Garth Hudson - The Sea to the North 2001

Garth Hudson (born Eric Hudson) in London, Ontario, on August 2, 1937, was the greatest virtuoso talent in that stellar cast of musicians known as the Band. The full-bearded, genial artist may also be the most fascinating personality to emerge from that legendary group (certainly the most inscrutable). Hudson's Lowrey organ, from which he could coax a variety of sounds, from gospel to classical, was a centerpiece of the Band's sound. He also played an arsenal of other instruments -- examples being his accordion work or his memorable saxophone passages on such Band staples as "Tears of Rage" and "Unfaithful Servant." Hudson's signature, however, had to be the dramatic organ opening of "Chest Fever" (from the Band's debut, Music From Big Pink), during which his extensive classical background shone. (In the movie The Last Waltz, the other members claim Hudson gave them music lessons in the early days of the group.)

On the 1975 album Northern Lights/Northern Cross, Hudson began using synthesizers. By the time of the group's re-emergence (sans Robbie Robertson) in the '80s, the Lowrey was gone. Hudson has not slowed down over the years, playing and recording with a variety of artists during the '90s and into the new millennium, including frequent appearances, both studio and live, with Professor Louie & the Crowmatix. In 1998, Hudson was prominently featured on the star-studded Dvorák-inspired concept album Largo (which had a live performance at Vassar College in 2001). In September 2001, Hudson released his "official" solo debut, The Sea to the North, on Breeze Hill Records. His only previous solo release was 1980's Our Lady Queen of the Angels, a score he wrote for an exhibit by sculptor Tony Duquette.

It wasn't too hard to guess that Garth Hudson's long-awaited solo album would be a tour de force; his virtuoso instrumental talents stood out even in that legendary group of musicians known as the Band. What may surprise listeners, however, is the sheer scope of sound on this effort, with Hudson playing an intimidating range of keyboards (including pipe organ), various saxophones, accordion, melodica, and Tarogato. Each track is a sonic adventure, the hapless listener unsure of what lies around the next bend. Several centuries of music and continents seem embedded in the elegiac title track ("composition" is a better word for music of this scope), while "The Saga of Cyrus and Mulgrew" is boldly futuristic. Later years found the erstwhile members of the Band occasionally digging into the Grateful Dead's catalog, and Hudson is no exception, doing a free jazzy take on "Dark Star" on which he even offers some spoken vocals. Members of that sterling Woodstock, NY, band the Crowmatix show up here, with prominent appearances by group leader Professor "Louie" (aka Aaron Hurwitz), who co-produces. Hudson's old bandmate Levon Helm shows up as well. This is startlingly spontaneous music with a brain (a very big brain), and it's not for the faint of heart or the average pop fan. And that's a great thing. AMG.

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