Saturday, April 21, 2012

RIP Levon Helm

On my way home from work on Thursday, I found myself rocking out in the car to The Band's "Up On Cripple Creek." At the time, I didn't think much of hearing the song, until I got home and discovered why I was hearing the song. The voice and backbone of that song and the band (The Band) itself had passed just a few hours earlier.

Although I prefer Levon to his days with The Band, I have the utmost respect for the work the man did in recent years. In 2008, his album Dirt Farmer won the Grammy for Best Traditional Folk Album.       


In 2008 I head a live session of Levon and his friends at Levon's barn/studio on the World Cafe. The session is great (and posted below) and the whole scene seemed surreal.   
A live session from Levon's studio in Woodstock, NY in 2008


After hearing the above session and interview of Levon, I came to the realization that the music industry needs more Levon Helms. He was one of the great ones and we were lucky to have him. RIP Dirt Farmer.

I pulled into Nazareth, was feelin' about half past dead

I just need some place where I can lay my head
"Hey, mister, can you tell me where a man might find a bed?"
He just grinned and shook my hand, "no" was all he said. 

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