Friday, April 20, 2012

Farewell Great Helmsman: Levon Helm

Levon Helm


The Great Helmsman of the cracking North American roots group, The Band, has put his drumsticks away forever. Levon Helm the man who never gave up, who always kept going, who took forever to get over the breakup of the group he founded, has passed away. 

My brother Gregg had the album we highlight tonight and told me one day, ‘Every song is a classic.’  He especially liked Rag Mama Rag. I’ve always loved Up on Cripple Creek. I don’t know anybody who doesn’t like The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down.


Listen to one of the best American albums since the birth of rock n roll as you read the obit from the Little Rock News.


            Track Listing:
01 Across The Great Divide
02 Rag Mama Rag
03 The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down
04 When You Awake
05 Up On Cripple Creek
06 Whispering Pines
07 Jemima Surrender
08 Rockin' Chair
09 Look Out Cleveland
10 Jawbone
11 The Unfaithful Servant
12 King Harvest (Has Surely Come)
13 Get Up Jake (Outtake-Stereo Remix)
14 Rag Mama Rag (Alternate Vocal Take-Rough Mix)
15 The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down (Alternate Mix)
16 Up On Cripple Creek (Alternate Take)
17 Whispering Pines (Alternate Take)
18 Jemima Surrender (Alternate Take)
19 King Harvest (Has Surely Come) [Alternate Performance]
29 Ophelia (bonus track)

Listen here.



3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Man what a sad day. These guys were truly inspirational. Loved their work. This album is as good as anything you would hear. Also check out the Drive by truckers ode "danko manuel". A great song for the 2 already departed. I hope that another one as good RIP Levon see you on cripple creek.

ajnabi1957 said...

Up on the Creek, indeed!

Hammer said...

The Band was a Canadian folk-rock group. Americana? Hmm, maybe correct to a point.

My best song by this band is 'Take The Load Off (Annie... or, sometimes spelled as ahem, Fanny).

Great band of cool sounds, indeed.
And, R.I.P. Levon.

H.H.