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From the Vault...
11/07/2004
#915 |
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info
The Band
"Moondog Matinee"
© Capitol Records
Year of Release: 1973
Rating:
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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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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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