The Last Waltz

Rating:
Summary: Haven't reviewed the album release yet, but...
Review: "The Last Waltz" (thankfully) became my new 'phase' movie, replacing "Saving Private Ryan", but thanks to the Band it will become something more than a phase and certainly something that will last a lot longer. I first saw the movie because of Scorsese, then got into it because of the Band, and now I am only into it for the Band. As great as the movie is, as strangely comforting as it is to hear music like this, and as thankful as I am that it does exist...I have several reservations about it that I feel people are overlooking. First of all, if you've heard the soundtrack album, then you know that these songs have been edited down SEVERELY for the movie, and not just the verses of the songs. They cut out several of Robbie's most moving and lengthy guitar solos ever, and even had the audacity to excise some passages from "Mystery Train". Of coarse, the greatest travesties are the Band songs "It Makes No Difference" and "The Shape I'm In", and I guess it would have killed people to sit through Richard's final verse of the latter. It is an exciting film to watch, so maybe people just overlook this because of that, but this is a music film and how many fans do you know that would have complained about the movie being a half an hour longer?! Other qualms of mine include the fact that the Band simply don't do enough of their own material. Now that I've heard all of their albums, and got familiar with all of the other great songs and material that they had, I am inclined to think that the records are a more rewarding listening experience (although Robbie's guitar never sounded rougher). Richard has the best voice ever, and it's obvious that we have a special rythmn section and guitarist, so why do they treat the show like it's for the guests instead of them? Maybe Richard couldn't have sang all night, but where are the great Band songs? If you don't understand what I'm saying, just imagine if "Rock of Ages" would have been filmed. The Band had great songs, and I know Robbie said that it was originally supposed to be just them, so what gives? And a question for Scorsese the genius--why do we get a minute and a half intro to what looks like a rocking version of "Chest Fever" and never see any more of it? Why weren't the other film performances included? So what if the whole performance wasn't filmed, or if it looked bad, they could have squeezed in "Acadian Driftwood"! What a heartbreaker! I mean, if only I could have seen "Time to Kill". I'm not going to gripe about Robbie's face being all over the thing--I like Robbie, and frankly the rest of the guys looked like they had been hibernating for ages and were sad that the crew woke them up for interviews. Robbie is cool, even if he destroyed the Band's road career, and at least he talks without trying to remember where he is! But I will say that this is the best concert film ever--I mean the music rocks (artistically too boot), the camera angles are right, and the whole evening looked magical and I feel sad that I wasn't alive back then to get there and see it. It's an essential purchase without a doubt, but a bit of a letdown for the Band's sake. Too many guest artists (in the movie). However, the film contain's one moment that no other rock film can beat. Turn up the riveting and terrifying performance of "Stage Fright" right after Rick shouts 'just let him take it from the top!' and prepare to be rattled by one of the loudest and most incredible guitar solos ever filmed. Intense isn't a strong enough word. So at least we have this preservation of the Band's strength, power, and excellence on film, although the whole idea of never seeing the Band perform again is tear-jerking.

Rating:
Summary: Two Words: Rick Danko
Review: I could write a long 10 page review saying how this is one of the greatest and most historically significant concerts in the history of music, but I won't. All I have to say is that if you watch this DVD, it will change your whole perspective on music and open your eyes to the greatness that is The Band. Although the entire Band is unthinkably talented, one member shines above the rest in this DVD, and that is Rick Danko. Listen to "It Makes No Difference" and I guarantee you'll get chills. I'm only 18, and it's opened a whole new world of music to me.

Rating:
Summary: Keep on Keepin' On!
Review: Quite simply, this is the best concert movie ever made. Scorsese keeps it slick but raw: great music numbers blended perfectly with time-tested tales of life on the road. After reading Levon Helm's book ("This Wheel's On Fire"), I realize that some of Robbie Robertson's gig-weariness is laid on a bit thick (as is his make-up). But still, this movie chronicles am epic tribute to one of rock's greatest groups. Consider that the only taste we get of the Band nowadays is "The Weight" on radio or Cingular wireless commercials, and maybe the occasional Cripple Creek spin. But the "Last Waltz" conveys how musically great The Band was, with stars as diverse as Neil Diamond and Muddy Waters showing up to play with the boys from Canada. Buy this DVD, crank up the volume, then go out and buy the companion 4-CD set recently put out by Rhino. And remember, I do believe in your hexagram.

