Levon Helm

Grandmas Jam

Didnt see any thread on this guy so I thought I would start my own. So I'm hear to express my love and admiration for this guy and his career. I had been a big The Band fan for a really long time. Always listened to their music and I fell in love with Levon Helms style of singing, playing and song writing. I had never seen him live until 2008 and I had the opportunity to catch him at Bonnaroo a couple of hours before Pearl Jam. Although seeing him severely affected my seating situation at Bonnaroo for PJ I didn't give a shit after hear/seeing Levon. What a charismatic guy he is. His smile and genuine feel really lights up a room. If you love a mixture of blues and folk this is your man.

Since then I have seen him about 8 times including going up to his house twice to see 'The Midnight Ramble'. Every show I have seen of him has blown my mind. The musicians he gets to play around him are awesome. Larry Campbell is one of the best band leaders I have seen live (the only band leader I put above him is Starchild rip). And Brian Mitchell is probably one of the most talented musicians i have seen live. The dude goes back and forth between singing, playing b3, keys, piano, harmonica, and even the accordion. In 2009 I was even lucky enough to see Bob Wier (of the Greatful Dead) actually play an entire set with Levon. Levon at the time was actually battling (and defeating) throat cancer. So Bob sang his entire set. Amazining. Two icons on stage at once covering The Dead and The Band. It was great.

Anyways I feel like iI'm 'RAMBLIN' here lol and not really getting anywhere. So I just wanted to see if anyone here had as much interest in Levon Helm as I do, or even in The Band. Let's get a convo going here.

SD48277

Levon is awesome. Aren't the Rambles great? Not a bad seat in the house, and he gets great performers. A kinder man is hard to find. Sometimes he does free shows around here (Woodstock), which are fantastic, and he can be counted on to do a benefit concert for any of the local charities. Years ago, I saw him and his band perform at the local high school to raise money for the auditorium renovation. He's also been known to perform in the center of town with his band during the summer. I don't know how far away you are from Woodstock, but I can let you know if he does anything like that in the future...if you want.

DewieCox

Just started really gettin into The Band when I pretty recently discovered the S/T album. Wanna talk about great musicians? They're too freakin' good to describe.

Never seen Levon live, but sounds like it would be a blast. Really love the dvd that the Black Crowes filmed while recording at Levon's barn.

catefrances

DewieCox wrote:

Just started really gettin into The Band when I pretty recently discovered the S/T album. Wanna talk about great musicians? They're too freakin' good to describe.

Never seen Levon live, but sounds like it would be a blast. Really love the dvd that the Black Crowes filmed while recording at Levon's barn.

i consider the band to be the quintessential american band. and yes i agree... they are too freakin' good to describe.

Grandmas Jam

SD48277 wrote:

I don't know how far away you are from Woodstock, but I can let you know if he does anything like that in the future...if you want.

Yes I would love that. I'm about 2 hrs away in souther western connecticut but I would make a drive for that. I told you I've been to the ramble twice and shows dont get more intamite than that. I am happy to see that people on here love The Band and Levon Helm. It's difficult for me to put into words how good they are as two other posters have said here. Levon does a lot of touring during the summer. He plays a lot of music festivals. If he is ever in your area, I suggest you check him out

MysteryTrain

Grandmas Jam wrote:

SD48277 wrote:

I don't know how far away you are from Woodstock, but I can let you know if he does anything like that in the future...if you want.

Yes I would love that. I'm about 2 hrs away in souther western connecticut but I would make a drive for that. I told you I've been to the ramble twice and shows dont get more intamite than that. I am happy to see that people on here love The Band and Levon Helm. It's difficult for me to put into words how good they are as two other posters have said here. Levon does a lot of touring during the summer. He plays a lot of music festivals. If he is ever in your area, I suggest you check him out

Thanks for starting this thread! Another huge Band fan here; earlier this year I finally got all their Capitol albums. I just read Levon's autobiography; he was surprisingly candid about his experiences, especially the Last Waltz period. Have not seen the man live yet though. Unless he tours down under, I'll just have to travel to the States for the ramble! How often does he do it each year?

Grandmas Jam

MysteryTrain wrote:

Grandmas Jam wrote:

SD48277 wrote:

I don't know how far away you are from Woodstock, but I can let you know if he does anything like that in the future...if you want.

Yes I would love that. I'm about 2 hrs away in souther western connecticut but I would make a drive for that. I told you I've been to the ramble twice and shows dont get more intamite than that. I am happy to see that people on here love The Band and Levon Helm. It's difficult for me to put into words how good they are as two other posters have said here. Levon does a lot of touring during the summer. He plays a lot of music festivals. If he is ever in your area, I suggest you check him out

Thanks for starting this thread! Another huge Band fan here; earlier this year I finally got all their Capitol albums. I just read Levon's autobiography; he was surprisingly candid about his experiences, especially the Last Waltz period. Have not seen the man live yet though. Unless he tours down under, I'll just have to travel to the States for the ramble! How often does he do it each year?

