The Band’s Self-Titled LP Expanded to Celebrate 50th Anniversary
The Band's 1969 self-titled masterpiece is set for a multi-format reissue to celebrate its 50th anniversary.
This suite of newly remixed and expanded 50th Anniversary Edition packages, due on Nov. 15, includes a super deluxe two-CD/Blu-ray/two-LP/7" vinyl boxed set with a hardbound book, a two-CD package, a digital release, a 180-gram two-LP black vinyl edition and a limited-edition 180-gram "tiger's eye"-color two-LP vinyl package. The releases were overseen by Band guitarist Robbie Robertson, and feature a new stereo mix by Bob Clearmountain from the original multi-track masters.
You can listen to an alternate version of "Rag Mama Rag," featuring ragtime piano instead of a fiddle, below. The track is available for immediate download with digital-album pre-orders.
Robertson first confirmed these reissue plans earlier this month – but not before expressing some initial reservations about returning to the mix. "The idea was to take you deeper inside the music, but this album is homemade," Robertson says in the reissue liner notes. "You can't touch up a painting. It has nothing to do with what you get when you go into a recording studio."
But Clearmountain reassured Robertson. "We're just trying to overcome the original technological limitations in order to bring you closer into the room," Clearmountain replied. "I'm going to do everything in my power not to get in the way of this music at all."
The box set also features an exclusive reproduction of the 1969 7" vinyl single for "Rag Mama Rag" / "The Unfaithful Servant," with new stereo mixes, and a hardbound book with an extensive new essay by Anthony DeCurtis and classic photos from Elliott Landy.
The Band were rounded out by multi-instrumentalist Garth Hudson, drummer Levon Helm, pianist Richard Manuel and bassist Rick Danko. Hudson is the only other surviving member.
'The Band: 50th Anniversary Edition' Bonus Tracks and Woodstock Set List
Previously Unreleased Bonus Tracks
"Up On Cripple Creek (Earlier Take)"
"Rag Mama Rag (Alternate Version)"
"The Unfaithful Servant (Alternate Version)"
"Look Out Cleveland (Instrumental Mix)"
"Rockin’ Chair (A Cappella / Stripped Down)"
"Up On Cripple Creek (Instrumental Mix)"
Additional Studio Bonus Tracks
"Get Up Jake (Outtake - Stereo Mix)"
"Rag Mama Rag (Alternate Vocal Take - Rough Mix)"
"The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down (Alternate Mix)"
"Up On Cripple Creek (Alternate Take)"
"Whispering Pines (Alternate Take)"
"Jemima Surrender (Alternate Take)"
"King Harvest (Has Surely Come) (Alternate Performance)"
Live at Woodstock, 1969 (Original Rough Mixes)
"Chest Fever"
"Tears of Rage"
"We Can Talk"
"Don’t Ya Tell Henry"
"Baby Don’t You Do It"
"Ain’t No More Cane On the Brazos"
"Long Black Veil"
"This Wheel’s On Fire"
"I Shall Be Released"
"The Weight"
"Loving You Is Sweeter Than Ever"