Product Description

After dismantling The Band in the mid '70s, Robertson remained strangely inactive. Thus, the anticipation level was high when rumours of his impending solo album began to circulate at the tail end of the '80s. Rather than release a thowback retro effort to satiate the hearts of fans thirsting afterThe Band's brand of backwoods roots rock, Robertson steppedfirmly into the present day. With the help of producer Daniel Lanios, the album is enveloped with modern textures. Robertson admirably handles the bulk of the vocal chores (keep in mind that he rarely sang a note with the Band).
Nonetheless, numerous artists are drawn into the fold to beef up Robertson's effective, but limited, vocal abilities. Peter Gabriel helps transform the beautiful "Fallen Angel" (a moving eulogy to deceased Band member Richard Manuel) into a bona fide hymn that does justice to Manuel's memory. Bono injects heat into the "Sweet Fire of Love" while Robertson growls like a man who's somehow found an extra reserve of energy to lay his claim, once again, as one of the premiere talents of his generation.

Track Listing

1. Fallen Angel
2. Showdown At Big Sky
3. Broken Arrow
4. Sweet Fire Of Love
5. American Roulette
6. Somewhere Down The Crazy River
7. Hell's Half Acre
8. Sonny Got Caught In The Moonlight
9. Testimony

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #12469 in Music
• Released on: 1999-03-20
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 44 minutes

Amazon.co.uk Review
Lightning does strike twice. Robbie Robertson's breathtaking 1987 solo debut was every bit as remarkable as another debut he'd masterminded two decades before, The Band's Music from Big Pink. Even more impressive was the fact that Robertson's new sound owed so little, other than a shared vision, to the sonic Americana he'd created with The Band. Robertson cashed in The Band's rustic tones in for a lush, beat-box womb created by coproducer Daniel Lanois. His own weird, almost spectral voice, also turned out to be the right vehicle for the words he'd been handing to others for so long. Bono, The BoDeans and Peter Gabriel join in on keepers like "Fallen Angel" and "Broken Arrow". --Michael Ruby

Customer Reviews

The Band plays on - almost
When I first heard this album when it was originally released I was bowled over. My vinyl copy finally gave up the ghost so I relaced it with a CD recently. It has hardly been off my car stereo since.

The album starts slowly almost imperceptably, but soon a full and complex wall of sound develops that is so hard to categorise. Production levels are high here, but falls just short of being 'over-produced' so that we hear a rich and multi-levelled texture in all the songs.

There are appearences by Peter Gabriel and U2 on the album, and it is a sign of the respect in which Robbie Robertson is held, that they are content to contribute (highly effectively) in the background without detracting from the whole project. Indeed Gabriel's backing vocals on the opening track are so integral to the feel of it that it would be such a lesser thing without his unique and identifiable sound.

As for Roberston himself, he excels here. His voice is rich and dark with a great warmth and subtlty. The best known track on the album, 'Somewhere Down The Crazy River' defies categirisatin but is just plain great.

Robbie rocks with a little help from U2!!!
This is the 1987 solo debut of a member of "The Band" and what a change in song and style. With help from his fellow Canadian "Daniel Lanois" in the production department, Robbie has changed, gone is the folk sound of his previous incarnation and is replaced with a rock sound on some tracks, and somethng a bit more challanging on others. "Somewhere down the crazy river" is one of these, you will find that after one listening of this track Mr Robertson voice will will get your attention not so much singing as talking in "Pitch" on this track. His voice just drips from the speakers like warm honey on a warm day. The rest of the album has guest appearances from "Peter Gabriel" and "U2" to mention a few of the star cast of this album, great stuff from a great artist do yourself a favour seek out a copy for yourself today!...

Worth every penny!
I was first introduced to this album as a teenager by my mother (who has it on casette). Being a teenager, when she suggested that I might like it, I of course pooh-poohed the idea, saying it was "old fogies music"! Anyway, I eventually gave in and listened to it properly, and promptly fell in love with it! I just love Robbie Robertson's voice - it sends shivers down your spine, especially in songs like "Testiomony". His lyrics are also brilliant, as in "Broken arrow". As a matter of fact, all the songs are excellent, and I can listen to them again and again without getting bored. Just listen to this album, and you'll see what I mean. Needless to say, my mum's casette is getting a bit past it now from so much playing, so I'll just have to buy her the CD!