Greatest Hits (The Band album)

Greatest Hits is a compilation album by the Canadian-American rock group The Band, released in 1972. It primarily focuses on the group's output from their first four studio albums, Music from Big Pink (1968), The Band (1969), Stage Fright (1970), and Cahoots (1971).

The album serves as an accessible overview of The Band's most well-known and critically acclaimed songs from their initial and arguably most impactful period. It features staples such as "The Weight," "Up on Cripple Creek," "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down," and "Rag Mama Rag."

Greatest Hits was commercially successful, achieving platinum certification from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). It helped to solidify The Band's legacy as a significant force in rock music and introduced their sound to a wider audience.

The track listing, while generally representative of their core material, omits certain notable songs and album tracks. However, it provides a good introduction to The Band's unique blend of rock, folk, country, and blues influences, characterized by their distinctive harmonies, storytelling lyrics, and instrumental arrangements. The album remains a popular choice for listeners seeking a concise collection of The Band's most enduring music.