The band never did take much stock in garishness, so it's not surprising that Levon Helm and Rick Danko would introduce their first solo albums with humility and sobriety more akin to a Sunday-morning service than a Saturday-night session. And while it was impossible to imagine the Band without one of its members, it was equally fruitless to isolate any one of them as the linchpin to the sound.

Capturing voices redolent of history, smoke, rain and wisdom, Danko/Fjeld/Andersen unites three extraordinary veteran singers. And with its 12 cuts epitomizing the stylistic range and artistic command only long experience makes easy and convincing, the album blends three distinct rich musical traditions as well.

Playing bass at 17 for rockabilly belter Ronnie Hawkins, Canadian Rick Danko was...