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.
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.
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 VERY close to this set, as wide eyed 16 yr old...Crosby, Stills, Nash n Young played around same time, along with Paul Butterfield Blues Band...I was close to stage for all three acts...The Band BLEW them away...MEN among boys...
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.
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
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!
Nothin like the 60's. I'm 19, but the music lives through the generations. I know I worry how much longer it'll last but with a song like this, it'll last forever.
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...
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.
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.
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.
Je suis née en 55, en pleine adolescence, yeah, je les tous vu apparaître, je les ai tous vu en spectacle, chaque sortie de chanson, il y en avait des nouvelles chaque jour. Beatles, Stone, the band qui ont accompagné Dylan pendant cette période, Led Zep, Santana etc...
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.
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!
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.
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...
I wasn't alive then but from observation & ear I have come to understand that music was so much better during those years. It was raw and honest and brought people together. My favorite videos to watch are ones from Woodstock. These kids were out there in the elements singing and dancing and loving each other and being free and I think we all need that from time to time.
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.
Fresh back from "Crazy Land," Viet Nam, caught the movie Woodstock, and immediately became a hippie! No longer a skin head! Some beautiful times followed. A lot of peace, exactly what I needed. That was my WELCOME HOME!!!! Screw the parade!
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!
+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
Bless us all. I survived the tempest of the 60's, fought in the infantry in vietnam in 68- survived that. I just figured the other day,I want to do a road trip to see some of my most special players. Rock and Roll never dies.
Brings back a sound, rarely heard anymore. But you don't know what you have - until its gone. That's an old saying. Perfect Vintage boys !! I will/do enjoy!
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.
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!
Levons little "what did you say?", "yeah me to", are awesome!
This has to be the best version of The Weight I've ever heard them do. Harmonies are gorgeous.
The last verse in particular on this one for me🤘🎶🤘
Some songs are classic and timeless. This song outlasts and outclasses those songs.
Nice!
jjstratford you got that right
Thanks to mr. Robbie Roberts
Jake Caplen Thanks to all of them.
Jake Caplen Nothin against Ol' Robbie R. He was the least talented guy in the Band (as good as he was) I'm sure he knows that. :)
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.
American/Canadian rooted... I believe Robbie who wrote the song was Canadian
Levon was from the US, Arkansas. The rest of The Band were Canadian. They were formed when they were the backup band for Ronnie Hawkins.
This performance was so remarkable, and so under appreciated. It’s one of the finest things from Woodstock. How I wish I had been there!
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.
I’m 25 years old and I say that this is the best music ever made. Great lyrics, great musicians, great music.
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 VERY close to this set, as wide eyed 16 yr old...Crosby, Stills, Nash n Young played around same time, along with Paul Butterfield Blues Band...I was close to stage for all three acts...The Band BLEW them away...MEN among boys...
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.
Coming up out of the Arkansas side of the Delta just south of Memphis near Helena/West Helena. Hard times are life still today down there.
@@freespeechordeath7826 Truth. Both sides of the river.
@@msspi764 right on. My grandmother was born and raised in Itta Bena in Leflore County.
28 thats middle age in the music biz
JENNY COOPER Yep, We lost Jim Morrison, Jimi Hendrix & Janis Joplin when they were 27.
Weirdly (despite my age) first heard this song about 10 years ago. This Woodstock performance is simply brilliant :)
the banter between Helm and Danko is priceless. I was there. they were great.
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 :)
That is so cool Joseph.....I was only seven years old....Would have loved to have been at this Woodstock concert.
"Yeah, me too!"
@@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
Glad u made it back from Nam and that you are still a Hippie :) THx for serving our nation.
RIP Levon, you brought so much good to the world through music.
SO GOOD SO GLAD I WAS THERE
Me too! Will always remember what a great time. And never ever will happen again! ☮️❤️🎶
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!!!
You could have skipped school, no excuses T.K.
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!
At least you didn't call her Fanny.
I was 15 when they performed this but was not allowed to go to Woodstock. This performance makes me feel like I was there! Thanks for posting.
He left his mark in a good way and he will be missed!
Nothin like the 60's. I'm 19, but the music lives through the generations. I know I worry how much longer it'll last but with a song like this, it'll last forever.
It's a good thing I wasn't around in the 60's because I don't think I would have made it through! Doesn't get any better than this!
