Stage Talk with Rick Koster
Where every show has something to say.
How many people are still sad because, on Thanksgiving evening, 1976, they blew off attending The Band’s “Last Waltz” concert so they could wait all night at Target and be first in line for Black Friday bargains?
We’ll never know.
What IS comforting is that The THE BAND Band, a, well, band devoted to replicating the sound of The Band — got all that? — will perform “The Last Waltz Celebration” at the Garde on Nov. 22. Show time is 8 p.m.
The evening captures the spirit and history of what was indeed the farewell concert for The Band, one of the most iconic and influential acts in rock history. Comprised of five distinctly talented and tortured guys — Rick Danko, Garth Hudson, Richard Manuel, Levon Helm and Robbie Robertson — The Band was a wondrous sheepshank knot of its members’ songs and personalities.
Martin Scorcese made the titular documentary film of “The Last Waltz” performance, which featured the group performing a sorcerer’s selection from their catalog, along with a luminous array of guest artists such as Eric Clapton, Joni Mitchell, Bob Dylan, Dr. John and many more — all of whom wanted to pay musical tribute.
So, forget that cold night when you waited outside Target to save a few bucks on a Cher Doll and missed one of the greatest concerts in rock history. Now’s your chance!
The THE BAND Band is one of those tribute acts about which it can be said the members’ devotion to and fondness for the original material and personalities border on obsession. Not only do they sound just like The Band, they’ll augment a set of archival music with several guest artists portraying the cast of bonus stars from the original show.
Oh, and the Garde’s presentation of “The Last Waltz Celebration” takes place five days BEFORE Thanksgiving, meaning you can still make Black Friday shopping. It’s like having your pumpkin pie and eating it, too! All while humming “The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down.”