Concert Review: The Last Waltz Tribute @ the Trocadero 11/30
Please note: This article is published as an archive copy from Philadelphia City Paper. My City Paper is not affiliated with Philadelphia City Paper. Philadelphia City Paper was an alternative weekly newspaper in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The last edition was published on October 8, 2015.
A dream 20 years in the making came true Saturday for Fergie.
A dream 20 years in the making came true Saturday for Fergus “Fergie” Carey. With the help of local musicians Andre Lipke and Kevin Hanson and concert promoter Bryan Dilworth, a recreation of The Band’s final concert was brought to life at the Trocadero by a group of around 50 Philly performers. A sold-out crowd was treated to a phenomenal show, with proceeds benefiting four local education-related organizations to help schoolchildren in need.
A core group led by Lipke, Hanson, guitarist Pete Donnelly, drummer Matt Muir, pianist Nate Graham and a horn section four strong, were joined by a cornucopia of musical talents. From Wesley Stace reading snippets of The Canterbury Tales and rocking out as Bob Dylan doing “Forever Young” to the likes of Richard Bush, Maxx, TJ Kong, Ali Wadsworth and Latasha Montfort, among many others, singing lead and harmonizing, The Band sounded as fresh as ever. There were also whole groups joining in on the fun, including The Arkansas Toothpicks, Toy Soldiers and Joey Sweeney and The Long Hair Arkestra with an especially joyous rendition of “The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down.” And three Neil Diamonds partnered up for "Dry Your Eyes."
There were many highlights, many already familiar from our own experiences with viewing and listening to The Last Waltz, including, but not limited to “The Weight,” “Up On Cripple Creek,” and “Evangeline.” There were two top moments for most in the crowd, though, and they came toward the end of the nearly three-hour show as keyboard player Garth Hudson, one of The Band’s founding members, came out. The rest of the performers watched in awe as Hudson wove an intricate introduction to “Chest Fever.” He stayed on the packed stage for “I Shall Be Released.” It was a sight to behold, as every performer from the evening serenaded the audience with the grand tune. This was a visually and aurally stunning penultimate moment, after which Slowey and The Boats performed a reprise of “The Last Waltz” to close out the night. And what a great way to end, with the crowd leaving as the music played on.
