From the Vault...

11/07/2004
#915

info
The Band
"Moondog Matinee"


© Capitol Records

Year of Release: 1973
Rating:

track listing
  • Ain't Go No Home
  • Holy Cow
  • Share Your Love
    With Me
  • Mystery Train
  • The Third Man Theme
  • The Promised Land
  • The Great Pretender
  • I'm Ready
  • Saved
  • A Change Is
    Gonna Come

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    Previous Review: #914
    Joe Diffie--16 Biggest Hits
    Next Review: #916
    Sam Cooke--The Man And His Music
    The Band
    "Moondog Matinee"



    Many groups and artists have done it -- they dedicate an entire album of music from a previous decade, likewise personal favorites from music's past. The Band's 1973 Moondog Matinee album features their own versions of songs recorded in the first decade of Rock n Roll.


    Clarence Frogman Henry's "Aint' Got No Home" is the leadoff track, and a great version as it is, it was on the original vinyl copy of The Best Of The Band. But when the Best Of was released on CD, this song was not included, likewise a few other hits. So, in order to enjoy this particular verion by the Band, it was obvious to look up the discography and locate which original album the song was released on. My guess for the CD Best Of was songs written by the Band.


    Alan Toussaint's Holy Cow doesn't ring a bell with me, but it's a very good song, typical of the Band's style from their well-known hits. Another song not well-remembered is the touching ballad "Share Your Love With Me" -- it's very well done, and could pass as a good country ballad.


    "Mystery Train" is a song that everyone should know -- the Elvis Presley favorite has a different approach by the Band -- having a good 1970s country feel, and could be compared to the albums Eric Clapton released in his "country" related era; (Clapton's Backless comes to mind.) Anton Karas' 1950s instrumental classic "The Third Man Theme" is creatively done in the Band fashion, it could related to New Orleans Jazz or even Ragtime style. Chuck Berry's "The Promised Land" is also done well, compared more to Berry's version in the Band style, where I am more familar with Elvis Presley's version. The Platters' "The Great Pretender" is also well-done, very smooth, and close to the style of the early '50s, yet performed traditionally well in the Band's musical style.


    "I'm Ready" is another song that doesn't jog my memory, the song's credits include Fats Domino, yet the Band's version is upbeat, and has the New Orleans Jazz style. Leiber & Stoller's "Saved" is a catchy number, having the style of the original "Mystery Train" as it could be compared to the early days of Sun Records. The album closes with the Sam Cooke/Otis Redding classic "A Change Is Gonna Come," and the Band's version is just as soulful as Cooke's and Redding's.


    Tracing back to a particular decade of rock music, remakes by a popular band is always interesting. Moondog Matinee shows the Band in their traditional style, as they cover their favorite songs from the 1950s. Their are some great remakes here, as "Ain't Got No Home" is definitely one of the standouts. Some of the songs I may not have remembered by the original artists, yet the Band has always displayed their music in an entertaining fashion, whether it be an original tune of theirs, or in this case, remakes.


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    Previous Review: #914
    Joe Diffie--16 Biggest Hits
    Next Review: #916
    Sam Cooke--The Man And His Music