Former member of The Band (legendary group who backed Bob Dylan when he first went electric back in 1965), Levon Helm has been holding ‘rambles’ at his studio in Woodstock, New York for some years now, and has brought his ensemble to the famed Ryman Auditorium in Nashville for this live blistering set of songs. It’s American music, including blues, rock, country - Americana at it’s best. This was recorded in 2008 and features Larry Campbell (longtime producer (including Helm’s Dirt Farmer and Electric Dirt and current A-Fiile Hot Tuna’s Steady As She Goes) as well as a member of Bob Dylan’s touring band, 1997 - 2004), Amy Helm (Levon’s daughter), and Teresa Williams (Larry’s wife) with special guest appearances by Sheryl Crow, John Hiatt and Buddy Miller. Great playing and singing by all throughout. Helm plays the drums and sings and is an American treasure and should be heard. This album is quite a treat! No FCC’s.

*My Favorites*: They are all incredible.

1. (3:58) Mid / Fast. Intro, then a Band classic with cool organ, horns, backing vocals. Rockin’ blues and jazz.
2. (4:54) Mid. Chuck Berry tune with kickin’ piano, plodding beat, great vocals by Levon. Nice guitar and horn solos.
3. (3:33) Mid. Featuring Little Sammy Davis on vocals and harmonica. Loping pace with a nice response from the crowd.
4. (4:13) Mid. Another featuring Davis, really bluesy with harmonica and horns. Bad ass.
5. (3:31) Slow / Mid. Another Band song, this one with Sheryl Crow accompanying Levon on vocals. A bit different from the Band version but done really well. The accordion and mandolin sound great here.
6. (4:01) Slow / Mid. Crow singing a Carter Family song. Steady beat with accordion.
7. (4:43) Slow. A Buddy Miller tune done here by Buddy. This was on Levon’s Dirt Farmer. I prefer Levon’s version slightly better, but it is done quite well here, with backing vocals. This song always elicits strong emotions. It is a GREAT song.
8. (7:12) Mid. Traditional song (notably done by Jerry Garcia and the Grateful Dead). There’s some great playing here, it stretches out a bit and gets into a really good groove. Great horn solo.
9. (4;02) Slow. Another from Levon’s Dirt Farmer. Just strings, really sparse with nice vocals by Levon, with backing vocals.
10. (4:21) Mid. A Band classic, fairly faithful to the original. Piano, guitars, drums, sung by Levon. Killer piano.
11. (2;44) Mid / Fast. Sung by Teresa Williams, jamming guitars, piano drums, well done.
12. (5:41) Slow / Mid. Final song from Levon’s Dirt Farmer, about a train robbery. It’s got that slow chugging pace, like a train. Great harmonizing, led by Levon.
13. (4:43) Mid / Fast. Another Band classic, really channels the original by The Band. Levon’s voice sounds just wrecked - but it’s perfect. The band is really tight, with nice keys, drumming and horns to boot.
14. (7:03) Mid. Band song with longish electric guitar intro. Horns, keys, pounding beat. Nice, short, jazzy change with about 4:00 remaining. They stretch out a bit after this, then change back. They really jam it toward the end.
15. (6:13) Mid. Levon thanks the Ryman, then one of The Band’s best-known songs, here featuring John Hiatt on vocals. Nice understated harmonica solo, the whole band kickin’ ass.