| View Larger Image | Northern Lights-Southern Cross | Audio CDby The Band
| List Price: | $8.94 | | Price: | $7.99 | | You Save: | $0.95 (11%) | | | Available: | Usually ships in 24 hours |
| | Binding: | Audio CD | | Format: | Extra tracks, Original recording reissued, Original recording remastered | | Studio: | Capitol | | Release Date: | May 08, 2001 | | Sales Rank: | 8,947th |
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TRACK LISTING |
Disc: 1
- Track 1: Forbidden Fruit
- Track 2: Hobo Jungle
- Track 3: Ophelia
- Track 4: Acadian Driftwood
- Track 5: Ring Your Bell
- Track 6: It Makes No Difference
- Track 7: Jupiter Hollow
- Track 8: Rags & Bones
- Track 9: Twilight (Early Alternate Version)
- Track 10: Christmas Must Be Tonight (Alternate Version)
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EDITORIAL REVIEWS |
Amazon.com
Hailed upon its arrival as a significant comeback for the Band, this 1975 collection hasn't aged as well as the likes of Stage Fright, Moondog Matinee, or even the outfit's post-Robbie Robertson output. The eight-song collection (augmented on the 2001 reissue with two agreeable extras--alternate versions of "Twilight" and "Christmas Must Be Tonight") isn't without its delights, foremost being Rick Danko's heavy-hearted reading of the devastating "It Makes No Difference." But for every "Forbidden Fruit" and "Ophelia"--worthy additions to Robertson's credits--there are the somewhat forced likes of "Jupiter Hollow" and "Rags and Bones." Also, Garth Hudson stocked up on the latest technology before heading into the studio, but the layers ARPs and mini-Moogs here contribute to a feeling of busyness. Northern Lights--Southern Cross is very much a '70s album--not a good thing from a quintet whose best music was tough to peg to any era. --Steven Stolder |
CUSTOMER REVIEWS (Average Customer Rating: 4.5 based on 21 reviews)
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Story telling set to music by Harold D. Sloan  4 Stars
March 01, 2009
I always loved The Band and had all of their albums and video. I had to get some of their cd's and wasn't dissapointed. Very creative music.
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The Band- Northern Lights, Southern Cross by Zanziball  5 Stars
January 15, 2009
I can't believe what an idiot I am. I overlooked this album from one of my favorite bands, THE Band because I figured it was late in their career and the magic was gone. All I can say now is that I'm glad I've got a copy. The music here is right up there with their best. The singing is as good or maybe slightly better than other albums. Rick Danko has never sounded better, especially on "It Makes No Difference". Levon sounds fantastic on two of the more uptempo numbers, "Forbidden Fruit" and "Ophelia". Richard Manuel's singing on "Hobo Jungle" brings chills. These guys are very accomplished musicians at this stage of the game and their playing is unmatched by anything else they've done. Robbie Robertson's stinging, stabbing guitar is featured more than on previous efforts and Garth Hudson's organ and horn work is such a joy to listen to as he is showcased more. There is no need to keep his trememdous talent in the background.
Overall it's a great effort, my second favorite behind the album "The Band".
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Like the time machine... by Hawkeye (Arizona) 4 Stars
February 16, 2008
What more can be said about this fitting end to a remarkable band? Perhaps not up to par with Big Pink or the brown album, but satisfying nevertheless. After reading the other reviews, I believe that Jupiter Hollow has gotten some short shrift. Simple beat (very simple), heavy rhythm (dual drums and bass) with Hudson's swirling, enveloping syntheziser as the lead instrument, are Robertson's lyrics describing a dream...a drug trip...a peter pan-like abduction to another planet with a subsequent return? Who knows? But, it's a fun tune and makes you wonder just where The Band would have gone musically but for the internal stresses.
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Completely satisfying. by Ms. Felicia Davis-burden (Staines, UK) 5 Stars
January 29, 2008
I won't add much to what has already been said in detail about this wonderful, underrated album. For me it is a completely satisfying collection of songs and performances. It is short compared to the classic second album, but despite the problems enmeshing the group the music is warm, spirited and emotionally driven.
As usual the vocal performances threaten to break your heart, particularly Rick Danko on 'It Makes No Differences' and Richard Manuel's gentle handling of 'Hobo Jungle'. Robbie Robertson produced some of his finest writing, especially the centrepiece 'Acadian Driftwood' and the look back to the inhabitants of his Toronto childhood in 'Rags and Bones'. Of course the playing is stellar; Garth Hudson as usual inventing a perfect soundscape for every track.
A beautiful album by anyone's standards.
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The final classic by Elliot Knapp (Seattle, Washington United States) 5 Stars
January 10, 2007
The Band's sixth and final proper studio album (I don't really count Islands, the collection of half-hearted studio outtakes, as a real album), Northern Lights - Southern Cross is a surprisingly strong comeback in both writing and performance. The Band hadn't released an album of new material since the disappointing Cahoots, and the extracurricular substance-related activities of Richard Manuel and Rick Danko lessened their songwriting output considerably (completely in Manuel's case). However, despite their stumbles and a growing divergence of some members (guitarist/songwriter Robbie Robertson would be ready to leave the group not long after the album was released), the quintet pull off amazing comeback album, filled with what originally made The Band so classic--great writing, strong playing from Manuel, Danko and Levon Helm, and expert playing, especially from organist/multi-instrumentalist Garth Hudson.
