THE BAND

THE BAND
THE LAST WALTZ (1978)
REMASTER
320 KBPS

During the late '60s and most of the '70s, The Band were arguably the premier American rock group, combining a host of influences to create a distinctive full-bodied sound. For a primarily Canadian ensemble, their lyrics were pure Americana. With themes ranging from the Civil War to small town fairs, they were set in heartland cornfields and Southern battlefields, and the Band's repertoire came to personify the American people. Eloquent and lyrical, their songs stood apart from the other popular genres of the time. Musically, they were equally inventive, incoporating accordions, organs, mandolins and fiddles. It was all driven by the group's individualised vocals, with harmonies that purposely didn't blend.
THE LAST WALTZ is the recorded document of their 1976 farewell performance. The event was filmed as a documentary by Martin Scorsese, capturing the all-star concert (and Thanksgiving dinner) for posterity. Sort of a rock version of "This Is Your Life", THE LAST WALTZ brought together performers from all phases of the group's career, giving them a chance to pay tribute and join The Band one last time.
There's no doubt that the songs are the centrepiece. All the group's well-worn hits are reprised, but there are some notable standouts. Famed Canadian rocker Ronnie Hawkins, whom the Band backed in their early days as The Hawks, reprises "Who Do You Love". After their tenure with Hawkins, the group went on to accompany Bob Dylan on some of his earliest electric sessions. Dylan returns the favour by performing a strong folk-bluesmedley beginning and ending with a fiery, rocking version of "Baby Let Me Follow You Down". Muddy Waters gives a lessonin the blues on "Mannish Boy", with the late great Paul Butterfield on harmonica. Eric Clapton offers his own polished version of the blues with a blistering "Further On Up The Road". Emmylou Harris, a highlight in any setting, duets on the gentle waltz "Evangeline". Dr. John's accurate and rousing"Such A Night" brings a bit of Mardi Gras to the proceedings. Joni Mitchell provides another pleasant change of pace, introducing her jazz-inflected sound with "Coyote", and joining in on soulful soaring harmonies with Neil Young on his classic "Helpless". Even Neil Diamond joins in on the fun, on a song he co-wrote with Robbie Robertson.
Although not the last track on the disc, the Dylan-led all-star rendition of the Band/Dylan classic "I Shall Be Released" is the emotional finale of one of the most important records in contemporary music.

Disc 1
1. Theme from the Last Waltz
2. Cripple Creek ferry
3. Who do you love
4. Helpless
5. Stagefright
6. Coyote
7. Dry your eyes
8. It makes no difference
9. Such a night
10. Night they drove old Dixie down
11. Mystery train
12. Mannish boy
13. Further on up the road

Disc 2
1. Shape I'm in
2. Down South in New Orleans
3. Ophelia
4. Tura lura lural (that's an Irish lullaby)
5. Caravan
6. Life is a carnival
7. Baby let me follow you down
8. I don't believe you (she acts like we never have met)
9. Forever young
10. Baby let me follow you down (reprise)
11. I shall be released (finale)
12. Well
13. Evangeline
14. Out of the blue
15. Weight
16. Last waltz (refrain)
17. Theme from the Last Waltz