Rick Danko
Album: Stage Fright
Label: Floating World
Tracks: 73
Website: http://www.rickdanko.com/

Rick Danko is, of course, best known for being the bass player and singer with The Band, not just any band but THE BAND, who were not only Bob Dylan's band of choice in 1966 but who were one of the most influential bands of the late 1960's and early 1970's, before the original band played its final gig in November 1976 [as documented in "The Last Waltz" film, directed by Martin Scorsese].

When The Band split up, Rick Danko was the first member to release a solo studio album, in 1977. However, despite contributions from the likes of Ronnie Wood, Eric Clapton and the other members of The Band, it suffered from poor sales and Rick was dropped from his label, Arista.

Rick rejoined a re-formed version of The Band in 1983 which featured the original members apart from principal songwriter Robbie Robertson.

Rick also pursued a solo career until his untimely death in December 1999, apparently from heart failure.

What we have here is a 4 CD set of live recordings by Rick, some entirely solo and some with Bandmate pianist/vocalist Richard Manuel and ace harmonica player Paul Butterfield which were recorded 1984 at New York's Lone Star Café.

Sadly, Richard Manuel committed suicide in March 1986 whilst on tour with the re-formed Band, an event that clearly affected Rick profoundly. Indeed, Rick and drummer Levon Helm discovered Richard's body and Rick later said "I am sure it was a big accident or a big mistake. I can't believe that anyone feels that way". Rick suffered another personal tragedy in 1989, when his son Eli died at the age of 17.

Turning to this "Live Collection", what do you get for your £15? A generous total of seventy three tracks across four discs, of which twenty eight also feature Richard Manuel. Whilst the solo Rick Danko tracks are excellent, it is great to hear him sing once again with Richard Manuel, their voices blending beautifully to recall the timeless music of The Band. Take, for example, the stunning harmonies on the heartrending version of "It Makes No Difference" from The Band's "Northern Lights Southern Cross" album. Paul Butterfield adds a wonderful harmonica solo, too.

The trio of Danko, Manuel and Butterfield also do full justice to another favourite Band song, "Across The Great Divide", whilst fans of Ray Charles will find much to enjoy in their rendition of "You Don't Know Me".

Whilst I thoroughly enjoyed the first and fourth discs, which feature Rick Danko solo, with acoustic guitar, I must say that the real gold dust in this set are the second and third discs which feature Richard Manuel. His piano playing and plaintive vocals when combined with Rick Danko's tenor voice and bass guitar create something magical, the spirit of The Band.

Whilst it is great to have these remastered soundboard recordings available for the first time, they also remind us that both of these hugely talented musicians suffered with their personal problems and died much too young. In 2004, Jason Isbell wrote a fine tribute to Rick and Richard called "Danko/Manuel", which you can hear on The Drive-By Truckers' album "The Dirty South". That song, along with this excellent value 4 cd set serves as a fitting testimony to these legendary musicians.

Peter Cowley