[Thump553]

Stage Fright is a personal favorite of mine, but you really can't go wrong with any Band album.  Even the ones released after they broke up aren't bad (not great, but not bad).

[InfernoSTi]

I have the first two and think they are amazing.  I have to say that if you don't have "The Last Waltz" you need to get that, too. This is an amazing movie.  More than just a soundtrack or The Band.  Really great stuff, that.  I try to watch it over either the Christmas or New Years time holidays each year.  Not sure why it has become a tradition for me, but it has.  Kind of the right mode to think about the year gone by and wonder about the year to come.  And it is great to crank up and enjoy with an adult beverage or two....

John

[Letitroll98]

Absolutely #1 is their second album, The Band.  Of course the five legitimates classic songs on the album make it desirable, but it's the non-hit cuts on this one that bring it up above any other release, When You Awake, Rockin Chair, Jawbone, The Unfaithful Servant are all gems.

Then a toss up between Big Pink and Stage Fright.  I wouldn't be without either, Big Pink for it's historical significance as well as the great songs, Stage Fright has some of my favorite cuts from the group, I could never pick between them.

[adamaley]

Picked up "The Band" and "Music from Big Pink" today. Been listening to "The Band" and loving it so far. When you Awake is my favorite thus far. I'll keep "Rock and Ages" and "Stage Fright" on the back burner for now. I get anxious when I have too much music to listen to and don't give each album their due. Thanks, guys.

[doug s.]

stage fright is an absolutely killer album, imo.  not that the others mentioned are not also excellent... 

doug s.

[TONEPUB]

Grab a Rhapsody or Spotify subscription and sample them all.  See which are your favorites!

[jawaka]

You only need one!

A Musical History box
 
Everything you need to hear by the Band

[Mike Nomad]

As many have pointed out, I agree the first two are the ones to get, along with Rock Of Ages (especially with the better sound quality and extra tracks on the re-issue).

Where I disagree some is with Stage Fright. The second half is the reason to buy the record. I think the first half is half-baked, at best.

Avoid the officially released versions of The Last Waltz. The sequencing is terrible, and it has about as many overdubs as Frampton Comes Alive! (original exclamation in use, not intended as further comment.) With a mild amount of searching, there are copies of the original show, as played.

[adamaley]

Thanks guys. I'll keep all your advice in mind. Jamming to Up on Cripple Creek right now.

[Thump553]

Interesting tidbit about two different mixes of the Stage Fright album here:  http://theband.hiof.no/albums/stage_fright.html

I'd like to compare the two to see the differences.

[roscoeiii]

Wow. Many thanks to this thread. I had never grabbed "The Band" despite loving "Big Pink". Then it comes up here, and yesterday I come across a pristine pristine used copy. Wow. The funky bass of "Up on Cripple Creek" floors me.

[adamaley]

Up on cripple is a banger. I love it. It won't be out of place in a hip hop club with people doing the dougie to it. It's so funky. Who would have thought?

[roscoeiii]

And now I grabbed a pristine Stage Fright. I blame this thread...

[orthobiz]

And now I grabbed a pristine Stage Fright. I blame this thread...

Just listen to the added reverb in the voice when Daniel replies in Daniel and the Sacred Harp. "The sacred harp was handed down..." Now THAT'S production!

Paul

[orthobiz]

Stage Fright is a personal favorite of mine, but you really can't go wrong with any Band album.  Even the ones released after they broke up aren't bad (not great, but not bad).

That's just what I would say! And TWO organ solos in The Shape I'm In!!! I mean, what song has two organ solos????

Paul