1960′s Historic & Classic Rock Albums . . . . . . . . . . THE BAND . . MUSIC FROM BIG PINK . . July 1968 plus . . . Album Track Gem . . CHEST FEVER

EXPERIENCE ROCK HISTORY!

THE BAND – MUSIC FROM BIG PINK – July 1, 1968

Back in the Summer of 1968  we were now official “dopers” and were having major fun by contributing to the Counter Culture.
Music was the driving force behind most all activities and our appreciation of all of the incredible music was immediate as we were understanding that just about any style could “Rock” in its own way. There was a whole lotta historic music comin’ our way.

Sometimes the music reflected the current Hippie idealized-state of “moving to the country” and “getting back to the land”. This vibe motivated many of us to take road trips and camping explorations. And in those travels to Big Sur, Carmel Valley, Santa Cruz, Mammoth Mountain, Northern California and further north to Oregon and Washington, as well as to Aspen, Colorado – the unique electrified roots-rock of The Band was perfect.

THE BAND:
Rick Danko — bass guitar, fiddle, vocals
Levon Helm — drums, tambourine, vocals
Richard Manuel — piano, organ, drums, vocals
Garth Hudson — electronic organ, piano, clavinet, soprano and tenor saxophone
Robbie Robertson — electric and acoustic guitars, vocals

There was a certain undeniable authenticity that emanated from The Band, and that, more than anything is what 00individual believes to be the artistic attraction that many heavyweights of the day envied and tried to emulate.

Clapton took notice; the album’s roots rock style convinced him to quit Cream, pursue the styles of Blind Faith, Delaney and Bonnie, Derek and the Dominos and his debut album.

George Harrison was also impressed and Roger Waters has called it the second “most influential record in the history of rock and roll” after Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band and that it “affected Pink Floyd deeply, deeply, deeply.”.

And ironically it took two Englishmen; Bernie Taupin and Elton John to record an incredible, honest and emotional Rock album of the United States Civil War era and the early West with the Elton John lovingly-acknowledged Band-inspired release, “Tumbleweed Connection“, the best album ever by EJ as viewed through 00individual’s astute observations.

And of course The Band were the back up for many of Dylan’s recordings, . . . yeah, that.

From the Top 69 Historic & Classic 1960s Rock Albums;
The Band
“Music from Big Pink”
Side one
1. “Tears of Rage” Bob Dylan, Richard Manuel Manuel 5:23
2. “To Kingdom Come” Robbie Robertson Rick Danko, Robertson 3:22
3. “In a Station” Manuel Manuel 3:34
4. “Caledonia Mission” Robertson Danko 2:59
5. “The Weight” Robertson Levon Helm, Danko 4:34
Side two
6. “We Can Talk” Manuel Manuel, Helm, Danko 3:06
7. “Long Black Veil” Marijohn Wilkin, Danny Dill Danko 3:06
8. “Chest Fever” Robertson Manuel 5:18
9. “Lonesome Suzie” Manuel Manuel 4:04
10. “This Wheel’s on Fire” Dylan, Rick Danko Danko 3:14
11. “I Shall Be Released” Dylan Manuel 3:19

As for the Album Track Gem; most would easily pick “The Weight” as the obvious choice, but in fact “Chest Fever” is the only track that qualifies as its the only one that while blending seamlessly with the rest of the album manages to supersede the “concept” of this album.

Garth Hudson’s mastery of keyboards impressively unleashes the introductory monumental cathedral organ roar that infectiously lumbers along and builds as the lyrics unfold.
Robbie Robertson has confessed that the lyrics are nonsense; whereas all of the other tracks lyrically and musically deliver downright heartfelt homegrown reality in their presentation.

For fun, here are those lyrics:
“Chest Fever”
I know she’s a tracker, any scarlet would back her
They say she’s a chooser, but I just can’t refuse her
She was just there, but then she can’t be here no more
And as my mind unweaves, I feel the freeze down in my knees
But just before she leaves, she receives

She’s been down in the dunes and she’s dealt with the goons
Now she drinks from the bitter cup, I’m trying to get her to give it up
She was just here, I fear she can’t be here no more
And as my mind unweaves, I feel the freeze down in my knees
But just before she leaves, she receives

It’s long, long when she’s gone, I get weary holding on
Now I’m coldly fading fast, I don’t think I’m gonna last
Very much longer

“She’s stoned” said the Swede, and the moon calf agreed
I’m like a viper in shock with my eyes in the clock
She was just there somewhere and here I am again
And as my mind unweaves, I feel the freeze down in my knees
But just before she leaves, she receives

C’mon, Robbie, nonsense?
00individual, using Sherlock Fucking Holmes powers of deduction, reveals these lyrics to reflect the singer’s feeling of losing his mind brought about by a woman or a ghost or a succubus entity that “visits”  the singer repeatedly, then disappears, but just before disappearing she receives enough lifeforce from the singer to last her until the next visit.
All the rest, the people, places and things are mere hallucinations that accompany the lifeforce drain.
Reality or vivid recurring nightmare? Or both? But nonsense?
Not to those who have had their lifeforce drained by a woman.
“Now I’m coldly fading fast, I don’t think I’m gonna last, very much longer.”

The above was just a loving jab, for as we all know:
“Women are treated as second class citizens,
to suppress their obvious power that is not mens’.”
00individual – semi-militant feminist

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