The album kicks off with the rocking "Forbidden Fruit," a cautionary tale sung by Helm. One thing I actually like about Robertson's somewhat egotistical prominence in the later Band material is his up-front, gnarly guitar--he starts using the whammy bar on this album, and the results are wicked to say the least. He takes a few blistering solos in "Forbidden Fruit" that make you wonder if he sold his soul for his guitar skills. This song also marks Garth Hudson's introduction of (then) new synthesizers into his arsenal of keyboards. It might off-put you if you're a classic Americana Band fan, but give it a chance--it really grew on me. Regardless of the instrument, it's still being played by the bearded master, Garth Hudson. The second track is a "Hobo Jungle," a mid-tempo narrative that features some excellent acoustic guitar from Robbie and one of the finest vocal melodies on Band record, sung by Richard Manuel. Despite his heavy drinking, his voice still sounds great, though it's become quite weathered. "Ophelia" is one of the more well-known tracks on the album. The Band uses an almost Dixieland horn arrangement and Levon Helm, in addition to singing, pounds the skins with reckless abandon.
The other well-known track is "Acadian Driftwood," a song Robbie wrote about the Acadian Indians who were forced to move from Canada to Louisiana. It's a heartfelt tribute, sung by all three vocalists and featuring a piccolo part by Garth Hudson. "Ring Your Bell" is one of the group's funkiest songs, a pretty humorous outlaw tune and a all-out belter from Danko, who also sings "It Makes No Difference." One of Robbie Robertson's best love ballads, this track became a sort of signature torch tune for Rick, and it's buoyed by some of Robbie's revelatory guitar and Garth on saxophone. "Jupiter Hollow" is a long (for The Band) and experimental song--a great detour, with a lot of mythological and mystical imagery, and a whole lot of synth overdubs from Garth Hudson. It makes for a really cool listen and has a groovy vibe and some creative drumming from Levon. The album closes on a truly classic note with "Rags and Bones," another darkly funky romp through a night-time city with some of Robbie's most lively and creative guitar (check out that left channel--wow!).
Northern Lights - Southern Cross is The Band's shortest album, and it's always over too soon. The bonus tracks are OK, but as usual don't add anything (careful they don't spoil the vibe of the original album). This one definitely ranks pretty high up there for me as one of their top albums--worlds better than Cahoots and with moments that transcend a lot of their other material. It's such a pity they had to quit making music when their last album was this great. A lot of people will tell you they didn't make any good music after Stage Fright, but give Northern Lights - Southern Cross a try and I think you might agree with me that that's simply not true. I hope you enjoy The Band's final classic!
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SIMILAR PRODUCTS |
| Cahoots
by The Band
Here's where the Band stumbled. This 1971 lapse followed two consensus classics (Music from Big Pink and The Band) and the dicier but still worthy Stage Fright. Consequently, expectations were high. But, despite moments of excellence ("Life Is a Carnival," "When I Paint My Masterpiece," their first Dylan cover since their debut), primary songwriter Robbie Robertson repeatedly comes up short. "Last of the Blacksmiths," "Where Do We Go from Here," and "River Hymn" are overwrought attempts to...
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| Moondog Matinee
by The Band
By 1973, the Band were at a crossroads. Having summed up the first phase of their recording career with the Rock of Ages concert recording, Robbie Robertson flirted with an ambitious project inspired by Polish composer Krzystof Penderecki. But instead of forging ahead into uncharted territory, the quintet opted to hearken back to their roadhouse days with an LP that renovated oldies associated with the likes of Clarence "Frogman" Henry, the Platters, and Fats Domino. Given that Robertson's...
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| Islands
by The Band
The liner notes for Robbie Robertson's version of the Band's swan song makes the case that Islands was never meant to be viewed as their studio signoff. Rather, argues Robertson, it was seen as their version of the Who's Odds and Sods and a contract fulfiller so that the quintet could release their true coda, The Last Waltz, on Warner Bros. With such modest aspirations in mind, Islands, while falling far short of the Band's creative heights, provides a pleasant listen for stalwart fans. Covers...
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| Stage Fright
by The Band
Limited Edition Japanese "Mini Vinyl" CD, faithfully reproduced using original LP artwork including the inner sleeve. Features most recently mastered audio including bonus tracks where applicable.
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| Rock of Ages
by The Band
This 1972 live album is a watershed recording for the Band. Recorded the previous New Year's Eve, the two-disc concert recording presents the core quintet fortified by a five-man horn section overseen by New Orleans ace Allen Toussaint, and it is capped by a guest appearance by Bob Dylan. The brass and reed players incite the group to gut it out with more unrestrained fire than these road-hardened vets were accustomed to. The lion's share of the set selections are culled from the quintet's...
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