Rock of Ages

The Band | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 15, 1990)
• Number of Discs: 2
• Label: Capitol
• ASIN: B00000DRAW
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #287,799 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

Disc: 1

1. Don't Do It

2. King Harvest (Has Surely Come)

3. Caledonia Mission

4. Get Up, Jake

5. The W.S. Walcott Medicine Show

6. Stage Fright

7. The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down

8. Across The Great Divide

9. This Wheel's On Fire

10. Rag Mama Rag

Disc: 2

1. The Weight

2. The Shape I'm In

3. Unfaithful Servant

4. Life Is A Carnival

5. The Genetic Method

6. Chest Fever

7. (I Don't Want To) Hang Up My Rock And Roll Shoes

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Orgasmic., December 30, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Rock of Ages (Audio CD)

Arguably the greatest live rock 'n roll album of all time, "Rock of Ages" serves as a showcase for not only the considerable skill of the Band's musicians themselves, but also of Alan Toussaint's prowess as an arranger. The horn arrangements Toussaint wrote for the songs presented here (with the exception of "The Weight" and "Get Up Jake," which appear here without horns) never interfere with the melodies or change the basic feel of the songs as they originally appeared. At the same time, the horn arrangements manage to be pervasive and intricate, weaving their way in and out of the Band's soulful grooves. Highlights include the album's opener, Marvin Gaye's "Don't Do It," a funky tune which rides on the strength of Rick Danko's bass line and Levon Helm's drumming.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An Essential Live Recording, August 30, 2002

By 

G. J Wiener (Westchester, NY USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Rock of Ages (Audio CD)

The Band added a lot of dynamics and balance to their music. On This Rock of Ages Collection these elements shine through in spades. Each instrumentalist delivers perfectly placed solos without drowning out the other members. The vocals are delivered with a lot of passion. The horn section is superb as well.

Highlights....there are certainly plenty. The opening cover of the Marvin Gaye tune, Don't Do It is a great lead off track with Levon Helm at his singing best. What an opening bass solo too. The Night They Drove All Dixie Down is performed with much spirit and Caledonia Mission is a beautiful slow tune.

The second set is a little weaker than the first due to it only containing seven tracks including the overlong Genetic Method. Unfaithful Servant drags a little as well. But you got to love Levon Helm's spunk as he rips thru The Weight and Hang Up My Rock N Roll Shoes. Eventually I have to check out the new version of this recording with all the bonus tracks and Dylan's guest appearance. However, this original pressing is certainly a winner on all accounts.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Incredible, May 27, 2000

By 

mike hendricks - See all my reviews

This review is from: Rock of Ages (Audio CD)

Rock of Ages-In Concert is the quintessenial rock and roll CD. It captures the true essence of The Band's core, magically transporting me all the way back to the Rockwood Club in Fayetteville Arkansas in 1963 when four Canadians and a good 'ole boy from Arkansas teamed with Ronnie Hawkins to become Ronnie Hawkins and the Hawks. The rest, as they say, is rock and roll history. Ronnie Hawkins and the Hawks eventually went back to Canada, taking Levon Helm, the Arkie, with them and played the same kinds of bars and clubs that they had been playing in the South. Eventually they broke with Hawkins, moved to New York, cut their first huge album, Music from Big Pink and The Band was on it's way. This CD captures the energy, the passion, the skill and the talent of an incredible rock and roll band. Robbie Robertson plays the guitar like it's a part of his anatomy, improvising rifs that no one else has heard. There was never a weak link in this band and this album showcases their versatility, style, and individual ability. It is a must buy for rock and roll purists. By the way, Amazon.com has the original album recorded by Ronnie Hawkins and the Hawks, named Ronnie Hawkins and the Hawks. If you want to hear The Band during it's genesis, it is a must buy as well.