“Sounded fresh and contemporary”: the 1969 album John Oates called “a true classic in every way”

John Oates has named The Band’s 1969 self-titled second album as a record that changed his life, praising its songwriting, performances and blend of contemporary and old-fashioned sounds. His admiration highlights the album’s lasting influence and its example of how several songwriters can create a coherent work.

Often called The Brown Album, it followed the group’s acclaimed debut, *Music From Big Pink*. Robbie Robertson wrote most of the material, while Richard Manuel and Levon Helm also contributed as songwriters and singers; Oates described the album in a 2015 interview as “a true classic in every way”.