The Band/MA,USA 1976 Upgrade

After releasing the masterpiece “NORTHERN LIGHTS-SOUTHERN CROSS”, The Band did not have many live performances, and even stayed away from the stage for nearly two years. It wasn’t until June 1976 that the group, which could not be said to have been active in live activities, finally took off. Although the long-awaited live tour finally started, the finale was that “THE LAST WALTZ” as a result. However, the nature of the live performance is completely different between this summer tour and “THE LAST WALTZ”. While the latter was a major event that marked the end of the band’s activities (resulting in their disbandment), the summer tour was just a part of The Band’s regular live activities. The most famous event during this period is probably the radio broadcast at the New York Palladium in September. At this point, the “THE LAST WALTZ” project had started, and the band’s composition was changing to an expanded formation with the addition of a horn section. However, when the summer tour began, the stage was held in a solid formation of only five band members. As if to recreate the success of their 1971 live album “ROCK OF AGES,” a horn section was added to the radio broadcast in September and “THE LAST WALTZ,” but as of June and July, the band The fact that it was performed by only five people was a big attraction. It looks as if you are going back to basics. Even from this period, there was a radio broadcast at the Carter Barron Theater on July 17th, and now the Gray Zone official CD has also been released. Of course, it’s a stereo soundboard recording, so I’m sure it’s for everyone. However, among enthusiasts, the sound source that has received much higher praise than that is an audience recording that captured a live performance held at an outdoor venue called Music Inn in Lenox on the following day, the 18th. This is by the master Steve Hopkins. Just mentioning his name seems to guarantee exceptional quality, but in fact the quality is so high-level recording that it seems to be abnormal. While you can fully breathe in the atmosphere of a live performance held in the sunlight shining at an outdoor venue, the sound pressure of the performance is like that of a soundboard. The clarity and freshness are perfect, and it is a masterpiece audience album that will 100% satisfy enthusiasts who would not be satisfied with the well-behaved finish of the previous day’s radio broadcast. Since it is an audience recording that boasts such amazing sound quality, CD items have been released in the past. That was “PLAYS ON” by SCREAMER label over 10 years ago. Certainly, the sound quality of the same title was excellent, and it was a piece that received rave reviews in specialized magazines at the time. However, this time, the familiar KRW_CO borrowed the Hopkins Master and transferred it digitally using the latest technology in 2019. What is the upper feel of the version? Compared to this version, even the famous album “PLAYS ON” feels like it has fallen into disrepair. Of course, the number of copies was not that many, and there is no doubt that low generation sound sources were used at that point. However, this master version has an overwhelming level of freshness that easily exceeds that. Compared to “PLAYS ON”, you will be able to clearly feel the ultimate clarity that is literally “a step away”. At this point, there wasn’t much to add to the CD release. While it was magnificent, it is also wonderful to hear a live sound that is much more like them than “THE LAST WALTZ” and September Palladium, which were far from the band’s original appearance. That laid-back sound unique to The Band. Since their 1974 tour with Bob Dylan, The Band had improved both in sound and appearance (especially Robbie Robertson), but this performance, in the final stages of their career, suggests a return to their roots. I can’t believe he was playing it on stage. This is the opposite of “THE LAST WALTZ”. In the first place, back in July, the decision to suspend live activities had not yet been made, let alone the event. That’s probably why early repertoires like “Tears Of Rage” have made a comeback. Of course, Richard Manuel’s voice here has deteriorated drastically, and it is completely different from the previous atmosphere heard in “MUISC FROM BIG PINK”. Still, I think the band at the time was aiming to play this. In contrast to Richard, the lively songs of Rick Danko and Levon Helm are full of The Band’s character throughout the show, and combined with this, the relaxed taste of the performance without excessive decoration. I think this was the sound they were able to have. And in the finale “Life Is A Carnival”, tuba player Howard Johnson, who also participated in Paul Butterfield and “ROCK OF AGES”, jumped in. Butterfield’s blues harp in particular is so vivid that you might feel as if he were playing it right in front of you. Not only is it the final stage of The Band, but the best live sound source with wonderful performance content will be elevated to the ultimate level and released. ★Amazing super high sound quality. Super upper version. Live at Music Inn, Lenox, MA, USA 18th July 1976 TRULY PERFECT SOUND(UPGRADE) Disc 1(57:45) 1. Intro 2. Don’t Do It 3. The Shape I’m In 4. It Makes No Difference 5. The Weight 6. King Harvest (Has Surely Come) 7. Twilight 8. Ophelia 9. Tears Of Rage 10. Forbidden Fruit 11. This Wheel’s On Fire Disc 2(29:43) 1. The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down 2. The Genetic Method 3. Chest Fever 4. Up On Cripple Creek 5. Life Is A Carnival (with Howard Johnson & Paul Butterfield) Levon Helm – drums, vocals, mandolin, guitar, percussion Robbie Robertson – guitars, vocals Garth Hudson – organ, keyboards, accordion, saxophones Rick Danko – bass, vocals, guitar, fiddle Richard Manuel – piano, drums, organ, vocals