exploremusic

(this review submitted by Explore Music’s Ira Haberman)

I think I’ve finally gathered all my faculties after being completely blown away by Levon Helm and his incredible band Tuesday night at the Massey Hall.

The room itself was packed and welcomed Levon back to Toronto with several rounds of applause and standing ovations. I thought it was a nice touch, that the biggest "Band" fan I know of, John Donabie formerly of CFRB radio and CHUMFM fame, introduced Levon and his band.

Let’s set the record straight, Levon Helm turned 70 in late May and can still rock with the best of them. This Arkansas born, Woodstock living journeyman, became famous first in the early 60s teaming up with Ronnie Hawkins and the Hawks, and subsequently was the drummer for the band that would become simply The Band. So this dude, has some serious long standing chops, and has played with just about every important musician living or dead. He’s a Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, and a three time Grammy Award Winner.

He’s not the only savvy veteran in the Levon Helm band though. Larry Campbell the lead guitar player, and musical director of the band, also has a serious resume, having played with Bob Dylan, Phil Lesh, Jorma Kaukonen and several other noted musicians.

Helm and Campbell were joined on stage by Levon’s daughter Amy Helm (vocals and guitar), Teresa Williams (vocals and guitar), Jim Weider (guitar) Byron Isaacs (bass), Brian Mitchell (keys, accordion and vocals) and a blazing hot horns section. Each member of the band, has either some direct connection to Helm, Dylan or the Woodstock community. Makes sense, when you consider when Helm isn’t touring these team puts together midnight sessions at Helm’s home in Woodstock called the Midnight Rambles, which from what I hear are tremendous events….

As you can imagine, the set list for the evening, was made up of some classic Band songs, including Opheila, Look out Cleveland, The Weight, The Shape I’m In, some Dylan classics like Blind Willie McTell and I Shall be Released, but for me, the highlights included a rendition of an a traditional American tune called Deep Elem Blues (popularized…by The Grateful Dead) that featured Levon Helm on mandolin and a rousing version of The Grateful Dead’s Tennessee Jed (which is on Electric Dirt, a record released in 2009).

If you ever get the chance to see Levon Helm and his incredible band, you definitely should. I for one, am considering a jaunt stateside to check out one of the Midnight Rambles in Woodstock, New York.

Sincerely,

Ira Haberman