The Band The Last Waltz (Upgrade)
Released: September 23, 2003 Origination Year: 1978 Time: 2 Discs Tracks: 30 Produced by: Robbie Robertson Style: Best Of - Live Format: CD Enhancement: Remastering Label: Rhino / Warner
Track Listing Disc One Theme From The Last Waltz Up On Cripple Creek Who Do You Love Helpless Stagefright Coyote Dry Your Eyes It Makes No Difference Such a Night The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down Mystery Train Mannish Boy Further On Up The Road Disc Two The Shape I'm In Down South in New Orleans Ophelia Tura Lura Lura! Caravan Life is a Carnival Baby Let Me Follow You Down I Don't Believe You (She Acts Like We Never Have Met) Forever Young Baby Let Me Follow You Down - Reprise I Shall Be Released The Last Waltz Suite: The Well Evangeline Out of the Blue The Weight The Last Waltz Refrain Theme From The Last Waltz
The Band Robbie Robertson: Vocals / Lead Guitar Rick Danko: Bass Guitar/ Vocals Garth Hudson: Keyboards Richard Manuel: Vocals / Piano Levon Helm: Drums / Percussion

The Band called an end to an era that seemingly feels as if it were indeed a death announcement. It's surprisingly a haunting reminder that when The Band left, so did the era that it entertained. That what makes this album a bittersweet document of those times. Not only does it celebrate the music of the group known collectively as The Band but it also brings together in one place the entirety of the then reigning embodiment of rock in its purest form. And it's all represented here.

Because The Band left didn't mean the demise of rock, no. But what did occur was an eerie sense of timing, cementing The Last Waltz happening into the annals of time as the culmination of a generation. Who would have known the vast importance of The Last Waltz with it's aptly named title? Of course, rock music never died. And it did evolve. But this era passed into eternity and this event was there to document it.

The soundtrack to the popular and most definitive era piece ever recorded, The Last Waltz was filmed by Martin Scorsese and covers the final concert appearance of The Band. The Band invited an incredible list of top echelon stars that held sway at the time but became iconic after the fact. Even though many of the artists in this film and on this soundtrack continued, the timeframe they represented pushed them into legend and allowed for a new flame to be lit.

Joined on stage by the likes of Ronnie Hawkins, from whom The Band got their start, Neil Young, Bob Dylan, Ronnie Wood, Neil Diamond, Dr John, Joni Mitchell, Muddy Waters, Eric Clapton, Emmylou Harris, Van Morrison..the list extends on. What occurred was a melding of the elite and a lively event. If you were there you were forever touched and changed.

This Rhino/Warner upgrade is the downsizing of the Rhino 4CD box that was released back to it's original 2CD spec. The remastering process used on the box set enhanced the sound quality bringing out the clarity of the original recording. It seems a shame to not issue the set back to its original size with the upgraded sound. Hence the reason for this new release.

There is no need to go over the songs in this set as it's well noted by anyone who grew up in rock's golden era, the 60s and the 70s; by those who cared.

There is a renaissance of sorts of 70s appreciation. I know because my teenage son is reveling in it. I revel in it because it lets me know that the joy of the 60s and 70s can be relived and can touch you yet again. One listen to "It Makes No Difference" becomes a travel in time with its folk/jazz/blues/rock hybrid quality. While we can't go back in time to relive the actuality of that marvelous era, we can put something in the player that can transport you, perhaps even bring a tear to your eyes. No doubt it will send chills up your spine.

For those who have never listened to this collection of a time passed, now is the time to immerse yourself completely. For those who are too young to remember this event, you're given a pass to one of the greatest events in rock history. You won't come away untouched.

Note: I wrote a review for the release of the DVD. I include a link to it as a celebration of The Last Waltz, the heyday of rock music.

This review, like the album, the movie, and the event, is sadly dedicated to the memory of Richard Manuel and Rick Danko.