A few blocks from Central Park, nestled into the center of Lincoln Center’s Damrosch Park, thousands of music fans gathered to enjoy the music of The Last Waltz nearly 40 years after Martin Scorsese captured that wonderful night at the Winterland Ballroom in San Francisco.

The talented young story teller Parker Millsap got the night started with an upbeat set of Americana music before Larry Campbell came out to lead The Midnight Ramble Band just as the sun was beginning to set on the Upper West Side.

The Midnight Ramble Band brought it right away getting the sing-a-long started with “The Shape I’m In”. The first guest of the evening was Buddy Miller sitting in on “Up On Cripple Creek” and bringing the crowd to their feet yet again for what would become a night of joyous celebration for everyone who was lucky to be there. Keeping that momentum going with “Ophelia”, Teddy Thompson came out to join the band and put his energetic stamp on a classic.

After a couple of softer jams, Larry invited Anderson East to the stage to lead the crowd in a cover of Van Morrison’s “Caravan”. Anderson’s raspy voice along with an incredible four-piece horn section left fans screaming for more!

The guests just keep coming; next up was Howard Johnson, who performed on the original documentary 40 years ago, he brought that deep sound and the band rallied around him to bring the heat with a rousing “Rag Mama Rag”.

Next up, Lucinda Williams who delighted the crowd with her soulful sound under the beautiful Manhattan skyline. Watch her lead “It Makes No Difference” in the video below.

On to the next one, Bob Weir was a late addition to the lineup last week and we are all very happy he came. Bobby came out and crushed the bluesy “Further On Up the Road”. He is still on fire from the Dead & Company tour, and it showed last night.

But the big names kept coming; Dr. John came in and played one his originals “Such a Night” – the same as he did forty years ago. Mac also played earlier this week at Aaron Neville’s 75th Birthday party at Brooklyn Bowl.

Campbell did a great job leading the band and really shined during his guitar solo late into the set. He then brought together all his guests for the Dylan classic “Forever Young”. Giving all those powerful voices the opportunity to shine was pure joy to see. They finished the night off with an all-star everyone sing-a-long version of “The Weight” that took everyone back 40 years.

Big thanks to the Lincoln Center and The Americana Music Festival for helping to make this happen. Check out the full setlist below, via JamBase.

Setlist: The Last Waltz 40th Anniversary at Lincoln Center, New York, NY – 8/6/16

Set: This Wheel’s On Fire, The Shape I’m In, Life Is A Carnival, Up On Cripple Creek (w/ Buddy Miller), The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down (w/ Buddy Miller), Ophelia (w/ Teddy Thompson), Evangeline (w/ Patti Griffith), Caravan (w/ Anderson East), Rag Mama Rag, It Makes No Difference (w/ Lucinda Williams), Further On Up The Road (w/ Bob Weir), Such A Night (w/ Dr. John), Down South In New Orleans (w/ Buddy Miller), Long Black Veil, Genetic Method > Chest Fever, Forever Young (w/ everyone but Dr. John), The Weight (all)

[Photos by Mark Dershowitz]