This was one of the best performances from that epic festival. This was right after they released "The Weight". One could argue this was the pinnacle of their careers. Perhaps this is The Band's defining performances. This lone video is historical for archival purposes. The Band was one of the most influential American-rooted bands ever. Good stuff.
Levon had turned 28 just a couple of months before this. 28 years old. He sounds like he'd been living forever. What an incredible soul to have at such a young age.
Levon Helm and Rick Danko were the ultimate: Levon steady and deep-down-south, Rick almost like he couldn't make it (he could indeed..). Terrific. So sad they are gone.
I was -23 at that time!!! But even ar My age the band was so important in my life!!! Don’t forget robbie, he is a genius!!! If I could have one sound out of My guitar, it would be his sound in get up jake :)
@@Bob-zr6mr me too,I was 7 in '69,but I was already a huge music fan.The neighborhood kids about that time would argue over who was the coolest-The Beatles or The Monkeys lol
I was 9 months & 3 days old... Plus we ( my daddy, mommy, & me ) live in north central Texas so No, I did not get to attend Woodstock... Would have if I could have
@Pat Brennan From what the people who were actually in the barn at Marvelle say, Levon never forgave Robertson for Woodstock, song thefts, and Royalty withholdings. Publicly yes, in actuality NO., Levon wrote a lot of things to preserve the peace. If you've ever been around people like Levon from rural Arkansas, Mississippi, Louisiana, etc... you'll know one thing. when one mate makes a pledge, it's the other's obligation to support it, regardless if you agree with it or not. While Levon, and to a lesser degree Danko, followed this, Robbie Robertson did not.
U R A " REGULAR RIOT" & I BELIEVE, IN MY OWN HUMBLE OPINION, U HAVE COME UP WITH A "REAL GEM OF A THEORY. THIS SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN "PUBLIC, PROVATE & COLLEGE LEVEL COURSES ON " HISTORY, POLITICS, & LITERARY CREATIVE HUMOR..REALLY.
It didn't mean two shits back then where you were from, Frisco, Cleveland, Ontario, the Bronx, Mars wherever...You take the high Harmony? Sure Man...Groovy
I agree completely. I also learned today that he isn't saying "What a body on Anna Lee" I have been singing it that way for 20+ yrs. - Always thought it didn't really fit with the song...
The band had no weak links what so ever. Most bands are carried by one or two people but these guys were magical. It makes me sick to see the state of music this day in time. No feeling, no soul , no originality these guys were pathfinders!
I love this song-and The Band! I unfortunately missed Woodstock since I was 18yrs old in Nursing School. :( However.......when my beautiful and only daughter was born in 1978, I named her 'Analee' from this song. I can now just close my eyes and remember hearing The Weight and that was it!!!
My wife is pregnant and we couldn't agree on a girl name until I read your comment. Her grandmas name was Anna and she was wanting to use that name somehow. I suggested Annalee and she liked it! That's for the suggestion!
Where's Garth? Where's Richard? A couple of glimpses is all. Garth's B-3 is wailing as usual along with Richard's piano. Those two were psychically joined.
Agreed. Greatest band of all time in my opinion. I wish more people felt that way! nether the beatles or the stones can compare to the talent level of these guys
Don't get me wrong I'm a fan of The Stones they just never sucked me in like The Band has. Like I've always loved The Beatles and Stones but when I got into The Band I really got into them they just take me to a happy place. Also having grown up a huge Dylan fanatic probably makes me a bit bias towards them as well haha Sorry it's just my opinion I respect yours though.
+Jasper Yangchareon Tube amps, analogue mikes, pa/monitors, and a human manually tweaking (by ear and vu meter) the i/o at a soundboard. The venue was irrelevant; it could be a living room, pub, grange hall, or in this case, a cow pasture. In "this version" you're listening to the human version; e.g., analogue to analogue, and human involvement every step of the way. Digital sampling and software discern signals, not instruments. Even after 40 yrs. and up-conversion to digital, the DNA of raw analogue sound and skillful engineering by a human ear (not binary code) has preserved sound not as signals, but as "instruments".
