I know I am dating myself when I say that The Band was one of the bands I followed closely when I was in my teens. While Stage Fright may not be the album that many people choose as their favorite, it was (as the press release below states) a trendsetting album that contains many songs fans think of as quintessentially The Band.

There is an album being released on September 17 called Stage Fright at 50 – An Ovation from Nashville which is a 50th anniversary tribute to The Band’s Stage Fright. Four of the best songs on that album, for me, are ‘Stage Fright’, ‘W.S. Walcott Medicine Show’, ‘The Shape I’m In’, and ‘Time to Kill’, and this album has lovely versions of them. In fact, the entire album is a wonderful tribute to this seminal band.

Do not expect the songs to sound exactly as performed by The Band. Wisely, these musicians chose to evoke The Band without trying to imitate The Band precisely.

You may know some of the musicians from other projects. Luke Bulla is a member of Lyle Lovett’s Large Band. Oliver Wood is one of the Wood Brothers. Kevin McKendree and Lee Roy Parnell have been with Delbert McClinton.

The Band influenced generations of roots musicians so far and no doubt will continue to do so. This tribute (because it is a tribute as well as a reimagining) to The Band is rock solid and worth exploring as a worthy alternative to the original.

All information about purchasing this album is available on the website link above.

Below is the press release and list of artists appearing on the album.

“We celebrate the 50th anniversary of Stage Fright, the trendsetting LP by one of rock’s most important bands, in Stage Fright at 50 – An Ovation from Nashville. Our ensemble of sixteen musicians is led by co-producers John Heithaus and the multi-Grammy® winner Kevin McKendree, and features inspired original performances by seasoned Grammy-winning and nominated artists, along with exceptional vocalists representing Nashville‘s growing crop of emerging talent.

“Our Ovation endeavors to carefully reimagine these classic songs with stellar roots-influenced musical arrangements and is complemented by our vocalists’ fresh artistic interpretations of each song – thereby exploring a wide range of emotions that all humans share: peace, escape, introspection, frivolity and more.

“The seminal LP peaked at #5 on the billboard album charts, surpassing the band’s first two commercial albums. Widely noted for its musically diverse and lyrically-rich songs, Stage Fright has been widely credited as a primary founding influence in American roots music, merging rock, country, blues influences – and inspiring countless songwriters and musicians around the globe. With a renewed respect and admiration for Messrs. Danko, Helm, Hudson, Manuel, and Robertson, we’re elated to present Stage Fright At 50 – An Ovation from Nashville.

“Featured in order of performance: Lee Roy Parnell, SARACHEL, Sam Morris, Rick Huckaby, Nalani Rothrock, Yates McKendree, Greg Mayo, Lindsey Kate and Luke Bulla, Colin Linden, and Seth James.”

The Rock House All Stars
Kevin McKendree – Piano, B3, Wurlitzer electric piano, acoustic & electric guitars, backing vocals
Yates McKendree – Drums, Percussion, electric guitar and lead guitars
John Heithaus – Electric Bass Guitar
Luke Bulla – Fiddle (Daniel and the Sacred Harp)
Tim Gartland – Harmonica (Strawberry Wine)
Nick Jay – Background Vocals (The Rumor)
Lee Roy Parnell – Slide Solo (All La Glory)
Jimmy Stewart – Dobro, Fiddle, Acoustic Guitars
(Time to Kill, W.S. Walcott Medicine Show, Daniel and the Sacred Harp)
Oliver Wood – Guitar solo (W.S. Wolcott Medicine Show)
Kevin McKendree – Engineering and Mixes
Recorded at the Rock House, Franklin, TN USA
Matt Norden – Project Manager
Mastered by Jim Demain at YES Master, Nashville
Album Art by w.e.pugh
Album Design by Chris Baron & John Heithaus