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Monday, November 19, 2012
Thirty-six years ago, The Band had their Last Waltz
On Thanksgiving thirty-six years ago, mainly at Robbie Robertson's insistence, The Band threw in the towel at a massive concert in the Winterland Ballroom in San Francisco, California. It featured a Thanksgiving dinner for all the guests, before a very long concert that lasted until 2 A.M. The Band had a horn section with arrangements by Alan Toussaint (as they also did in the Rock of Ages show years earlier), and a stellar list of guests, appearances by The Hawk (Ronnie Hawkins), Neil Young, Joni Mitchell, Muddy Waters, Dr. John, Bob Dylan, Van Morrison, Ringo Starr, Eric Clapton, Ronnie Wood, Paul Butterfield, and Neil Diamond, and even readings by poets Lawrence Ferlinghetti and Michael McClure.
The concert was filmed by Martin Scorsese, and was combined with interviews with a somewhat stunned and cranky Band. (There would be a loud dispute between Levon Helm over the movie, and Scorsese putting the spotlight on Robertson. They recorded soundstage performances with country singer Emmylou Harris ("Evangeline") and legendary gospel-soul group The Staple Singers ("The Weight"). Released in 1978 as The Last Waltz, the film is considered one of the best rock movies of all time. It was directed by Martin Scorsese. CD sets were also issued (and continue to sell).
After one last studio record, The Band split for good. Danko, Helm, Manuel, and Hudson later reformed the group and recorded and toured, but they never got the momentum going. Richard Manuel hung himself while on tour. Danko died in 1999 in Woodstock. Both Garth Hudson and Levon Helm still perform and live in the Woodstock area.
The Band, more than any other group, put rock and roll back in touch with its roots. With their rootsy songs and love of varied musical idioms, the Band spanned the years, and made American cultural connections during the turbulent 60s and early 70s. Robbie Robertson songs were obviously Dylan influenced, and drew from history to create filmic tunes. The Band had three distinct and wonderful singers: Rick Danko, drummer Levon Helm and keyboardist Richard Manuel. They harmonized in various robust combinations (Danko and Helm singing twin leads, veering in and out of harmony on Don't Do It is a great example). Except for Robertson, they all played several instruments (Danko, Bass and violin; Manuel: Piano and drums; Hudson: Saxaphone, organ, piano, accordian; Helm, Drums, guitar, mandolin). Their music incorporated many musical idioms--from carnival music of the early 20th century up to the doo wop revues of the Fifties, as well as the blues, country, and bluegrass. The Band walked with the kings.
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Sunday, November 18, 2012
The unfinished painting
By Jack Brummet
This large canvas has been sitting neglected on an easel since last spring. I'll get back to it eventually...
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This large canvas has been sitting neglected on an easel since last spring. I'll get back to it eventually...
click to enlarge
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Saturday, November 17, 2012
Friday, November 16, 2012
Poem: The Bad Movie
By Jack Brummet
I can't believe it's still
running.
There's miles of bad footage to come.
This loge seat is a throne of pain.
It's a talkie, but no one says anything.
There is no music, no sound design,
Only the projector clicking.
We can't stop watching.
The camera careens drunkenly
Around what might be the action.
It's so murky,
It could be pornography,
Or footage of an alien or Sasquatch.
The camera dollies in
On a random piece of litter.
Someone fiddles with the lens
And the scene shifts into deep focus.
We can't
Stop watching.
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There's miles of bad footage to come.
This loge seat is a throne of pain.
It's a talkie, but no one says anything.
There is no music, no sound design,
Only the projector clicking.
We can't stop watching.
The camera careens drunkenly
Around what might be the action.
It's so murky,
It could be pornography,
Or footage of an alien or Sasquatch.
The camera dollies in
On a random piece of litter.
Someone fiddles with the lens
And the scene shifts into deep focus.
We can't
Stop watching.
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Painting: Benazir Bhutto
By Jack Brummet
I created this digital art the day after Bhutto's assassination in 2007.
I created this digital art the day after Bhutto's assassination in 2007.
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Thursday, November 15, 2012
The Grateful Dead's album Shakedown Street was released 34 years ago today
I believe this sign is in front of a head shop in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
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Poem: Lost At Sea
By Jack Brummet
The rings of the splash
Send dopplers into the void,
Widening and disappearing
In the cold and lonely sea.
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Send dopplers into the void,
Widening and disappearing
In the cold and lonely sea.
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All This Is That turns eight years old today
By Pablo Fanque, Mona Goldwater, and Jack Brummet
Thank you for following us, and keep returning as often as you can! ATIT has published every single day since since November 15, 2004 (this is the 5,654th post) . If you are on Facebook, like us (https://www.facebook.com/pages/All-This-Is-That/41797236400).
Pablo, Mona, and Jack
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