THE BAND: "Moondog Matinee" (+ 6 Bonus)

Original released on LP Capitol SW 11214

(US 1973, October 15)

Something of a stopgap collection while Robbie Robertson readied his next batch of songs (sadly, the other band members had ceased to write entirely), "Moondog Matinee" is an entertaining if inessential album of cover songs. Taking on songs written (or popularized) by Clarence "Frogman" Henry ("Ain't Got No Home"), Allen Toussaint ("Holy Cow"), Bobby "Blue" Bland ("Share Your Love With Me"), Elvis Presley ("Mystery Train"), Chuck Berry ("The Promised Land"), The Platters ("The Great Pretender"), Fats Domino ("I'm Ready"), LaVern Baker ("Saved"), and Sam Cooke ("A Change Is Gonna Come"), The Band sound completely at home as they tackle these rock n' roll (as opposed to rock; there is a difference) and r&b-based "oldies." And though I wouldn't say they improve on the originals as a general rule, this is most definitely a worthwhile exercise, as The Band respectfully pay homage to music that obviously meant a lot to them. Their take on "Mystery Train" is certainly exemplary, as The Band really hit on a good groove on this one. Helm and Hudson (who sounds like he's been listening to a lot of Stevie Wonder) especially shine, while Manuel steals the show on "Share Your Love With Me," a supremely soulful ballad. 

Richard always was The Band's most affecting singer, while Helm was their most authoritative, and as such it makes sense that Helm sings the album's more rollicking numbers ("Ain't Got No Home," "The Promised Land," "I'm Ready," and "Mystery Train"). The first three are probably my least favorite songs on the album, actually; certainly the silly chorus somewhat mars "Ain't Got No Home" (only Van Morrison can get away with such wordless gibberish), and the other two, while well performed, are simply of a style I prefer less than the surrounding material. "Saved" is only average as well, while we're at it, and though their version of "The Great Pretender" is classy enough, that's just one of those songs that I think should be left alone. Perhaps The Band's most versatile and steadiest singer (if their least distinctive), Danko does a good job on Toussaint's sing songy "Holy Cow," which sounds like it could've been written by Randy Newman, and he puts in a terrific performance on Cooke's "A Change Is Gonna Come," which is probably the album's other standout track alongside "Share Your Love With Me" and "Mystery Train." In the middle of all this is the waltz-like instrumental "Third Man Theme," which provides a nice break in the action and shows that the group put some thought into how they wanted to conceive this album. (Scott Florman in AllMusic)