Wow...I can really go on and on...
Last year, Robbie Robertson revisited this gem and personally remastered it for surround sound. This "Music From Big Pink" DVD-A is another one of these sneaky high resolution 5.1 audiophile extravaganzas. Instruments and voices work in a call and response fashion subtlely appearing and dissipating throughout all areas of the soundscape. Right from the start, this album startles with an unspoken warmth and sensitivity. Through it all, accordions mysteriously appear, guitars and keyboards perform hand-to-channel combat and a horn section blares bright right through your frontal lobe.
In particular, The Manuel and Dylan penned "Tears of Rage" has a fragile beauty haunted by Manuel's wavering vocals. This ponderous ballad seems like an odd choice to kick off an album yet it speaks of rage and dismissal. It's backed by point-counterpoint instrumentation and reaches a level of wavering beauty. On 2nd and 3rd listens, this opening track foretells an impending collision of bluegrass, country, rock, gospel, blues, jazz and even broadway.
Robertson's only lead vocal would come on the eccentric "To Kingdom Come". It's oddly stirring and seems to come not so much from him as through him. Its structure showcases him and Garth reflecting melody back and forth through their respective instruments.
By the 3rd track, it becomes quite apparent that there will be no pitch-perfect Tom Jones crooning on this album. Instead we get a rustic "straight out of Arkansas" drawl from Helm, a downhome charm from Danko...and that hair-raising, insistent, goosebump chill from Manuel. Such sweet pain..
With it's opening chords, "The Weight" immediately brings to mind that famous opening sequence from "Easy Rider". You know the one, Dennis Hopper and Peter Fonda hurtle their bikes through deserts of Arizona in search of America. The 5.1 transfer is spectacular. Levon Helm's heavy stick pounds out more pavement than any peace signed twin could ever manage. Take that you dope smuggling hippies...
Throughout "Music from Big Pink" it is readily apparent that Garth Hudson left his fingerprint on it as well. It's a masterpiece of layered organs, opposing pianos, seasoned accordion and orchestrations of horns, saxophones and clarinets. And thanks to Robertson's production...Hudson's contributions all come through with jaw-dropping precision ie. clean, clear and remarkably uncluttered.
Its interesting to note that Hudson was reluctant to join up with Ronnie Hawkins and his band. He felt that his talents and classical training would go to waste in the confines of a backbeat restricted "2 and 4" rockabilly band. So to reconcile the negative; Garth charged each member of the band $10.00 a week to tutor them. In this way he could effect instrumentation and affect the final product.
Article comments
1 - Eric Olsen
excellent and informative job Ron, thanks and welcome!