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Music from Big Pink

From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Album

Music from Big Pink · In 1967 Rick Danko, Richard Manuel, Garth Hudson, Robbie Robertson and Levon Helm, then still known as Bob Dylan's backing band, played in the basement of a pink house in West Saugerties, New York. There they also wrote songs of their own. That house, Big Pink, gave the debut album its name. In early 1968 they recorded the record with producer John Simon in New York and Los Angeles. Asked how it should sound, they answered: exactly like in the basement.

The sound mixes country, rock, folk, R&B and soul and was recorded live, without overdubs. The cover is a painting by Dylan, who also wrote one song and co-wrote two. Reviewers, including Al Kooper in Rolling Stone, praised the record. It was released in July 1968 and showed the group as a voice of its own alongside the psychedelia of the time. Eric Clapton cites the album as a reason for leaving Cream.

Listening

Listening tip. Listen to The Weight and notice how the different singers take turns. The sound is raw and organic, because the band recorded it live.

Track list

  1. 1Tears of Rage5:20Apple Music ↗
  2. 2To Kingdom Come (Remastered 2000)3:19Apple Music ↗
  3. 3In A Station (Remastered 2000)3:30Apple Music ↗
  4. 4Caledonia Mission (Remastered 2000)2:54Apple Music ↗
  5. 5The Weight4:34Apple Music ↗
  6. 6We Can Talk (Remastered 2000)3:03Apple Music ↗
  7. 7Long Black Veil (Remastered 2000)3:01Apple Music ↗
  8. 8Chest Fever (Remastered 2000)5:13Apple Music ↗
  9. 9Lonesome Suzie (Remastered 2000)4:01Apple Music ↗
  10. 10This Wheel's On Fire (Remastered 2000)3:10Apple Music ↗
  11. 11I Shall Be Released (Remastered 2000)3:12Apple Music ↗

30-second previews via Apple Music. Listen to the whole album on Apple Music ↗

See also

Categories: Albums and songs