The liner notes for Robbie Robertson's version of the Band's swan song makes the case that Islands was never meant to be viewed as their studio signoff. Rather, argues Robertson, it was seen as their version of the Who's Odds and Sods and a contract fulfiller so that the quintet could release their true coda, The Last Waltz, on Warner Bros. With such modest aspirations in mind, Islands, while falling far short of the Band's creative heights, provides a pleasant listen for stalwart fans. Covers of "Ain't That a Lot of Love" and "Georgia on My Mind" (the latter recorded to boost Jimmy Carter's presidential campaign) showcase the always striking vocals of Levon Helm and Richard Manuel, respectively. And while the likes of "The Saga of Pepote Rouge," "Knockin' Lost John," and "Let the Night Fall" lack the passion and precision of prime Band, they're appealing in their own modest way.
01 Right as rain 02 Street walker 03 Let the night fall 04 Ain't that a lot of love 05 Christmas must be tonight 06 Islands 07 The saga of pepote rouge 08 Georgia on my mind 09 Knockin' lost john 10 Livin' in a dream 11 Twilight 12 Georgia on my mind (alternate take)