2002 saw
a four disc box set re-issue of the classic 1976 farewell concert by The Band,
The Last Waltz, a re-issue that saw the inclusion of twenty-four previously
unreleased tracks. This re-issue is far superior to the original release of
this amazing moment in rock history, and is largely a complete representation of
the concert with the tracks presented in the order they were originally performed
barring a couple of emissions. The definite highlight of this re-release is the
tracks that were emitted from the original album, a move that I find puzzling
and cannot work out as the quality on some of these tracks is immense.
Standouts among these extra tracks include a live version of “The Weight” which
is as good as any version I have heard, Muddy Waters performing “Caldonia”, “Acadian
Driftwood” featuring Joni Mitchell and Neil Young on backing vocals, and a stellar
version of “W.S. Walcott’s Medicine Show” complete with horns and a brilliant
sax solo by Garth Hudson. The boxed set which is nicely laid out and presented also
contains a seventy-eight page booklet that does a nice job in telling the story
of the concert in great detail, while at the same time giving a bit of context
to the listening experience. The presence of these extra tracks definitely
enhances on, and improves The Last Waltz as a listening experience, and this
box set is well worth getting just to have such quality live versions of some
of The Bands best tracks. A definite must have for music fans and collectors,
of what was one of the greatest live music events in modern memory.
A+
- Sam
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