The Band - "Ophelia" (The Last Waltz)

"Ophelia" is a song written by Robbie Robertson that was first released by The Band on their 1975 album Northern Lights - Southern Cross. It was the lead single from the album. It has also appeared on several of the group's live and compilation albums, and has been covered by such artists as Vince Gill and My Morning Jacket.The video was directly taken from the film "The Last Waltz" directed by Martin Scorzese. Good vision!

[@ThaiThom]

Rick Danko grooving on the bass like it's nobody's business.

[@mikemchugh3684]

so much better than the studio version, Levon kills it, what a Band

[@shanephillips1730]

THE, BAND!!

[@EliMoore99]

If you like The Band, you should check out Ursa and the Major Key. They have a song called Only The Sky Is Blue that sounds pretty similar to The Band, and their whole album is influenced by The Band, Floyd, Grateful Dead, Beatles, etc.

[@sonyaweinreis6530]

A million times better 😊

[@genemorris2044]

Saw them in Atlanta in 1971. What a show!

[@Duke87654]

And the studio version is fantastic, so I can’t even describe what this. No words. Pure emotion.

[@maggiepernini1187]

I just watched The Last Waltz yesterday. My mom recommended it and we saw it together. It was brilliant. Never listened to much of their music before, but I’m definitely going to now.

[@Johneriffic]

One of the greatest bands ever. Robbie, Leon, Rick, Garth, Richard and any of the folks picked up along the way....geniuses!!

[@jacksebastian9462]

Drumming right in the swing pocket and singing such a groovy tune. What a drummer

[@clayjones8890]

Levon was the man!

[@richardyoung7415]

HELL YEAH. PEACE TO YOU ALL MY FRIEND'S. 🙏✌️😎🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

[@AliciaSharee-ej3iv]

❤

[@ThaiThom]

Rick Danko pushing him right along.

[@inquiry7]

I agree with Sorcese. Levon is nothing more than a 5th bill. Everyone knows Buddy Miles(w/Hendrix), Rare Earth(Pete Rivera), and Don Brewer(Grand Funk Railroad), are true talents who sing lead. Actually Marty knows nothing about music. Levon is the actual talent in the group, IMO!

[@lisacelen2579]

"The Last Waltz" is easily one of the best rock and roll movies ever.

[@DH-ij9pe]

Facts, Concert for Bangladesh is the only live show that comes close.

[@TheProPainter]

Ever and surprisingly not many know who “the band” is? Mind boggling, however I was only introduced to them at deer camp and 15 years ago. 43 now lol…. Some of the most iconic music ever made!

[@jmckenzieosu]

The fact that you can literally see his breath. You're seeing the soul into the mic. A magical performance if I've ever seen one.

[@suprapetty]

Or it was just cold.Wtf with these romanticize reasons.

[@jmckenzieosu]

@@suprapetty thank you for taking the time out of your day for that comment. You seem like a lot of fun.

[@BigDoeJ424]

Its residual cig smoke..

[@applenut]

@@suprapetty yea it was below freezing. Short bus huh?

[@Grannyhauenstein]

@@jmckenzieosu Thank you for ruining my day. I thought you could see his breath due to global warming. When I found it was just his soul, I was upset. You must be a lot of fun at DNC conventions.

[@groberts3967]

IMO, one of the greatest live recordings ever captured ..

[@ColmK1000Games]

Honestly, I think that statement applies to the whole concert. Whenever I listen to any of the songs from The Last Waltz I just go for the live versions; especially this song, The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down, and Caravan

[@chirpyburpy]

@@ColmK1000Games van the man from East Belfast

[@TheProPainter]

The best! Nothing compares!!!

[@Mark-oj9to]

Hardest working, most heartfelt music loving group ever. Every single member of The Band contributed so much individualism in their personal sound then when they were melded together it was beautiful harmonious rock magic man. RIP Levon. Love The Band for sure!!!

[@JEBBADYAH]

RIP Robbie 💔 your spirit will never die ❤🎶🎸🥀🕊️🕯️🙏

[@sonyaweinreis6530]

Every musician on that stage rocks

[@steveschmitz2839]

I will never be fully able to appreciate how hard Levon swings this tune, incredible performance. Thank you.

