The lead singer / drummer on this is the legendary Levon Helms. The band is from Canada except of Levon, he's from Arkansas. He also played Lorretta Lynn's father in "Coal Miner's Daughter". This is one of my favorite songs of all time and can still get me a bit emotional. In their farewell concert, "The Last Waltz" they had the Staple Singers with them, and it would just give you chills. There is a compilation video of singers from around the world singing this that is outstanding. Also, their "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down" is another story telling song describing the Civil War from a southern civilian's point of view.
Well said. The band are legendary. I'd love to hear Beth's thoughts on Rick D's performances on Last Waltz especially It Makes No Difference. Oh and Levon's power packed Ophelia.
Definitely should check out their farewell concert move The Last Waltz. It definitely has my favorite version of The Weight. Glad to see I am not the only one mentioning The Last Waltz.
Richard Manuel was the member who would sing the high notes. In the studio recording of this song he adds some notes that are so beautiful my heart breaks every time I hear him.
Robbie always mouthed into a dead mic and people who see these videos probably mistake his "false" vocal here for Richard Manual's which is a damn shame!
You should watch The Last Waltz - a film of their concert. Filmed by Scorcese, and had a ton of great guests! Even if not for the channel, just from a historical perspective it's great!
I think a big part of The Band's appeal back in the late '60s is that they were one of the groups that made country / hillbilly / southern / mountain music styles attractive again to rock audiences. I think many in those audiences had a longing for musical styles that were more than 10 or 20 years old. Their outward appearance and political sensitivities were definitely on the progressive/rock side, but they embraced the old style music traditions they grew up with.
Omg omg omg The Band. Beth! This band has so many gems. They were/are a huuuge industry insider favorite. Every band wanted to be like them for their ability to blend genres and yet have authentic songwriting. They very largely inspired the modern throw back folk-rock and Americana explosion. Thank you for hitting them! There iiiisss, however, a version of this thay would blow your socks off. It is also live, but without a crowd and from their official concert documentary made by Martin Scorcese! And featuring The Staples Singers. Let me tell you, the Band playing this and the Staples Singers (pioneering soul/gospel family band) joining in is what magic is made of. Ooooh boy amen hallelujah howdy!
They actually have 3 lead singers, Levon Helm, Rick Danko and Richard Manuel all sing lead on various songs. Danko’s It Makes No Difference is the most “heartfelt” song there is, you can feel the pain in his voice.
A true super-group...they created some great music that will live forever. Rick Danko always reminded me of the wild and crazy uncle that came over during the holiday's and made every day an event! Rest In Peace!
I think I've lost track of what "supergroup" means. Didn't it originally mean two or more groups that collaborated for a while to produce records or do big concerts? Or groups that formed from members of previous big groups? I think in the case of The Band, they backed up and worked with Bob Dylan and I think other big names. It didn't hurt that Martin Scorsese did The Last Waltz documentary on them, although they may have have the "supergroup" label before that film was made. Am I remembering this correctly? I do think the term died fairly quickly by the mid-to-late '70s.
Martin Scorsese directed the Last Waltz featuring the band's last show. It featured some of the greatest talents including, Bob Dylan, Emilou Harris, Neil Young, and Staple Singers. They wrote the Night they drove old Dixie Down.
Between 1958 and 1963, the group was known as the Hawks, a backing band for rockabilly singer Ronnie Hawkins. In the mid-1960s, they gained recognition for backing Bob Dylan, and the 1966 concert tour was notable as Dylan's first with an electric band. After leaving Dylan they changed their name to "The Band". The Last Waltz is a must listen.
The rhythmic freedom in the singing comes directly from Levon playing the drums. His right hand is playing straight eighths on the high hat while most of his vocal phrases are swung/triplet based. This creates a looseness/tension (weird combo) that’s soooo compelling! The high harmonies, btw, come from the bass player Rick Danko, who also sang the “crazy Chester” verse.
Maybe my favorite band. Their music has a unique quality. Their voices are really distinctive. The high part was Richard Manuel who sounded a whole lot like Ray Charles. I salute you on you good choice.
Eric Clapton has credited “Music from Big Pink”, the debut album of The Band, and its revolutionary Americana sound as influencing his decision to leave supergroup Cream.
I used to go to a bar that was mostly a bunch of punks and metalheads and this song would be played a lot of nights and when I tell you the whole bar sang the chorus to this song, it was the WHOLE BAR!
No one in my family was into Country, but my parents owned the double album The Last Waltz by The Band. They ripped the records to cassette tapes, and when we went on road trips they would play it, along with The Beatles, The Stones, and opera albums. This song is an eternal favourite of mine, along with Evangeline featuring Emmylou Harris on the same album.
