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Query: Is “Moondog Matinee” a groundbreaking album or The Band finding their way back? Reply: Likely a mix of both. While some might opt for Therapy Sessions when troubles persist, The Band chose to put out a fantastic, feel-good album of covers, not just to reconnect with each other ... but, in the spirit of deep reflection, they took a close look at the music that was at their core.Here, on their sixth album, The Band presents ten of the most straightforward, unassuming [though on the CD you'll find several tracks that didn't make the album, totaling sixteen] songs. On their first two, highly acclaimed albums, “Big Pink” and the self-titled second “The Band” album, the sound was quintessentially “Band” music ... their unique styles built on what they'd learned from years on the road with Ronnie Hawkins and then infused with the personal tastes each brought to their musical table in Woodstock, New York. After that, this inspiring group seemed to have lost sight of themselves, and each other. Fewer songs were co-written, nearly all production was left to technicians, when it had once been a group effort, eagerly anticipated and cherished as their final expression before the records were released. Reasons for members of The Band to be together only lasted as long as it took to record the tracks, and then they'd go their separate ways again. Everyone had side projects ... Robbie was doing nearly all the writing ... Garth [the mad scientist] was constantly tinkering and building, including a miniature pipe organ ... the others had wives, girlfriends, and children to occupy their time ... and there were the all-important drugs and alcohol, that would forever fracture the group, and soon claim two of its most vital members.What The Band needed was to “return to their roots.” While many bands have used that phrase over the years, The Band actually did it ... they submerged themselves into the roots of their music, all songs were covers, nothing to do but sing these songs with all the passion and drive of four young men on the road ... and after some time off together, traveling south, north, east, and back to Canada, exploring regional sounds and flavors, the guys released this relentless album that reminded us all why we had loved them in the first place.You will never hear Levon Helm’s voice sound so clear and strong. The same goes for Richard Manuel and Rick Danko, whose voices have a sense of uncertainty, as if you can hear them thinking “I can do the next line better” ... but in the end it doesn’t matter because each of the lines were delivered with hearts so huge, that it makes me want to cry knowing they will never grace this musical planet again.This brings me to the final aspect of this album, and if I could, I would certainly ask Robbie or Levon ... and perhaps I will one of these days, as Levon still has his “Midnight Rambles,” has released a new album and will no doubt be touring in support of it. The album “Moondog Matinee” had splendid packaging ... around the black album with pink lettering you see, was a wrap-around cover of an illustrated street scene, a scene of a simpler time in The Band’s life ... was this The Band giving us something extra because they felt the record should have been more [?] ... or were they merely showing us who they actually were, with this nondescript album with pink lettering, a nod to ‘Big Pink’ at the heart of the matter, at the heart of their music?I can count the number of albums I own where I like each and every song, and this is one of them. Ghosts do rise from the mist on a fall night ... spin this album and feel the goosebumps.*** The Fun Facts: The album was named Moondog Matinee after the old radio show by Alan Freed, with the cover painting by Edward Kasper emulating that idea, featuring a hang-out store where there was usually a speaker over the doorway blasting out the music that was being spun within.
I'm truly puzzled why anyone wouldn't rate this as a perfect 5 stars - the poster that accompanies it is absolutely amazing. The sound quality is fantastic as well.
This album is freakin' awesome and it was mastered by Robert Ludwig so it's super loud.
I just got my vinyl copy pressed by QRP, and it's absolutely mind-blowing. The sound quality is phenomenal, with amazing dynamics and super quiet surfaces. I've never heard these tracks sound this good on vinyl before (at least in my opinion), but this release, which is part of the bigger vinyl box set also pressed by QRP, is truly outstanding. Unless Robbie decides to drop a remastered 50th edition, this one's the best for me. Plus, the poster that came with it is pretty cool, and Garth is just the greatest.
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| Jul 31, 2025 | $27.98 | $27.98 |
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| Mar 25, 2026 | $27.98 | $27.98 |