[@martinmolloy5876]

The guy was a genius.

[@StevenJamesBrooks]

He's absolutely humming coming out of the guitar solo. Look at the expression on his face. He's totally in the moment feeling every single note.

[@robinwhitehead4283]

YES!!!!!

[@clayjones8890]

No shit my friend! It oozed flawless!

[@UndersackitchFungalbollock]

Levon had such a great voice

[@robertarey5050]

R.I.P. ROBBIE. Your guitar sounded so good in this song. Dipped in Bronze. Should have been dipped in Gold!

[@inakil6682]

Levon was the best rock drummer singer by far.

[@robertmartinez4174]

I can remember watching this film at The Cinerama Dome in Hollywood back in 1978. 👍

[@johncopeland3826]

Man , Levon always had the best seat in the house .... Do you notice that he always gave a million percent on every song ! A quite remarkable talent .

[@jaredbarhorst248]

LeVon is just so full of passion and enthusiasm when he sings man, it’s a sight and sound to behold.

[@kimblers]

A few years back I was hospitalized and watched this whole movie on my iPad while flying from painkillers. Wow, it was great end to end.

[@billslocum9819]

I know what you mean. The whole ambiance of the show is so well captured on film.

[@brysonbagnal8780]

Levon is my favorite performer ever, just one cool, soulful dude. But Robbie Robertson absolutely shreds this performance and matches Levon perfectly, Garth and Rick and Richard as well. Anytime these guys got together they laid down some solid gold. We will likely never see creative geniuses of this caliber again, true legends of the sound.

[@henryleitch]

One of Robbie's finest moments with the band, no doubt.

[@DH-ij9pe]

Same, there will never be another like him. The greatest of greats imo.

[@gottadomor7438]

On the short list for sure.

[@spikespa5208]

Alas, today 8/9/2023, we hear of Robbie Robertson's passing. The Band is slipping away. The likes of which not to be seen or heard again. But we have these videos and films and memories to help us.

[@pullybz5626]

What's crazy is that Robbie is only one who really wanted to end the group. He wanted a solo career and did a great album. But I saw them in 80's and Levon killed it. Danko! All of them! Still a Great concert!

[@johnworthington8360]

Robbie knows all the songs and the band is hot. Is there none alive now? Except Bob and Mick and Keith on macroseaweedvitamin C and B shakes with squished bananas... Long Live Rock n Roll....

[@Dessienewshoes]

Levon was unbelievably good ❤

[@user-od5fh3gn4d]

Their songs always make me feel like I'm watching a play take place-- like some kind of Appalachian Opera or Dixieland Epic. I can literally "see" what's going on in my head, characters and all.

[@gak2173]

This is the best version of this wonderful song.

[@elimorrison1269]

Keep on rocking in heaven levon ❤️🙏🏻

[@landlinesandpercolators8822]

Levon turns at the end to give the horn section the way to go look.

[@billslocum9819]

Those tubas really pop!

[@alexandergrieve47]

i love the band

[@Johncourt409]

Levon definitely puts the extra oomph on this for sure. One of the best drummers ever.

[@karltaylor4455]

Rest In Peace, Robbie Roberton *08 08 2023

[@MultiMoishe]

I'm glad that I saw The Band 4 times. All great shows ✌️

[@catbird-dq7ri]

I still seems like a miracle we got to witness this.

[@johnireland6301]

The stars aligned for this performance. Pure perfection

[@pogopam]

RIP Robbie Robertson - 7/5/1943 - 8/9/2023 - 80 years old.

[@YourselfAndEye]

This song in on that occasion give you one of those happy-sad smiles

[@ant675]

We lost a magical performer when Levon past! This song is one of my favorite songs of ALL TIME. Rip to this amazing soul

[@michaelkeenan3437]

Passed

[@jhmiller536]

Saw this at the Century on Hollywood Blvd when it was first released. The Century had speakers under every seat. It was better than a live concert.