Actually the Last Waltz version is a studio recording not live. It was recorded during the production of the Album The Last Waltz from the movie of the same name. Some of the members of The Band were pissed off at Robbie for including some acts (Like Niel Diamond which Robbie just happend to be producing an album for at the time) and leaving out others that really had an influence on them like the Staples Singers. They produced a studio version with The Staples Singers that looked like a live performance so it would fit in with the live theam of the Album/Concert. Personally, this is undoubtedly the best version of The Weight I've heard. This information was from Levon Helms book, This Wheels On Fire.
If you wanna hear who the members of the band called their lead singer check out Tears of Rage from this concert. Sadly Richard Manuel is not shown once in this video. He’s actually the high harmony part in the weight.
Thank you so much for doing this song by this group! I am now 70 and have seen a ton of bands, but this is one of my favorite songs. I saw them live In Atlanta, Georgia when I was a teenager, and I still remember it as THE best performance I ever experienced. (Tied with Jane’s Addiction) ❤ 👩🏻🎨
Ditto with me Laurie! 70 this year and saw The Band 3 times as a teenager. We lived in a time that amazing live music was always at our doorstep. Cheers from Toronto (well, near to it)
67 here. Used to see the Dead play this withe everybody taking a verse. They did it well. After Levon died, I took my son to the Meadowlands followed for Levon. Garth showed up. It was tremendous.
Was it 1967 that the Band, the Dead, Janis, Sha Na Na, etc came through Toronto on the train after which hunter/Garcia wrote Might as Well about that. Later, gonna go watch that movie, Festival Express. Thanks for reminding me. The scene with the acid laced whiskey, Garcia, danko, and Janis howling the blues!
@@stuphiladelphiapa7680 Yes it was the Festival Express but the year was 1970. Those 2 days were absolutely amazing. My most memorable moment was working my way up near the stage to absorb Janis. Four months later she was dead.
Actually the Last Waltz version with The Staples Singers is a studio version not live. It was recorded during the production of the Album The Last Waltz from the movie of the same name. Some of the members of The Band were pissed off at Robbie for including some acts (Like Niel Diamond which Robbie just happend to be producing an album for at the time) and leaving out others that really had an influence on them like the Staples Singers. They produced a studio version with The Staples Singers that looked like a live performance so it would fit in with the live theam of the Album/Concert. Personally, this is undoubtedly the best version of The Weight I've heard. This information was from Levon Helms book, This Wheels On Fire.
6:34 Agreed, playing the drums requires a good bit of stamina to begin with But, then you try to couple that with singing, that just to the difficulty of being able to do both of these things efficiently So, my hat's off to people like Peter Criss, Phil Collins, Luis Martinez, Don Henley and numerous other singing drummers that are able to combine both talents in their making music
Robbie Robertson , Mohawk indigenous from the six nation reserve did the soundtracks for Bands of New York, Ragging Bull, etc and recently the movie coming out Oct 20/23 called the Killers of the Flower Moon.
Great to see you do this one! The key here is that their voices are very raw, but yet they harmonize, using blues scales and singing from the gospel tradition (which is what you're referring to by the 'throw-away' approach). For context: Robbie Robertson rarely sang - his mic was actually supposed to be turned off (it almost always is in Band performances), but it was mistakenly turned on here. Who you sadly do not see is Richard Manuel, who switches with Garth Hudson on this song, who is on keyboards. For this tune Richard is playing the organ part, but it is he who is getting the high falsetto, not Robertson. Where this technique really comes through is their version of "I Shall Be Released", one of many tunes where Richard's voice just absolutely shines. The Band's cover of "Georgia on My Mind" is another great example - no one else can really cover Ray Charles like Richard Manuel. Highly recommend if you haven't discovered this genre yet - the roots music rabbit hole is endless!
They were so talented & great that they were the accompanying Band with Bob Dylan on their '74 tour; another gift from & to our so blessed BOOMER Generation!
Check out Jason Isbell's "Danko/Manuel" live from Austin City Limits. One of the best musical performances ever I think. It's about 2 of the other members of The Band. They both had incredible voices as well and both died too early.
Robbie Robertson the most famous. Most known at first as Dylan's backup band. Last Waltz gave them global renown and mythic credibility. Joan Baez (the greatest folk singer) had her biggest pop hit covering The Night they Drove Ol' Dixie Down" (you need to play this one!). Along with the Grateful Dead, The Band made touring fashionable, with passionate cult-like followers seeing their every venue, the way they do today.
Levon Helm the drummer and principal vocalist, (although all but Garth Hudson sang,) was the only non-Canadian member of the group. He grew up in Turkey Scratch, Arkansas. I think he had a wonderful voice for this type of music.
NOT the principal singer, as a matter of fact. Richard was considered the primary singer in the group, particularly by his band mates. This is substantiated in Levon’s book, “This Wheel’s on Fire” & any number of additional interviews. All three were marvelous singers & their harmonies are groundbreaking! Robbie was NOT necessarily a singer & his microphone was routinely turned off during live performances. He enjoyed the visual of being part of their amazing harmonies, but that simply was not the case! He sang lead on only two minor songs on any of their many studio releases.
