The Band

Popularly known as the Brown Album, this is the collection people first think of when this august outfit's name is mentioned. The four-parts Canadian, one-part Arkansan quintet's sophomore effort boasts more soon-to-be-staples than any other band studio recording, what with the likes of the Joan Baez hit The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down, Across the Great Divide, and Up on Cripple Creek standing out among the dozen uniformly memorable tracks. Lesser-known group originals such as the achingly lovely Whispering Pines and the cryptic Unfaithful Servant, however, play crucial roles in giving this 1969 classic its unique flavour. Given the high standard established by the band and its better-still 1968 predecessor, Music from Big Pink, it's not surprising the band peaked early as a recording group - Rough Trade

Tracklisting

1 Across the Great Divide
2 Rag Mama Rag
3 The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down
4 When You Awake
5 Up On Cripple Creek
6 Whispering Pines
7 Jemima Surrender
8 Rockin' Chair
9 Look Out Cleveland
10 Jawbone
11 The Unfaithful Servant
12 King Harvest (Has Surely Come)