Stage Fright (album)

Stage Fright is the third studio album by the Canadian-American rock group The Band, released in 1970. Recorded primarily at the Woodstock Playhouse in Woodstock, New York, it followed the band's critically acclaimed first two albums, Music from Big Pink and The Band.

The album's title, Stage Fright, reflects the anxieties and pressures The Band were feeling at the time, having rapidly risen to fame and critical acclaim. These themes are explored lyrically in several of the songs.

The album was produced by The Band themselves, with additional production assistance from Todd Rundgren on several tracks. Musically, Stage Fright continues the band's distinctive blend of rock, folk, country, and blues. However, it has a somewhat harder-edged sound compared to their previous albums, incorporating more prominent guitar work.

Notable tracks on Stage Fright include the title track, "The Shape I'm In," "Daniel and the Sacred Harp," and "Time to Kill." The album reached number five on the Billboard Top LPs chart in the United States. While Stage Fright was well-received and commercially successful, some critics consider it a slight departure from the cohesive brilliance of The Band's earlier work, noting a more fragmented feel. Despite this, it remains a significant and respected album in The Band's discography and is considered an important work of the era.