Robbie Robertson

by Robbie Robertson

Overview

Robbie Robertson was once asked why he waited 11 years after the breakup of the Band to release a solo project, and he replied, "I wasn't so sure I had something to say." One can hear a bit of this thinking in Robertson's self-titled solo debut; it's obvious that he didn't care to revisit the country- and blues-flavored roots rock that had been his bread and butter with the Band, and at the same time Robertson seemed determined to make an album that had something important to say, and could stand alongside his legendary earlier work. Looking for a moody and atmospheric sound, Robertson teamed up with producer Daniel Lanois, who had previously worked with U2 and Peter Gabriel, two artists whose work obviously influenced Robertson's musical thinking while he was making the album (they both appear on the album as well). As a result, Robbie Robertson is an album that represents both a clear break from his past, and an ambitious attempt to take his fascination with American culture and music in a new and contemporary direction. It's highly ambitious stuff, and the album's ambitions sometimes prove to be its Achilles' heel. Robertson's collaboration with U2, "Sweet Fire of Love," sounds like a rather unremarkable outtake from The Joshua Tree, with the group's aural bombast subsuming the ostensive leader of the session, while "Fallen Angel," "American Roulette," and "Somewhere Down the Crazy River" find Robertson exploring the same iconography of the Band's best work, but without the same grace or subtle wit. And it doesn't take long to realize why Robbie only took two lead vocals during his tenure with the Band; his dry, reedy voice isn't bad, but it lacks the force and authority to communicate the big themes Robertson wants to bring across. Despite all this, Robbie Robertson does have its share of pearly moments, especially on the bitter "Hell's Half Acre," "Sonny Got Caught in the Moonlight," and "Broken Arrow" (a performance more subtle and effective than Rod Stewart's better-known cover). Robbie Robertson isn't the masterpiece its creator was obviously striving towards, but it's an intelligent and often compelling set from an inarguably important artist, and it comes a good bit closer to capturing what made the Band's work so memorable than the latter-day efforts from Levon Helm and company. ~ Mark Deming

Product Details

Release Date:	10/25/1990
Label:	Geffen
UPC:	0720642416020

Tracks

1. Fallen Angel
2. Showdown at Big Sky
3. Broken Arrow
4. Sweet Fire of Love
5. American Roulette
6. Somewhere Down the Crazy River
7. Hell's Half Acre
8. Sonny Got Caught in the Moonlight
9. Testimony

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Robbie Robertson   Primary Artist,Guitar,Vocals,Keyboards,Vocals (Background)
U2   Primary Artist,Guest Artist
Daniel Lanois   Guest Artist,Bass,Guitar,Vocals,Omnichord,Percussion,Vocals (Background)
BoDeans   Guest Artist,Vocals (Background)
Rick Danko   Guest Artist,Vocals,Vocals (Background)
Ivan Neville   Guest Artist,Vocals,Vocals (Background)
Maria McKee   Guest Artist,Vocals,Vocals (Background)
Garth Hudson   Guest Artist,Keyboards
Peter Gabriel   Guest Artist,Vocals,Keyboards
Terry Bozzio   Guest Artist,Drums
Bill Dillon   Guitar,Vocals (Background)
Larry Mullen, Jr.   Drums
Larry Klein   Bass
Manu Katche   Drums,Percussion
Bono   Bass,Guitar,Vocals,Vocals (Background)
Adam Clayton   Bass
Tinker Barfield   Bass
The Edge   Guitar
Gil Evans   Horn,Horn Section
Abraham Laboriel, Sr.   Bass
Bill Dillion   Guitar,Vocals (Background)
Sammy Bodean   Vocals,Vocals (Background)
Hans Christian   Bass
Eluriel Tinker Barfield   Bass
Tony Levin   Bass,Stick,Stick Bass

Technical Credits

Bob Clearmountain   Mixing
Bob Ludwig   Mastering
Larry Mullen, Jr.   Composer
Gary Gersh   Executive Producer
Bono   Composer
Jay Healy   Engineer,Assistant Engineer
Peter Gabriel   Producer,Drum Programming
Adam Clayton   Composer
David Bottrill   Engineer
The Edge   Composer
Cary Butler   Engineer,Programming,Drum Programming,Assistant Engineer
U2   Composer
Pete Levin   Arranger,Assistant Arranger
Robbie Robertson   Composer,Producer
Mark McKenna   Engineer,Assistant Engineer
Martin Page   Composer,Producer,Programming,Drum Programming
Jim Scott   Engineer,Associate Producer
Gil Evans   Arranger,Horn Arrangements
Marc DeSisto   Engineer
Thom Cadley   Engineer,Assistant Engineer
Daniel Lanois   Producer
Jeff DeMorris   Engineer,Assistant Engineer
Chris Callis   Photography
Chris Isca   Engineer
Jeri Heiden   Design
Paul Edwards   Production Assistant
Patrick McCarthy   Engineer