The Band: The Authorized Video Biography

Rather than recount their career in standard encyclopedic terms, The Band: The Authorized Video Biography is a fair, concise, and illuminating documentary which serves the rustic rockers' style by concentrating on their work. The quintet's assembly as Ronnie Hawkins' rockabilly sidemen, its transformation into the all-purpose Band while backing Bob Dylan, and the recording of such albums as Music From Big Pink are described in terms of music, not personalities, but drummer Levon Helm's sharp commentary — aided by other Band members (including Robbie Robertson), producers, and such fans as Eric Clapton and George Harrison — gets the artistic story told. B