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Where to start
If you own nothing, buy the first two: Music from Big Pink (1968) and The Band (1969). Between them they hold most of the songs the group is remembered for. Then add the 1975 late-peak Northern Lights – Southern Cross and the live Rock of Ages.
The studio albums, ranked
The Band (1969)
“The Brown Album.” Their masterpiece — “Dixie Down,” “Cripple Creek,” “King Harvest.” American music distilled.
Music from Big Pink (1968)
The debut that changed the direction of rock. “The Weight,” “I Shall Be Released,” “Tears of Rage.”
Northern Lights – Southern Cross (1975)
The great late return to form. “It Makes No Difference,” “Acadian Driftwood,” “Ophelia.”
Stage Fright (1970)
Tighter and darker. The title track and “The Shape I'm In” are first-rate.
Cahoots (1971)
Patchier, but “Life Is a Carnival” and the Dylan-penned “When I Paint My Masterpiece” shine.
Moondog Matinee (1973)
A covers album of the rock & roll they grew up on — loose, fun, inessential but charming.
Islands (1977)
The contractual final album of the original run. For completists.
The essential live albums
Rock of Ages (1972) catches them at their peak with Allen Toussaint horn arrangements — arguably their best live document. Before the Flood (1974) captures the roaring reunion tour with Bob Dylan. And The Last Waltz (1978) is the star-studded farewell.
The reunion albums
The four members minus Robbie Robertson reformed and made three later studio albums — Jericho (1993), High on the Hog (1996) and Jubilation (1998). They're for devoted fans rather than newcomers.
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Affiliate links · supports this archive
The remastered vinyl reissues sound superb. Original first pressings turn up regularly on eBay.