something to put in your pipe

The Band and the Staple Singers performing "The Weight." From The Last Waltz. Soul at its best. Rick Danko crazy arms at their best. Levon Helm monkey faces at their best. You really just can't go wrong when the Staples are involved. And that ending. Lawd.



I'm feeling emotional because I just watched the Keira Knightley version of Pride and Prejudice. Nothing can make me cry like a scene with Mr. Darcy coming out of his shell. I want someone to kiss my face and whisper "Mrs. Darcy." Except maybe not "Mrs. Darcy." More like "Mrs. Jonas." SIKE. Also, I'm going under the complete assumption that everyone reading this knows what I'm talking about here. GET WITH IT.

movies i would drop anything to watch #5: the last waltz

You all knew this was bound to happen. I have been obsessed with this rock movie from the very moment I saw it. I mean, it shouldn't be shocking as The Band is in my top five. For about two years, I forced everyone around me to watch this movie. Chaps got on board, but I remember popping it in many times during a previous relash and he kept folding laundry while it was on. That should've been a sign. ANYWAY, coming home from NYC recently this was on the Vh1 Classic channel and I screamed thank gawd for JetBlue. Now I can say I watched this movie IN THE SKY. This movie is amazing. Once I read Levon's book, I had a slightly different perspective on the whole thing, but still.

It's about THE BAND and their final concert, directed by Eyebrows Scorsese. Lots of guests came out to help them "take it home." Van Morrison, Joni Mitchell, Eric Clapton, The Hawk, Neil Young, Dr. John, Muddy Waters, and of course Robert Zimmerman himself. However, sometimes I have to admit I skip through the Neil Diamond segment even though I have serious love for Neil Diamond. It doesn't feel entirely right to me. Once again, after reading Levon's book, that part made a bit more sense. The version of "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down" is one of the best things captured on film. And all those badasses on stage singing "I Shall Be Released." Are we kidding with that?

All I really know is how thankful I am that this was filmed and made for audiences. This movie fills me with a calmness and happiness I truly can't describe. I love it to to bits and I love watching these amazing musicians who left it all on the stage. There should be way more footage of Richard Manuel, though. What a badass. P.S. Allen Toussaint arranged the horns for this concert, so guess what...THEY SOUND SUCKY. Just kidding. He's a baller.

Here my favorite songs from the movie, mp3 style, followed by a clip from the movie of the song so we can all join hands and take a sip from the fountain of excitement.

The Band - The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down (The Last Waltz)

The Band - It Makes No Difference (The Last Waltz)

The Band - I Shall Be Released (The Last Waltz)