+Stubahn You are so right Sir in the last few days I heard about ten different versions of this great song - but this one is from acoustical point of view by far the best - sit well awake in a comfortable place, dim the lights, put earphons, close the eyes and play at almost full power - boy - you have the feeling beeing right between The Band on the stage. The Box version of The Last Waltz is similar in audio quality, the Staples version is flat
Me too. The more I listen, the more I like. I play in an amateur band and when we try to play The Weight, we never even come close to the sound that seemed to come so naturally to them. I think a lot of Levon's voice comes from his Arkansas roots. Listen to him on Baby, Don't Do It. So good.
Even live at Woodstock -- with no fancy re-recording and patching -- this is just about perfect. Note how we can hear Rick Danko so clearly, both on the choruses and on the duet verse with Levon ("Catch a cannonball" etc)
Today is my 50th birthday. I was born right around the time they were performing this song. Aug. 17, 1969. Coincidently, this has always been among my top ten favorite songs.
I turned 19 - 15 days before this performance. Strange to see my generation grow old. Especially Arlo. Was he the only one to play for free at Woodstock 2019. I can easily see that.
Interesting to see Robertson wearing a Sephardic yarmulke. Seems to me that this is a fascinating and enigmatic messianic song written by a young Jewish fellow. Timeless and beautiful.
Levon Helm is so very highly respected by musicians. Just listen to his drums - how he brings the band into any song and keeps everything steady - this is the magic of music - great drums - and also a great singer with great heart and feel!
IMO, Levon was THE greatest singer/drummer combo ever. Better than Don Henley, better than anyone. Just an incredible voice, then paired with Rick's different pitch makes for an awesome combo.
I was there. I'm pretty sure they played on Sunday night, 8/17. The Band...playing music that ran to the roots of America! They weren't trendy, just solid and their music and musicianship was absolutely unique.
I pulled into Nazareth, was feelin' about half past dead I just need some place where I can lay my head "Hey, mister, can you tell me where a man might find a bed?" He just grinned and shook my hand, "no" was all he said Take a load off, Fanny Take a load for free Take a load off, Fanny And (and) (and) you put the load right on me (You put the load right on me) I picked up my bag, I went lookin' for a place to hide When I saw Carmen and the Devil walkin' side by side I said, "Hey, Carmen, come on let's go downtown" She said, "I gotta go but my friend can stick around" Take a load off, Fanny Take a load for free Take a load off, Fanny And (and) (and) you put the load right on me (You put the load right on me) Go down, Miss Moses, there's nothin' you can say It's just ol' Luke and Luke's waitin' on the Judgment Day "Well, Luke, my friend, what about young Anna Lee?" He said, "Do me a favor, son, won't you stay and keep Anna Lee company?" Take a load off, Fanny Take a load for free Take a load off, Fanny And (and) (and) you put the load right on me (You put the load right on me) Crazy Chester followed me and he caught me in the fog He said, "I will fix your rack if you'll take Jack, my dog" I said, "Wait a minute, Chester, you know I'm a peaceful man" He said, "That's okay, boy, won't you feed him when you can" Yeah, take a load off, Fanny Take a load for free Take a load off, Fanny And (and) (and) you put the load right on me (You put the load right on me) Catch a cannon ball now to take me down the line My bag is sinkin' low and I do believe it's time To get back to Miss Fanny, you know she's the only one Who sent me here with her regards for everyone Take a load off, Fanny Take a load for free Take a load off, Fanny And (and) (and) you put the load right on me (You put the load right on me)
Thank you! I love knowing about the back stories and I have read that Levon and his stories were more then the inspiration behind the compositions credited to Robbie Robertson. I love this version. It is the one I always think of when I remember this song. For me Levon was always the voice of the Band and the spirit behind their bond.
awe, just think, back when musicians played in band, there was no autotune, it was always raw and real. Thank god I grew up in those days.....60s and 70s were just the best.
