This 4-CD box set of THE LAST WALTZ includes the complete original album, 24 tracks of previously unreleased rehearsals, performances from the show, film, and studio demo tracks. Includes an 80-page booklet.
Additional personnel includes: Neil Young (vocals, acoustic guitar, harmonica); Joni Mitchell (vocals, acoustic guitar); Dr. John (vocals, guitar, piano, conga); Eric Clapton, Bob Dylan, Neil Diamond, Roebuck "Pops" Staples (vocals, guitar); Paul Butterfield (vocals, harmonica); Mavis Staples, Ronnie Hawkins, Muddy Waters, Van Morrison, Bobby Charles (vocals); Stephen Stills, Ron Wood (guitar); Joe "Pinetop" Perkins (piano); Ringo Starr (drums).
The Band's farewell concert was lavishly presented on Thanksgiving night, 1976 at San Francisco's Winterland Ballroom. Originally released as a three-record, 30-song set, it's been expanded to 54 songs spread over four CDs. The concert presented an overview of their entire body of work, with music from most of their albums. They're joined by a series of guests who are all either peers (Van Morrison, Neil Young) and contemporaries or mentors and wsources of inspiration (Ronnie Hawkins, Muddy Waters).
With the exception of Bob Dylan, all of the artists were originally heard performing only one song with accompaniment from the Band. This longer format allows for a further look at what transpired on that night. The live material is also joined by previously unissued studio recordings, including a theme that frames the work as a whole. Additional material also includes a few rehearsal takes, demos for some of the studio tracks, and 15 minutes of jamming with even more guests (Ringo Starr, Stephen Stills). This is not a traditional career overview or hits run-through; rather, it's a celebration of this important ensemble's legacy.
Recorded at Winterland Arena, San Franciso, California; MGM, Culver City, California; Shangri La, Malibu, California; Village Recorders, Los Angeles, California in 1976. Originally released on Warner Brothers (3146). Includes liner notes by Robbie Robertson and David Fricke.
The Band: Robbie Robertson (vocals, guitar, piano); Richard Manuel (vocals, dobro, keyboards, drums); Levon Helm (vocals, mandolin, drums); Rick Danko (vocals, violin, bass); Garth Hudson (accordion, soprano & tenor saxophones, horns, piano, electric piano, organ, synthesizer).
Producers include: Robbie Robertson, Rob Fraboni, John Simon.
Reissue producer: Robbie Robertson.Entertainment Weekly (4/19/02, pp.72-73) - "Time hasn't diminished The Band's uniqueness or mythic mystery..." - Rating: A Q (May 2002, p.127) - 4 out of 5 stars - "...Ever conscious of their place in history, [The Band] went out in style....full of invention, twists and...moments of other-worldly genius..." Mojo (Publisher) (1/03, p.73) - Ranked #3 in Mojo's "Best Box Sets & Compilations of 2002" Mojo (Publisher) (5/02, p.117) - "...The original highlights are highlights still: Danko's heartrending solo turn on 'It Makes No Difference', big Ron's yelping 'big time, Bill, big time' turn on the Diddley-stompin' 'Who Do You Love'; the soulful Staples on the after-the-fact studio version of 'The Weight'..."
Class Act. The Band is a class act! From Dillion to Diamond and beyond. The music is timeless, and enjoyable for all generations. The words are as important to what was happening in the 60's as they are to what is going on today. Submitted by whsalumni33 (Columbus, Oh, USA) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
Rock Legends at Play This is the seminal rock concert of the 60's and 70's immortalized on film and on disk. Many great musicians at their best accompanying the Band on their last performance. Gotta love it. See the film too -the CD is for your car. Submitted by sdpate (Charlottetown, PE Canada) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
the band is back The band is back bigger and better than ever. The complete Last Waltz was avaible a few years ago on a bootleg. This box set blows that away with its superb sound quality. The packageing is well done. Just the Dylan set makes this worth every penny. The bonus material is just as good quality as the orginal which isn't allways the case with some sets. I am looking forward to the DVD release. Submitted by a reviewer (hollywood fl usa) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
Mostly fabulous The original version of "The Last Waltz" was wonderful. For this box set, everything has been remixed and with 23 or 24 previously unissued tracks, there's bound to be some chaff with the wheat. Best new addition - Neil Young's perfomance of Ian & Sylvia's "Four Strong Winds." Most useless - the 4 or 5 rehearsal tracks on disc 4. Overall, I'd give it 4 1/2 stars if I could. Buy it if you even thought you might like The Band or any music from the late 60's early 70's era. Submitted by a reviewer (Ellicott City, MD, USA) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
THIS IS THE VERSION TO OWN!!! Throw out the old 2-disc version. This box set is the one to own. Not only are there extra tracks, but the sound quality is superior thanks to Robbie Robertson's overseeing of this reissue. You can really HEAR how excited the crowd was that night. Buy this box set to fully experience THE LAST WALTZ. Submitted by a reviewer (Fairfax CA, USA) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
Class Act.
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