LEE-vaughn! Being from Turkey Scratch Arkansas means a whole other way to pronounce things. I was raised right down the road in Goobertown! Boy are we proud of this guy! And a little south of there is Forrest City where Al Green was brought up! And just another piece Louis Jordan, the first black musician to be a millionaire! Also some of the greatest blues singers ever! All kidding aside, he was a real treasure, my favorite has always been Ophelia! He was truly one of a kind!
So much to say about The Band itself and their Woodstock performance. It was not included in the official material for many years, because they were supposedly not happy about their show. So many incredible songs from those 5 amazingly talented artists. So much disagreement and different standpoints. And still, they were among the most influential Bands during their prime and in history. And as the legend says, the reason Eric Clapton dissolved Cream after listening to their music. The whole Americana genre wouldn't be the same today without them. Coming back to the song, there is the incredible 50th anniversary version for "Playing for change" that Robbie's son worked on as a gift for his fathers birthday. Very few songs in the last few years give a better feeling and offer a better message - 'Song around the world'
I've loved "The Band" since the early 70's. Love Levon Helm and Rick Danko's voice. Robbie Robertson is part Native American, in case you are interested.
I always likes the live album Before the Flood with Dylan. The Band were a great live band. They knew how to jam and could even follow Dylan's erratic style live.
Side note, you should hear his voice after his battle with throat cancer. He was told he'd never sing again yet he released some of my favorite songs after. Wide River to Cross or When I Go Away are the first that come to mind.
I was at Woodstock and saw this live. Saw them two other times. My girlfriend's favorite group! You're picking nice songs, Beth. Glad I found your channel!
good on you, cookie for groovin' to this stellar song. i noticed you getting jiggy to garth hudson's organ at the end. he gave all the band members musical lessons. garth is thee unsung hero of the band. dude was the all of it!
G'day Beth, While your insight into the singing is very interesting it is great to see you get taken away when you really enjoy a song, your face is very emotionally expressive. I know this song more when it was covered by Jimmy Barnes & The Badloves in '93, like you there are many Awesome songs my brain has forgotten by name & artist that I do know especially from listening to the radio in my childhood. I was born in '71 so while I was too young to really remember The Weight I must have heard it enough for it to be subconscious as I could sing along straight away with Jimmy & Michael Spiby in the '90s.
Levon Helm singing lead. You should check out one of his performances from late in life after a bout with cancer, throat cancer, if I recall correctly. His performance of "Wide River to Cross" from his Dirt Farmer album brings me to tears.
dgsutube01 : what year did Levon die ? I heard about his passing while I was driving , on the radio in NYC , I think it was WFUV (Fordham University stTion
It wasn’t his car that had a sticker, it was his guitar. Martin Guitar is the premier American maker of acoustic guitars. On the headstock it says “Nazareth, PA.” The Martin factory is sort of a mecca for acoustic players, and it has the added bonus of being a biblical place-name. In fact, the guitar he is playing in the video is a Martin D-28, stamped “Nazareth. PA”
I grew up in nearby Bethlehem, and Martin has been making guitars in Nazareth for more than a century. The Martin Guitar factory and museum are well worth a pilgrimage.
When The Band sings this song with the Staple Singers during their movie The Last Waltz is just breathtaking. It reminds me of the song Long Black Vail with DMB.
Looking at the comments it's all been said so I won't repeat it. I agree, watch the last waltz. It's worth noting that these are the guys that backed up Bob Dylan when he did his tour of the UK and Europe and the went electric.
"The Band" began as the backing band for Ronnie Hawkins and eventually for Bob Dylan. Every member of the group were multi-instrumentalists, and all but Garth Hudson (their incredible keyboard player) performed vocals, and you have it correct. Their voices blend so incredibly well, whether they're harmonizing or not. Every song they performed told a story, much of it was based on living in the heartland and trying to make one's way in the world. Their style really didn't fit any sort of popular genre, but they were incredibly successful given all the elements they wove together in their music. Their first 2 albums (For a while in the late 60s, they were one of the biggest bands in the world, and had an incredible set at Woodstock in 1969. They were very influential in their day, influencing and touring with Crosby, Stills & Nash and The Grateful Dead. Everybody wanted to play with them, including Eric Clapton and George Harrison of The Beatles.
I have often heard The Band's music referred to as "Americana" and I was cool with that even though all but Levon were from Ontario, Canada. I've had the pleasure/honour/thrill of seeing them perform in Toronto - early '70's and it was always amazing!
I don't think their voices blended very well at all. What was great about their singing styles is they were each allowed to be just who they were and they were celebrated for it. I always thought Danko's and even Robertson's voices came through pretty rough and intrusive at times, but it was just fine. They loved singing and performing and Levon loved having them around. They sounded like a group of friends who had for years sung around the campfire or put on barn shows for the neighbors.
