of the Band. The music is timeless, the interviews vintage, and the performances sparkle as they never have. That makes this dvd one to have in any collection.

R.I.P. Richard Manuel and Rick Danko

42 of 42 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Must Have DVD, January 21, 2001

By 

Michelle Hensley (Heart Of The Midwest) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Classic Albums - The Band: The Band (DVD)

If you love The Band (is there such thing as a casual Band fan?) you MUST own this! There is some repetition of the usual stories, such as Clapton telling us his 'Big Pink' story, but others are fresh and exciting. Also, there are solo tidbits that will break your heart. Robby doing Dixie, and Rick, God rest his soul, doing When You Awake. Absolutely essential.

28 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Joyful Little DVD, July 31, 2001

By 

Steven Barnett (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Classic Albums - The Band: The Band (DVD)

As a fan of the group, I decided to take a chance on this DVD though I knew nothing about it. It very easily could have been a dud, but it turned out to be something very special. The surviving members of the group actually participated in this documentary, and they show a lot of pride and a lot of affection for their days together, and for the music they made.

Just watch Levon listening back to "Rocking Chair," his eyes closed, delighted at the sound of Richard Manuel's voice, basking in the joy of what The Band created together so many years ago. He still retains that modest, down-home quality that is so endearing.

Then there's "Brother Garth." Band fans will find this DVD worth the purchase price just to see Garth improvising at the keyboard, displaying just what a lovable crazed-genius he really is.

And then there is plenty of Robbie Robertson, giving some very insightful information about The Band's writing and recording processes. Like Levon, Robbie just can't contain the thrill he obviously feels listening back to the original multitracks from the album.

Unfortunately, it doesn't appear that Robbie ever "reunited" with the others for this program, even if just to listen to the tracks together. The interviews are all done separately. But that's not really a complaint, just an observation.

Anyone who is a fan of The Band, and anyone who has a genuine interest in the creative process and in making music, will certainly love this DVD. I'm a picky guy, but I gave this the highest rating I could.