Track List

1976 (2003)

The Last Waltz Box Set review

The farewell performance of The Band was at The Winterland in San Francisco on Thanksgiving Day 1976.  In 1978 a film produced by Martin Scorsese was released, accompanied by a three record set (later 2 CD's) was released.  Now, a deluxe four CD set is available that includes rehearsals and additional live tracks. 

This legendary concert had over a dozen guests sitting in with them. One item that one will take away upon enjoying The Last Waltz is how appropriate the name The Band is. It describes their original material with the numerous genres they cross. More striking though is how they succeed as a supporting cast to the all-star list of music legends, astonishing.  

Often when guests sit in with a musical group the performance doesn’t quite meet the expectation or match the original. That is not the case here. Rather, they even enhance many songs here making The Last Waltz a highly regarded classic years after it’s release.

I ponder how stunning tours would be by some of these music legends with The Band as the supporting cast. We know what the results are with them backing Dylan in both 1966 and 1974. Their set together on this magical evening is monstrous. Dylan is in great form both vocally and as a band leader, while Robbie's guitar solos really soar and seem to get better on each song. 

Upon listening or viewing this release which artist would you enjoy seeing a tour with The Band backing them? The energy level during Van Morrison set is stunning. How about some New Orleans Honky Tonk with Dr. John! The blues is electicfying whether with Muddy Waters, Eric Clapton, or Paul Butterfield. Their take on Neil Young's "Helpless" is superbly arranged, Robertson hits some nice underneath riffs, not getting in the way, rather adding gentle fire. We can only dream of The Band cranking up some of Neil's electric classics like "Down by the River." The implementation of horns and various vocalist into the arrangements is sensational bringing back memories or Rock of Ages. 

The Last Waltz is among the top tier music films ever, both the film and soundtrack.  We invite you to visit our Music Video page; this film is ranked in our short list of all-star music videos.
by Barry Small © 
Grade  A +

Last Waltz Formats:
Three options, which format? The Last Waltz is available on DVD as well as two options in audio.  If funds aren't an issue, it is worth owning both the DVD and box-set.

DVD - One of the best music videos of all time.

Two-disc audio - A sensational representation of the best material from the show.

Four-disc audio - Lot's of gems are included that were not released on the other formats along with some non-essentials.

Additional information and external reviews. S.F. Chronicle |MGM 

Disc: 1
1. Theme From The Last Waltz (w/ Orchestra) 
2. Up On Cripple Creek 
3. The Shape I'm In 
4. It Makes No Difference 
5. Who Do You Love (w/ Ronnie Hawkins) 
6. Life Is A Carnival 
7. Such A Night (w/ Dr. John) 
8. The Weight * *
11. Mystery Train (w/ Paul Butterfield) 
12. Caldonia (w/ Muddy Waters) *
13. Mannish Boy (w/ Muddy Waters) 
14. Stage Fright 

Disc: 2
1. Rag Mama Rag *
2. All Our Past Times (w/ Eric Clapton) *
3. Further On Up The Road (w/ Eric Clapton) 
4. Ophelia 
5. Helpless (w/ Neil Young) 
6. Four Strong Winds (w/ Neil Young) *
7. Coyote (w/ Joni Mitchell) 
8. Shadows And Light (w/ Joni Mitchell) *
9. Furry Sings The Blues (w/ Joni Mitchell) *
10. Acadian Driftwood *
11. Dry Your Eyes (w/ Neil Diamond) 
12. The W.S. Walcott Medicine Show *
13. Tura Lura Lural (That's An Irish Lullaby) (w/ Van Morrison) 
14. Caravan (w/ Van Morrison) 

Disc: 3
1. The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down 
2. The Genetic Method/Chest Fever (Excerpt From Movie Soundtrack) *
3. Baby Let Me Follow You Down (w/ Bob Dylan) 
4. Hazel (w/ Bob Dylan) *
5. I Don't Believe You (She Acts Like We Never Have Met) 
6. Forever Young
7. Baby Let Me Follow You Down
8. I Shall Be Released - (Add Ron Wood and Ringo Star)
9. Jam # 1
Guitar - Neil Young, Ron Wood, Eric Clapton, Robbie Robertson
Harmonica - Paul Butterfield
Piano - Dr. John
Keyboards - Garth Hudson
Bass - Rick Danko
Drums - Ringo Starr, Levon Helm
Jam # 2
Guitar - Neil Young, Ron Wood, Eric Clapton, Stephen Stills
Harmonica - Paul Butterfield
Piano - Dr. John
Keyboards - Garth Hudson
Bass - Carl Radle
Drums - Ringo Starr, Levon Helm
11. Don't Do It *
12. Greensleeves (From Movie Soundtrack) *

Disc: 4
1. The Well 
2. Evangeline (w/ Emmylou Harris) 
3. Out Of The Blue 
4. The Weight (w/ The Staples) 
5. The Last Waltz Refrain *
6. Theme From The Last Waltz *
7. King Harvest (Has Surely Come) *
8. Tura Lura Lural (That's An Irish Lullaby) (w/ Van Morrison) *
9. Caravan (w/ Van Morrison) *
10. Such A Night (w/ Dr. John) *
11. Rag Mama Rag *
12. Mad Waltz (Sketch Track For "The Well") *
13. The Last Waltz Refrain (Instrumental Version) *
14. The Last Waltz Theme (Sketch) *

* = Not on two disc soundtrack.

Guests

Ronnie Hawkins
Neil Young
Joni Mitchell
Neil Diamond
Dr. John
Paul Butterfield
Muddy Waters
Paul Butterfield
Eric Clapton
Van Morrison
Bob Dylan
Emmy Lou Harris
Mavis Staples
Roebuck Staples
Ron Wood
and more

Released - May 2002 (Performance Thanksgiving 1976)

Includes the complete original 1978 album plus 24 previously unreleased tracks. Contains a 78 page booklet with liner notes and rare photos. Digitally remixed and remastered by Robbie Robertson. 

Jam 1 - 5:32 
Sounds like a Who Do You Love shuffle as the guitarist take turns soloing, sometimes alone, other times together, and alternatively having musical dialogues with one another.

Jam 2 - 9:10
Starts out with slide guitar over a simple blues pattern. Paul Butterfield and Dr. John are more active than on the first jam, both as soloists and with complementary fills.