The THE BAND Band

I have to admit, I have a hard time saying their name: The THE BAND Band. Seems like it should just be The BAND Band. But that's neither here nor there--I'm just finicky about syntax.

That said, the fact is The Band no longer exists as a live performing entity and, from everything I've heard, these guys are as close as it gets to the real thing. Aside from the authenticity of the music, the group is doing what they do--performing the music of The Band--not to emulate them, but to honor them and to keep the music alive.

I've not seen them yet myself, but founding member Gary Solomon, who plays bass and sings, has been kind enough to invite me to see the group, and I hope to meet them soon. I have heard from others, though, that the similarities are uncanny. As I believe I've mentioned before, my friend Phil Ciganer, who owns the Towne Crier in Pawling, New York, where Rick played regularly for many years, says that, if you close your eyes when The The Band Band performs, you can easily picture Rick, Levon, Richard, Garth, and Robbie onstage.

"I’ve been a fan of The Band since I was a teenager," says Solomon. "The first album I owned was Stage Fright. As a young bass player, I was tremendously influenced by Rick Danko’s unique style." Keyboardist and lifelong Band fan Jack Kraft was similarly influenced by the great Garth Hudson. "Jack and I were sitting around playing Band songs one night in February, 2007, when the idea came to us to get a guitar player and drummer, and play the songs like the recordings," Solomon recalls. "Vinny Nicosia joined us on drums. We later added Josh Radin on guitar and mandolin, and Mike Corbin on guitar and keyboards. We all share in the singing." The The Band Band's first gig was in August, 2007, and since then, says Solomon, "It’s taken on a life of its own. For us, it’s beyond fun. It’s joyous."

Ask any club owner who's booked the group and he or she will tell you that audience response has been fabulous. "There are a lot of Band fans coming out to hear us because they know how great the music of The Band is," says Solomon. "It’s timeless, and fans have been missing it."

If you haven't yet seen The THE BAND Band perform, what better place to catch them than in Woodstock, New York, "a town synonymous with The Band," says Solomon, at the Colony Cafe on December 27. The THE BAND Band is dedicating the show to Rick, since it takes place two days before his birthday. "To play in Woodstock is pretty special. Levon and Garth still live there. It's sacred ground."

What a nice way to remember Rick and to celebrate the music of The Band. - Carol Caffin