BBC Review
It really has to be the last word on the band formerly known as Levon and the Hawks...
Chris Jones2005
Talk about sumptuous: Just when you think you've seen the most luxurious box set retrospectives,something like this hits the racks. With coffee table graphics, 5 CDs of choice cuts, live versions, demos and early rarities PLUS a DVD of concert appearances - all supervised by Robbie Robertson, A Musical Historyreally has to be the last word on the band formerly known as Levon and the Hawks...
From their Canadian roots as Ronnie Hawkins' backing group, through their trial by fire at the hands of Bob Dylan's purist 'fans' in 1966 to their apotheosis as guardians of Americana in sleepy Woodstock. It's all here.
Simply put; their rebellion against the vagaries of psychedelia led to the reinvention of American popular music, and a worldwide reconsideration of the role 'roots' music could play in modern culture. Over-indulgence and bad mental health destroyed them all too soon, but their legacy grows in stature every day. A Musical History proves it.
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