Levon Helm, Bob Dylan Remain Unlikely Heroes of ‘The Last Waltz’: Across the Great Divide
Neither seemed all that interested in ‘The Last Waltz.’ But their performances are the heart and soul of the film.
Neither seemed all that interested in ‘The Last Waltz.’ But their performances are the heart and soul of the film.
When Levon Helm decided to return to the Americana roots that had for so long nourished his career, he did it his way.
The Band’s version of this Four Tops gem illustrates their canny ability to countrify soul music. A Motown classic is reborn.
Levon Helm led the Band through a fun-filled take on this Muddy Waters tune, then returned to it once more for another intriguing pass.
Robbie Robertson’s willingness to speak from the heart gave moments like ‘Broken Arrow’ a new resonance.
This isn’t the broken-down Richard Manuel of lore. Instead, the Band’s lost legend sings ‘The Great Pretender’ with a palpable hunger.
The Band’s fun run through Allen Toussaint’s soul-lifting “You See Me” underscored an often-forgotten portion of their inestimable legacy.
“The River Hymn” tries to answer questions raised on the Band’s ‘Cahoots,’ offering one of Levon Helm’s prettiest vocals along the way.
Bob Dylan and the Band never tired of “Forever Young,” finding new meaning with each passing year, and each passing version.
The Band’s “Ain’t That a Lot of Love” felt like a one-off from a group ready to be anywhere else. And, in some ways, it was.