The Band - The Last Waltz

The Band The Last Waltz on numbered, limited edition Hybrid SACD

1976 farewell concert doubles as a get-together of many of rock's greatest talents!

Once-in-a-lifetime collaborations!

It started as a concert — it became a celebration. Unprecedented in scope and unrivaled in spirit, The Last Waltz transcends both the group it honors and every A-list star that appears. Indeed, The Band's farewell event captures the zeitgeist of a creative period like none other.

Indeed, as The Band's going-away party, The Last Waltz is one of the few albums in any genre where each instrumentalist plays as if every note will be their last. In this case, such circumstances were believed to be true. From the rustic Southern charm of the invigorating opener "Up on Cripple Creek" through a joyous circus-themed run through "Ophelia" to a stellar version of "The Weight" filled with palatable gravitas, The Band gives its all and more, cementing once and for all its permanent mark in the annals of rock's greatest artists.

Containing several songs not seen in the companion film, the soundtrack to The Last Waltz unspools as both a journey through one of the greatest catalogs of a single artist as well as a survey of fundamental American music styles and blends. The Band receives assists in the form of horn charts and a full-on brass section via New Orleans legend Allen Toussaint and ace instrumentalists. But, as we all now know, that was only the beginning of what amounts to a blowout affair graced with friends, cohorts, and admirers alike.

A Hall of Fame cast helps make The Last Waltz the first and last concert of its kind. Paul Butterfield, Muddy Waters, Pinetop Perkins, Eric Clapton, and Dr. John are among the virtuosos lending a hand on bluesier material. Neil Young, Joni Mitchell, Neil Diamond, Van Morrison, Bob Dylan, Ringo Starr, and Ronnie Wood all take turns in assisting the hosts. The Band closes out the party with its own encore set. It is a truly magical affair, one further bettered by the selfless presence of Emmylou Harris, who contributes angelic backing vocals to numerous songs.

Recognizing it symbolized the culmination of a special era, The Last Waltz organizers and performers took every precaution to ensure the concert would be an event for the ages.

• Please note that the actual CD jacket is numbered inside the slipcase

Disc One

1. Theme From The Last Waltz

2. Up On Cripple Creek

3. Who Do You Love – with Ronnie Hawkins

4. Helpless – with Neil Young

5. Stagefright

6. Coyote – with Joni Mitchell

7. Dry Your Eyes – with Neil Diamond

8. It Makes No Difference

9. Such A Night – with Dr. John

10. The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down

11. Mystery Train – with Paul Butterfield

12. Mannish Boy – with Muddy Waters

13. Further On Up The Road – with Eric Clapton

Disc Two

1. Shape I’m In

2. Down South In New Orleans – with Bobby Charles

3. Ophelia

4. Tura Tura Lural (That’s An Irish Lullaby) – with Van Morrison

5. Caravan – with Van Morrison

6. Life Is A Carnival

7. Baby Let Me Follow You Down – with Bob Dylan

8. I Don’t Believe You (She Acts Like We Never Have Met) – with Bob Dylan

9. Forever Young – with Bob Dylan

10. Baby Let Me Follow You Down (Reprise) – with Bob Dylan

11. I Shall Be Released

12. The Last Waltz Suite:

13. The Well

14. Evangeline – with Emmylou Harris

15. Out Of The Blue

16. The Weight – with The Staples

17. The Last Waltz Refrain

18. Theme From The Last Waltz - with Orchestra

Customer Reviews (4.67 Stars) 3 person(s) rated this product.

Amazing Waltz posted on 02/01/2015 5 Stars Reviewer: Tony S This was an amazing release. If you have the Rhino box set with the bonus tracks not included here which is a shame but Mobile Fidelity seldom includes bonus tracks if at all, aside from that this release has this amazing closeness at times it feels i'm right on stage with the band I hear distances and seperations, gone is that chamber echo tunnel here is an analog sweet experience. You'll be blown away and flawed also curious at how and why this sounds so much better than the predessors. Although i'll hang on to my rhino box set for all the bonus tracks but it'll be hard to listen after listening to this release. Bottom line an amazing release and if your the person who appreciates sonic upgrades you'll appreciate this if your the person that listens to MP3s than it won't matter. I hear every sound and appreciate every sound, I hear the backing singers, I hear all the instruments, lead vocal, the audience...amazing release!

Finally, A Version Worth Listening To.... posted on 01/23/2015 4 Stars Reviewer: Steve K Finallly a version worth a listen! I'm a big fan of the Band. I bought the vinyl back in the day, played it once and put it away. Same with the Cd version. I haven't heard the download version but don't hesitate to buy the MoFi sacd version. Great performances. The recording quality isnt quite up to Rock Of Ages but its stellar compared to other versions of album. Way to go, MOFi!

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