When it comes to The Band, I’ve always been inflexible in my opinion that their best work was entirely a team effort, the sum greater than the considerable brilliance of its individual parts. In the often bitter years after they broke, it was difficult to ascertain where the truth began and Robertson’s ego ended, but I’m not sure anyone would argue they did their best work early, and together. It endures. (More about The Band’s MVP, Levon Helm, here.)
It’s a miracle these dudes found each other, did what they did, and that this song in particular was recorded (that it was captured on film for us to savor is proof that, despite the general unfairness of life, we’re occasionally treated to bounty we must respect, feel gratitude for, and stand in awe of). Here’s Exhibit A that every single note, voice, and feeling was the work of a tight, unified collective; take one aspect of any of this and it all falls apart. And yes, RR’s guitar solo at the end is EVERYTHING.
He left some bad blood and a lot of baggage in his wake, but he also gifted the world with some of the best songs anyone has ever written or played on. That’s all that matters. RIP, RR.
