Search - Band, Various Artists :: Endless Highway - The Music Of The Band

Endless Highway, a real tribute

D. Wiese | Fanwood, NJ, USA | 02/02/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The Band is a musical icon, covering/replicating their songs seems to me to be virtually impossible. They are perhaps the group that most understood and reflected the roots and sensibilities of American music in our time. The Big Pink album is among the top few records that I consider most influential on me. But, what a surprise "Endless Highway: The Music of the Band," does what I considered not to be possible. The versions of The Band songs are a credit to both artists who interpret the music with reverence and the timelessness of the songs themselves. Think of the songs that really stand the test of time, there are mighty few. There is danger in trying to cover definitive versions of songs, but this record succeeds mightily. I just can't pick a favorite track, but some are standouts; the Allman Brothers live performance of "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down" and Blues Traveler's "Rag Mama Rag." My Morning Jacket nails "It Makes No Difference," and The Roches version of "Acadian Driftwood" is inspiring. Lee Ann Womack's amazingly powerful version of "The Weight" is most unexpected. Death Cab for Cutie's take on "Rockin' Chair" is stunning and Steve Reynolds' "Stage Fright" adds surreal spookiness that works perfectly. I always thought the definitive version of "Chest Fever" was Three Dog Night's version, now I have a new favorite - Widespread Panic.

For fans of the band, this record is a treat, for those unfamiliar with The Band, this record will make them a fan.



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Tribute to one of the greatest rock bands ever!

Horror writer from TN | Morristown, Tennessee United States | 02/03/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This tribute is long overdue, but turns in some outstanding renditions of the Band's most popular songs. Among the best are Widespread Panic's rocking version of "Chest Fever", The Allman Brothers Band's live cover of "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down", but perhaps the best song on the entire CD is from My Morning Jacket, with their version of "It Makes No Difference". This is a really great CD."

Consistently excellent tribute

Kenneth N. Fricklas | Boulder, CO | 02/03/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"There seem to be a plethora of tribute albums coming out over the last few years -- record labels seem to be trying to milk every excess dollar they can out of their catalog. So it's a welcome relief when the results are as consistently excellent as this collection. Every song on here seems to be labor of love -- from Lee Ann Womack's sweet take on "The Weight", to a powerful "Chest Fever" by Widespread Panic, to the Allman Brothers doing justice to "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down". Even the weak points of this album are still as good as anything that's come out lately... this could be the Americana album of the year."