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The Last Waltz, the concert film that marked guitarist and primary songwriter Robbie Robertson's final performance with the members of The Band.
Fred Carter Jr., the veteran session guitarist who is best known these days as Deana Carter's father, made an unannounced appearance, noting, "Levon, you ain't never sounded better." Carter then strapped on a Fender Telecaster guitar to provide some lead work on "(I Don't Want to Hang Up) My Rock 'n' Roll Shoes."
Keyboardist Brian Mitchell sang lead vocals on "The Shape I'm In," and guitarist Jimmy Vivino did the honors on "Tears of Rage," two songs closely identified with The Band. While both were admirable efforts, it was also a sad reminder that two of The Band's other vocalists -- keyboardist Richard Manuel and bassist Rick Danko -- died far too young.
Parnell apparently hadn't heard Helm when he called him to the stage earlier in the evening, but the Texas-born singer and slide guitarist finally showed up for one of the anticipated highlights, "The Weight," the final song before the encore. And what an encore it turned out to be.
With Skaggs on mandolin, Hiatt and Crow shared verses of Bob Dylan's "I Shall Be Released" with Harris, Miller, Bush, members of Ollabelle and Helm providing the backing. It was one of those occasions where ticket-holders walked away knowing they had just experienced what can only be described as "a Nashville moment."
If the audience had anything to quibble about, it might have been that the set list didn't include two classics -- "Up on Cripple Creek" and "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down." Earlier in the evening, though, Harris told Helm, "You are an American treasure." Those witnessing Wednesday's concert at the Ryman are unlikely to disagree.
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