I doubt The Band set out to make the greatest rock movie ever. Most bands, when they break up, dissolve into a pool of watered down press releases all citing musical differences. We’ve heard it all before. But not The Band.
They get the greatest concert promoter in the history of music – Bill Graham – to produce a farewell show. Then they get the greatest filmmaker in the history of film – Martin Scorsese – to direct and document the evening. Then they get the world’s greatest musicians together to play some of the greatest music ever made.
Things like this don’t happen anymore. Today there’s a team of people behind the scenes all going over contract details and backstage riders before their ‘treasured artists’ step foot in the door. But in 1976, it was less formal and more about the music. The Last Waltz is the sound of some hippies getting together and saying goodbye. Thanks for the trip. CONTINUE READING >
PERFORMANCES Classic Albums Live, The Band: The Last Waltz (Friday): If you haven’t yet had the chance to see a Classic Albums Live show, what a fantastic time to start! Classic Albums Live presents albums, “note-for-note, cut-for-cut” live, each show with a fantastic hand-crafted band for that recording. This Friday brings to Massey Hall an aural re-creation of The Band’s epic concert recording (and film) masterpiece, The Last Waltz, on the evening of the original event’s 35th anniversary.
Justin Rutledge (Friday): We’re delighted that one Justin Rutledge will appear on the Glenn Gould Studio stage this Friday night and you should be too: his latest album, The Early Widows, was produced by Hawksley Workman and one of the tracks was co-written by canonized Can-lit icon Michael Ondaatje. For a complete Justin Rutledge-themed evening, check out CBC Radio 3 to try your hand at Mr. Rutledge’s Pear and Gorgonzola Linguine recipe. Saturday Saints start the night as Special Guests – you can check out their MySpace page here.
Women’s Blues Revue (Saturday): This weekend also brings to Massey Hall the Toronto Blues Society’s 25th annual Women’s Blues Revue. As usual, the performers on the bill are top notch – this year the show features Shakura S’Aida, Suzie Vinnick, Kat Danser, Ada Lee, Emma-Lee, and Treasa Levasseur. The Women’s Blues Revue Band backs the evening and includes, among other talented folk, Brandi Disterheft, who also performs solo at Glenn Gould Studio this February. Can’t wait until Saturday? Watch Ada Lee discuss why she is looking forward to the event, here – and check the live recording from last year’s event over on CBC Concerts on Demand.
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I doubt The Band set out to make the greatest rock movie ever. Most bands, when they break up, dissolve into a pool of watered down press releases all citing musical differences. We’ve heard it all before. But not The Band.
