Endless Highway - The Music Of The Band

Guster | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (January 30, 2007)
• Original Release Date: 2007
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Savoy Jazz
• ASIN: B000JMJVPY
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (30 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #60,417 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

The Band's highway actually ended in 1978 at The Last Waltz, with the departure of founding member, guitarist, and principal songwriter Robbie Robertson. Considered by many to be ground zero of the roots-and-Americana movement despite being four-fifths Canadian, their decade-long Robertson-led run produced a handful of undeniable classics and volumes of timeless and influential music. So it's somewhat surprising that no one has released a tribute album to this legendary group until now. But after listening to these 17 tracks, it's clear why. Even with the best of intentions, many of these versions fail to capture the emotion and intensity of the original performances. All but the UK's Gomez are American-based, yet with a few notable exceptions, the acts either mimic the Band's already archetypal arrangements or add nothing unique. Bruce Hornsby sings the lyrics of the touching "King Harvest" like he's reading them off cue cards, Guster zip through a chilly "This Wheel's on Fire" with little emotional attachment, and Jack Johnson's folksy "I Shall Be Released" squanders the song's gospel tendencies. The women fare far better, with Lee Ann Womack nailing the subtleties of "The Weight" in a lovely, nuanced country interpretation, the Roches' unplugged sisterly harmonies bringing a gorgeous and appropriate back-porch feel to "Acadian Driftwood," and Rosanne Cash turning in a tender and touching "The Unfaithful Servant." Jakob Dylan and Lizz Wright do justice to the sensitive "Whispering Pines" and rockers Widespread Panic, the Allman Brothers Band, and My Morning Jacket add appropriate Southern grit to their selections. Ultimately, though, these covers make you appreciate how flawlessly the Band realized their own music and provided consummate arrangements that cannot be improved on. --Hal Horowitz

Product Description

"Commemorating one of the most influential rock bands in the world 429 Records presents an all-star celebration of the music of the The Band, with tracks by Jack Johnson, Lee Ann Womack, Rosanne Cash, Death Cab For Cutie, Allman Brothers Band, Gomez, Guster and more!

'An extraordinary and diverse collection of artists, performing the music of The Band. A wonderful ride and quite an honor.' - Robbie Robertson, The Band'

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Tribute to one of the greatest rock bands ever!, February 3, 2007

By 

Horror writer from TN (Morristown, Tennessee United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Endless Highway - The Music Of The Band (Audio CD)

This tribute is long overdue, but turns in some outstanding renditions of the Band's most popular songs. Among the best are Widespread Panic's rocking version of "Chest Fever", The Allman Brothers Band's live cover of "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down", but perhaps the best song on the entire CD is from My Morning Jacket, with their version of "It Makes No Difference". This is a really great CD.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Endless Highway, a real tribute, February 1, 2007

By 

D. Wiese (Fanwood, NJ, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Endless Highway - The Music Of The Band (Audio CD)

The Band is a musical icon, covering/replicating their songs seems to me to be virtually impossible. They are perhaps the group that most understood and reflected the roots and sensibilities of American music in our time. The Big Pink album is among the top few records that I consider most influential on me. But, what a surprise "Endless Highway: The Music of the Band," does what I considered not to be possible. The versions of The Band songs are a credit to both artists who interpret the music with reverence and the timelessness of the songs themselves. Think of the songs that really stand the test of time, there are mighty few. There is danger in trying to cover definitive versions of songs, but this record succeeds mightily. I just can't pick a favorite track, but some are standouts; the Allman Brothers live performance of "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down" and Blues Traveler's "Rag Mama Rag." My Morning Jacket nails "It Makes No Difference," and The Roches version of "Acadian Driftwood" is inspiring. Lee Ann Womack's amazingly powerful version of "The Weight" is most unexpected. Death Cab for Cutie's take on "Rockin' Chair" is stunning and Steve Reynolds' "Stage Fright" adds surreal spookiness that works perfectly. I always thought the definitive version of "Chest Fever" was Three Dog Night's version, now I have a new favorite - Widespread Panic.
For fans of the band, this record is a treat, for those unfamiliar with The Band, this record will make them a fan.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Some great covers, March 9, 2007

By 

Pete C. "Prog-Pete" (Raleigh, NC USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Endless Highway - The Music Of The Band (Audio CD)

There are 2 standouts in this potpourri. They are MY MORNING JACKET & THE ROCHES. The songs are "Makes No Difference" & "Acadian Driftwood". These 2 are worth the disc. Although the other covers are good, they just don't seem to have that breath of inspiration. These 2 bands add something to the songs that make tributes worth checking out. They don't rework the song, they deliver the song in their own style while paying tribute to a group of musicians who were true pioneers in incredible songwriting.
All in all, this is a great tribute with some great songwriters and musicians in their own rite. But I feel it is the above 2 bands who really ran with this project and delivered what THE BAND did over 3 decades ago.