Album Reviews

*** The Band, “Live at Watkins Glen,” Capitol. “Rock of Ages” remains the classic live Band recording, but this previously unreleased 1972 performance has a raw, spontaneous edge that contrasts nicely with the group’s normally disciplined approach. Remarkable moment: While the rest of the band heads for cover during a thunderstorm, Garth Hudson stays at the keyboards for a solo.

*

* 1/2 The The, “Hanky Panky,” 550 Music/Epic. The The’s Matt Johnson isn’t the first rocker intrigued enough by Hank Williams to think of recording an album of the country legend’s mostly heartbreak songs, but others wisely realized it would be superfluous. There are moments here, but eventually you’re gonna long for the purity of Williams’ own vision.

New albums are rated on a scale of one star (poor), two stars (fair), three stars (good) and four stars (excellent).