The amazing The Band webmaster turns 50!
Monday, October 12, 2009
Saturday, October 10, 2009
A reader's review of a recent Levon Helm concert in Utica, NY.
Thanks, Vince!
Yea, Donald Fagen, of Steely Dan, appeared with legendary drummer Levon Helm and his band last night (Sat Sept 26) at the Stanley Theater in Utica. Due to recent surgery to remove a throat lesion - not cancer, but caused by acid reflux - Levon didn't speak or sing, and Donald, along with other members of Levon's band (especially guitarist Larry Campbell and keyboardist Brian Mitchell), helped fill in on the vocals.
Opening with "Shape I'm In" and outstanding as usual, they played for 2 hours with as much energy and enjoyment as you'll ever see in concert. Fagen's part? He switched off piano and organ with regular Brian Mitchell. Then 4th song in (they played over 20) Fagen sang the John Mayall classic "All Your Love." Later, he sang lead on "King Harvest" and they even did an ass-kicking deep shuffle version of "Black Friday."
On "Black Friday" and many others, Levon gave every drummer in the house a lesson on how to play a shuffle groove a mile deep. Just watching Levon throughout the concert, it was clear, even without a voice, he was in charge. You could even see him call Larry over for last minute changes. And smokin' guitar solos, you bet. Joining and trading solos with Campbell was Jim Weider, guitarist in the 90's version of The Band. Absolutely killin'.
Levon played mandolin on a couple of songs, including the Dead's "Deep Elem Blues." You should have seen Levon dance. Also featured prominently were daughter Amy and Larry Campbell's wife Theresa Williams. Amy has a gutsy, bluesy voice, while Theresa reminds me of young Emmylou Harris. Together, they gave "Long Black Veil" a richness and depth that has to be heard. On "It Makes No Difference" the ladies conveyed all the emotion and more from Rick Danko's original vocal. The ladies add a special dimension to the group.
Other highlights included Jim Weider singing his song "Remedy" from The Band's '93 album Jericho, as well as a rousing dixieland tune featuring the world class horn section. There was even a tuba solo by Clark Gayton, and outstanding soprano sax work by Erik Lawrence. Byron Isaacs held down the bottom end on acoustic bass.
They approached the end with "Chest Fever," Larry playing a beautiful guitar solo intro channeling Garth Hudson's organ part. Vocals were spread around the band. After that..."The Weight" with Fagen taking the first verse and the audience singing along. Finished. 2 hours, no breaks. Levon waved, smiled, slapped hands with everyone down front, accepted a rose from a lady down front, and left the stage.
I didn't really expect the encore. But once they all settled back on stage, Fagen at the piano hit the opening chord of "I Shall Be Released." Donald sang the first verse, and the band and the audience shared the rest of the song. Near the end, Levon brought the band down to a whisper, and the on-stage vocals stopped, and the audience filled the Stanley with "I Shall Be Released." There was barely a dry eye in the house.
Vince Sperrazza
Sauquoit NY
Dr. John concert in Vermont (Suicide Six ski area) late August '09.
The rain held up for this great concert by Dr. John @ Suicide Six ski area in Pomfret, VT. Mac played over one-hour mixing old & new tunes, including Such A Night made famous from The Band's Last Waltz concert & a few from his latest great album The City Care Forgot. We apologize the quality of pics is a bit weak as they were taken from a cell phone.
Sunday, August 2, 2009
Bow Thayer & Perfect Trainwreck are asking for your help during its new album's recording process.
Click on the link below to find out how you can assist the boys w/ the recording of their new album # Levon Helm's Woodstock, NY studio:
Butch Dener's review of Levon Helm's "Midnight Ramble" w/ special guests Bow Thayer & Perfect Trainwreck.
Special thanks to Bow Thayer & " them guys" as Larry called 'em, last night @ the Barn,Bow & Perfect Trainwreck, accompanied by new baby RIVER THAYER, rocked & rolled a packed Barn to perfection.Playing a lot of their new tunes, being recorded @ Levon's, with Justin's fine hand steering the Trainwreck,, they were in peak form.A great family of musicians who's musical style was made for Levon's Barn.GREAT JOB, fellas,, Bow kept calling me " skinny Butch" all night cause of my recent diet,, kept us laffin' all night long,,, GREAT , GREAT, Bow & the fellas,,, WOW !Larry, & "them guys" Levon, Teresa, Byron, Brian, Amy, Erik, Clark, Bernstein, BRUCE from the Letterman Band, & Jay all chipped in to make it a killer night, in that soft August night,Teresa's voice sparkeled all night along with Miss Amy,especially on her Tennessee Twang tunes, like Time out for the Blues & her quiver on Long Black Veil & did YOu Love Me @ All,,, she ruled the house,,, with AMy & larry on Attics, the house gets a reverent hush,, those harmonies are still in the rafters of the Barn,BRIAN MITCHELL, stepping up while Levon's voice is a bit quieter, showed his nasty greasy chops on his killer Buddy Bolden, Shape, & the others tunes he killed us with.Sweet surprise of LEVON & Larry on Tennessee Jed to a roar of love from the crowd when that Arkansas growl came over the speakers,,, SWEEEEEEET !!!Gotta get back to Tennessee Jed is right !!!Thanks,, good to see the cat from BR 549 there,, we had met during one of the Rainforest gigs me & Levon did & those BR-549 guys are the best, too.Perry & the fellas did a thorough job all night too with a full house they were on top of everything, that i saw,,, smooth , guys, smooth,,,ready for the next one, folks ????
bd
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