I pulled into Nazareth, was feeling about half past dead I just need some place where I can lay my head "Hey, mister, can you tell me where a man might find a bed?" He just grinned and shook my hand, and "No!", was all he said Take a load off Fanny, take a load for free Take a load off Fanny, and (and) (And) you can put the load right on me I picked up my bag, I went looking for a place to hide When I saw Carmen and the Devil walking side by side I said, "Hey, Carmen, come on, let's go downtown" She said, "I gotta go, but my friend can stick around" Take a load off Fanny, take a load for free Take a load off Fanny, and (and) (And) you can put the load right on me Go down, Miss Moses, there's nothing you can say It's just old Luke, and Luke's waiting on the Judgement Day "Well, Luke, my friend, what about young Anna Lee?" He said, "Do me a favour, son, won't you stay and keep Anna Lee company?" Take a load off Fanny, take a load for free Take a load off Fanny, and (and) (And) you can put the load right on me Crazy Chester followed me, and he caught me in the fog He said, "I will fix your rack, if you'll take Jack, my dog" I said, "Wait a minute, Chester, you know I'm a peaceful man" He said, "That's okay, boy, won't you feed him when you can" Take a load off Fanny, take a load for free Take a load off Fanny, and (and) (And) you can put the load right on me Catch a cannon ball now, to take me down the line My bag is sinking low and I do believe it's time To get back to Miss Fanny, you know she's the only one Who sent me here with her regards for everyone? Take a load off Fanny, take a load for free Take a load off Fanny, and (and) (And) you can put the load right on me
My father in law was there and ended up leaving after a day. He said you couldn't hear the music at all, and the smell of shit and body odor was unbearable. I suspect your experience was very dependent on your location at the place.
Robbie's vocal mic is up in the mix more than it would be in later years. It's fun to hear his little responses to Levon and Rick. Also dig Richard's keyboard part which is pretty buried on the studio version and Garth's wild piano. Everything about this performance is absolutely wonderful!
I was 19 y/o...what a year...always something happenin'...if I thought music this good was gonna evolve to Justin Bieber I would have paid closer attention..guess I'll keep comin' here....love to all mdogg
Oh Man! This is so damn good! How have I missed this? I have to say people, it brought a tear to my eye thinking back on those days. Thanks yuki, you done everybody a solid posting this.
Got out of the Army in August of 69, mustered out at Fort Dix in NJ. Decided to hitch home and fell in with some "hippies" who were goin to upstate NY to McGregors farm. Needless to say they were blown away I was just gettin outta the service and hauled me along with them. I lasted two days and hadda get outta there but hey, that's another story.
Its rare I make a double post on the same video but man...what a great song. It's been a long day. So tired, brain is fried and I'm kind of down....But after listening to this song, though its just a little, the weight is taken off my shoulders and I can stand up once again to face tomorrows challenges.
As a band, they were before my time, but I think this particular performance has to be a Top-5 All-time live performance, in rock history. If someone plays 'The Weight' on a trip w/ friends (canoe trip, in my case), it's all but guaranteed ppl will start singing the very first line: "PULLED INTO NAZARETH, WAS FEELIN' ABOUT HALF PAST DEAD..." (And watching 15 or so canoes immediately joining in was pretty cool to witness, lemme tell ya.) Pity how Robbie's selfishness killed things. Levon and another band member said they were screwed out of LOTS of money, and if you read up on Levon, he was about as good a man as you could meet. Wouldn't maliciously try to screw anyone. When have you ever heard where anyone had something bad to say about Levon? NEVER. RIP, Levon, great guy, and IMO the best combo drummer/singer ever :)
Absolutely one of the greatest rock songs ever. Still recognizable anywhere. It is even in the new Planet of the Apes movie, when power is restored. Someone was a fan of the Band on that movie set.
GUNTHER They broke up when Rick Danko died in 1999. Now that Levon is gone, Garth and Robbie are the only originals alive. I visited your lovely country a couple of summers ago. I’m Of primarily Scottish descent and, while I love Scotland, I now love Ireland more! We were in Dublin for the World Cup win over Italy, and for the 100th Anniversary of the Easter Rising. We stayed on Pearse Street (one of my heroes). Perfect.
There is never a "ride", that I don't think of this song! Those four (4) August days in up-state New York, forty-six (46) years ago, were defining moments. Thank You!
"The songs would get a little bit juicer and the jokes would get a little funnier and the prettiest dancer would really get down and shake it a few times" Levon Helm, The Last Waltz. RIP Levon!!!!
