Song of the Day 1/14: The Band, “Chest Fever”

Sorry I’ve been absent for a couple of days — I came down with one of the various viruses (non-computer variety) making the rounds. I doubt it was actually “chest fever,” but I couldn’t find a song called “non-stop vomiting.”

Released on The Band’s debut LP “Music From Big Pink,” the tune served as a more rock-oriented counterweight to the more rustic-sounding songs on the rest of the album, and was used to open their set at Woodstock. It quickly became a showcase for the amazing Garth Hudson, who plays both the Lowery organ and, on the break, tenor saxophone.

The song was covered to good effect by Three Dog Night.