Rock of Ages [LIVE]

The Band

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 15, 1990)
• Original Release Date: August 15, 1972
• Number of Discs: 2
• Format: Live
• Label: Capitol
• ASIN: B00000DRAW
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #190,288 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com essential recording
This 1972 live album is a watershed recording for the Band. Recorded the previous New Year's Eve, the 17-song concert recording presents the core quintet fortified by a five-man horn section overseen by New Orleans ace Allen Toussaint. The brass and reed players incite the group to gut it out with more unrestrained fire than these road-hardened vets were accustomed. The lion's share of the set selections are culled from the quintet's first four studio albums; only an ebullient cover of the Marvin Gaye hit "Don't Do It," the unremarkable original "Get Up Jake," Garth Hudson's mind-boggling organ improvisation "The Genetic Method," and an absolutely piercing version of Chuck Willis's "Hang Up My Rock and Roll Shoes" spice up the reliable album selections. But Levon Helm, Rick Danko, and Richard Manual sound like they're having so much fun singing the likes of "King Harvest," "Stage Fright," "Caledonia Mission," and "Chest Fever" that it matters not that Robbie Robertson's writing muse had already pretty much dried up. More than four years would pass before the Robertson version of the Band would call it a day following its star-studded Last Waltz, but, as a live entity, here is where they crested. --Steven Stolder

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Orgasmic., December 31, 1998

By A Customer

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.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An Essential Live Recording, August 31, 2002

By	G. J Wiener (Westchester, NY USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

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 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Incredible, May 27, 2000

By	mike hendricks (Nebraska) - See all my reviews

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.