The problem with
Robbie Robertson's career after the official end of
the Band is that his best songs were already written and, as recorded within the context of
the Band, made a formidable legacy to compete against. Coupled with the fact that
Robertson's voice was never a strong and expressive vehicle (
Levon Helm,
Richard Manuel, and
Rick Danko were the trio of voices that gave
Robertson's songs with
the Band such a timeless, vital, and autumnal reach), and his solo career has been spotty at best, a sort of long fading to black over the end credits of a powerful movie. This set collects some of the tracks from his various solo efforts, and while the intelligence and drive of
Robertson's aspirations are everywhere apparent, most of these sides seem overwritten and overwrought, a set of flaws
Robertson mostly avoided in the halcyon days of
the Band. ~ Steve Leggett, All Music Guide