Levon Helm's new album
BrokenGlass
Posts: 298
"Dirt Farmer" is a masterpiece. It's a rich sounding mix of old tunes Levon grew up with in Arkansas, along with some contemporary folk/bluegrass/traditional country/blues type songs. It's so great to hear his voice so strong and expressive after his battle with cancer of the vocal chord. These songs aren't for everyone, but if you're in the mood to listen to some roots music, check it out. Levon's been through a tough patch of years with the deaths of Richard Manuel and Rick Danko, his home studio burning down, and the cancer, but he's still making great music. A couple of these songs could easily be Band songs, most notably "The Mountain". You can hear samples and check out what he's been up to at http://www.levonhelm.com or http://www.dirtfarmermusic.com. I think this might be my favorite album this year.
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Levon lives by me. He does the Midnight Rambles once a month where you can go the studio at his his house... yes his house and see him and usually 2 or 3 other bands. He has had some great guests over the years. He is really considered a hometown boy In Woodstock. Rick Danko used to come into a place where I hung out with his guitar and just play. I miss Rick, he was a good guy.
It is great to see Levon moving forward. It was a tough stretch indeed.
On a side note, his daughter Amy has a great band called Ollabelle. Her step father is non other then Donald Fagen of Steely Dan who also lives here. They have done shows together.
They say every sin is deadly but I believe they may be wrong...I'm guilty of all seven and I don't feel too bad at all
Thanks for the link! Man, I would dearly love to witness one of those Ramble shows. And to see Danko in a little bar would have been a delight. I saw him and Paul Butterfield at a small club called Bogart's in Cincinnati in the early '80's - one of the best concerts I've ever seen.
I gotta check his new one out.
Yes, In fact they recorded "Z" here. There is a great studio called Allaire Studios that is drawing in some big name like David Bowie, Rush, MMJ, The Strokes, Tim McGraw, Norah Jones, plus lots more.
I love living here, it is truly an artist haven.