It’s the 40th Anniversary of the concert that brought The Band to the end of their days. That concert is the much loved celebratory multi-artist send off that we all know as The Last Waltz. There is absolutely nothing that I could add that readers don’t already know about The Band. It’s no secret that The Last Waltz has been capitalized often. And with the 40th Anniversary, it will be revisited with a first time bundling of the CDs and the BD to create a complete bookshelf package.
On November 11, Rhino Records will reissue The Last Waltz in several new configurations that will include a 30-track 2CD set, and a separately available bundle of the movie on Blu-ray along with 4 CDs of available and familiar performances, some outtakes and rehearsals. In addition to those CD sets, there will be a 6LP set released, same date. The 4CDs and the 6LPs will feature 54 tracks of The Band and their guests that were invited to the departure party. All music found on all sets will be newly remastered. the booklet contained within will feature new notes and photos. The set will officially be known as the Last Waltz 40th Anniversary. The Blu-ray film will feature 5.1 Surround availability.
Yes, we’ve seen all of this material before. The mere mention of a new reissue of The Last Waltz just might elicit a groan. Bu I’m actually anxious to put the 4CD/BD on my shelf.