Photos by Tobin Voggesser
The Scene: With so many things to be thankful for this year, I couldn’t be more thankful for the Denver music scene, our local musicians, and my music family. That family and 3,000 others gathered this year to see Denver musicians once again join forces for the 10th Annual Last Waltz Revisited. For the first time, The Fillmore Auditorium hosted the annual uplifting celebration that kicks off the holiday season. Friends greeted each other with bear hugs and loud receptions, reunited and excited to be together for such a special evening. Loyal Polytoxic fans were abundant as were generations of The Band and Last Waltz disciples.
This year’s show at the Fillmore allowed for more open space and the chandeliers glowing purple gave the room a welcoming, pulsing heart as you entered the building. Along with enjoying live music, the Denver and surrounding communities take pride in helping others and with it being the giving season, the event asked for donations. Outside the venue, fans were generous filling up the blue collection bins with non-perishable food for the Denver Rescue Mission. We are all so fortunate to experience the special performances and moments that are live music that it makes your heart open up a little wider thinking of those who are just asking for a bite to eat.
The 10th Annual the Last Waltz Revisited: All the way back in 2005, Denver’s own jamband, Polytoxic, started this tradition at the former Dulcinea’s 100th Monkey (now the 1UP-Colfax) on Colfax in Denver’s Capitol Hill neighborhood just a half-block from the doors of The Fillmore. The boys brought up local musicians to help recreate The Band’s 1976 concert, The Last Waltz. It was the first such tribute for Denver and with so much success, Polytoxic started the Thanksgiving eve Tradition. Now, ten years later, after residencies at Cervantes’ and The Ogden, things have come almost full circle.
The stage was warmly lit with candles and the music and, if it weren’t for the raucous music and huge beers, had the feeling of being at your grandmother’s house for the holiday. Becoming like family after so many years, I was in the presence of singing aunts, guitar playing uncles and dancing cousins. A nice added addition to this year’s show was the playbill handout provided by the sponsors of the show (KBCO, Westword, Cervantes’, Anthony’s Pizza and Maddie’s Restaurant). With two sets and over 30 songs from The Band’s extensive catalog, the Playbill was necessary to check where you were in the show and how much more you were going to get.
The group got right into it with “Up on Cripple Creek,” “Life Is a Carnival,” “Stagefright” and “Don’t Do It.” Mainstays on the stage were Polytoxic’s Tori Pater on guitar and CR Gruver on keys, and damn if they didn’t sing with the heart and soul of Levon Helm himself. Pater served as emcee for the night, introducing new guests that assembled on stage. With a constant rotation of talented musicians, it was nearly impossible to keep up with who was joining and who was exiting for each song. Every musician, from the Denver Horns to the striking female harmonies, played an important part in the alliance. The first set continued weaving its enchanting spell with “Down South in New Orleans,” “Evangeline” and a sincere rendition of Neil Young’s “Helpless.” Singing her heart out, Jessica Goodkin gave us moving versions of Springsteen’s “Atlantic City” (though released 6 years after The Last Waltz, Pater and Gruver have incorporated the latter day Band’s version of this song into the show with great success since the beginning) and Van-The-Man’s “Caravan.” As the set was winding down, the crowd roared to the first notes of “The Weight” and grabbed their closest pal to sing the whimsical serenade arm-in-arm.
Set two lit up everyone’s now whiskey warmed attitudes leaving no space left unutilized as the spontaneous singing and dancing continued for “Who Do You Love,” “This Wheels on Fire” and Aaron Rose’s uncanny embodiment of Neil Diamond for “Dry Your Eyes.” Adding a taste of the blues, Muddy Waters’ “Caledonia” and Van Morrison’s “Tura Lura Lura” gave way for the ensemble to reach a raging biol with “Get up Jake,” “Chest Fever” and simmer with “The Night They Drove Ol’ Dixie Down.” With time closing in on the group’s departure, the band turned up the heat. “The Shape I’m In” may have been the motto of the affair but the tune took a rowdy turn into Colorado’s adoptive slogan with “Everybody Must Get Stoned.” Gruver, Pater and friends never ceased to put their own spin on every song and this was the definitive moment that showcased the Jazz, Funk, Jam and Rock that oozed from instruments all night.
The crowd needed stamina to endure the last push of the performance with “Forever Young,” “King Harvest” and Eric Clapton’s, “Further On Up the Road” which made way for possibly the best grouping of songs of the evening: “It Makes No Difference,” “Such a Night,” “Rainy Day Women” and “Ophelia.” As Turkey Day was looming, a rousing rendition of “I Shall Be Released” brought all the players of the night to the stage to sing in unison and give thanks while embracing their musical family. The crowd glowed with appreciation for each other, belting out the lyrics, hugging friends and dimming the lights on another successful rendition of one of the most beloved rock concerts in history.
Energy: B+
Musicianship: A
Sound: B
Stage Presence: B
Set/Light Show: B
Overall: B+
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