This year, The Band celebrates the 50th anniversary of the group’s debut album, Music From Big Pink. Originally released in 1968, the landmark album saw the group debut their distinct blend of country, folk, rock, R&B, and soul. Music From Big Pink first got its release two years after the group backed Bob Dylan as The Hawks, though the famed singer-songwriter made himself present by painting the album’s now-iconic cover art.
For The Band’s 50th-anniversary reissue of their debut album, the band has put together a special collection featuring a new stereo mix produced from the original four-track analog masters, alternate takes, outtakes, previously unreleased chatter from studio sessions, and more. Due out on August 31st, the reissue will be available as a Super Deluxe CD, Blu-ray (with a new 5.1 surround mix + 96kHz/24bit high-resolution stereo of the album and a reproduction of 1968’s 7″ single of “The Weight”), 2 LP, and 7-inch vinyl (pressed on 180-gram black or limited-edition 180-gram pink vinyl) box set with a hardcover book, which features exclusive photographs and a new essay from famed Rolling Stone journalist David Fricke.
Perhaps most exciting, the special 50th-anniversary edition of Music From Big Pink will feature five alternate takes from the album’s original recording session, as well as a previously unreleased a capella version of The Band’s classic “I Shall Be Released”
Fans can pre-order The Band’s 50th-anniversary edition of Music From Big Pink here ahead of its official release on August 31st.
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