An all-star group of musicians assembled by Don Was recreated The Band’s iconic Last Waltz concert this past Friday at what used to be the Westbury Music Fair.

The great Warren Haynes of the Allman Brothers Band, Gov’t Mule, and numerous side projects, along with Michael McDonald, formerly of the Doobie Brothers, Jamey Johnson, best known by me for his Farm Aid appearances, two Neville Brothers and the phenomenal keyboardist John Medeski played for three hours. plus celebrating the music of The Band and their special guests that evening forty years ago which was documented by Martin Scorsece.

The rotating circular NYCB at Westbury Theater stage was jam packed with equipment and musicians that included drums and a horn section playing Allen Toussaint’s original arrangements for The Band.

Highlights this evening included Jamey Johnson bringing down the house with “Georgia on my Mind”, Warren Haynes soulful take on Van Morrison’s “Caravan” and Michael McDonsld’s unique vocals on several Band numbers and Neil Young’s “Helpless”.

Bob Margolin, who played with Muddy Waters at the original Last Waltz concert, stormed the Westbury stage with blues bravado and played “Mannish Boy” with the 40 band and remained for a few numbers raising the already high energy level of the sold out crowd to greater heights.

Original Band keyboardist Garth Hudson, who had played with this band the night before at the beautiful Palace Theater in Albany, skipped the Westbury date and was to catch up with the group the next night in Maryland which was the last show of the tour.

It was a great night of music and one of the best shows I have ever seen at the Westbury venue.

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