The Band is mostly Canadian except for. Levon-They grew up in the Brant/Norfolk/Middlesex an area-oddly similar to the south in the USA . They were all great! Robbie is from Six Nations-
It was the same with "I Shall Be Released", in The Last Waltz, no Richard. He was such a key member, what a voice, drummer and pianist. Bless them all. Yes, including Robbie.
brenda anderson actually, that isn't quite true. This great music is still a part of you, even if it was first produced when you were a child. What's important is that the music has touched you as only good music can. Even someone born 50 years after Woodstock can be a part of this music, though recordings, radio, and sites like RU-vid.
brenda anderson the fact that you're watching this, and appreciating the emotion in it, means that you weren't born too late... just soak it up and let it wash over you. There isn't much music nowadays that evokes so much emotion. I was also 5 in 1969...
I read somewhere that they meant shut RR's microphone off, but forgot. His voice kind craps up the choruses, but other than that, it is stellar as usual.
The Band!!!!!! I love them so much! I know in another life I was here at this show, I was born 1986 well after but I know without a doubt I was alive and well at Woodstock for sure. One of the greatest concert/ shows / events/ awesomeness ever!!! This is music and culture at one of its peaks.
I do not see that here. Certainly in Scorcese's movie there was bias but not in this song. And Robertson is a talented musician who was integral the success of this great band.
Will Pittman Robertson indeed doubled Manuel's high harmony background parts for live shows, at least early-on. Having seen the Band perform in the early 70's, Manuel's voice was noticeably hoarse and he refrained from singing backup on a few songs where Robertson provided the 3rd high harmony. The same voice heard on "To Kingdom Come" is clearly audible in this performance, although it's a backing and not a lead vocal.
***** I'm not saying Robbie isn't in there. I'm just saying Manuel's voice is much stronger and higher in the mix, but they cut Robbie every time his voice is featured. Obviously not on purpose, but annoying considering how great Manuel is in this version.
can anyone tell me the name of the song that starts right at the end? also RIP levon, Rick and Richard. it's a shame not to see Richard at all and too much of Robbie Robertson
1982 Greenwich Village NYC, small Club off 6th Ave, Rick Danko and Levon Helm on a small stage, me and my Japanese girlfriend,who had no idea who they were, as we sat a few feet away from them as they played Banjo, guitar, bongo,violin,harmonica, and I cant remember what else, but it was a magical night for me. Two greats, now gone. Im Scottish and I was living in the East Village at the time, 9th Street and 2nd Ave, and working as a Bicycle Messenger... Love it all...
What's a "hoot" ? but if you're calling me a dumbass or some shit, then think again, I gave a positive comment! I just think this band doesn't get played very often.
Doom666 Hoot, Blast, Good Time, Fun... Hoot is a positive... I should have said, 'the Bands a fucking hoot" (Jack Daniels to blame...) Generational Misunderstanding i spose.....
Its difficult for me to think of how these Canadian boys, except for Levon Helm, could have composed The Weight and Cripple Creek by themselves. These songs are steeped in the rural cultures of the south-east USA, which are dramatically different than the culture of southern Ontario and the Toronto area they usually performed in, and where they grew up. I saw the Band in several Toronto venues from about 1965 to 1967 when they were with Ronnie Hawkins as the Hawks and later at the Friers' Tavern on Yonge Street in Toronto. I was playing with local rock and R&B bands as a tenor sax player at the time and thought they were very good. They may have met some southern singers and musicians while they were living at the Big Pink farm in upper New York state.
empressdiver. Robbie came up with these songs by taking the experiences/memories he had from his early days as part of "The Hawks" and imagined them as movie scenes. He read a lot of movie scripts while he was in New York back in the early 60s with Bob Dylan. Read his book: Testimony :a memoir. it details how he wrote some of their songs.
While from Canada - they were nearly all well steeped in the roots music that was so common in the south (but was not exclusive to it - ranging through the midwest, Appalachian country, and on up into central and far eastern Canada).
The Canadians were from mostly rural or small town backgrounds....country boys with a rockabilly history (except maybe Garth). These weren't suburban /subdivision kids. Where they performed is where the money was, not their heritage. Heck, Robbie was raised partly in a dirt poor reservation.
