Customer Reviews

Jubilation

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The Band, one of the most important musical groups of the late 60s and early to mid 70s began recording again in 1993 without Robbie Robertson (who had presumed the group to be over after 1976's "The Last Waltz") and vocalist Richard Manuel, who committed suicide in 1986 during one of the reunited Band's tours (in which Robertson did not participate). Their first album without Robertson, "Jericho" was one of the best surprises of 1993, and one of their strongest studio efforts, with the additions of new members but longtime cohorts Jim Weider, Richard Bell, and Randy Ciarlante. Along with 1995's "High On the Hog," The Band had produced two fine studio efforts full of rich musical landscapes but, with few exceptions, neither had really expressed the emotions of the group's history together. With 1998's "Jubilation" however, The Band may not have had a choice. Vocalist Levon Helm was ailing with throat cancer and it was now a full 30 years since the group had made their debut with 1968's "Music From Big Pink," a record which took the music world by storm. Faced with these facts, The Band delivers the most reflective and honest of their post-Last Waltz recordings. "Jubilation" is one of The Band's finest hours.
The disc begins fittingly with 'Book Faded Brown,' a description of the virtues of family, which is exactly what The Band and the friends that guest on the album have become. The song features vocalist/bassist Rick Danko's fragile, emotional voice which accurately describes The Band's personal state; Helm's voice is rapidly suffering but he bravely wails his heart out on rockers like 'Last Train To Memphis' and 'Kentucky Downpour,' or on more subtle pieces like the poignant 'Don't Wait.' Also of note is the fact that the Band-members have contributed more to the songwriting than on the previous two albums, resulting in very personal, reflective songs and jubilant celebrations; the care-free 'High Cotton' is as genuine a slice of Americana as anything the group did in their early days, and the salute to their first mentor Ronnie Hawkins 'White Cadillac' certainly fits on this album. Friend John Hiatt's 'Bound By Love' is a nice addition, but the song that will blow loyal fans away the most is the stirring 'If I Should Fail,' a personal anthem of being downtrodden and surrounded, against the odds, and it features Rick Danko's second-best performance on a 90s Band album (the best being 'Too Soon Gone' from "Jericho"). Longtime member and multi-instrumentalist Garth Hudson ends things with a wistful instrumental puzzlingly titled 'French Girls.'
"Jubilation" certainly revealed a group that knew the odds were against them; Danko's death a year later ended The Band's career. Though they still have a loyal following, the critics (and even Robbie Robertson) will probably never give the post-reunion Band's work the respect it deserves. But anyone who takes this hard fact to heart can find comfort in knowing that The Band probably realized it too, and their bravery throughout is admirably shown on their final fight, "Jubilation."

Robbie or no Robbie, this is a wonderful album, and almost certainly the best post-1976 album of the Band. You could buy it for the first two songs alone: Rick Danko's voice and Garth Hudson's accordion on Book Faded Brown are beautiful and haunting, and Don't Wait (despite Levon Helm's voice problems, a heartfelt and expressive vocal) is (both in lyrics and in performance) one of the best and most moving songs they have recorded since the brown album. In general there is a wistfulness to this album that makes it very adult and appealing, reflecting some of the hard times they've gone through...some terrific & heartfelt songs here. And I have to single out Rick Danko's vocals too...some of the finest & most poignant singing in his career (Book Faded Brown, If I Should Fail, High Cotton) is on this disc. And Garth's playing is always a joy.

If you are looking for an introduction to the music of the Band, you'd be better off starting with the early classics of the original lineup (Music from Big Pink, The Band (brown album)). But if you're familiar with the 1968-1976 albums and are curious about the group's later years, you will enjoy this lovely signature piece from one of the finest and most original groups in music history.

So this isn't an album chock-full of Robbie Robertson 'toons like the good ol' days. So what?? It's a fine album which, in the songwriting department, has definite highs (the beautiful "Book Faded Brown," "Kentucky Downpour," "Don't Wait" and a terrific duet between Rick Danko and guest John Hiatt on the latter's "Bound By Love") and maybe one ponderous low ("Spirit Of The Dance," reminicent of Little Feat but nowhere near as good). That's not a bad average. The playing is wonderously tight and engaging. The Band may not have had everything they started out with, but they've managed to endure and make some great music, much of which can be found on this CD.

The death of Rick Danko the year after this disc was released and the shut-down of Levon Helm's vocal chords from illness make this undoubtedly the last album that will ever come from the much-loved unit known as the Band. The music here gives their fans much to celebrate, although the celebration comes with the poignancy of maturity. This is not the sound of superannuated rockers still trying to act like kids; these are grown-ups who have spent a lifetime making music, sharing their seasoned gifts with us one more time. "High Cotton" and "Don't Wait" are as good as anything the Band ever did. "Book Faded Brown," "If I Should Fail" and "Spirit of the Dance" showcase Danko's deliciously weathered voice. "White Cadillac" and "You See Me" are fun and give some of the junior members of the ensemble a chance to shine, while "French Girls" is a rare Garth Hudson instrumental. This is definitely a fitting capstone to the career of a band whose music was always the soul of integrity.

