Editorial Reviews

Considering how steadfastly they eschewed the spotlight during their time together, it's somewhat surprising to reflect on the brightness of the Band's legacy -- one that two generations of acolytes have followed like some sort of sonic North Star. This tribute disc showcases both the breadth and depth of their influence, populated as it is by musicians from all ends of the spectrum, each of whom seems to have taken something different from the Band's stealthily complex gumbo of sound. Gomez home in on virtuosity -- especially on the vocal front -- on a rendition of "Up on Cripple Creek" that mimics the three-singer trade-off of the original, albeit with a dollop of British tone that tops the tune like sweetly clotted cream. My Morning Jacket, on the other hand, turn in a version of "It Makes No Difference" that brings forth the stoic strength that ran through the Band's brawnier work without diminishing the song's innate vulnerability. Some of the participants remain fairly faithful to the original templates of these songs -- the Allman Brothers, for instance, capture the steely grace of "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down" beautifully -- while others go off on more improvisational tangents. Even those -- like Guster, who treat "This Wheel's On Fire" to a post-No Depression bluegrass makeover -- do so with reverence, making Endless Highway one of those all-too-rare tribute albums where the honoree remains the focus and not merely an afterthought. David Sprague, Barnes & Noble

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