In 1978, Martin Scorcese's ground breaking documentary on the Band was released. It showed not only the end of a band...but the end of a cultural phenomena. Last year, the film was reworked with bonus footage and was released with an accompanying remastered DVD-A version of the original soundtrack. So with that in mind, let's revisit the shape they were in...

Everyone knows the story...The Band started as a backing group to Ronnie Hawkins. In the mid-60's, they were stolen by Bob Dylan becoming his sidemen and then branched off as the Canadian Squires. No longer happy to be the background; they chose to reinvent themselves as a main stage attraction. They simply became known as The Band...and became the backing band of an entire generation...

Between the time of 1968 to 1978 the Band's solo recorded output consisted of 8 albums in which 3 were top 10's. During that time they also figured in prominently on Muddy Water's "Woodstock Album", and shared billing with Bob Dylan on a couple of top 5 albums. As 1976 approached, The Band became more concerned with solo efforts and collaborations than performing as a whole. As their interest in continuing together waned, The Band looked to film maker Martin Scorcese to document their last gig.

It was on November the 25th, 1976, that the band would stage their "Last Waltz" together. As a tribute, many of their friends and associates turned up at Bill Graham's Winterland to participate in this farewell performance. Scorcese's camera caught that evenings events with a stark nakedness that has yet to be replicated. The actual concert extended over some 5 hours with dozens of hours set aside for candid interviews and monologues. The final package hit theaters and stores after some 16 months of editing. The film itself has become an art house staple and the soundtrack became a stand alone sensation peaking at #16...

The Band's "Last Waltz" as a film and soundtrack is truly a study in contrasts. On the one hand, we hear the rapture of their recorded output...on the other, we bear witness to their sharp decline. One medium perpetuates the myth...the other glorifies the legend. It is with that contrast in mind that I'll give you my impressions of The Band's "Last Waltz" both as a documentary and as a stand alone soundtrack...

The Band - "The Last Waltz" by Martin Scorcese

The documentary brought to film by Martin Scorcese thrusts a band of generic looking bit players uncomfortably into the spotlight. These guys seem completely out of their element - void of personality and chemistry. The in-concert segments are by and large stolen by the guest performers. The viewer is immediately drawn to the obvious superstars of the day...Bob Dylan, Van Morrison, Eric Clapton and Neil Diamond. Even the lesser knowns like Paul Butterfield and Dr. John stand out in stark contrast to the homogenous make-up of the band. Robbie Robertson tries for all the world to be a frontman but is dwarfed by the ease and laid back charm of Neil Young and Joni Mitchell. Muddy Waters makes love to the audience with sheer pelvic thrustin' boot-stompin' energy. In fact; every guest from Emmylou Harris to Ron Wood draws the spotlight away from the film's namesake showband.