This is a phenomenal album. I've always enjoyed it. It's The Band's best album without Robertson, and it gives quite a lot of evidence that the other members of The Band had much more input that Robbie Robertson would admit to. As Band fans know, there's always been a point of contention between Levon Helm and Robbie Robertson over credits to the Band's catalog. Robertson has most of the songwriting credits. However, when you listen to this album, and compare it with Robertson's solo work, you realise that all the members of The Band contributed to the albums. This is a Band album through and through, with 4 bonafide classics on it. Book Faded Brown, High Cotton, Bound by Love, and If I Should Fail are all wonderful. There's a real authentic feel to this album, something that you usually don't get with modern records. The guest musicians are used very well, and the album doesn't degenerate into a celebrity record, so to speak. This will probably be the last Band album. The only surviving members of the Band are Levon Helm, Garth Hudson, and Robbie Robertson. Since Helm and Robertson have never made peace (and probably won't), I don't think Helm and Hudson will carry on, especially with no Rick Danko or Richard Manuel. I could be wrong, though. Regardless, this is a great album, and a wonderful addition to The Band's catalogue...

Thirty years after the incomparable MUSIC FROM BIG PINK, the three remaining members of The Band and their sidemen show they still have the spirit of Big Pink, along with the instrumental and vocal chops to pull it off. Levon Helm turns in his best performance since THE LAST WALTZ with "Don't Wait", an effort made even more poignant by his time and tobacco ravaged vocals. Rick Danko similiarly shines on "Book Faded Brown" and "If I Should Fail", and "Kentucky Downpour" is a fun, rollicing kick in the pants. Garth Hudson's "French Girls" is absolutely breathtaking, about ten minutes too short, and really makes one clamor for a Hudson solo album. Most of the rest of the songs are just ok. Songwriting remains a weakness. On this album, The post-Robertson Band goes from depending entirely on outside material to co-writing eight of the songs. In spite of several highpoints, the absence of the songwriting of Robertson and early Richard Manual is sorely missed. Too often, the post-Robertson Band seems to be trying to recreate old magic instead of creating new magic of its own. Still, this is worthwhile effort that will be much enjoyed by any fans of the group, or of this genre of music.

"Jubilation" from 1998 was the third album released by the band after the re-union. Lead-singer, keyboard-player and occasional drummer Richard Manuel, who died in 1986, had contributed one track on each of the previous two albums; here only three remaining original members are featured.

Musically the sound is unmistakably the Band as we known them from the late sixties and the seventies. Though the voices of Levon Helm and Rick Danko have lost some of the power of their younger days, Danko's singing in particular, is as moving and honest as ever. Especially his ballads stand out. Opening track "Book Faded Brown" is the Band at their best, and the Danko co-written ballad "If I Should Fail" is just as great. On John Hiatt's "Bound By Love" Danko and Hiatt share the lead vocals, and it's no surprise that this is another highlight.

Helm, who suffered great throat problems at the time of these recordings, gives fine performances on "Don't Wait" and Allan Toussaint's "You See Me".

On the JJ Cale sounding country-blues "High Cotton" it's Danko and Helm sharing vocals.

The strongest rocker "White Cadillac" features new member Randy Ciarlante on lead-vocals.

A short dramatic ( and poetic ) instrumental, "French Girls" concludes the album.

Another great Band album which is, with Danko also gone, is more than likely to be their final.

Always free from pop cliche and fashion of the moment, The Band has consistently concerned itself with the music and not the image. Already men among boys when they came to popularity in the late 1960's these fellows have, over a tortuous path and a large number of years, continued to produce authentic, well-crafted rock n roll. Music that still matters. While Levon Helm may not sing with the power he once did, his sly delivery remains absolutely unique and absolutely recognizable. An archtype. Rick Danko, despite well documented troubles with drugs and alcohol, remains a wonderfully talented player and singer. Garth Hudson, who wraps the all of The Band's music in shimmering sonic invention, continues as one of the greatest (and most underrated) musicians on the planet. Not what they were in 1969, true enough (but who would really want to be?), but incredibly musical and still immensely satisfying. Inspiring-and funky.

I recently bought the Jubilation CD. It is a fine piece of work that only the Band could make. It brings back old time Band music but only wish we had a little Robbie Robertson on guitar, although the musicians on here are Excellent ! Eric Clapton plays on a song on here, although it is hard to distinguish that it is him playing. Well anyway buy this if you like the down home funkiness that only Levon Helm and the Band can make. My only regret on buying this CD is that I didn`t by it here on line at Amazom.com

This album may contain only 3 of the original members but it still gives a feeling of some good ole southern Band music. Eric Clapton's appearance is also welcomed.