http://www.floatingworldrecords.co.uk
Founder member of The Band; Rick Danko (bass, vocals) may no longer be with us but both the music of the former and his own solo recordings live on. Like with all members other than Arkansas-born Levon Helm of The Band, Danko was born in Canada. He may never have regained the glory days with Helm, Robbie Robertson, Garth Hudson and Richard Manuel (who figures here) but such is his stage craft and burst in between the clouds the listener has to sample Danko and those that support him on the 4-cd collection of live recordings from the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s. Blues, country, r&b, folk and rock merge as one to give the listener pure Americana.
Originally, the collections was only going to be three cds, but at the last minute, after Alan Robinson had done his informative liner notes additional soundboard recordings were found, and that is where we start. Just like how I often read a newspaper, and make for the sports section we start with the final CD, and have Danko supported by among others, Professor Louie (keyboards, accordion). While you can obtain versions from The Band of many the music here has arguably a greater personal touch, a little add-lib playing and banter as he tunes, speaks of the venue, others that joined him on the night. In all the set offers 73 songs, a number of duplicates but with the amount of crucial ‘Danko’ music the listener is in for a rare treat. Even if on the 4th cd they might think he has gone to the bar such the delay at the beginning of “Crazy Mama”, but boy, when it does like on sensitive tunes “Stage Fright”, “Twilight” and “It Makes No Difference” and “Ophelia” plus Danny Dill -Marijohn Wilkin perennial “Long Black Veil” and twice-heard “Book Faded Brown” Danko is in fine form.
As for disc 2 and disc 3 (12 songs) Danko is partnered by brilliant vocalist, keyboard player Richard Manuel; among the highlights you have terrific versions of “Walking Blues”, smouldering gem “You Don’t Know Me”, “Chest Fever” and “C.C Rider” with the boys matching one another regards vocals “Honest I Do” is a blast! Manuel is particularly prominent and in fine on disc 2 as he takes the lead role on “C.C.Rider”, blues oldie “Walking Blues” and with him pouring out his soul as he accompanies his vocals “You Don't Know Me”; and he follows this with the likes of “I'm Just Your Fool” and with Danko and him producing excellent chemistry “Blaze Of Glory“ tips the scales for me to suggest this is the disc to check-out first!
While not all songs are killers due to a little too much tinkering with the originals and vocals more enthusiastic than pitch perfect with Danko on lead and Manuel adding harmony vocals they nail “It Makes No Difference” on disc 3 and others too, but on going back to disc 2 one can't help but be impressed with the ache in Danko's vocals on “Unfaithful Servant”.
Solo, Danko comes through with nice takes of “Blaze Of Glory” and with that pressing rhythmic beat “The Shape I’m In” and more versions of “Twilight” and “Long Black Veil” to go with “Caledonia Mission” and golden gospel oldies “When I Get My Rewards” and “Sunny Side Of Life”; sure there are some tracks not quite as goods as others, but hey Rick Danko like with The Band as a unit he was a legend.
Maurice Hope