Yet another band that I was not aware performed at Woodstock! So plain and simple yet breath taking with their delivery.
I think I was so F'd up, I didn't notice.
getting older now and forget just how good they were and what a great song. RIP Levon.
timeless. I have owned the Greatest Hits Album, in every format, since about 1978. I am still not tired of listening to it.
What a great band... I will miss your voice levon
Written by Robbie but he who knew who could sing it the best. One of the best 100 songs of R&R. One of my 10 best. Got to love Danko RIP.
I like when Levon says “yeah me too” after the lyric “I’m a peaceful man”
Me too
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...
@@bt9704 Levon's accent does that to ya
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.
The koolaid was kicking in.
So young and just priceless. Miss the Band - one of the most under rated ever!
No band will ever be as good as The Band. I mean, their name says it all. They are THE Band.
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
easy
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.
I've seen the Band many times even before they became the Band. They were Rompin Ronnie Hawkins backup before they hit the big time
The Band back up Dylan after he went electric as, Levon and the Hawks.
Awesome just Awesome
Levon was for real. He was the heart and soul of The Band. Thank you, Levon, for all of the great music and memories.
The Band are so good it is ridiculous. God I love them.
There will never be another group like The Band.
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.
This is so amazing The Band at Woodstock!!!!! That is the shit.
O yeah!!! Man the 60s and 70s were great..I wish I was alive back then..
Je suis née en 55, en pleine adolescence, yeah, je les tous vu apparaître, je les ai tous vu en spectacle, chaque sortie de chanson, il y en avait des nouvelles chaque jour. Beatles, Stone, the band qui ont accompagné Dylan pendant cette période, Led Zep, Santana etc...
This is just so great. They hit it right out of the park. Listen to Richard manuel.. whom the camera never picks up. What playing! Danko is superb.
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.
Check this link - in commemoration of 50 years of The Weight: th-cam.com/video/ph1GU1qQ1zQ/w-d-xo.html
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!
@Winston Leg-Thigh How could he be the weak link if he wrote those great songs......
I spent a week with Rick Danko in one night. What a great guy, even though we were both worse for wear the next day. R IP Rick.
Great early footage of The Bands iconic song. So much talent. Always loved Robbies playing.
Fuck they are so good . Bigs back my hole childhood. I Love them...
The greatness of that year (1969) still and always will amaze me!
This is so amazing very great and good.keep it up the very good work.We keep this music alive for ever.
45 years young. what a timeless track and performance.
The spirit of 1969. I crushed into this song when watching Easy Rider, and this song just kept looping in my brain for another whole week.
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.
RIP Levon. You've inspired so many with your truly soulful music...
I love this song. Thanks guys for such a wealth of music.
Gotta Say Garth's piano really makes this version for me. Awesome.
wouldn't that be Richard Manuel's piano?
@@dustbinfilms I couldn't see Richard on stage.
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...
Possibly the greatest rock song ever. Perfect on every level and a truly great live performance. A band so great they were simply known as "The Band"!
Cary Howe That was what Dylan called them--they were his backup band, remember?
+Cary Howe
I agree Cary...the greatest ever. I thought I was alone with this opinion.
I totally agree!
Thanks to Bob Dylan. Love this. Always have. Don't have any plans to stop loving this!
Not even the best Band song...
One of the greatest bands of all time and one of the greatest songs of all time.
One of the greatest songs ever. Never gets old
The Band is an awesome album. Never gets tired, always delivers and its by the Band. Thanks for posting what's not in the movie.
I wasn't alive then but from observation & ear I have come to understand that music was so much better during those years. It was raw and honest and brought people together. My favorite videos to watch are ones from Woodstock. These kids were out there in the elements singing and dancing and loving each other and being free and I think we all need that from time to time.
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.
This particular rendition does the same for me, as well🤘🎶🤘
@@RL14382This is what immortality looks like.
Can listen to this over and over and over for hours!
One of the best woodstock presentation after watching all artists there.
Fresh back from "Crazy Land," Viet Nam, caught the movie Woodstock, and immediately became a hippie! No longer a skin head! Some beautiful times followed. A lot of peace, exactly what I needed. That was my WELCOME HOME!!!! Screw the parade!
The bass player is out of this world. Killer chops! Wow.
His name is Rick Danko.
Some songs are timeless... my great, great, great grandkids will be listening to this.
