The Band - Northern Lights, Southern Cross
(Hybrid SACD)
Track List
1. "Forbidden Fruit"
2. "Hobo Jungle"
3. "Ophelia"
4. "Acadian Driftwood"
5. "Ring Your Bell"
6. "It Makes No Difference"
7. "Jupiter Hollow"
8. "Rags And Bones"
The Band Northern Lights-Southern Cross on Numbered-Edition Hybrid SACD from Mobile Fidelity
Mastered from the Original Master Tapes by Mobile Fidelity: Features Numbered-Edition Mini-LP-Style Packaging
Quintet's Fifth Album Features Gorgeous Layered Harmonies "Ophelia," "It Makes No Difference," and "Acadian Driftwood"
The Band’s Northern Lights-Southern Cross is, in nearly every respect, the group’s studio swan song. The group’s fifth album is also one of its finest works, a finely textured collection that at the time of its 1975 release marked the quintet’s first album of new material in four years. And what songs they are. Anchored by the standards “Acadian Driftwood,” “Ophelia,” and “It Makes No Difference,” the set finds the collective in peak form, the absorbing music a result of both guitarist Robbie Robertson’s unflappable songwriting and a fortunate confluence of creative factors.
“It was the first time in a while that I felt we had locked in again in a certain kind of way. We were really having enjoyable times together both musically and hanging out. We had a great time going out and playing with Bob, the new environment was refreshing and I think musically we were hungry. You put all these bits and pieces together and it adds up to something."
–Robertson, as told to Rob Bowman
As Robertson recalls, the Band had been rejuvenated after touring with Bob Dylan and reconnecting with the same muse responsible for inspiring its landmark debut. In addition, the group came to the realization that it worked better when operating outside of traditional recording studios. Akin to Music from Big Pink and The Band, sessions for Northern Lights&mdashSouthern Cross occurred within a clubhouse-like atmosphere&mdashspecifically, a converted Malibu ranch/bordello they called Shangri-La.
There, with the pressure off, the Band was able to relax, think, and take their time. The situation also fostered a new approach to recording. Due to Shangri-La’s dimensions and myriad windows, the Band overdubbed all of the vocals, ensuring unrivaled smoothness and fluidity. In addition, the group embraced the then-new technology afforded by recording on a 24-channel console, allowing for multiple layering of keyboards and overlapped harmonies.
Mastered from the original master tapes, Mobile Fidelity’s numbered-edition hybrid SACD brings the beauty, intellect, and contours of Northern Lights&mdashSouthern Cross to life as never before. Particularly compelling is the priceless “Acadian Driftwood,” on which you can hear the oddly tuned fiddling of bluegrass virtuoso Byron Berline seamlessly mesh with Garth Hudson’s bagpipe and Richard Manuel’s piccolo with unparalleled transparency. Blending Quebecois, Cajun, and country, the song is one of the greatest compositions in the American songbook&mdashand now, even better.