Continuing with my recent stretch of blogs on music documentaries (I have not been out to much live music lately, things should pick up in the Fall), and because the Joel D. Valdez Main Library has a display this month featuring music documentaries, today I am blogging about Festival Express and The Last Waltz (Happy would-be 70th Birthday to Jerry Garcia as of yesterday, August 1). Read on to hear more about these great films.
Festival Express chronicles the adventures and misadventures of several bands as they play shows and travel across Canada by train in the summer of 1970. Bands included in the tour were The Grateful Dead, Janis Joplin, The Band, Delaney & Bonnie & Friends, and Buddy Guy. There are several wonderful performances from the concerts captured for the documentary, but the best parts of the film are the footage from the train itself. These rock stars were partying... like rock stars. The jams on the train, the recollections from the musicians involved, and the general spirit of musical mayhem make for great viewing. There is one train jam in particular with Rick Danko from The Band, Jerry Garcia, and Janis Joplin singing "Ain't No More Cane on the Brazos" that is a sheer pleasure to witness.
The Last Waltz documents The Band's last concert with its full line-up. The concert took place on Thanksgiving in 1976. In addition to The Band's wonderful playing, there is an incredible line-up of guest stars who share the stage, including Paul Butterfield, Eric Clapton, Neil Diamond, Bob Dylan, Emmylou Harris, Ronnie Hawkins, Dr. John, Joni Mitchell, Van Morrison, Ringo Starr, Muddy Waters, Ronnie Wood, Bobby Charles and Neil Young. The documentary also includes interview footage with members of The Band, interspersed throughout the live footage. Standout performances include Dr. John's version of "Such a Night," Neil Diamond's "Dry Your Eyes," (on the CD, Diamond introduces his performance by stating "I'm only gonna do one song, but I'm gonna do it real good"), and my personal favorite, Van Morrison's "Caravan," with a rousing horn section, and a jumpsuited Van the Man, calling "to the one more time" as he kicks the air repeatedly in emphasis to the horn line.
Robbie Robertson seems to act as onstage musical director throughout the evening (a role you can find him in if you also watch the Rock-n-Roll Hall of Fame Concerts, also available in the display at the Main Library). The concert seems to turn more and more into a party as the evening progresses, and all the guests end up onstage for the Bob Dylan closing number "I Shall Be Released." Good times.
In other music related news, the post-All Soul's Procession concert on Novemver 4 at The Rialto, which traditionally features Calexico and guests, has a line-up change this year. Calexico plays a week earlier at The Rialto, on October 26, while the All Soul's Procession show features Ozomatli and Sergio Mendoza Y La Orkestra, certain to be an enjoyable evening of dancing and revelry.
Brian
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