The Band - "Cahoots" (1971) - Capitol Records
Hello Friends,
This 1971 LP, The Band's fourth album, is often overlooked. This is probably because (a) their first two records-- Music From the Big Pink & The Band -- are regarded as classics that set the bar ridiculously high; (b) their third record-- Stage Fright-- though not as revered as the first two was still pretty well received; and (c) The Band, themselves, never really held this album in high regard often dismissing it in interviews and only really playing one song ("Life is A Carnival") at live shows.
The album starts out with the very strong, aforementioned "Life is a Carnival" featuring a pretty jazzy horn arrangement by Allen Toussaint. Next is the album's best track, the Bob Dylan-penned, "When I Paint My Masterpiece". Two fantastic songs with the Band's familiar folk-rock-jazz-rhythm & blues sound.
In title alone, "Last of the Blacksmiths" sounds like a song by The Band.
The song, "4% Pantomine", has lyric and vocal contributions from none other than everyone's favorite purple jumpsuit wearing, Van Morrison.
Side Two doesn't fare as well. Songs like "Shootout in Chinatown", "The Moon Struck One", "Smoke Signal" and "Volcano" aren't terrible but they're certainly not all that great!
Overall, we think that this is a pretty good record! Perhaps by 1971 critics and fans were looking for a new direction or sound out of The Band or maybe the boys themselves were growing sick and tired of each other. (We're looking at you Robbie Robertson!) Its worth mentioning that Cahoots would also be their last all original studio album for four years which is strange because up until then they were releasing albums at a rate of one per year!
RATING: 4 the Streets of Rome are filled with rubble out of 5
The album starts out with the very strong, aforementioned "Life is a Carnival" featuring a pretty jazzy horn arrangement by Allen Toussaint. Next is the album's best track, the Bob Dylan-penned, "When I Paint My Masterpiece". Two fantastic songs with the Band's familiar folk-rock-jazz-rhythm & blues sound.
In title alone, "Last of the Blacksmiths" sounds like a song by The Band.
The song, "4% Pantomine", has lyric and vocal contributions from none other than everyone's favorite purple jumpsuit wearing, Van Morrison.
Side Two doesn't fare as well. Songs like "Shootout in Chinatown", "The Moon Struck One", "Smoke Signal" and "Volcano" aren't terrible but they're certainly not all that great!
Overall, we think that this is a pretty good record! Perhaps by 1971 critics and fans were looking for a new direction or sound out of The Band or maybe the boys themselves were growing sick and tired of each other. (We're looking at you Robbie Robertson!) Its worth mentioning that Cahoots would also be their last all original studio album for four years which is strange because up until then they were releasing albums at a rate of one per year!
