Tag Results: Levon Helm
Levon Helm & Emmylou Harris’ Summerstage Ramble
Two of America’s musical legends teamed up this past Monday in Central Park, when Emmylou Harris and Levon Helm delivered a perfect night of music. Emmylou’s set leaned heavy on newer cuts from her Hard Bargain album, but also touched on classics like “Red Dirt Girl” and a gorgeous rendition of “Long Black Veil.”
Levon and his band, anchored by the amazing Larry Campbell, took the stage next to deliver a fantastic set of Band chestnuts, newer cuts, and covers. Levon himself seemed complacent to stick to the drums, handling vocals only on the opening “Ophelia,” an amazing take on The Last Waltz classic “Evangeline” (with Emmylou helping on vocals), and taking one verse of “The Weight” to close the evening. Other highlights included a powerful one-two punch of Grateful Dead staples “Deep Elem Blues,” followed by “Attics Of My Life,” which saw Levon take a step back and let Larry, Theresa Campbell, and daughter Amy Helm shine. David Bromberg made a surprise appearance for his new song, “Tounge,” which had been recorded at Levon’s barn recently. The night closed with an appropriate rendition of “The Weight,” featuring several sit-ins from folks including Emmylou, Joan Osborne, Shawn Colvin, and David Bromberg. I caught the whole thing below (pardon my singing…it was that much fun!).
Phil Lesh Makes Surprise Appearance At Levon Helm’s Midnight Ramble
Phil Lesh seems to be a on a mission lately. He sounds better than ever and his playing has been top notch on Furthur’s summer tour. Always looking to please, he made a surprise appearance at Levon Helm’s Midnight Ramble Saturday Night. The crowd was packed in (including a certain Mike Gordon), when Lesh hit the stage with a new band to highlight some classic Grateful Dead staples.
This impromptu band consisted of Lesh on bass and vocals; his two sons, Brian and Grahame on guitars and vocals; Larry Campbell on vocals, pedal steel, guitar, and violin; and recent Phil & Friends chanteuse, Teresa Williams. As Rolling Stone noted, Lesh had a renewed sense of energy playing with his kids, saying, “this is the proudest moment of my life” when introducing them.
Lesh also contributed to Levon’s set, playing bass on “Shakedown Street” (also featuring Steely Dan’s Donald Fagen on vocals and piano) and “Tennessee Jed.”
Cameras are forbidden at the Rambles, but the above image was taken by an unknown attendee in stealth mode. Many thanks!
Phil Lesh Saturday 7/31/2010 Levon Helm’s Midnight Ramble, Woodstock, NY
Deal, Dire Wolf, I Know You Rider, Fennerio, Cumberland Blues, Friend of the Devil, Angel Band, Goin’ Down the Road Feeling Bad, And We Bid You Goodnight
Levon Helm Closes Out Mountain Jam & Celebrates His 70th Birthday With A Little Help From His Friends
Levon Helm celebrated his 70th birthday last night, closing out the Mountain Jam festival with a little help from his friends. The Levon Helm Band was billed as “Levon Helm & Friends,” and featured guest appearances from Warren Haynes, Donald Fagen, Sam Bush, Steve Earl, Jackie Greene, and Patterson Hood.
It was clear from the moment Levon and co. took the stage, that he still had what it takes to rock a crowd, just as he did when he played with The Band. Levon has pulled back recently on vocals, as he is a throat cancer survivor, but delivered lead vocals on the classic “Ophelia.” Other Band staples played that evening included “The Shape I’m In,”Long Black Veil,” and “The Weight.”
Special guests filed in and out to spice up the night. Warren Haynes dueted on Bob Dylan’s “Blind Willie McTell.” Donald Fagen lead the band through a stunning rendition of the Grateful Dead’s “Shakedown Street,” and Ray LaMontagne handled lead vocals on the Basement Tapes/Music From The Big Pink classic, “Tears Of Rage.”
Regarding how he felt about the birthday celebration, he told Rolling Stone it was “the best one I ever had. I thought it was great.”
image courtesy of www.mountainjam.com.