How was that book? What did he have to say? And I have heard that he has been completely straight edged his whole life. Is that true?


Just for fun here is an awesome Levon Helm song you guys might not know. Thought I would shar.
THis is Chest Fever http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-9SQ49EzO9A

He does Rabmles every weekend at his house. So 4 times a month. Unless he is touring. So basically he tours during the summer playing music festivals and other venues and during the fall and winter he holds the rambles at his house. If you can afford the flight to the US and the ticket price it is worth the expirence. You'll never seen someone that famous in that intimate of a setting. From christ sake the guy enters his studio through the kitchen of his house. Thats pretty wild.

catefrances

Grandmas Jam wrote:

How was that book? What did he have to say? And I have heard that he has been completely straight edged his whole life. Is that true?

NO ONE in the band was straight edge.

SD48277

I will keep you in mind the next time he does any free shows. This weekend he is doing a benefit (not at the barn), along with Natalie Merchant, Donald Fagan, and a few other local musicians, to raise money for charities that are helping residents who were affected by Hurricane Irene. I believe tickets are $150.
It was funny when the Black Crowes were recording at the barn; there was a sign posted at the beginning of the driveway respectfully asking people to be quiet--a recording session was in progress. We all knew who it was.

Grandmas Jam

SD48277 wrote:

I will keep you in mind the next time he does any free shows. This weekend he is doing a benefit (not at the barn), along with Natalie Merchant, Donald Fagan, and a few other local musicians, to raise money for charities that are helping residents who were affected by Hurricane Irene. I believe tickets are $150.
It was funny when the Black Crowes were recording at the barn; there was a sign posted at the beginning of the driveway respectfully asking people to be quiet--a recording session was in progress. We all knew who it was.

Awesome man, thanks. Yea I know a couple of famous band have recorded there. Guster recorded there too right

MysteryTrain

catefrances wrote:

Grandmas Jam wrote:

How was that book? What did he have to say? And I have heard that he has been completely straight edged his whole life. Is that true?

NO ONE in the band was straight edge.

Haha, Levon was far from straight edged, according to what he wrote in the book. There were some crazy times during his stint with Ronnie Hawkins. But it seemed he harbored lots of bitter feelings for Robbie in the years leading up to the Last Waltz, because Robbie was self-proclaiming he was the leader of the group and he got the most attention. Come to think of it, it's kinda sad that Levon and Richard wrote considerably fewer songs after the first two albums.

Grandmas Jam

MysteryTrain wrote:

catefrances wrote:

Grandmas Jam wrote:

How was that book? What did he have to say? And I have heard that he has been completely straight edged his whole life. Is that true?

NO ONE in the band was straight edge.

Haha, Levon was far from straight edged, according to what he wrote in the book. There were some crazy times during his stint with Ronnie Hawkins. But it seemed he harbored lots of bitter feelings for Robbie in the years leading up to the Last Waltz, because Robbie was self-proclaiming he was the leader of the group and he got the most attention. Come to think of it, it's kinda sad that Levon and Richard wrote considerably fewer songs after the first two albums.

Cool, thanks for clarifying that he was not sober like i once thought. And I heard that he, danko, and mauel are the ones that really split from the band because of what robertson was doing. i've even heard rumors that by the time they played the last waltz they werent even on speaking terms. in my opinion most of the better music was written by levon. and his voice is so much more distinctive and enjoyable then roberston's. not to knock him, he is still great. but i like levon better. maybe you could tell us a little more then what i know/assume about the bands breakup?

dcfaithful

DewieCox wrote:

Just started really gettin into The Band when I pretty recently discovered the S/T album. Wanna talk about great musicians? They're too freakin' good to describe.

Never seen Levon live, but sounds like it would be a blast. Really love the dvd that the Black Crowes filmed while recording at Levon's barn.

Levon Helm is a master. Couldn't have said it any better than you did about The Band.

Further more, that DVD is stellar.

dcfaithful

MysteryTrain wrote:

catefrances wrote:

Grandmas Jam wrote:

How was that book? What did he have to say? And I have heard that he has been completely straight edged his whole life. Is that true?

NO ONE in the band was straight edge.

Haha, Levon was far from straight edged, according to what he wrote in the book. There were some crazy times during his stint with Ronnie Hawkins. But it seemed he harbored lots of bitter feelings for Robbie in the years leading up to the Last Waltz, because Robbie was self-proclaiming he was the leader of the group and he got the most attention. Come to think of it, it's kinda sad that Levon and Richard wrote considerably fewer songs after the first two albums.

If my memory serves me right, Levon also has made claims about Robbie and Martin Scorsese editing The Last Waltz to give more attention to Robbie... :?

catefrances

dcfaithful wrote:

MysteryTrain wrote:

catefrances wrote:

NO ONE in the band was straight edge.

Haha, Levon was far from straight edged, according to what he wrote in the book. There were some crazy times during his stint with Ronnie Hawkins. But it seemed he harbored lots of bitter feelings for Robbie in the years leading up to the Last Waltz, because Robbie was self-proclaiming he was the leader of the group and he got the most attention. Come to think of it, it's kinda sad that Levon and Richard wrote considerably fewer songs after the first two albums.