So true!!!
hell yeah!
+crimdell we wish! they will probably be listening to Justin Bieber III that is unless your descendants raise em right
crimdell I so hope so
Holy cow!!! Such amazing talent!! I was 17 in 69 and I really miss music like this. They don't make it like this anymore. Wow! Levon Helm.
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!
Millennial here. As god as my witness, I will make sure this music is never forgotten.
That's a good promise, thank you.
Fellow (late to the dang party, but now I ain’t ever leaving) Millennial reporting for duty, as well🤘🎶🤘
I remember seeing Lavon and Linda playing at the county fair, Marvell Arkansas 1962.
No kidding I remember buying Led Zeppelin tickets in "73 for $5. It seems concert tickets have outpaced inflation by about 1000 % .
Wish I could have hung out with these guys. Always felt an affinity with the band, miss them a lot.
Rest in peace sweet Levon. Thank you for the music.
Thanks for all of the wonderful music you left for us to enjoy. Job well done. Rest in peace, Levon
Must have been great, I wish I could have been there. Great era for music! Long Live The Band!
god, i am so happy to walk this earth when these guys played.
Fantastic! Also bittersweet as the great musicians from this era are slipping into the sunset. There will never be better!
Thank you Levon for a lifetime of phenomenal music. RIP.
So good to listen to these guys. Never tire of their music, great tunes played exceptionally well.
I love how you can discern every instrument in this version if you listen for them. I'm really digging the acoustic piano and bass here.
***** thats so true,that is awesome
+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
too bad there's no footage of Richard Manuel playing the acoustic piano
It was Garth on the piano on this one, Richard's playing that catchy hook on organ.
Bless us all. I survived the tempest of the 60's, fought in the infantry in vietnam in 68- survived that. I just figured the other day,I want to do a road trip to see some of my most special players. Rock and Roll never dies.
THANK YOU LEVON FOR THIS BEAUTIFUL SONG YOU LIVE ON IN THE HEARTS AND SOUL OF ALL OF US WHO LOVED THE BAND AND THE MUSIC! AMEN...
Musik aus meiner Jugend. Musik für die Ewigkeit. Unvergessen. Danke !
Brings back a sound, rarely heard anymore. But you don't know what you have - until its gone. That's an old saying. Perfect Vintage boys !! I will/do enjoy!
So many miles, so many roads, this song always brings me home!
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.
can't get this great music today.....lost a great talent. Hope you're singing with the angels Levon. Greatly missed
I have always thought I was born in the wrong generation. This IS music
Love the piano in this one! Just beautiful....thank you Mr. Hudson.
I'm so glad I grew up listening to these songs, and still love them. RIP Levon...
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!
The Band turned his mike off.
I was 18 months old in summer of 69 just started walking, and yes this was a great era for music
I didn't see them at Woodstock but I did see them twice in Toronto a couple of years later...they were always great...Love the Band.
Who in the hell would give this song a thumbs down?
I don't know who they are, but I'm pretty sure I wouldn't like em if I did.
Amazing musicians , amazing song !!
The year I turned 16. what a magical time
These guys never not looked and sounded badass. Love the Band!
All time classic.....Can't get any better than this.....The Music was great in the 60s-70s....
Simply amaziiing!!! These guys were so incredible and this song is like a national anthem!!! Timeless&classic!!!
"National anthem" is exactly right. It's EASILY one of the most iconic, instantly recognizable songs in music history.
Johnny L'Ove for which nation? Most of the band was Canadian.
RIP Robbie Robertson. Your music filled my childhood and teen years.
Makes me proud to be from Nazareth, Pa, home of the Martin Guitar, and honored that one of my favorite bands of all time would even mention it
No matter when you were born it's never too late to enjoy the music of the the band :-)
50 years ago... Amazing performance wish i coud be there
Agreed
Absolutely gorgeous ! Absolutely brilliant ! Unforgotten !
There's a thousand cover versions of this song, but this is the original and THE BEST !!!!!!!
Yeah this one is obviously the best, but Aretha Franklin did a cover of it with Duane Allman, I felt that one was really good
JoJoJo No argument there, Jo.
MrKeyboardCommando Pretty much anything with Duane was good
Amen brother
As I posted above, go listen to the version from the Last Waltz with the Staple Singers and then get back to me. You may change your mind