Million Dollar Bash
With the success of 1974's comeback albums, The Band enjoyed having more royalty money coming in while simultaneously enjoying their new studio setup. Shangri-La, a ranchette with a once sordid history as a bordello, was now The Band's new recording studio for up to 24 tracks while also being their clubhouse. This included a fully stocked bar and a pool table which became extra inviting for fellow neighboring musician friends to come by and party. While fans enjoyed Planet Waves and the live album Before the Flood, reviews by magazines were generally still positive, but were slowly becoming mediocre and criticizing. An example of this is Tom Nolan from Rolling Stone saying, regarding Before the Flood, that "...Dylan's vocal emphasis and The Band's busy arrangements make for an awkward listen.". Levon Helm wrote in his autobiography that it was "...as if the press were starting to tire of us after years of slavish reporting and reviews.". To make matt...