Music From Big Pink Songs Ranked
Music from Big Pink is the debut studio album by the Band Released in 1968, it employs a distinctive blend of country, rock, folk, classical, R&B, blues, and soul. The music was composed partly in “Big Pink”, a house shared by Rick Danko, Richard Manuel and Garth Hudson in West Saugerties, New York. The album itself was recorded in studios in New York and Los Angeles in 1968, and followed the band’s backing of Bob Dylan on his 1966 tour (as the Hawks) and time spent together in upstate New York recording material that was officially released in 1975 as The Basement Tapes, also with Dylan. The cover artwork is a painting by Dylan. In 2000 the album was re-released with additional outtakes from the recording sessions, and in 2018 a “50th Anniversary Super Deluxe” edition was released with a new stereo mix by Bob Clearmountain. Here are all of the Music From Big Pink songs ranked.
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11. We Can Talk
“Written by Richard Manuel, sung by Manuel, Danko and Helm, an amusing gospel type song, again Hudsons organ is the main instrument. Great line in this song ‘Did ya ever milk a cow? I had the chance on day but i was all dressed up for sunday’.”
10. The Weight
“One of the most well heard and popular songs by The Band, and still does something every tim ei hear it. Levon Helms vocal, and ‘bayou folk drumming’ give a real old time feel, and Robertsons lyrics tell the story of the impossibility of sainthood brilliantly. If you don’t know the Band, this is the first song to hear. Contains probably on of the best opening lines of a song; ‘I pulled into Nazareth, just feelin’ bout half past dead, I just need a place, where i can lay my head.’ “
9. Long Black Veil
“The only cover on the first four Band albums (Dylan songs are not counted as covers as they appear on these albums first) and a good version, sung by Rick Danko on lead, powerfully sung, about a man being hung for a murder he did not commit, but his alilbi was being ‘in the arms of his best friends wife'”
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8. Chest Fever
“Written by Robertson, sung by Manuel, the words, if one listens carefully are strangely intriguing, and were originally only as template lyrics, but Robertson decided not to change them. The most noticable part of the song however, is definitely Garth Hudsons organ, and Levon Helms hard hitting on the drums. The intro, which in the Band’s concerts became known in an extended version, as the genetic method, is Garths showpeice, containing ‘Bach’s cosset and fugue in D major’ and a great opening, along with levons drums.”
7. Caledonia Mission
“Good song, written by Robbie Robertson, sung by Rick Danko, with one verse sung by Manuel. About an imaginary woman, and also telling of the trouble The Band had earlier, when with Hawkins, on the canadian boredr smuggling marajuana.”
6. Lonesome Suzie
“Written and sung by Richard Manuel, his attempt at a hit record, slow, romantic song, take a few listen but worth it. Manuels vocals continue to prove he is one of the greatest rock singers ever, and defying the sound, yes he is white. “
5. In a Station
“One of my favourite songs on this album, written and sung by Richard Manuel. About the mountain, overlook mountain, in the catskills behind Big Pink, containing the great lyric ‘Isn’t everybody dreaming, then the voice i hear is real. Out of all the idle scheming, can’t we have something to feel’.”
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4. This Wheel’s on Fire
“Quite well known, as a cover of this is used as the theme tune for British Comedy series Absolutely Fabulous, cowritten by Danko and Dylan, Danko sings this version. This song was well used in concerts, and well liked.”
3. To Kingdom Come
“Written and sung by Robbie Robertson, the song is probably the most less memorable on the album, however, does provide a catchy tune and chorus, with some good organ work by Garth Hudson.”
2. I Shall Be Released
“Song written by Dylan for Richard Manuel to sing, in falsetto, which makes the hairs on the back of your neck stand up. A wonderful performance, and a great song, which Dylan later went on to record himself.”
1. Tears of Rage
“Written by Richard Manuel, along with Bob Dylan, this bersion, is the best out of five i have heard, on as an outtake, and twoon the bootleg basement tapes (sung by dylan). Dylan does not appear singing or playing on this album, but Richard Manuel sings lead here, and puts in one of the best vocal performances of his life. Brilliant and timeless, about the pain of a parent, beings hurt by their daughter.”