The news came through late last night that the great Robbie Robertson has left us to do the last waltz his old pal Levon Helm in that great Band in the sky. On hearing of his death, most people (who know anything about anything) will have thought of this...
Me though... being a child of a very specific time... thought instead of one of the first two dozen 7 inch singles I bought with my own money. It still gives me the shivers...
Three and a half decades later, that's one of Sam's favourite songs too.
The jukebox has only one tribute song to play today, but it comes from one of my favourite bands. Lead singer Craig Finn admits, "I was (and still am) obsessed about the Last Waltz and the Band in general."
She said my name's Robbie Robertson but people call me Robo
I blew red white and blue right into a tissue
I came right over the counter just to kiss you
Take a load off, Robbie.
Somewhere Down the Crazy River was the first one that popped into my head.
ReplyDeleteThat voodoo stuff don't do nothing for me.
DeleteThe first one that came to my mind was Fallen Angel, his touching farewell to Richard Manuel.
ReplyDelete'In my dream the pipes were playing
In my dream I lost a friend
Come down Gabriel, blow your horn
Some day we will meet again...'
Wow. That's very apt.
DeleteMy favourite version (if not the definitive version) of The Weight is the one from The Last Waltz with backing from The Staples Singers
ReplyDeleteAlthough this one is none too shabby:
Deletehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ph1GU1qQ1zQ&ab_channel=PlayingForChange
Two very fine versions. Good to see Lukas Nelson on the international one too.
Delete