Rock Of Ages - THE BAND***

Don't Do It/King Harvest (Has Surely Come)/Caledonia Mission/Get Up Jake/The W S Walcott Medicine Show/Stage Fright/The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down/Across The Great Divide/This Wheel's On Fire/Rag Mama Rag/The Weight/The Shape I'm In/Unfaithful Servant/Life Is A Carnival/The Genetic Method/Chest Fever/(I Don't Want To) Hang Up My Rock & Roll Shoes

The live double album Rock Of Ages was recorded in December 1971 at the Academy of Music in New York City. The songs differ from the studio versions by the addition of horns. (US:6)

“The Band seemed to be enjoying themselves as they were at the top of their game. The musicianship is technically excellent and the harmonies precise. The set remains a live testament to one of the great rock ‘n’ roll groups and a sad reminder of what can never be again.”

“It's a shame there isn't a live record of The Band that was recorded earlier in their career, because even by 1972 you could tell they were starting to get tired. They hadn't really written much good new material since the self-titled album in 1969, and this has a surprising going through the motions vibe. You are really better off just sticking to the first two studio records.”

“The most obvious difference from the studio versions is the addition of a horn section to nearly every song, which provides an interesting change of pace, but can sometimes come off as clumsy.”

“This was The Band playing with a horn section, the whole thing just comes alive, and makes them sound even funkier than before.”

“The Band don't just play many musical styles, they embrace all of them. Their love for the music is completely sincere, and the treat every tune like a craftsman would treat a fine piece of wood. They troop through their cannon of work with emotion and integrity. The horns add a whole new musical layer to many songs.”

“Rock Of Ages is a landmark in musicianship. The Band live were already energetic performers always in sync with each other. The added horn arrangements create a truly rich listening experience. Without a doubt this is one of the greatest live documents ever made and about the best The Band released.”