[@rasputin6584]

Listening to this performance you can feel how much soul Levon has put into this live! Love Levon❤️

[@patrickdugan2929]

Y'all should a been there! Best show I ever saw!

[@peggyarnold7425]

Ophelia storm headed toward Virginia. I will play this as a tree falls on my house 😮.

[@user-sh5jg8rc4h]

When you can see Levon Helm literally exhaling moisture, he was giving it all he had and more.

[@califtovegas]

Just watched Once were brothers. So much talent in The Band

[@rrudgoud7410]

Robbie's guitar picking soaring on top of the dixie band fills ... magic

[@helmutsecke3529]

An evening of eternal incandescent perfection.

[@philiphalpenny3783]

45 years ago tonight...

[@philiphalpenny3783]

On the commentary track of the 25th anniversary DVD of The Last Waltz...Scorsese said it's almost too moving to look back at the footage...you can see why it is so bittersweet...SO much talent there that night but so many casualties in the years that followed...

[@jimcollins2466]

This is the best version of the classic in my opinion! The upbeat tempo is as it should be!

[@slownoman]

From maybe the best musical "documentary" ever made. The Band, Joni, Clapton, Muddy, Neil. and on and on and on. Dr. John...whew.

[@kathym.248]

Yup. Loved the Dr. John one! All classics. Such a Night!

[@adamkane4217]

Levon said he didn't want to do this show in his book, but damn it if he didn't go hard on stage that night.

[@lorenzozambelli1727]

I know he wanted to retire from TLW because somebody didn't want Muddy Waters... (they were great friends)...

[@TheProPainter]

I saw a documentary where they talked about this night and it was so hot all of their cocaine melted because of the heat 😂😂😂😂😂

[@isabelquestell1951]

best concert i ever attended!!

[@GabeLeyshon]

HELL YEAH BROTHER!

[@wyattbreymeyer4033]

im trying to figure out all these years after listening to this version, why is it so much better than the recording? still boggles my mind

[@alexandergrieve47]

It's sped up, and there has been a key change

[@eeeeyuke]

Plus it all blends so well in the mix. The studio version sounds like individual tracks and too separated.

[@ryelee6742]

Thank you for the upload to keep this on KZbin!

[@elizabethprince6749]

The best !!

[@opheliaabramian8653]

Great performance and beautiful voice.Thank you.....

[@marvicrodriguez6354]

Very very good singer while drumming...yes !

[@PleaseDontFeedTheAnimals]

RIP Robbie Robertson

[@johnperrigo6474]

What a classic, with the horns backing them up so strong and forecefully. What a song, what a performance!

[@nabranco]

ABSURDO!!!! Que versão maravilhosa!!!

[@johnmacdonald7372]

legendary performance

[@user-cm2mp9nv8n]

Levon is AMAZING 💜❤️🧡💛💜❤️🧡🌞🌜🌟🌎🙏🌸🌼🌳🌴☺️

[@chrismorfas7515]

They were tired for this show, but this and “Dixie” were highlights. A wonderful historical document.

[@spadoukie]

And now for the House of Musical Traditions Weather Update: As Levon so aptly notes: "Ophelia, please darken my door!" And. "Ophelia, where have you gone?" From the Scorsese film, The Last Waltz....The Band was and remains the gold standard. Stay dry and play it loud. Dee

[@lorenzozambelli1727]

70k views in 6 mouths...amazing, thank you! They're still strong in 2022!

[@dylanmounsey7515]

Listen I’m only 30 but even I can tell you that Levon was insanely dynamic. So hard to be a drummer and a lead singer… his style and sound is so unique

[@lorenzozambelli1727]

@@dylanmounsey7515 I am only 20 and I perfectly agree with you!

[@Rilez616]

The band will never die

[@heathermckenzie5137]

I wanted to call my daughter Ophelia after this song and after the last waltz concert but her dad wouldnt allow it 🤦‍♀️😂. Levon helm was an absolute talent on this performance x

[@lorenzozambelli1727]

Her dad maybe was scared by the possibility to say one day "why do the best things always dissappear, like Ophelia?"...so maybe he choosed the right name for her😂

[@LetsGoWrongboarding]

I have a cat named Ophelia for just the same reason!

