The last 3-4 times I watched the Last Waltz, I discovered so much about the conflicting personalities within the band. It wasnt just a documentary about a rock group's last show, featuring some of the finest acts of the day. Its really about that "fork in the road" that people reach at some points of there lives and how they deal with it. It was very clear to me that Rick Danko and Richard Manual were extrememly distraught about what they were going to do going forward. Rock Stars all there lives , at the peak of The Band's popularity...booom...its all over kids. Now you have to go and get a real job. We are on the road, we "own that road'in fact. Manuel is pretty messed up, Danko looks like a lost puppy. These guys reeked of music and were superstars in the day. Every time I see Danko in the Last Waltz , it saddens me to see a guy with talent and passion ooozing out of every pore and know that he has no idea what he is going to be doing tomorrow. Rick Manual, beautiful angelic voice, such a superstar within the "Band" concept, would struggle on his own. Never would they be anywhere close to what the had in the glory days.
I saw Robbie Robertson all sexy, cool and confident talking about how much of a chore it was to be in a band and be on the road all the time. he was tired and ready for a change. No doubt it was just a matter of time before he would be a household name.
No knock against Robertson. Just felt bad that it was essentially him pulling the plug on The Band, the only one who really had a chance at capturing that magic again at some point in his very bright future.
I cant really say from what perspective Isbell is singing from or what exactly the song is about but watch the Last Waltz and tell me if you pick up these feelings.
@PappyHab
It gets worse. Robbie Robertson owned all of the songwriting credits. Whenever a The Band song played Robbie got all of the money. I believe that that fact caused the friction that existed between Helm & Robertson.
I loved The Band. Don't agree with Robertson getting all of the royalties. A great biography on The Band is "Across the Great Divide"
@PappyHab
It gets worse. Robbie Robertson owned all of the songwriting credits. Whenever a The Band song played Robbie got all of the money. I believe that that fact caused the friction that existed between Helm & Robertson.
I loved The Band. Don't agree with Robertson getting all of the royalties. A great biography on The Band is "Across the Great Divide"
@PappyHab Great, great commentary. Feel the same way, now that you articulated it wayyy better than I ever could have. The 70\'s were an excessively talented (and, well, excessive) decade.
@PappyHab Great, great commentary. Feel the same way, now that you articulated it wayyy better than I ever could have. The 70\'s were an excessively talented (and, well, excessive) decade.
Just a downright sad song.
The last 3-4 times I watched the Last Waltz, I discovered so much about the conflicting personalities within the band. It wasnt just a documentary about a rock group's last show, featuring some of the finest acts of the day. Its really about that "fork in the road" that people reach at some points of there lives and how they deal with it. It was very clear to me that Rick Danko and Richard Manual were extrememly distraught about what they were going to do going forward. Rock Stars all there lives , at the peak of The Band's popularity...booom...its all over kids. Now you have to go and get a real job. We are on the road, we "own that road'in fact. Manuel is pretty messed up, Danko looks like a lost puppy. These guys reeked of music and were superstars in the day. Every time I see Danko in the Last Waltz , it saddens me to see a guy with talent and passion ooozing out of every pore and know that he has no idea what he is going to be doing tomorrow. Rick Manual, beautiful angelic voice, such a superstar within the "Band" concept, would struggle on his own. Never would they be anywhere close to what the had in the glory days.
I saw Robbie Robertson all sexy, cool and confident talking about how much of a chore it was to be in a band and be on the road all the time. he was tired and ready for a change. No doubt it was just a matter of time before he would be a household name.
No knock against Robertson. Just felt bad that it was essentially him pulling the plug on The Band, the only one who really had a chance at capturing that magic again at some point in his very bright future.
I cant really say from what perspective Isbell is singing from or what exactly the song is about but watch the Last Waltz and tell me if you pick up these feelings.
You know Helm complained that The Last Waltz was a documentary about Robertson.
You know Helm complained that The Last Waltz was a documentary about Robertson.
Robertson had to redub vocals and normally sung into unplugged mics...
Robertson had to redub vocals and normally sung into unplugged mics...
I have respect for Mr. Robertson but fuck the image.
I have respect for Mr. Robertson but fuck the image.
You might be on to something there. As good an interpretation as any!
You might be on to something there. As good an interpretation as any!
@PappyHab It gets worse. Robbie Robertson owned all of the songwriting credits. Whenever a The Band song played Robbie got all of the money. I believe that that fact caused the friction that existed between Helm & Robertson. I loved The Band. Don't agree with Robertson getting all of the royalties. A great biography on The Band is "Across the Great Divide"
@PappyHab It gets worse. Robbie Robertson owned all of the songwriting credits. Whenever a The Band song played Robbie got all of the money. I believe that that fact caused the friction that existed between Helm & Robertson. I loved The Band. Don't agree with Robertson getting all of the royalties. A great biography on The Band is "Across the Great Divide"
@PappyHab Great, great commentary. Feel the same way, now that you articulated it wayyy better than I ever could have. The 70\'s were an excessively talented (and, well, excessive) decade.
@PappyHab Great, great commentary. Feel the same way, now that you articulated it wayyy better than I ever could have. The 70\'s were an excessively talented (and, well, excessive) decade.