If my memory serves me right, Levon also has made claims about Robbie and Martin Scorsese editing The Last Waltz to give more attention to Robbie... :?

it was robertson who wanted to end the band.


as for the last waltz...
at one point when it looked like getting away from them.. what with all the guests.. robertson suggested muddy waters be cut from the lineup.. levon went apeshit and said if anyone was to be cut it should be neil diamond.. whose presence as far as ive always be concerned is anachronistic... i understood where muddy waters fit into the bands story but neil diamond always made my head spin. but robbie wanted him there, so he was. it was a powerplay... though youll probably hear diamonds name in regards to the brill building and all that jazz.

MysteryTrain

That is correct. Levon wrote that he was very bewildered and amused as to why Robbie would choose someone like Neil Diamond to guest with the band. Also The Last Waltz was heavily overdubbed in post because the audio was so bad. Who knew? The funny thing was that only Levon's drums sounded good enough so he didn't have to redo his parts. The most interesting thing about the concert was the Dylan portion. Literally minutes before he was due onstage, he changed his mind and refused to go on. Bill Graham had to talk him into it. The deal was struck such that the crew were only allowed to film the first few songs (or maybe it was the last two songs or something like that).

I think This Wheel's On Fire (Levon's book) is a must-read for any Band fan. It's particularly emotional when he talks about the deaths of Richard and Rick. Now we'll wait and see Robbie's side of things when he releases his memoirs next year.

dcfaithful

MysteryTrain wrote:

That is correct. Levon wrote that he was very bewildered and amused as to why Robbie would choose someone like Neil Diamond to guest with the band. Also The Last Waltz was heavily overdubbed in post because the audio was so bad. Who knew? The funny thing was that only Levon's drums sounded good enough so he didn't have to redo his parts. The most interesting thing about the concert was the Dylan portion. Literally minutes before he was due onstage, he changed his mind and refused to go on. Bill Graham had to talk him into it. The deal was struck such that the crew were only allowed to film the first few songs (or maybe it was the last two songs or something like that).

I think This Wheel's On Fire (Levon's book) is a must-read for any Band fan. It's particularly emotional when he talks about the deaths of Richard and Rick. Now we'll wait and see Robbie's side of things when he releases his memoirs next year.

I think I've read somewhere that Van Morrison was a struggle to get on stage too at the last minute.

They're performance of "Caravan" is my favorite on the film/album... it's unbelievable.

Grandmas Jam

MysteryTrain wrote:

That is correct. Levon wrote that he was very bewildered and amused as to why Robbie would choose someone like Neil Diamond to guest with the band. Also The Last Waltz was heavily overdubbed in post because the audio was so bad. Who knew? The funny thing was that only Levon's drums sounded good enough so he didn't have to redo his parts. The most interesting thing about the concert was the Dylan portion. Literally minutes before he was due onstage, he changed his mind and refused to go on. Bill Graham had to talk him into it. The deal was struck such that the crew were only allowed to film the first few songs (or maybe it was the last two songs or something like that).

I think This Wheel's On Fire (Levon's book) is a must-read for any Band fan. It's particularly emotional when he talks about the deaths of Richard and Rick. Now we'll wait and see Robbie's side of things when he releases his memoirs next year.

two things i heard about the movie. i heard dylan and diamond exchanged words at one point in time. and i've also heard neil young was blowing tons of coke back stage and came out with a hunk of it still visibile in his nose. scorcesse i guess edited it out of the movie

catefrances

Grandmas Jam wrote:

...i've also heard neil young was blowing tons of coke back stage and came out with a hunk of it still visibile in his nose. scorcesse i guess edited it out of the movie

indeed scorsese did just that.

awilkins

Dear Friends,
Levon is in the final stages of his battle with cancer. Please send your prayers and love to him as he makes his way through this part of his journey. ...

Thank you fans and music lovers who have made his life so filled with joy and celebration... he has loved nothing more than to play, to fill the room up with music, lay down the back beat, and make the people dance! He did it every time he took the stage...

We appreciate all the love and support and concern.
From his daughter Amy, and wife Sandy

So very sad, glad I got to see him at Harvest. I watch the Last Waltz monthly if not weekly, guess I'll put it on tonight and have a beverage for Levon.

SD48277

awilkins wrote:

Dear Friends,
Levon is in the final stages of his battle with cancer. Please send your prayers and love to him as he makes his way through this part of his journey. ...

Thank you fans and music lovers who have made his life so filled with joy and celebration... he has loved nothing more than to play, to fill the room up with music, lay down the back beat, and make the people dance! He did it every time he took the stage...

We appreciate all the love and support and concern.
From his daughter Amy, and wife Sandy

So very sad, glad I got to see him at Harvest. I watch the Last Waltz monthly if not weekly, guess I'll put it on tonight and have a beverage for Levon.

:( I am so glad I got to see him perform a few times, and was able to attend one of his Midnight Rambles. Man, this just sucks.