Walcott Medicine Show" is a song written by Robbie Robertson that was first released on the Band's 1970 album Stage Fright.
Based on Levon Helm's memories of minstrel and medicine shows in Arkansas, the song has been interpreted as an allegory on the music business.
The song is based on stories Band drummer Levon Helm told Robertson about minstrel and medicine shows he remembered from his youth in Arkansas.
Allmusic critic William Ruhlmann states that the song comments "on the falseness of show business.
"[3] Nick DeRiso sees the "escapades" and "ruses" described in the song as creating "an allegory on the dangers of the lifestyle that had rapidly ensnared the Band" during their meteoric rise to stardom with the two albums they released before Stage Fright.
[7] To DeRiso, the "snake oil" of the medicine show represents the "late-night escapades and mid-day binges — the mysterious, soul-deadening, very real temptations of the rock-star lifestyle"[7] DeRiso believes that the message was primarily directed at Band pianist Richard Manuel, whose life was falling apart and who was also believed to be the intended recipient of the message of "The Shape I'm In," the song immediately preceding "The W.S.
[1] Additional players included Snooky Young on trumpet, Howard Johnson, Joe Farrell on tenor saxophone, Earl McIntyre on trombone and J.D.
"[16] According to Robertson, the other "horn players were cheering him on ... blowing with one fist in the air," which Gleason called a "deserved tribute.
"[1] Peter J. Barsocchini of the San Mateo County Times described it as a "stand out" of side 1 of the album.
[1][2] The song was part of their encore on September 18, 1976 for the opening of the newly renamed Palladium (formerly the Academy of Music) in New York City.
[1][2] The song was also included in The Band's final concert at Winterland Ballroom on November 25, 1976, the basis of the film The Last Waltz.