Robbie Robertson's son arranged for artists around the world to play this song on it's 50th anniversary in 2018 as part of The Playing For Change movement That version is excellent.
Robbie Robertson never actually sang, his microphone was always shut off because he couldn't sing. This information is well known, and was in Levon Helms book "This Wheels On Fire".
Its called american music..raw soulful bluesy....unpolished perfection. The rawness gives it its drive . Its gets better everytime i hear it. These guys were the best at it. Check out Delaney and Bonnie and Friends....if you like the band youll get it.
![The Band, And The Staples - The Weight (The Last Waltz) [REACTION]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/5a3MBPkx-Pk/mqdefault.jpg)
![The Band, And The Staples - The Weight (The Last Waltz) [REACTION]](/img/tr.png)
The lead singer / drummer on this is the legendary Levon Helms. The band is from Canada except of Levon, he's from Arkansas. He also played Lorretta Lynn's father in "Coal Miner's Daughter". This is one of my favorite songs of all time and can still get me a bit emotional. In their farewell concert, "The Last Waltz" they had the Staple Singers with them, and it would just give you chills. There is a compilation video of singers from around the world singing this that is outstanding. Also, their "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down" is another story telling song describing the Civil War from a southern civilian's point of view.
Well said. The band are legendary. I'd love to hear Beth's thoughts on Rick D's performances on Last Waltz especially It Makes No Difference. Oh and Levon's power packed Ophelia.
Don’t forget that Lee was also the narrator of “The Right Stuff”
@@danielroncaioli6882 He was also the pal that helped Chuck Yeager with the broom stick.
And appropriately named
If you ever get a chance to see Mavis Staples perform live, do it! She still sings this song regularly.
Holy cow, how have you not heard THE BAND? They are one of the most influential bands ever!
"Free, naturalistic sort of genre." You just nailed the essence of The Band.
Definitely should check out their farewell concert move The Last Waltz. It definitely has my favorite version of The Weight.
Glad to see I am not the only one mentioning The Last Waltz.
I have that movie on DVD I have to watch it though. Been too busy.
Richard Manuel was the member who would sing the high notes. In the studio recording of this song he adds some notes that are so beautiful my heart breaks every time I hear him.
Robbie always mouthed into a dead mic and people who see these videos probably mistake his "false" vocal here for Richard Manual's which is a damn shame!
You should watch The Last Waltz - a film of their concert. Filmed by Scorcese, and had a ton of great guests! Even if not for the channel, just from a historical perspective it's great!
Funny; I was also going to suggest that performance. Gives me chills when I hear/see it.
@@nancyrosenbaum5174 The old man from the Staple Singers voice is a smooth as honey.
Yes! The Staple singes add a whole new dimension.
@@rodbrewster4629 That's Pops Staples
I'd forgotten that it was Scorcese's film, must have been one of his first?
I think a big part of The Band's appeal back in the late '60s is that they were one of the groups that made country / hillbilly / southern / mountain music styles attractive again to rock audiences. I think many in those audiences had a longing for musical styles that were more than 10 or 20 years old. Their outward appearance and political sensitivities were definitely on the progressive/rock side, but they embraced the old style music traditions they grew up with.
Omg omg omg The Band. Beth! This band has so many gems. They were/are a huuuge industry insider favorite. Every band wanted to be like them for their ability to blend genres and yet have authentic songwriting. They very largely inspired the modern throw back folk-rock and Americana explosion.
Thank you for hitting them!
There iiiisss, however, a version of this thay would blow your socks off. It is also live, but without a crowd and from their official concert documentary made by Martin Scorcese! And featuring The Staples Singers. Let me tell you, the Band playing this and the Staples Singers (pioneering soul/gospel family band) joining in is what magic is made of.
Ooooh boy amen hallelujah howdy!
Rick Danko. Love him. I can see how he's not in a vocal coach wheelhouse, but Stage Fright and It Makes No Difference are beautiful and awesome.
They actually have 3 lead singers, Levon Helm, Rick Danko and Richard Manuel all sing lead on various songs. Danko’s It Makes No Difference is the most “heartfelt” song there is, you can feel the pain in his voice.
Video. So good. ua-cam.com/video/ZfBqWNFOVo8/v-deo.html
Danko's Stage Fright is wonderfully awesome as well
My absolute favourite ever
Saddest song in the world
Robbie Robertson??
Beth great reaction. I've heard this song many times and it still makes me smile.
Thank you Harold!!
A true super-group...they created some great music that will live forever. Rick Danko always reminded me of the wild and crazy uncle that came over during the holiday's and made every day an event! Rest In Peace!
I think I've lost track of what "supergroup" means. Didn't it originally mean two or more groups that collaborated for a while to produce records or do big concerts? Or groups that formed from members of previous big groups? I think in the case of The Band, they backed up and worked with Bob Dylan and I think other big names. It didn't hurt that Martin Scorsese did The Last Waltz documentary on them, although they may have have the "supergroup" label before that film was made.
