The Band, previously known as The Hawks were Bob Dylans backing band on his 1966 tour (The one where he went electric and was called "Judas" at Manchester Free Trade Hall). In 1967 they spent time jamming and songwriting with Dylan at their house "Big Pink" in upstate New York (not far from Woodstock). Recordings from this time were later released as "The Basement Tapes", but then in 1968 The Band decided to record their own debut album "Music From Big Pink". Two songs co-written with Dylan were included, "Tears Of Rage" and "This Wheel's On Fire", plus "I Shall Be Released" which was entirely written by Dylan. The Dylan connecton gained them a lot of attention at the time, butto be honest, their own songs are just as good. "Chest Fever" and "The Weight" in partcular are astoundingly good songs.
It's a massively influential album, without it's blend of calm electric guitar, piano, swirling hammond organ and harmony vocals the music now known as "Americana" or "Alt. Country" would sound very different. Plus, The Band all had really good beards. These things are important.
Here's the opening track, "Tears Of Rage"...
(again, those lovely people at EMI have blocked the studio version on youtube, so here's a live version from woodstock in 1969)
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