Genre: Album
Grade: A-/B+
Notable People: Robbie Robertson, Van the Man, Frederick Yonnet, Derrick Trucks
Title: Sinematic
Review: The sixth solo album from the legendary leader of The Band is not much of a surprise. Eccentric guitar and very eccentric raspy vocals that are an acquired taste. I did not really like the album on first listen, but it has grown on me. Robbie has always been a superb songwriter and way, way out there in subject matter. The opening song, featuring the great Van Morrison, is about hit men (called men who paint houses)….and it continues from there. There is a lament for his long-lost brethren in The Band called “ Once Were Brothers” which is really sad. (Robbie and Garth Hudson are the only survivors of what may have been the greatest ever American band). That song is from a documentary on The Band just released and winning prizes at film fests (directed by Robbie’s long-time buddy, Martin Scorsese). I imagine you have to be longtime fan to really get into this…which I certainly am.