Re: OT: Levon Helm has passed away ...RIP Levon
Posted by:
tomcasagranda
()
Date: April 19, 2012 23:40
I am deeply saddened at the demise of Levon.
The sad thing about The Band, as a musical entity, was that for all the excellent music that was made, none of the members got away unscathed, and that there seemed a curse attached. Richard and Rick both died before their time, Garth, Robbie, and Levon all faced problems within their lives at some stage. It makes Daniel & The Sacred Harp awfully prescient.
Levon's voice was the voice of an indomitable spirit, only quelled today with his death. You can hear the indomitable, unyielding, powerful vocals on The Weight, Up On Cripple Creek, The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down, Hang Up My Rock n Roll Shoes, All La Glory, Strawberry Wine, Ain't Got No Home, Didn't it Rain, Back To Memphis, Ain't No More Cane, Yazoo Street Scandal, Don't Ya Tell Henry, Ophelia, Evangeline.
There's also a wonderful live 1977 Concert by The RCO Allstars, which is Levon meeting half of The MGs, American Son, Paul Kennerley's Legend of Frank & Jesse James, Will The Circle Vol 2, which show that, post band, Levon had not lost his magic, and that he remained the indomitable Southern soul force of nature.
Whereas Robbie Robertson made solo albums of soundscapes crafted by The Blue Nile, Peter Gabriel, and Daniel Lanois, Levon remained authentic, yet, apart from Jemima Surrender and Look Out Cleveland, he barely wrote an original tune, both with The Band and solo.
I would also add that the last three albums are excellent rootsy Americana affairs, wherein Levon is ably assisted by the great Larry Campbell, another former Dylan sideman.
To paraphrase the Paul Kennerley title that Levon recorded for Will The Circle Be Unbroken, I hope he gets his rewards. He has certainly rewarded us with his musical authenticity