[@dennisdevine3382]

Did you divorce him?

[@robramakers6496]

Incredible band!

[@arnarne]

Incredible version of this tune! I love Robbie Robertson's screaming guitar.

[@majones7004]

THE Band...

[@joec7056]

This is stupid GOOD, real music/band/talent

[@robinwhitehead4283]

Love it!! Always happy and lifting when I hear it

[@BDB78]

Play it loud!!!

[@michaelseet3779]

master drummer and soulful singer

[@johnmacdonald7372]

I wish I could tell all these men what an impact they have had on my upbringing

[@markheefner6527]

Just love these guys so much!

[@danielhalpert03]

Awesome

[@alphwinter3913]

Lovin how Rick Danko is makin the bottom ROCK!

[@surrealfarm]

There was only one group good enough to simply be called ''THE BAND''.

[@jennings992]

I think the reason why this song is so good beyond the music is because its about a love that was lost. If my opheliia ever contacted me again I would quit my job and move to her. But such is life.I dedicate this one to Brittany.

[@judibulanowski5368]

I always watch for the smoke rings that come up in front of Levon starting around 2:27. Cracks me up. Easier to see if you are watching The Last Waltz on a large screen.

[@theslimblues]

What a performance. Legends the fucking lot of them

[@elizabradley4797]

"Ophelia ~ Please Come Home" Robbie 🎸💋🌹💙🙏

[@thomasbailey7660]

Never done better than right there.

[@d.6436]

at least 3 real geniuses out there

[@dhinovrizkian7213]

Majestic

[@lorileeann7623]

If I ever had a son, his name was going to be Levon.....RIP

[@Yogibayer4u]

He was a great talent and a truly good and humble man. I missed the chance, but my wonderful grandson was named after him. I expect my young Levon will make his namesake proud.

[@danielquinn6934]

The bass ❤❤❤❤❤

[@robertmacabagdal9585]

Thank you Robbie

[@malbuff]

Uproarious! Tightest song of the entire night. And those wonderful horn parts were charted by Garth Hudson. Check Tom Malone's trombone solo toward the end.

[@SanFranciscoFatboy]

wow, the horns lead the way!!!!!!!!

[@sm-ev8ld]

they were arranged by the legendary Allen toussaint

[@kathym.248]

Thanks for that great info!!!! The horns were terrific and I love Alan Toussaint.

[@annarmstrong8696]

Amazing

[@davidsmith385]

I think Robbie liked this one also judging from his demeanor

[@GalZiv]

watch it and cannot believe they not here except Hudson.

[@Vlad-nw8rx]

Turkey Scratch Arkansas sure made a good one

[@mikegould6618]

"...why do the best things disappear..." like Levon

[@pullybz5626]

Mama, you know we broke the rules!! LOL! One of best lines ever...

[@DarthVaidan]

Levon Helm is the fucking man. What a legend.

[@MrAbitbol84]

Thanks for this version ! You can hear "off beat" noises of Levon on 2:47 and 2:49. They've been deleted on the "new" remasterings (CD, bluray...).

[@lorenzozambelli1727]

In my The Last Waltz vynils of 1978 you can find them!

[@CrazyFoolHI]

Yeah!!!!!!!

[@Menyhard]

Rip robbie Robinson

[@XmanSully]

Everybody is on good vibes here. Allow me to poop on the parade: The Band and this song remind me of my teens. So much has happened since. All I can say about the decades that passed, and my life now, is this: when I was a twenty-one years old soldier, around the time of the first gulf war (no, I wasn't in it), there was this one evening when I had a bullet in the chamber, my finger on the trigger, the barrel in my mouth, and all I can say now is: why oh why didn't I pull that trigger. Could have saved me and many others so many bad times. This was my cry in the night. Not that I expect a reply. It's ok

[@TimothyLafreniere]

The world misses him

[@skipbanks4fun1]

i miss that dude soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo much