I haven't been to a good live show in what seems like a really really long time. Well all that changed last night. Last night, two friends of mine and myself went to see The Levon Helm Band. Amazing, what a show. For those of you who don't know Levon Helm was the drummer for the legendary rock group The Band
I loved these guys and have always been sad that I wasn't old enough to see them live. They have each done their solo things since but the combination was just amazing.
Unfortunately we have lost two of the guys. Rick Danko died of an apparent heart attack (I believe) and Richard Manuel who hung himself in the late 80's.
Levon Helm was the drummer and one of the singers for the group. When these were breaking up they invited every musician they knew to a big Thanksgiving Concert filmed it and released it as the movie "The Last Waltz". It was largely a vehicle for Robbie Robertson's ego but nonetheless has great performances by The Band and all kinds of guests. If you haven't seen it I encourage you do do so. Here is a clip of Levon singing "Ophelia" (after a minute of Robbie talking)
Such a distinctive voice on Levon so you can imagine how devastating it was to hear that he had been diagnosed with throat cancer. Well he made it through it and still performs today.
So that brings us to last night....there are no words to express what it is like to see a musician who you have idolized for as long as you can remember and who has come back from the brink of never being able to perform again. This was the feeling that I had forgotten. I had forgotten that a good music actually reaches in and touches your soul and can absolutely bring you to tears (and I was several times). He had a bunch of guests who came out and sang as I'm sure he needs to rest his voice. Catherine Russell (who I had never heard of ) opened for him and was perfect for this crowd. He also had the legendary Phoebe Snow come out and sing and when she did Van Morrison's "Into the Mystic" it was like being in church.
At the end everyone came out and they did "I Will Be Released" it looked something like this but with a different cast of characters:
And before you ask - yes that is Neil Diamond - you have to see The Last Waltz he comes walking out on to the stage with a huge white stain under his nose....but I digress.
The show last night was a religious experience - and I had forgotten music could be like that. I'm so happy I now remember.
4 comments:
I know just what you mean! Glad you had a great time!
Good for you Jenn ... each and every member of The Band (Levon, Garth, Robbie, Rick and Richard) were great musicians and together they were awesome. When Richard committed suicide it was revealed that he had suffered for many years from chronic alcoholism, consuming eight bottles of Grand Marnier per day.
Rick was found dead in bed ... he had been a long-time drug user pf heroin together with prescription morphine.
The Last Waltz was massive Thanksgiving Day concert on November 25, at the Winterland Ballroom in San Francisco, California. The concert featured a horn section with arrangements by Allen Toussaint, and a stellar list of guests, including Ronnie Hawkins, Bob Dylan, Neil Young, Joni Mitchell, Muddy Waters, Dr. John, Van Morrison, Ringo Starr, Eric Clapton, Ronnie Wood, Paul Butterfield, and Neil Diamond. One of my favourite numbers is Acadian Driftwood. It was recorded for the film but was left on the cutting room floor :(
Ronnie Hawkins discovered them, Bob Dylan groomed them and then they were starts, regarded by many as music gods.
Levon was a very integral part of the band and they were originally called Levon Helm and the Hawks.
I'm glad you enjoyed yourself, sounds wonderful.
Last Waltz is awesome.
It's always amazing to see living legends in the flesh; I nearly fainted when I saw Keith Richard. (((embarrassed, but seriously)))
Casdok - thank you!
So sad about Richard and Rick Danko. The talent on that one stage was unbelievable. Levon was amazing - even after all he's been through.
They were Bob Dylan's backing band "The Hawks" when he was booed off the stage at Newport Folk Festival (he had the nerve to go electric!)
Daisy - Nice to see you!
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