On Thanksgiving Day, 1976, legendary rockers The Band performed their last ever concert, dubbed ‘The Last Waltz’, which would be filmed by young director Martin Scorsese, and released to high praise. It’s considered by many to be the greatest concert film of all time, and featured guest appearances from Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton, Neil Young, Dr. John, and many others.
It what has become a Thanksgiving tradition, the concert is celebrated across the country with different film screenings and tribute concert – but the best one may just take place in Port Chester, NY at The Capitol Theater. An all star cast of musicians rotate on and off the stage, performing all 42 songs that The Band and their special guests performed at the concert – including many that didn’t make it into the film. It’s a giant undertaking, and it was absolutely nailed.
The band consisted of top notch musicians like Marco Benevento, Joe Russo, Jeff Chimenti of Furthur, Dave Dreiwitz of Ween, and Scott Metzger, who held down the fort, staying on stage for most of the show, while other musicians rotated on and off. Nels Cline of Wilco did his best Eric Clapton impression, leading the band through two blues numbers and tearing up the guitar. Cass McCombs took over vocals for three songs, including ‘The Night They Drove Ole Dixie Down’. Matt Vasquez of Delta Spirit brought a ton of energy to ‘Mystery Train’ and ‘Who Do You Love’. Benevento himself lent vocals on ‘Such A Night’. It was a revolving door of vocalists, just like the original Last Waltz, and it worked.
The music of The Band works in big group settings like this. Sometimes the songs feel like they’re meant to be shared, chorus’ chanted as groups, verses shared back and forth. They just have a big sound – with horns (originally arranged by Allan Tousant for The Last Waltz), and multiple guitars, the songs just sound right.
The show ended with a fantastic version of ‘I Shall Be Released’ with everyone, before Alecia Shakour and Scott Metzger shared vocals on ‘Don’t Do It’ to officially end the show.