For many years, I have been a big fan of Hollywood movie director Martin Scorsese…..for with films like Taxi Driver, Raging Bull, King of Comedy, Color of Money, Casino, Goodfellows, Cape Fear, The Departe, The Aviator, Hugo, The Age of Innocence, Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore and The Wolf of Wall Street….how could a movie fan not be a huge Martin Scorsese fan….but of all of his work….my very favorite is this one seen herewith….The Last Waltz….which depicts the 16+ years that the legendary Rock n Roll group simply called THE BAND were on the road….as it includes many of the great musicians of the era that they toured with while playing music around the world.
Scorsese captures the essence of what life was like being a touring band living on the road through the eyes and experiences of one of the all time best….as this music movie showcases such legendary performers as Joni Mitchell, The Staple Singers, Neil Diamond, Muddy Waters, Emmylou Harris, Paul Butterfield, Dr. John, Ringo Starr, Neil Young, Eric Clapton, Van Morrison and Bob Dylan….as The Band played back-up with each and every genre of music that was showcased in the film….which was basically the story of The Band….as they could play any type of music with any type of muscian….for that was their life….joining up for live performances with the greats of music during their era and simply playing music.
The Band performs many of their own great songs in this film, such as….“The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down”, “Ophelia”, “Mystery Train”, “Stage Fright”, “Who Do You Love”, “Rag Mamma Rag”, “Up on Cripple Creek”, “Evangeline” and “Life is a Carnival”…which becomes living proof of just how good this group was….along with each member of The Band…..Rick Danko, Levon Helms, Garth Hudson, Richard Manuel and Robbie Robertson…..would all individually add “snip-its” and stories of experiences that each would tell about the group….of their time together and the facets of life on the road that each experienced.
The Last Waltz provides the viewer with the cinemagraphic and story telling magic and genius of Martin Scorsese….a movie director for the ages…..along with the music mastery of The Band and their legendary guest musicians….for The Last Waltz is hailed as one of the greatest concert films ever made and simply put….is MUST SEE TV.