Am I remembering this correctly?
I do think the term died fairly quickly by the mid-to-late '70s.
@@bobbabai the term usually refers to people who are already stars getting together. Blind Faith, Traveling Wilburys, Mad Season...
The Martin guitar Robby was strumming on was manufactured in Nazareth, PA.
Martin Scorsese directed the Last Waltz featuring the band's last show. It featured some of the greatest talents including, Bob Dylan, Emilou Harris, Neil Young, and Staple Singers. They wrote the Night they drove old Dixie Down.
You should watch the version of "The Walltz
" in the Last Waltz". The production value are greater.
Am I wrong or wasn’t Van Morison also a guest, or am I thinking of another show??
@@christopherbittell6501 No you are right, he sang Tura Lura.
@@curtismarsh4528 thanks for the confirmation, I was pretty sure, but not certain.👌🏼👍🏼🍻
Between 1958 and 1963, the group was known as the Hawks, a backing band for rockabilly singer Ronnie Hawkins. In the mid-1960s, they gained recognition for backing Bob Dylan, and the 1966 concert tour was notable as Dylan's first with an electric band. After leaving Dylan they changed their name to "The Band". The Last Waltz is a must listen.
That's because everyone kept calling them "The band who played with Bob Dylan "
The rhythmic freedom in the singing comes directly from Levon playing the drums. His right hand is playing straight eighths on the high hat while most of his vocal phrases are swung/triplet based. This creates a looseness/tension (weird combo) that’s soooo compelling!
The high harmonies, btw, come from the bass player Rick Danko, who also sang the “crazy Chester” verse.
They had 3 of the best singers in popular music. Really a legendary group.
Simply one of the best songs, ever. Those rich, gravelly, rough harmonies! So Beauty!
Maybe my favorite band. Their music has a unique quality. Their voices are really distinctive. The high part was Richard Manuel who sounded a whole lot like Ray Charles. I salute you on you good choice.
Rick Danko, on Bass, had the most beautiful and powerful voice in this amazing band R.I.P.
100%
Eric Clapton has credited “Music from Big Pink”, the debut album of The Band, and its revolutionary Americana sound as influencing his decision to leave supergroup Cream.
I used to go to a bar that was mostly a bunch of punks and metalheads and this song would be played a lot of nights and when I tell you the whole bar sang the chorus to this song, it was the WHOLE BAR!
Thank-you SO MUCH Beth! In my own opinion, one of the best tracks by one of the most impressive groups that ever existed.
Thank you for all the support!
No one in my family was into Country, but my parents owned the double album The Last Waltz by The Band. They ripped the records to cassette tapes, and when we went on road trips they would play it, along with The Beatles, The Stones, and opera albums. This song is an eternal favourite of mine, along with Evangeline featuring Emmylou Harris on the same album.
The best live version of this tune is on the Last waltz, their adieu live album.
Just mentioned that movie myself I bought it, such a great watch.
The addition of the Staples takes this song to a never level in the Last Waltz!
Oh hell yes, with the Staples Singers!
I wont watch this
Actually the Last Waltz version is a studio recording not live. It was recorded during the production of the Album The Last Waltz from the movie of the same name. Some of the members of The Band were pissed off at Robbie for including some acts (Like Niel Diamond which Robbie just happend to be producing an album for at the time) and leaving out others that really had an influence on them like the Staples Singers. They produced a studio version with The Staples Singers that looked like a live performance so it would fit in with the live theam of the Album/Concert. Personally, this is undoubtedly the best version of The Weight I've heard.
This information was from Levon Helms book, This Wheels On Fire.
If you wanna hear who the members of the band called their lead singer check out Tears of Rage from this concert. Sadly Richard Manuel is not shown once in this video. He’s actually the high harmony part in the weight.
You can briefly see Richard at about 6:19 just to the left of Rick
@@sharkey25uk That is actually Garth on piano for this song, and Richard is over on
the organ.. Both doing a great job..
@@tomst.antoine7742that’s interesting - did they often switch during live gigs then?
Man, when Levon sang and Ricky came in ....sheer beauty.😎🎸🎸
The vocal harmony on the last verse of this rendition is one of my favorite things in existence🤘🎶🤘
Thank you. I've been hoping for a review of these guys for so long. I'm fascinated by levon's singing as he drums
Watching this Young woman professional melt into this music…kinda like why we old folks started movin’ n Groovin’ to The Band….
Beach Boys sweet harmonies, throwaway delivery, nonchalant keyboard - all on a song about shared pain and dislocation.
Their work has been one incredible treat
Beth your song is phenomenal!! Please sing some more, love your reactions!
Beth you have to check out their Last Waltz!!!
