The Band: Self-titled

By Chris Homer

• Artist: The Band
• Title: The Band
• Genre: Classic Rock
• Label: Capitol/Audio Fidelity
• Website: www.audiofidelity.net

Audio Fidelity continues its unique series of classic rock reissues with The Band’s 1969 self-titled “brown” album. Much like the company’s reissue of The Beach Boys’ Pet Sounds, the reissue of the legendary folk-rockers’ album preserves the original vinyl recording, making it a unique find for classic rock fans.

Audio Fidelity provides the listener with a chance to hear The Band’s album on CD as close to how the group originally envisioned it in 1969. It is a great experience to hear the non-compressed original masters, which give the album a much purer sound than other versions of it you might find on CD.

The difference in quality of Audio Fidelity’s reissue becomes quite noticeable on the tracks that make use of a brass section. Songs like the opener “Across The Great Divide” showcase the pure, warm sound The Band could get out of a horn line.

Likewise, the organ playing that forms the backbone for the classic “Up On Cripple Creek” sounds impressively full for being taken from an original analog recording, without sounding like it has been compressed and over-produced. The piano melodies of “Jemima Surrender” and “Rag, Mama, Rag” are equally pleasing.

Audio Fidelity’s re-working of The Band eventually becomes a case study in how analog recordings should be converted to modern formats. For instance, “The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down” sounds quite textured for being taken from analog. All the nuances of the melodies laid down on piano and guitar, as well as the vocal harmonies, are clearly heard. However, the track maintains a raw, analog sound that classic rock fans will enjoy.

“King Harvest (Has Surely Come)” and “When You Wake” also show the raw, but well-balanced, sound that Audio Fidelity gives The Band’s large range of instrumentation.

The Band’s self-titled classic maintains all of its original power on this limited edition reissue. It is definitely a fitting tribute to the group’s legacy.

Reviewed - May 6, 2009 by Chris Homer, MuzikReviews.com Assistant Senior Editor

** 5/5 Stars

Tracks:

• Across The Great Divide
• Rag Mama Rag
• The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down
• When You Awake
• Up On Cripple Creek
• Whispering Pines
• Jemima Surrender
• Rockin' Chair
• Look Out Cleveland
• Jawbone
• The Unfaithful Servant
• King Harvest (Has Surely Come)
• Bonus Track - Get Up Jake

Purchase this CD