The Last Waltz: The Best Concert Film Ever?
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- Опубліковано 28 лис 2017
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FURTHER READING (please consider using these links if you'd like to purchase these books. It helps the channel).
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"Testimony" by Robbie Robertson: geni.us/testimony
"This Wheel's on Fire" by Levon Helm: geni.us/levon
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MUSIC
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The Time to Run (Finale) - Dexter Britain
Theme from The Last Waltz- The Band
Add And - Broke for Free
Other music provided by Musicbed & Epidemic Sound
Get Epidemic Sound using my referral link! (www.epidemicsound.com/referra...) - Комедії
Hey folks, I had a lot of fun making this one. There's two metrics that matter on UA-cam: people 18-49 and people who like dad bands. The Band is very dear to my heart, and as my channel description says, I make stuff I care about. There are a few funny stories that surround the creation of this video which I'll detail in my newsletter this week, so join in if you wanna read 'em (bit.ly/2dDYX9W). As always, I'll be in the comments.
Great essay. But have you read Small Town Talk by Barney Hoskins? It would be a good counterpoint to Robbie Robertson's memoir. Not everyone in The Band thought The Last Waltz was a good idea.
Chris Timmins I haven't read Small Town Talk but I read Helm's book, and he makes it pretty clear he didn't like The Last Waltz at all. It's sort of weird because there's no real records, and to me, it's Robertson's word against Helm's. No idea who to trust. Robertson seems to be out for himself, but Helm seemed to have honesty/paranoia issues. Seeing as some of the guys tried to keep playing afterwards makes me think it was just Robertson who wanted to stop. But most bands seem to have that same issue once they stop (it's all they know so they want to come back). I will check out your suggestion. Thanks for the comment!
Thanks for the reply, Will! I see your point about the difference of opinion. That said, there are major factors at play I did not mention, mainly because I didn't want to crowd the comments section of your lovely video. And since you read Helm's book "This Wheel's on Fire," you probably already know most of what I'm about to say...
Anywho, I do think there's an added layer/thread of greedy opportunism on Robertson's behalf, especially considering how he benefited from the break up and from the film, given the royalty payouts and his friendship with Scorsese. No one would disagree that the break up, concert, and concert film was spearheaded by Robertson and that it was a proactive farewell to end on a high note, rather than burn out in addiction and death--points I agree with from your video. That this was against other members' will is not a secret and is such common knowledge that it's distilled on The Band's Wikipedia page.
While Robertson was the only one who could have gotten the whole project off the ground in its final form, and we're all grateful that it happened, it's the benefit of hindsight to ask: who benefited the most from the break up and The Last Waltz? The fallout of The Band's break up is actually a huge financial matter that is addressed in the documentary film, "Ain't In It for My Health." So the story goes, Robbie Robertson took advantage of Danko, Helm, Hudson, and Manuel by taking nearly exclusive writing credit for all the songs and manipulated royalty laws tied to The Band's record contracts in his favor so that payouts were not split equitably amongst the remaining members. He did the same for the concert film. Naive as they were, the other members simply cared more about the music than who was given writing credit. No one can deny Robertson's chops, but he as primarily a session musician, and the lyrics and melodies came primarily from the other members. Any fan of The Band knows this!
Levon, especially, wrote, played and sang The Band's bread and butter: Southern mythology about low country living in Arkansas, while Robertson was a Toronto city kid who ended up taking the lion's share of the money after the break up. Essentially, there's a verifiable version of the story that Robertson orchestrated The Last Waltz as a golden parachute out of The Band to explore his own pursuits. Adding insult to injury: Robertson's solo efforts after The Band stink! This makes it all the more tragic that Levon was playing concerts in ill health during his final years in order to pay for his medical bills. So we fans end up with The Last Waltz as an unparalleled and tremendous crescendo that overshadows a dubious and preventable fallout.
P.S. You may already have encountered it, but here's areat article from Chicago Tribune's Greg Kot in 2002. He puts it in good perspective: theband.hiof.no/articles/bs_lw_ct_040702.html
Great job on this. Thanks. I watch The Last Waltz like I watch sports. I just watch the games or in this case the concert and just listen to the music. The personal and business issues ultimately have nothing to do with me. Only the music does.
And thank God for Robbie Robertson's fore sight and knowledge
The words and emotions in the song Makes No Difference gets me every time, Danko was masterful
Robbie wrote it with Rick in mind. He felt Rick would be able to sing it without it coming off as self pity, he was right.
I do believe the Last Waltz is the best concert film ever made. I fall in love with it all over again each time I see it.
Yes ,Baby , Ja baay Kiss 😘
Every Thanksgiving
Even after 40 years, The Last Waltz has not been topped.
Love this film and getting addicted...Bought Robbie's book "Testimony"....But So sad...he is passed today at 80. RIP Robbie..
and the dawn don't rescue me
no more ~
definitely the best concert film of all time
to all we've lost to the road ..
we remember you
we miss you ♡
That line "and the down don't recuse me" the way Rick sings it, is so powerful and heartbreaking.
The Last Waltz makes me unbearably happy every time I hear it. An authentic miracle.
The Last Waltz enriched my musical appreciation for sure. First watched it as a 15 year old in 1981....forever grateful to my amazing stepdad for bringing this into my life..
Best Rockumentary ever!!!!!!
I'm so glad you made a video about The Last Waltz - it's truly an extraordinary and unparalleled celebration of music, the likes of which we haven't seen since it's production, and are unlikely to see again in our lifetimes. It's wonderful to see the film getting the attention it deserves.
Thanks, Tom. I'm always amazed by it every time I see it. The energy is captivating. The emotion stunning. Thank you for the comment.
This is one of my favorite concerts ever, it’s emotionally such a ride. The music played is amazing, Neil Young’s helpless and Joni Mitchell’s coyote, van morrisons caravan steal the show. Must watch!!
Dylan's Forever Young is quite good too. Not to mention Cripple Creek and Dixie Down.
upload from Will? I stop what I'm doing, and watch. I am a simple man.
MY man
Same here....great Band. My respect from Rio de Janeiro/Brazil
An excellent take on a great topic!
Jack's Movie Reviews that moment when the two best youtube channels connects, you should do a collaboration which would go beyond this world.
Thanks Jack! Loved the recent hybrid Scorsese video of yours. What do you think about the ongoing theme of his: how a majority of his characters desire "release" from their "confining conditions"?
Wow The Band, Martin Scorsese, Bob Dylan, and Lawrence Ferlinghetti all in one place! Can't believe I didn't know about this film. Excited to check it out. Thanks for another great video, Will
Dude! Michael! Thanks for the comment and keep truckin'
Excellent job on this , Will. It wasn’t until well into my adulthood that I could fully appreciate the magnificence that is The Last Waltz.
This is one of those movies that reminds me of my college days. I fondly remember wasting days upon days in our apartment, sharing ideas, hopes and fears. I also recall being introduced to this film and the grateful dead movie during one particularly strange and mind bending weekend. As always thank you for the thoughtful analysis and perspective. Thanks also for the reminder of good days gone by.
Honestly, I love hearing these stories man. While "The Band" was not the band that I was listening to while sharing "ideas, hopes and fears" during college, they were formative to my younger years (10-15). There's something communal to their music. I'm not going to overattribute their influence, but there were times when I felt isolated and alone during those years, and "The Weight" would bring me right back to stability. Much like one of the interviewees says in "Woodstock" -- we're all just trying to "figure it out." The Band's music helped me and based on your comment, it sounds like they helped you. Thanks for the enjoyable comment. Talk to you soon!
I loved the movie..went out n bought the albumn...it is still my absolute favourite in my LP collection. I haven't heard ANY band since that had these guys collective tallents! Rip..to our time and people
One of the masterful decisions Scorsese made was starting the movie with the final encore...when Robertson says "Goodnight, goodbye" that final encore they just played was 'Don't Do it" which was often the first song in many of the band's concert gigs. So they finish with a song that should be at the beginning. It's a wonderful juxtaposition...you start at the end--which is really the beginning. Brilliant. Don't do it--is itself a message...don't you break my heart, please don't do it...and throughout the song the band is introduced via credits...just cements the notion that this was/is the best concert film ever produced.
ua-cam.com/video/ki3zzZ-GsGI/v-deo.html
You're so right. It's really just a genius film structurally. As Robertson says in the first few minutes, "It's the beginning of the beginning of the end of the beginning.
I came here, after a recommendation from the channel, VI. The video was an amazing study of The Band, the film, it's sentiment, social and psychological effect the movie has. I saw the movie in the 90'S, and it had a profound effect on me.
I thoroughly enjoyed the video!
Happy Thanksgiving! from Canada. I Love this film. Raised my kids on it. Now my grandchildren are learning it from their moms. Sang The Weight to my most recent grandson, #5, about an hour after he was born. Aug 17, 2018. Wish I had thought of it for the first four. The younger nurses didn’t get it, older nurse and the doctor seemed to. Peace!
I have barely any interest is this topic, and yet I'm loving this video.
Yea I knew going into this that the topic wouldn't necessarily connect with many people, but I'm glad to hear that. Thanks for the comment.
Now you've done it. Brought a year or several to my eyes. Loved the band loved the movie
Thank you for this video! You captured the whole story behind the Band and The Last Waltz 🙏
Awesome video per usual. All of your videos tap into things I obsess about everyday and it’s nice to watch your videos and know someone else does too. You’re one of the good ones Will.
Thanks Lucas! I appreciate your being such a fan. Keep on keeping on!
Really well put together. Good work. Cheers Will. UK Producer.
My high school teacher took the class to c the last waltz in Santa Monica it the cinerama dome in 1978 it changed my view of everything to this day l still love the movie and the band. Im waiting for the documentary once were brothers
Saw the Last Waltz when it opened Spring 1978 at Ziegfeld theater in NYC. Really big deal. Never saw anything like it before. The film making was perfect. Crystal clear, vibrant and warm. And the music... wow. Unlike so many concert films before it. Knew right away was instant classic. Went on to see few more times and bought the album. Still have that album.
Loved it. Enlightening as well as immensely enjoyable. Keep up the great work!
Thanks John, glad you enjoyed it!
Beautiful summary thanks.
i always love your videos will, they always make me think a little deeper and love a lot harder!
Thanks, John. If we can think a little deeper and love a little harder, we're going to have a great world. Keep workin' hard my friend.
Will, no matter which Topic your heart goes into it always inspires me! Thank you and greetings from germany!
No matter what topic it is, if you care about it, others will too. Thank you so much for the comment -- it makes me happy that my work resonates with you. Prost!
UGHHHHHHHHHHHH I love this movie. When they play the weight! Oh my god! Thank you for this, I spend so much time wanting to talk to people about how good this.
Ive watched The Last Waltz more times that I know and have turned on a few folks who never knew of The Band or perhaps heard of them but didn't listen to what magic they produced.
Of the five musically talented members they had three great singers with Levon, Rick and Richard.
Winterland in San Francisco was pulled down back in the late 70s and is now a Retirement Home.
That was a fun watch.
Thanks John. You're the man.
happy thanksgiving
Will, your narrative is heartfelt poetry.
I saw The Last Waltz in Boston when it came out, the summer after my freshman year at B. U.
I went because Bob Dylan was in it.
The first time.
Then I went back and saw it several more times.
This video is very nice, thanks.
All I can say is wow. Now I have to go listen to The Last Waltz again!
Do it! I love that darn album.
Yes! And revel in the sweet tones of Levon Helm's voice!
Having seeing this movie well over 200 times and listed to it many more times it still rocks; 45 years later the music is still crisp and has yet to be topped. An oddity: many people are familiar or have seen "This is Spinal Tap" few know that it was a parody of "This Last Waltz".
200?! Wow!
Great work!! Hope you make more such well made essays! Subscribing.
Oh my gosh you beat me to it! I've been day dreaming for months about doing my first video essay on The Last Waltz.
;) Sorry for beating you to it! I'm sure you've got plenty of other wonderful ideas for the pipeline. Let me know if you have any questions about making your first video essay my friend. (willschoder@gmail.com)
Thank you so much for covering this. The Band is one of the greatest American bands Of all time. My band plays a couple Band songs, and this is one of our favorite live concert movies. Also, Festival Express is an amazing concert film. The Band, Grateful Dead, Janis Joplin, and many more. No other concert films I’ve seen hold up to The Last Waltz, even though they were all coked up during the whole filming. Neil Young had to have cocaine residue digitally removed from nose in the editing phase of his performance.
Best concert I ever attended, not counting Woodstock, was the Band in Madison Square Garden! 2+ hours and no inane babbling or wild antics just solid lyrics and incredible performances.
Scorsese told what it was eventually all about when it came to the band in the first few minutes of the film Rick Danko says in regards to the pool game 'Name of the game is cut throat.'
Thank you. ❤
That's just so sad... Man this video. Dude you got a gift of words bro. Nice vid
Thanks friend, glad you enjoyed it.
Awesome as always!
Thanks Heitor!
great job, thank You!
Thanks for sharing this video will... there's a lot of people who doesn't know anything about the group the band!! ..you my brother said it all , I was living back in them days partying to some of the best Rock and roll bands God ever created..most people would disagree with me but back then drug's and Rock and roll did mix because that's when they played there hardiest , but there were definitely a price to pay..and just like you said The road and the drugs took some of the best artists out!! Robbie Robertson knew that road was going to take him out the same way..
You a beast at what you do
nice work!
I love (this) Band since 1992
most underrated will shoder episode
It took the creative and empathic energies of a bunch of Canadians (and one Alabamian) to bring out the most essential parts of Americana; These performances are just as good as when I first saw the film, when it was about 30 years old and I was in highschool. It's nice to have your impressions reconfirmed a decade later.
Yea, it's crazy. They represent the emotions of the country so well and yet they're a bunch of Canucks. Perhaps that's what makes them so appealing.
I am in love with this film for a lot of reasons, but it really comes down to how likable these guys are in their performances. They just put it all out there and they are devoid of ego (at least during the film) .
Thanks for your comment, have a great rest of your weekend!
Levon was from Arkansas not Alabama
Great soulful band joined by music legends in their prime, directed by Scorsese even. The stars aligned to bring this together for you and I.
This and R40 are my 2 favourite concert films
one of my favorite movies. definitely my favorite concert film
Absolutely
Thank you for this beautiful video. What I heard from other Band menbers was that Robbie single handed wanted to end the band, but the other guys wanted to go on.
They all wanted to step back and take a break. They were all train wrecks. Robertson had other irons in the fire to use. He had started getting involved with scoring movies. The others didn't. But when it was time to reconvene, just like what happened with the album Islands when some days only Garth and Robbie would show up to record, no one was ready. So, five years later when everyone else was ready, Robbie had already moved on
Not true @fernandes5986. Levon Helm's own words, heard him say it in the film " Once Were Brothers ", that nothing could have saved The Band, we all had things we wanted to do separately. Don't believe everything you hear @fernandes5986, especially from the Robbie haters. When you know the real, true story you realise that they had run their course, drugs & alcohol left certain members of The Band barely going through the motions. Robbie knew that it they continued somebody was going to die on the road, or be caught & convicted carrying heroin through customs. It was the right thing to do to call a halt at that time.
OK, THANKS@@JohnMcaulay-gp6nb
I love you dude please keep up with this
Thank you, Gonza. I'm hoping that in a few months I can really start pushing out more and more vids. And no worries, I won't stop.
Another good one Will!
Thanks Bob!
Absolutely!!
Yes!
Loved the movie… still have the DVD
Welcome back.
Thank you my friend. I'm happy to be back.
You've convinced me to give this another chance. As much as I love Levon Helm, and some of Scorcese's movies, I could never get into The Band or The Last Waltz. I'll try again with a better perspective and a more open mind.
Also, while not my favorite band, Talking Heads' Stop Making Sense is probably my favorite melding of music and cinema.
If you like Levon, then you'll like The Last Waltz. I was just chatting with a friend last night and he said he couldn't take his eye off him for the whole film. His performances of Ophelia and The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down are simply incredible.
And I'm totally with you on Stop Making Sense.
of course❤❤❤❤❤
Did they play The Weight at the T.L.W concert? If they did, is it possible to find it?
Yes
Yes.
The music was so good. Then the smile of Levon!
And the smile of Robbie, he lights up the room. RIck Danko had such an endearing personality.
incredible and empathetic editing
I think I understand what you're saying. Also, I feel like you're about to write a lot of comments soon, so feel free to delay answering this.
Wow your intuition is Haidt-esque
Are you going Tilted?
The performance by Neil Young in The Last Waltz is incredible, awesome video Will!
Thanks, durable -- I'm also a big fan of Neil's performance. I decided to cut it from the 'final cut' but Young's "Helpless" quite obviously fits the theme of "Desperation." Thanks for the comment my friend. I hope all is well.
Hands down
Wonderful vid
Thanks, Al. I appreciate it. And thanks for becoming a patron.
amazing film!!
I love this concert and l love The Band.
Hell yea, me too Terry.
Me too!
I really need to watch concert films apparently, I had never even heard of this! And I call myself a cinephile...great video Will, lovely stuff as always. Side note: I've been pronouncing your last name wrong in my head for longer than I care to admit.
Oh hey, thanks for saying so! :D
Everyone does! You're not alone -- everyone thinks it's show-der. But it's sch- like school.
Best one I’ve ever seen, I would put live aid second. I doubt there will ever be a better collection of talent than those shows.
