The Last Waltz

On page 99 of Recipe Records, Mags & I mentioned the movie "The Last Waltz" on our listing of great music movies.  I put an inside joke next to the listing -- "The Last Waltz - ever seen it?" - because during the past few years I would forget if we'd talked about something and EVERYTIME I would mention The Last Waltz to Mags, I'd follow with "Ever seen it?" - and for the 100th time I'd said that to her, she said -- "you know you say that EVERY time don't you???"
 
If you are unfamiliar with the movie....relax and let me fill you in.  Prior to watching this movie, I wasn't a particular fan of The Band, but afterward I was hooked.

On Thanksgiving Day, November 25, 1976, the rock group The Band, played their last show at the Winterland Ballroom in San Francisco and the monumental evening was captured by Martin Scorcese who made a documentary about the Band's history, focusing on their final concert.  The concert included guests such as Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton, Neil Diamond, Van Morrison, Muddy Waters, Emmylou Harris, Dr. John, Neil Young and more.  The Band had great music and hits, but I think their importance in the music world was the work ethic & talent they contributed to so many artists.

The Band was made up of Canadians Robbie Robertson, Rick Danko, Levon Helm, Garth Hudson and Richard Manuel.  These exquisite musicians were eternal back up musicians for artists that needed a band during the 60's such as Bob Dylan, later releasing hits such as "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down" and "Up on Cripple Creek"; also listed #50 in Rolling Stone's top 100 bands of all time. Sadly, two members of this band have passed, the sweet Rick Danko and the colorful Richard Manuel.

I'm drawn to mention the show at this time because 1) it was held on Thanksgiving and 2) I watched it for the 50th time this weekend and found great similarities in the Bob Dylan performance and a performance Mags & I attended about 10 years ago in St. Louis - The Wallflowers, whose frontman was Dylan's son, Jakob Dylan.  Bob Dylan was generally a little shy in performances and would usually get on the stage, perform, and leave. During his performance at the end of "The Last Waltz", however, he was relating to someone in the audience and you could see him talking to the band to play another song...which he seemed to be wanting to play for someone in the audience.....

Once again, on page 140 of Recipe Records, we have a recipe titled "Baby-Bird Cakes" - along with a story about Jakob Dylan's Wallflowers show and his dedication of the Baby Bird song to my son, Ethan, who was 5 at the time.  The song is a lullaby and it's quite beautiful  - we named a light, crepe-like pancake after this song as well.  Check out the story and make these awesome pancakes for your loved one...

Jakob Dylan is touring at this time and you should try to take in a show if you can--I know I'm going to try...