Last Waltz

If you don't already know it, The Last Waltz was The Band's farewell concert on Thanksgiving Day 1976 at San Francisco's Winterland Ballroom. It was a sumptuous affair involving many guest performers, in order of appearance; Ronnie Hawkins, Dr. John, Bobby Charles, Paul Butterfield, Muddy Waters, Eric Clapton, Neil Young, Joni Mitchell, Neil Diamond, Van Morrison and Bob Dylan. The Staples and Emmylou Harris also contributed to studio tracks. The event was famously filmed for cinema release by Martin Scorsese.Much of the concert has been available on a triple vinyl/double CD set for a number of years. However, this box set is the first time however we have been able to hear the complete concert in it's original running order. There are four discs of material running for just over four hours including many previously unreleased concert tracks, some rehearsals and a few studio odds and ends. All the tracks have been remixed and re-mastered and sound suitably sparkling. The set comes in a hardback book type cover with an 80 page booklet containing many concert pics, and an interesting essay by David Fricke. It costs a bit more than the standard release, so, is it worth it?There are some hidden gems to discover. One is the previously unreleased performance of Muddy Waters on 'Caledonia'. Another is a rare live rendition of 'Acadian Driftwood' that is truly wonderful. The Band are on terrific form throughout, and most of their guests come up to the mark. Note though that having more Young/Mitchell/Dylan etc. sometimes yields weaker material. You get extra Band only performances too, and they are mostly fine, though I still prefer many of the Rock of Ages versions. Some of the jams and rehearsals seem a bit superfluous. Overall I feel that they got the track selection more or less right on the original release. However this handsome box set is essential for Band diehards and completists.Note: This is The Band, not the Derek Trucks Band!

This is an excellent sounding replacement for the original vinyl I own which is regretfully being retired. We had a party to watch the original broadcast of the Last Waltz and sat enthralled as legend after legend joined the Band on stage. There are so many fine performances on this and the expanded version gives loads of tracks that didn't appear on the original album. This brings it far closer as an experience to watching the concert and has been very well engineered. Over four hours of the band and a stellar cast of guests is a marvellous listen and my idea of heaven. It was my first introduction to Emmylou Harris , for which I am eternally grateful, and this new release has gone a long way to assuage my long held sense of annoyance that so much of the original concert did not appear on the first album.This is an excellent expansion and remastering and an superb representation of a piece of musical history.I highly recommend to those who want to enjoy remembering it and those who have newly encountered the Last Waltz on film.

Love the album but it wasn't the version I was expecting..... It was originally issued in book form with a great booklet with loads of pictures. This is the fat cd box version with a very average booklet and therefore a bit disappointing. On the plus side, you do get a free download of the complete 4cd set and it appears to be the 40th anniversary version. I guess it's still great value at £16! Love the content but wish it was the original reissue, so a star deducted!

I rediscovered the 2-CD version of this the other month whilst clearing up my study. I could not stop playing it - every performance and track are great and so well recorded. I had to get the 2-CD version and I haven't been disappointed. It is bloody brilliant! Listen to it if you get the chance - you won't be disappointed.

Prompt service. excellent album, another silly question, to which I reply, "why do we buy cds"?

This really brings back the memories. Great tracks, great guests and a great band. With it being a 4 disc set I expected a bit of padding out but in reality all 4 cd's are packed full of super music. Even the 4th cd with rehearsal pieces is worth a listen. All 4 discs on regular play. Buy now.

rare gem, brings back sweet memories of a less stressful lifestyle back then. close to the original sound wise ( no over mastering)However the sleeves of the individual records could be numbered and a better logic could be found for the list of tracks

I buy all the MFSL releases. The music itself needs no introduction - reviews are plentiful if you need one.The best non analogue copy you will ever get hold of in my opinion.