BuzzFlash Reviews

BUZZFLASH REVIEWS

The last concert of "The Band," to many people, symbolized the end of authenticity in nationally released American rock music.

"The Band" had a sound that came from a time capsule of the 1800s and blended with rock n'roll to create haunting, seductive, mysterious music that was as authentic as it was exhilirating.

Martin Scorsese, who has a thing for documenting talented musicians, was around in 1976 to record this quintissential rock movie. The DVD being offered on BuzzFlash is the remastered 25th anniversary edition.

A quotation on the cover of the DVD boasts: "The Finest of All Rock Movies."

Of course, you have to like "The Band" for that to be true -- and we love them. In an age when rock is mass-produced and branded, "The Band" reminds you that there was an era when rock musicians had distinctive voices and sounds. They could be spritual, moving and poetic. They were in the true sense of the word, originals. No cookie cutter could have produced the distinctive sound of "The Band."

As far as cameo appearances, you got them in "The Last Waltz." Van Morrison, Joni Mitchell, Paul Butterfield, Bob Dylan, and others appear to pay tribute to "The Band" during their final concert together.

Also included on the DVD is newsly released footage, including: Dr. John, Ringo Starr, Eric Clapton, Paul Butterfield, Ron Wood, Stephen Stills, and Neil Young.

From Variety: "The Last Waltz is an outstanding rock documentary of the last concert by The Band on Thanksgiving 1976 at Winterland in San Francisco.
By itself The Band performs 12 numbers. The group backs up guest artists on another dozen. They include Ronnie Hawkins, Dr. John, Neil Young, the Staples, Neil Diamond, Joni Mitchell, Paul Butterfield, Muddy Waters, Eric Clapton, Emmylou Harris, Van Morrison, Bob Dylan, Ringo Starr and Ron Wood.

Director Martin Scorsese has succeeded on a number of fronts. First, he recognized that this concert deserved cinematic preservation. The Band was an important and intelligent force in rock music on its own and as a backup group for Bob Dylan and Ronnie Hawkins.

This film is a chronicle of one important group very much a part of the music of the late 1960s and 1970s and it's also a commentary on those times. It's 90% concert film and 10% history. Unlike so many of their colleagues, the members of The Band are competent musicians and spokesmen."


BUZZFLASH REVIEWS