Artist: The Band
Title: The Band (Audio Fidelity Edition)
Genre: Classic Rock
Label: Capitol/ Audio Fidelity
Source Link: http://www.audiofidelity.net
Website http://www.muzikreviews.com/reviews.php?ID=596

Audio Fidelity continues its unique series of classic rock reissues with The Band's 1969 self-titled brown album. Much like the company�s reissue of The Beach Boys' Pet Sounds, the reissue of the legendary folk-rockers� album preserves the original vinyl recording, making it a unique find for classic rock fans.

Audio Fidelity provides the listener with a chance to hear The Band's album on CD as close to how the group originally envisioned it in 1969. It is a great experience to hear the non-compressed original masters, which give the album a much purer sound than other versions of it you might find on CD.

The difference in quality of Audio Fidelity's reissue becomes quite noticeable on the tracks that make use of a brass section. Songs like the opener Across The Great Divide showcase the pure, warm sound The Band could get out of a horn line.

Likewise, the organ playing that forms the backbone for the classic Up On Cripple Creek sounds impressively full for being taken from an original analog recording, without sounding like it has been compressed and over-produced. The piano melodies of Jemima Surrender and Rag, Mama, Rag are equally pleasing.

Audio Fidelity's re-working of The Band eventually becomes a case study in how analog recordings should be converted to modern formats. For instance, The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down sounds quite textured for being taken from analog. All the nuances of the melodies laid down on piano and guitar, as well as the vocal harmonies, are clearly heard. However, the track maintains a raw, analog sound that classic rock fans will enjoy.

King Harvest (Has Surely Come) and When You Wake also show the raw, but well-balanced, sound that Audio Fidelity gives The Band's large range of instrumentation.

The Band's self-titled classic maintains all of its original power on this limited edition reissue. It is definitely a fitting tribute to the group's legacy.

5/5 Stars

MuzikReviews.com Assistant Senior Editor � Chris Homer

May 6, 2009
Copyright MuzikReviews.com

For Questions Or Comments About This Review Send An Email To chomer@muzikreviews.com

Tracks:

01. Across The Great Divide
02. Rag Mama Rag
03. The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down
04. When You Awake
05. Up On Cripple Creek
06. Whispering Pines
07. Jemima Surrender
08. Rockin' Chair
09. Look Out Cleveland
10. Jawbone
11. The Unfaithful Servant
12. King Harvest (Has Surely Come)
13. Bonus Track � Get Up Jake