Rick Danko (album)

Rick Danko (album)

Rick Danko was the 1977 eponymous debut by the bassist and singer for The Band. Featuring ten tracks written by Danko usually in conjunction with lyricists Bobby Charles and Emmett Grogan, it was the first solo album by any member of the group, and is perhaps the most accessible to date.

Rick Danko is the only solo album by a member of The Band to feature each member of the group. Garth Hudson played accordion on "New Mexicoe", Robbie Robertson lead guitar on "Java Blues", Richard Manuel electric piano on "Shake It" and Levon Helm sings harmony vocal on the closing "Once Upon a Time". Danko handled bass, rhythm and lead guitars and vocals. Other guests included Eric Clapton (guitar on "New Mexicoe"), Ronnie Wood (guitar on "What a Town"), Beach Boy and later Band member Blondie Chaplin (guitar and bass on various tracks) and Doug Sahm (guitar on various tracks).