Rock of Ages is a great live recording, capturing The Band during a New Year's Eve performance welcoming 1972. This has been a favorite live albums of mine since I discovered it in the mid 70's. This CD takes the original 2 album set and puts on a single CD. The re-mastered sound is great, and the performance is as vibrant now as it was then. One of the great parts of this set is the addition of a horn section on some of the songs. Both on upbeat songs such as "Don't Do It" and on quieter songs like "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down". I've always liked "Rock Of Ages" more than the farewell set "The Last Walz", probably because this is all The Band, as opposed to the guest appearances that define The Last Walz. As if the re-mastered original recording wasn't enough, this deluxe edition adds a whole additional CD of live material. This is a collection of songs the Band often played during this time frame, and includes some gems that weren't on the original recording ("Up On Cripple Creek" and "I Shall Be Released"). Plus 4 songs featuring Bob Dylan. The extra set is icing on the cake, and makes a great album even more essential. Highest recommendation!

While other rock groups of the late `60's and `70's attempted to elevate their work through "rock operas" and live collaborations with various philharmonic orchestras, The Band understood the powerful subtlety of their American roots-based music. "Rock of Ages" showcases marvelous live performances of The Band's best material from their first four albums (including much of the essential "Music from Big Pink" and the self-titled second album), supercharged by an all-star horn section blowing arrangements penned by the great Allan Toussaint.

Disk One comprises the original release of "Rock of Ages," and is worth the price of the set on its own. The Band at its best was always about collaboration and teamwork (which, as drummer/vocalist Levon Helm recounts in his revealing autobiography, "This Wheel's on Fire," regrettably is missing from the groups later efforts), and each member contributes to the power of the performances, whether it's Richard Manuel's soulful vocals, Robbie Robertson's high-wire guitar solos, Garth Hudson's lunatic keyboard and woodwind genius, or the rock-solid rhythm and joyous singing of Helm and bassist Rick Danko. The Band & Co. maintain an admirable level of energy and control, drawing on history ("The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down "), vaudeville ("The W.S. Wallcott Medicine Show," "Rag Mama Rag") , pieces of Americana ("King Harvest," "Across the Great Divide"), and the human condition ("The Weight," "Unfaithful Servant," "The Shape I'm In") to convey their unique musical vision. By the time they shift into "Chest Fever" and "Rock and Roll Shoes," the performers and audience alike are dancing on winged feet.

Disk Two will probably be of more interest to hard-core fans of The Band and Bob Dylan - the inclusion of the Dylan tracks is more of historical interest, as he rarely performed live during the time of the recording. My favorite tracks here are "Time to Kill" and "Rockin' Chair", the latter featuring a trademark falsetto harmony shift by Manuel that is at once heartwarming and hair-raising.

For performance alone, "Rock of Ages" belongs in any serious rock and roll collection.

Arguably the greatest live rock 'n roll album of all time, "Rock of Ages" serves as a showcase for not only the considerable skill of the Band's musicians themselves, but also of Alan Toussaint's prowess as an arranger. The horn arrangements Toussaint wrote for the songs presented here (with the exception of "The Weight" and "Get Up Jake," which appear here without horns) never interfere with the melodies or change the basic feel of the songs as they originally appeared. At the same time, the horn arrangements manage to be pervasive and intricate, weaving their way in and out of the Band's soulful grooves. Highlights include the album's opener, Marvin Gaye's "Don't Do It," a funky tune which rides on the strength of Rick Danko's bass line and Levon Helm's drumming.

Well, whoever said that is totally right refering to this album.

For a long time I've been hearing all-but-studio takes of the band. I got to know their hits from Dylan's "Before The Flood" and "The Last Walz" and it was all great, then I got Rock Of Ages, and it rocked so much that I had to find out how these guys sound on their studio albums. The conclusion is so simple: The Band are amazing, they are brilliant and talented musicians, Robinson is one of rock's best writers and they're all creative and smart, but when they're on stage this time, on Rock Of Ages, it different: They have this bond on this album that just can't be repeated. They sound like they're haveing such a good time collaborating live and they just... fly. Another great thing is the horn section that's adding a great dramatic feel, the horns work perfectly with The Band, but (unfortunatly) it's not all the same when Dylan's on stage. not that it's bad, but it's a bit messy, specially on "Like A Rolling Stone" (the reast of them are great selections and good performances). All in all, whether it's your first Band album or not, I recommend it very much.

...but I gotta submit a gripe about this live album.

The vocals are somewhat buried, and for that reason, I'd go with "The Last Waltz" over "Rock of Ages." I love The Band, I love virtually every song on this album, but whoever mixed it forgot (or didn't realize) that so much of the emotive power in The Band lay in their glorious voices. The horn section is way louder than their voices, and I don't understand that. You'd think that would be something they'd correct when putting together this reissue, but they didn't.

Still, as a big Band fan, I own it, and I'm glad I do. But if I were to suggest a "live" Band album on audio quality alone, I'd go with "The Last Waltz."