The Last Polka

My guest blogging began with a post in memory of The Band’s Levon Helm.  I would be remiss if I did not circle back by sharing a hidden gem and seeking other Shmengeheads. 

The Shmenge’s Last Polka is a mockumentary about brothers, Yosh (John Candy) and Stan (Eugene Levy) Shmenge, retiring from a long and illustrious career as the greatest Polka duo ever.  The format follows Martin Scorsese’s classic, The Band The Last Waltz.  The Shmenges were born on Second City TV and also known as the Happy Wanderers.

 Unfortunately, this classic has not made its way across the digital divide and is not (yet?) available on DVD, or whatever we’re using now.  Fortunately, a fellow Shmengehead posted the film in several parts in cyberspace. Here’s a part of the film with a Linsk Minyk (Rick Moranis) sit-in and banter.

 Thank you to the Lounge regulars for sharing their forum and to all the readers for sharing their time.  I hope to see/meet you at SEALS later this summer or somewhere down the So Many Roads we all know.

Cheers,

Joe

p.s. The last link above is to a late era Robert Hunter / Jerry Garcia song.  Jerry flubs a few lyrics, but this inspired performance from the Boston Garden in 1994 is worth seven and a half minutes of any music lover’s time, at least once.  For some reason, Jerry vocally wails on “to heal my soul” at the end, instead of the usual “to ease my soul.”

 p.p.s. RIP Doc Watson.  Sitting on Top of the World

 

Comments

[Alexander Tsesis]

Thank ya kindly, neighbor, for the video!

Here's one for y'all: "Roll in My Sweet Baby's Arms": Doc Watson Ricky Skaggs and Earl Scruggs: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LxiligIJ-TU&feature=related. Go many go!

Ain't nothin' wrong with a bit of Tony Rice mountain jam neither: http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&feature=endscreen&v=r67DmWECcvQ