The Band is frozen in time in The Last Waltz. They will be eternally 30 years old forever
“RR” is so handsome
Levon Helm was irresistibly cool
I love him so much, and he's perhaps my favorite. It's hard to dislike any of them really. Even after reading terrible stuff about Robertson, I can't help but be drawn in by his charisma/knack for storytelling. One of the most unbelievable things you realize after watching them --- they all had lead singer capabilities (minus Hudson).
Yes. 100%.
Yes yes yes!!
This slaps
hey faccck youuuu
TOGETHER they declared 'no more'? Think Levon might disagree with that one, Will. He was quite clear in 'Wheels of Fire' that he didn't go along with Robbie wanting to 'put it away', as Levon had it.
There seem to be different views. I read Barney Hoskyns biograhpy of The Band, and Rick wanted to do something on his own. Levon told Robbie that he understood why he didn't want to be on the road anymore, and neither did he, seems like he was a little split on it.
Loved The Band and it's one of my favorite concert films; it's up there with Concert for Bangladesh and Monterey, imho. Much better than Woodstock.
And Rick knew how to have fun. Like Eric Clapton said when it came to having fun Rick was the leader. Someone else said Rick was the party.
In short, yes, Yes it is.
Great rap up
How about the famous shot going from Levon Helm to Robbie Robertson and then oh s*** back to Levon
Don't Do It just breaks me everytime. Because once they have, they won't anymore.
I'll go with Last Waltz for best concert Film. Woodstock was a documentry..Stop Making Sense (Talking Heads) maybe #2..
The film got me through the pandemic.
Oh boy, even though I'm not american and I didn't knew most people you mention, the video is still very poignant, and can be translated to people and bands I do know. I've seen your videos since the first and I cannot wait until your channel gains the popularity it deserves. I enjoy very much the topics you pick, keep 'em coming.
You're the man
If there is a better concert film I’ve not seen nor heard of it yet
It was fantastic. I saw it at the theater when it was released in 1978 but the Punk Floyd movie of the concert in an ancient coliseum showing the time elapsed conversion was special as well.
💛🍀😃
I had forgotten their trouble with drugs so you usually can't go on with that problem unless someone gets help.
It seems although Robbie did plenty of drugs he stayed away from heroin as did Garth. Rick I think struggled with his addiction to heroin off and on during his life, his bad car accident in 69 left him with lifelong pain, he was caught with heroin at a Japanese airport in the mid nineties. Richard never got over his addiction to alcohol and cocaine, properly other stuff as well. He committed suicide in 86. Not sure about Levon, from what I read, he doesn't say much about it in his book, other than he had a problem for a few years and got over it. In reading Robbie's book it is clear that music always came first with him, and he had a wife and young children that helped keeping him grounded.
In my opinion, yes, this is the best concert film ever, yet possibly just because I have never found a video performance of Little Feat's Waiting For Colombus. Seems fairly clear to me that Robertson was the prime mover in this whole thing. When you say there was no ego, I can't accept that. I think Robertson thought he could be something else. Should they have kept going until they imploded or died of their various lifestyle choices? Not really for me to say, it was their lives after all, but the fact that they kept going after The Band, seems to suggest that they couldn't leave the music behind, and for my money, Rick Danko's solo album was equal to, or even better than anything The Band did in the studio.
They were all very talented. However, Robbie was the only prolific songwriter. They all loved the music, but if you read Barney Hoskyns biography of The Band, as well as Robbie's book, you get a better picture of what went on. Robbie was more ambitious than the others, they didn't mind playing in clubs, Cafe's being on the road. Robbie was done with that, he was exhausted trying to keep things together, dealing with 3 heroin addicts, besides having a young family (his 3 children were born in late 68, July of 70 and 74), who can blame him. I love Rick Danko, his voice is so soulful and he has such an endearing personality, too bad he got hooked on heroin, as did Levon and Richard. Richard was the most addicted not only to heroin, but alcohol, cocaine. Rick had a near fatal car accident broke his neck and back, left him in pain I think for the rest of his life, probably explains his addiction to heroin.
Although a lot of the musicians that Robbie mentioned had personal demons that were separate from road life which led to drugs and excess.
Yes, I think that is true. Actually Robbie wrote in his book, we all had demons to chase and the race was on. However, the travelling, playing late at night etc. cocaine and upper's became a way to be able to do it all.
The greatest American Band was 4/5ths Canadian!!!!!