THE NEXT WALTZ: Portland, Oregon pays tribute to The Band
For three years running, on the weekend before Thanksgiving, veterans of the Portland, Oregon music scene gathered to pay their respects to a massive influence on us all: The Band. When asked: “which band?”, I invariably respond by saying: “THE Band”. I grew up on the soaring, train whistle harmonies and distinctive, swampy grooves of those four Canadians and an Arkansawyer. Later, as a professional musician, I became completely obsessed. To me, their music was like a pining, heartsick love letter to the elusive psyche of some odd and older America. An America that may, or may not have even existed.
The Band, armed with three powerful lead singers, played hard-driving rock and roll music inspired by many distinctive American styles including bluegrass, blues, New Orleans boogie woogie and classic soul. Then, largely through the curious ear of organist Garth Hudson, the music was peppered with twisting layers of jazz and classical piano music. The group was equal parts hardworking, salt-of-the-earth bar band and groundbreaking, myth-making witch doctor.
The Portland event was a recreation of the entire 1976 farewell concert. The show featured an amazing and diverse array of singers backed by a fierce band and horn section. I was honored to gather a string band featuring Jenny Conlee-Drizos (The Decemberists), Anita Lee Elliott (Viva Voce), Kate O’ Brien Clark (Calico Rose) and Jason Montgomery to perform the Last Waltz Theme. I also sang their classic “The Shape I’m In”. Big thanks are due to organizers Jeff Rosenberg, Kris Deelane, Adam East. We also raised over $6,000 for the Jeremy Wilson Foundation and Oregon Food Bank. All the performers showed the audience what it sounds like when musicians fall deeply in love with music. I’m still reeling from that love.
Watch Zak sing “The Shape I’m In”
Hope to see you next year!
Tags: Americana, Garth Hudson, Last Waltz, Levon Helm, portland music, Richard Manuel, Rick Danko, Robbie Robertson, the band, Zak Borden