Rating:
Summary: a very beautiful musical experience
Review: With this movie Scorsese fully captured some of the best performances you'll ever see or hear. Everybody, including Scorsese, was on fire in this film. Sound quality is top-notch. Camera work is great. And the performances are from the soul. What a combination!

Rating:
Summary: More than an Amazing DVD - A Historical Document . . .
Review: Really . . . This DVD is amazing.

Not just because of its excellent sound (5.1 remix is just fantastic).

Not just because of Martin Scorsese's production/direction. (The film quality is soooo good, sooo clear, in part because of Scorsese's and The Band's decision to film with 35mm - most rock concerts at the time were 16mm. Also, they just didn't set up a music concert stage and have the camera-guys run around and get the best shots/angles they could. Instead, their approach from the beginning to make the stage at Winterland a movie set, with camera angles pre-thought at least in part, resulting in a more cinematic look, and better composed angles. This and the 35mm decision sets this film apart from almost all other music concert films of the time.)

Probably what adds the crowning jewel on top of the audio/video production is the players here. It's like a time capsule of mostly excellent performances of many of the most significant musicians of the time (from Dylan, to Dr. John, to Eric Clapton, to Mudddy Waters - an absolutely riveting version of Mannish Boy - to Van Morrison, to Neil Diamond, to . . . well the list goes on. And on.) In this way, the Last Waltz is like a perfectly preserved historical snapshot of "popular" music in the mid-70's.

None of this would matter, though, if at least the sound quality were not stellar. And it is here. . . I've had other experiences with other music performance DVDs of bands I really like (Queen comes to mind), but the sound, even though in DTS or Dolby 5.1, just isn't up to par. It ruins the experience, to a certain extent, for me. With the Last Waltz, and with Martin Scorsese producing this, I suspect that the Dolby 5.1 remixing guys were blessed with excellent analog source recordings, which just sets the quality of the music just over the edge. I listen to this with the TV off sometimes, though it's too bad the interviews between songs can't be somehow avoided when playing the DVD as "sound only".

Lastly, speaking of the interviews, though I find them really fascinating and entertaining, they are also the source of the only problem I have with this DVD - the volume of the interviews. The interviews are not in 5.1; only PCM 2-channel stereo. That alone is not a problem and even makes sense - what do you gain from a 5.1 sound interview? However, the interviews are at a noticeably lower volume than the music. Annoying, but not enough so to even take a 1/2 star off my 5-star rating. . .

I haven't played this DVD for anyone who didn't absolutely love it, even if they hadn't heard of the Band. . . .

Rating:
Summary: The Band
Review: For a long time, I ignored the sizable contribution these men made to modern music and pop culture in general. After wearing out several copies of their first 3 LP's and poring over Levon Helms' bio "This Wheel's On Fire", I can honestly call myself a huge fan now. This movie is fantastic on so many levels, the digital transfer is flawless, the music is timeless and the insight provided by Director Martin Scorsese in his many interviews is priceless. I am hard pressed to find a single favorite moment in this film but a few personal highlights are, Dr. John leading the Band on "Such A Night", Neil Young stealing the show with his fragile, shaky but determined reading of "Helpless"(big cocaine lump and all)and the interview segments featuring the late Richard Manuel, only 33 years old at the time but with his heavy beard and world weary demeanor seems very engaging but at least 20 years older. The coolest thing about ....Waltz" is the fact that we see musicians PLAYING (the shots of Levon Helm's terrific drumming are a revelation)and there is no real attempt to sugarcoat or cover up the fact that these young people are tired, drunken and drugged out but love their music and fans. We love them back.