Thank you so much for doing this song by this group! I am now 70 and have seen a ton of bands, but this is one of my favorite songs. I saw them live In Atlanta, Georgia when I was a teenager, and I still remember it as THE best performance I ever experienced. (Tied with Jane’s Addiction) ❤ 👩🏻🎨
Ditto with me Laurie! 70 this year and saw The Band 3 times as a teenager. We lived in a time that amazing live music was always at our doorstep. Cheers from Toronto (well, near to it)
67 here. Used to see the Dead play this withe everybody taking a verse. They did it well.
After Levon died, I took my son to the Meadowlands followed for Levon. Garth showed up. It was tremendous.
Was it 1967 that the Band, the Dead, Janis, Sha Na Na, etc came through Toronto on the train after which hunter/Garcia wrote Might as Well about that. Later, gonna go watch that movie, Festival Express. Thanks for reminding me. The scene with the acid laced whiskey, Garcia, danko, and Janis howling the blues!
@@stuphiladelphiapa7680 Yes it was the Festival Express but the year was 1970. Those 2 days were absolutely amazing. My most memorable moment was working my way up near the stage to absorb Janis. Four months later she was dead.
@@stuphiladelphiapa7680 Hey...Try early July 1970....
Need to do the version with the staples during their live album Last Waltz
My favorite version of it.
I believe members of the Band said that the Staples inspired a lot of their sound and musical approach.
I shall be released, whispering pines, and tears of rage by them, might catch your ear as a singer.
You have to listent to the one with The Staple Singers. Mavis Staples' vocal on that is the greatest thing ever captured on tape.
Actually the Last Waltz version with The Staples Singers is a studio version not live. It was recorded during the production of the Album The Last Waltz from the movie of the same name. Some of the members of The Band were pissed off at Robbie for including some acts (Like Niel Diamond which Robbie just happend to be producing an album for at the time) and leaving out others that really had an influence on them like the Staples Singers. They produced a studio version with The Staples Singers that looked like a live performance so it would fit in with the live theam of the Album/Concert. Personally, this is undoubtedly the best version of The Weight I've heard.
This information was from Levon Helms book, This Wheels On Fire.
The Band was a truly inspired group of super talented musicians. Sad that they weren't around longer.
Their version of this w/The Staple Singers accompanying them is the "gold standard" of the song.
I was waiting for someone to mention that version .... it's magnificent.,.hope Beth has a listen to it too.
@@carolcarol3938 I do too, but I'm not holding my breath.
The Last Waltz. Outstanding movie!
I prefer the original, its great in its own way, but this was the first I heard in the movie easy rider.
6:34
Agreed, playing the drums requires a good bit of stamina to begin with
But, then you try to couple that with singing, that just to the difficulty of being able to do both of these things efficiently
So, my hat's off to people like Peter Criss, Phil Collins, Luis Martinez, Don Henley and numerous other singing drummers that are able to combine both talents in their making music
I love his Voice.
Robbie Robertson , Mohawk indigenous from the six nation reserve did the soundtracks for Bands of New York, Ragging Bull, etc and recently the movie coming out Oct 20/23 called the Killers of the Flower Moon.
One of my all time favorites and have always done this with bands I have been with. Glad you like this classic.
Great to see you do this one! The key here is that their voices are very raw, but yet they harmonize, using blues scales and singing from the gospel tradition (which is what you're referring to by the 'throw-away' approach). For context: Robbie Robertson rarely sang - his mic was actually supposed to be turned off (it almost always is in Band performances), but it was mistakenly turned on here. Who you sadly do not see is Richard Manuel, who switches with Garth Hudson on this song, who is on keyboards. For this tune Richard is playing the organ part, but it is he who is getting the high falsetto, not Robertson. Where this technique really comes through is their version of "I Shall Be Released", one of many tunes where Richard's voice just absolutely shines. The Band's cover of "Georgia on My Mind" is another great example - no one else can really cover Ray Charles like Richard Manuel. Highly recommend if you haven't discovered this genre yet - the roots music rabbit hole is endless!
great comment...
The Band were a great band that expressed themselves so well, but still remained popular. I still reminds of Dylan times and Woodstock.
The high harmony is Richard Manuel. Robbie Robertson, Levon Helm, Rick Danko, Richard Manuel, and Garth Hudson. The Band was amazing.
The Band was funky bluegrass, with a bit carnival atmosphere. I loved those guys!
They were so talented & great that they were the accompanying Band with Bob Dylan on their '74 tour; another gift from & to our so blessed BOOMER Generation!
I enjoyed watching you Beth, enjoying The Band .. Thank you for sharing
Check out Jason Isbell's "Danko/Manuel" live from Austin City Limits. One of the best musical performances ever I think. It's about 2 of the other members of The Band. They both had incredible voices as well and both died too early.
