The Last Waltz Again
local musicians come together for annual tribute to The Band
Tshego Tee Letsoalo, photos by Mike O'Brien |
The Last Waltz, 117 minutes of sheer pop cultural gold and the inspiration for the annual concert led by local music man Billy Angell and his band Rhythm Posse. “It’s just one of the greatest music documentaries ever made,” says Angell on why he chose to gather some of Eau Claire’s finest for a song-by-song re-enactment of the legendary evening. That, along with the fact that the show is a great chance for the area’s bands to jam together and hear each other play, which they hardly ever get to do. Now in its fifth year, the Wisco version of the ’Cisco concert is practically as epic as the original and attracts lovers of all genres – rock, blues, folk, gospel, and pop – as well as those who just enjoy a good live shindig. The songs may be the same, but no two years are alike thanks to the ever-rotating bill of performers playing alongside Rhythm Posse as the Band: this year includes members of acts like Left Wing Bourbon, The Pheromones, and a large horn section (just like in the movie) featuring Weapons of Brass Destruction. Another twist to the Thanksgiving ’14 performance is that the genders of the musicians will be played around with, so the audience can expect three male Staple Singers, a female Dylan, and a male Joni Mitchell. What always remains the same, however, is the electric atmosphere that has fans of the show returning year after year and wondering about the line-up from as early as August. “There’s a lot of love in that room, and it’s hard to walk away without feeling it,” says Luke Fischer, lead guitarist and vocalist of Rhythm Posse. “It’s a great time of year and there are just lots of positive people.” And in keeping with the holiday spirit, all the money raised at The Last Waltztribute show is donated to Feed My People in order to help the food bank distribute meals to folks in need. It’s just the right dosage of the warm fuzzies combined with good old-fashioned rock ’n’ roll.
The Rhythm Posse present: Stage Fright 5, a tribute to The Last Waltz • Nov. 26 • Pizza Plus, 208 S. Barstow St. • 8pm • $5 •
