Music That Matters and You Might Enjoy [Part I]

As a listener for any time to the Morning Show, you know music plays a rather large role in my life. I've been advised to let you know what I'm passionate about without overdoing the music. With that in mind, here is the first post in a semi-regular series on songs and music I hope you enjoy reading as much I do writing.

The Band - 'I Shall Be Released'

Too much has been written about The Band for me to add anything other than what I hear in the music and what it means to me. But man, oh, man, what a BAND! Three prominent lead singers in Rick Danko, Levon Helm and Richard Manuel. An ace guitar player in Robbie Robertson, not to be outdone by the multi-instrumentalists Levon Helm and Garth Hudson. In the late 1960's they found and crafted into the early 1970's a sound unlike any other.

Richard Manuel, the keyboardist and sometime drummer, steps forward to take the lead vocals on the Bob Dylan penned song "I Shall Be Released."

Richard offers the song in a high falsetto, almost near the edge of heartbreak. But if you listen closely, it seems he and his piano were recorded in a large concert hall and are meant to stand alone and the rest of the music and vocals are added as an ethereal afterthought.

One of the greatest aspects of the song is, I shall be released from what? A psychological, emotional or physical hold? Isn't that the beauty of art? It's left for you, the listener, to interpret.

For me, my best friend in middle school stole my girlfriend. I know a silly connection that I remember to this day. This song offered some solace in my time of "loss."

If you don't already own a copy of Music From Big Pink, I strongly suggest you buy it today.