On the day Rick Danko was born, the angels sang....and Rick sang harmony
Robbie Robertson the most famous. Most known at first as Dylan's backup band. Last Waltz gave them global renown and mythic credibility. Joan Baez (the greatest folk singer) had her biggest pop hit covering The Night they Drove Ol' Dixie Down" (you need to play this one!). Along with the Grateful Dead, The Band made touring fashionable, with passionate cult-like followers seeing their every venue, the way they do today.
Thank you for that wonderful reaction, i really like that song, i love doe's old songs.
The Band were always at their best when live,but the album versions of their songs were absolute masterpieces!💘💘💘
Levon Helm the drummer and principal vocalist, (although all but Garth Hudson sang,) was the only non-Canadian member of the group. He grew up in Turkey Scratch, Arkansas. I think he had a wonderful voice for this type of music.
NOT the principal singer, as a matter of fact. Richard was considered the primary singer in the group, particularly by his band mates. This is substantiated in Levon’s book, “This Wheel’s on Fire” & any number of additional interviews. All three were marvelous singers & their harmonies are groundbreaking! Robbie was NOT necessarily a singer & his microphone was routinely turned off during live performances. He enjoyed the visual of being part of their amazing harmonies, but that simply was not the case! He sang lead on only two minor songs on any of their many studio releases.
The high voice is Richard Manuel who is off camera. You need to hear It Makes No Difference from The Last waltz
LEE-vaughn! Being from Turkey Scratch Arkansas means a whole other way to pronounce things. I was raised right down the road in Goobertown! Boy are we proud of this guy! And a little south of there is Forrest City where Al Green was brought up! And just another piece Louis Jordan, the first black musician to be a millionaire! Also some of the greatest blues singers ever! All kidding aside, he was a real treasure, my favorite has always been Ophelia! He was truly one of a kind!
This is one of the songs that will live on forever in our American culture
The Last Waltz show with The Band ,The night they drove ol dixie down song is GOLD!
to be honest i blow a kiss! and give a standing ovation! to this band. they were so good! vocally if you do not know you can't then i guess you can!
This is just flat out RAW. Almost like controlled chaos.
So nice to see you just grooving to it. Makes me want to take you dancing. Wjsh more music these days was like this.
These guys were the best of the best of musicians, hence The Band! Great reaction!
When you're called "The Band" you better be able to live up to it! And they did!
So much to say about The Band itself and their Woodstock performance. It was not included in the official material for many years, because they were supposedly not happy about their show.
So many incredible songs from those 5 amazingly talented artists. So much disagreement and different standpoints. And still, they were among the most influential Bands during their prime and in history.
And as the legend says, the reason Eric Clapton dissolved Cream after listening to their music. The whole Americana genre wouldn't be the same today without them. Coming back to the song, there is the incredible 50th anniversary version for "Playing for change" that Robbie's son worked on as a gift for his fathers birthday. Very few songs in the last few years give a better feeling and offer a better message - 'Song around the world'
When inducting The Band into the R&R HOF, Clapton said that he had wanted to join The Band.
The "Playing For Change" version was also created to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the song.
Hi Beth, thank you for this reaction video. glory to the lamb. I'll continue to pray for you. Be blessed.
I've loved "The Band" since the early 70's. Love Levon Helm and Rick Danko's voice. Robbie Robertson is part Native American, in case you are interested.
Best Canadian southern rock band ever
Thanks for a wonderful reaction video to a legedery grock group.🎶🎶🤠🤠🎶🎶 You are wonderful singer and vocal coach. ⭐⭐❤❤🎶🎶
High voice is from Richard Manuel,piano player.
Harmony of Levon and Rick and Richard is most beautiful in the world.
Richard is on the organ on this one, Garth on piano....great job by both...
Playing bass and singing is also a challenge. Rick Danko did it superbly.
Just one of my all time favourite tracks it’s just amazing
Watching you react to this video, sent me back to the late 80's when I discovered "The Band" and this song.
Did not know they were at Woodstock. Liked the rendition in The Last Waltz. One of my all time
favorite groups.
I always likes the live album Before the Flood with Dylan. The Band were a great live band. They knew how to jam and could even follow Dylan's erratic style live.
Aussie here, still have all my, The Band Vinyl. So different to what I used to listen to, but loved their music.
So nice. That is what they are. Sooooo NICE. I Love them.
Originally known as The Hawks, backing band for American rockabilly artist Rompin' Ronnie Hawkins on Toronto Canada's Yonge Street strip.
High harmony is Richard Manuel. Listen to I Shall Be Released or Tears of Rage with Manuel on lead vocal.
Side note, you should hear his voice after his battle with throat cancer. He was told he'd never sing again yet he released some of my favorite songs after. Wide River to Cross or When I Go Away are the first that come to mind.
I was at Woodstock and saw this live. Saw them two other times. My girlfriend's favorite group!
You're picking nice songs, Beth. Glad I found your channel!
Not jealous at all!
Loved this song since I first heard it and it's one of my favotie songs of all time.
good on you, cookie for groovin' to this stellar song. i noticed you getting jiggy to garth hudson's organ at the end. he gave all the band members musical lessons. garth is thee unsung hero of the band. dude was the all of it!
Always loved this song and the lore around it. Wonder whatever happened to Anna Lee, The Devil, Jack, and Miss Fannie. Love the message.
G'day Beth,
While your insight into the singing is very interesting it is great to see you get taken away when you really enjoy a song, your face is very emotionally expressive.
I know this song more when it was covered by Jimmy Barnes & The Badloves in '93, like you there are many Awesome songs my brain has forgotten by name & artist that I do know especially from listening to the radio in my childhood. I was born in '71 so while I was too young to really remember The Weight I must have heard it enough for it to be subconscious as I could sing along straight away with Jimmy & Michael Spiby in the '90s.
Levon Helm singing lead. You should check out one of his performances from late in life after a bout with cancer, throat cancer, if I recall correctly. His performance of "Wide River to Cross" from his Dirt Farmer album brings me to tears.
dgsutube01 : what year did Levon die ? I heard about his passing while I was driving , on the radio in NYC , I think it was WFUV (Fordham University stTion
@@salgaltrixie8265 April of 2012
It wasn’t his car that had a sticker, it was his guitar. Martin Guitar is the premier American maker of acoustic guitars. On the headstock it says “Nazareth, PA.” The Martin factory is sort of a mecca for acoustic players, and it has the added bonus of being a biblical place-name.
In fact, the guitar he is playing in the video is a Martin D-28, stamped “Nazareth. PA”
I grew up in nearby Bethlehem, and Martin has been making guitars in Nazareth for more than a century. The Martin Guitar factory and museum are well worth a pilgrimage.
Used to go see him every other weekend at his "barn" Levon Helm studio in Woodstock, NY for their midnight rambles, good times, RIP Levon
ICONS! The last Waltz was amazing! 😎🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 You should watch this song from the last Waltz!
When The Band sings this song with the Staple Singers during their movie The Last Waltz is just breathtaking. It reminds me of the song Long Black Vail with DMB.
Looking at the comments it's all been said so I won't repeat it. I agree, watch the last waltz.
It's worth noting that these are the guys that backed up Bob Dylan when he did his tour of the UK and Europe and the went electric.
"The Band" began as the backing band for Ronnie Hawkins and eventually for Bob Dylan. Every member of the group were multi-instrumentalists, and all but Garth Hudson (their incredible keyboard player) performed vocals, and you have it correct. Their voices blend so incredibly well, whether they're harmonizing or not. Every song they performed told a story, much of it was based on living in the heartland and trying to make one's way in the world. Their style really didn't fit any sort of popular genre, but they were incredibly successful given all the elements they wove together in their music. Their first 2 albums (For a while in the late 60s, they were one of the biggest bands in the world, and had an incredible set at Woodstock in 1969. They were very influential in their day, influencing and touring with Crosby, Stills & Nash and The Grateful Dead. Everybody wanted to play with them, including Eric Clapton and George Harrison of The Beatles.
I have often heard The Band's music referred to as "Americana" and I was cool with that even though all but Levon were from Ontario, Canada. I've had the pleasure/honour/thrill of seeing them perform in Toronto - early '70's and it was always amazing!
I don't think their voices blended very well at all. What was great about their singing styles is they were each allowed to be just who they were and they were celebrated for it. I always thought Danko's and even Robertson's voices came through pretty rough and intrusive at times, but it was just fine. They loved singing and performing and Levon loved having them around. They sounded like a group of friends who had for years sung around the campfire or put on barn shows for the neighbors.
Robbie Robertson's son arranged for artists around the world to play this song on it's 50th anniversary in 2018 as part of The Playing For Change movement
That version is excellent.
Robbie Robertson never actually sang, his microphone was always shut off because he couldn't sing. This information is well known, and was in Levon Helms book "This Wheels On Fire".
Wow she's listened. Freaking love this song pure classic and magic.
Would love to see a reaction to a Richard Manuel sung song! King harvest (has surely come) is a great choice
One of my absolute favorite songs
The Band was amazing. I would love to see you look at their version of the Bob Dylan song I Shall Be Released, wonderful harmonies.
That's what I suggested too. 🎶
@BethRoars Before I listen to this reaction I want to quickly say...WOW your video of you singing Wicked Games in incredible!!!!
Robbie Robertson's eponymous LP in 1987 includes Peter Gabriel and U2. He has had a career working closely with Martin Scorcese on movie soundtracks.
He ripped off the rest of the band
The band with staple singers listen on your own it will put a smile on your soul
This is my all time fave song by my all time fave band.
Its called american music..raw soulful bluesy....unpolished perfection. The rawness gives it its drive . Its gets better everytime i hear it. These guys were the best at it. Check out Delaney and Bonnie and Friends....if you like the band youll get it.