Levon Helm & the RCO All-Stars/American Son CD

Levon Helm & the RCO All-Stars/American Son songs After working his way through loss and chaos on the brilliant TONIGHT'S THE NIGHT (recorded in 1973, but not released until 1975), Neil Young deftly exorcised any lingering demons with 1974's ON THE BEACH. The album opens with the saunter of the aptly titled "Walk On," followed by the utterly gorgeous, Wurlitzer-tinged "See the Sky about to Rain." The set also features a trio of scathing songs--"Revolution Blues," "Vampire Blues," and "Ambulance Blues"--that address issues important to Young, both social and personal. It is good to hear Young back with such bite and vitriol, especially after the broken desperation of TONIGHT'S THE NIGHT. But while ON THE BEACH is edgy and deeply felt, it also manages to sound liberating and relaxed, with glimmers of hope and humor peeking through the spare, evocative arrangements. Inexplicably unreleased on CD until 2003, ON THE BEACH is both unflinching and resilient, and easily stands as one of Young's finest albums. Recording information: Broken Arrow Studios, San Francisco, CA; Sunset Sound, Los Angeles, CA. Photographer: Bob Seidemann. Guests:Graham Nash/Rick Danko/ David Crosby/Levon Helm Personnel: Neil Young (vocals, guitar, banjo, harmonica, Wurlitzer organ); Neil Young (Wurlitzer piano); Ben Keith (vocals, guitar, slide guitar, steel guitar, dobro, Wurlitzer piano, organ, Wurlitzer organ, drums, background vocals); Graham Nash (vocals, Wurlitzer piano, Wurlitzer organ); Ralph Molina (vocals, drums, background vocals); Tim Drummond (bass instrument, drums, percussion); Rick Danko, Billy Talbot (bass instrument); David Crosby (vocals, guitar); Rusty Kershaw (guitar, slide guitar, violin, fiddle); George Whitsell (guitar); Joe Yankee (harp, tambourine); Levon Helm (drums). Liner Note Author: Rusty Kershaw.

Levon Helm & the RCO All-Stars/American Son buy CD music Those who find the pairing of '70s rock god Robert Plant with contemporary bluegrass queen Alison Krauss unlikely have probably not been paying attention to Plant's latter-day work, which is full of intimate, acoustic-flavored balladry. While the organic-sounding, low-key Plant/Krauss collaboration, RAISING SAND, is a far cry from Led Zeppelin's stadium rock, it offers up some hauntingly moody textures that should appeal to "Battle of Evermore" admirers. Consisting mostly of sagely chosen cover tunes, the album finds Plant and Krauss bringing their warm-but-eerie harmonies to everything from Townes Van Zandt's nihilistic folk poetry ("Nothin'") to the crumbled beauty of latter-day Tom Waits ("Trampled Rose"). Determined not to rest on their laurels or cater to expectations, the 59-year-old icon and his junior partner craft a subtle and intriguing sound built on their shared love of folk forms and gift for interpretation, bringing to light esoteric gems by late Byrds visionary Gene Clark and the Everly Brothers along the way as well.

Levon Helm & the RCO All-Stars/American Son CD music There are 21 cuts on this Hip-O collection of Van Morrison's Greatest Hits. The interesting thing is that of these 21 cuts, only about half of them will be recognizable to the casual Van Morrison fan, as they come from his Bang sides and the far more popular Warner Brothers singles of the early '70s. As it should be, although there is one glaring omission: "Tupelo Honey" is absent from the song list. The rest may not have been greatest hits in America, but they do represent a fine -- if arguable -- selection of the material from the late '70s, '80s, and '90s. "Dweller on the Threshold" is here (though it sounds like an alternate take!) There is a bona fide alternate take of "The Healing Game" that sounds more like a well-executed demo and has plenty of Celtic soul. "Someone Like You" is here, as is "Wavelength," and some tunes that deserved far better than they got: "Tore Down à la Rimbaud," "Real Real Gone," "Bright Side of the Road," "Days Like This," and "Stranded." The early tunes are immediately recognizable, from "Brown Eyed Girl," "Gloria," "Here Comes the Night," "Domino," "Moondance," "Wild Night," and "Jackie Wilson Said (I'm In Heaven)." In sum, as far as the many repackaged greatest hits, this is one of the better ones as it is cross-licensed and contains a true evolutionary portrait of the artist on a journey that certainly winds and turns back on itself even as it moves forward. This is a good one with fine sound. [Polydor's 2008 Limited Edition box set included 20 bonus tracks across a three-CD package.] ~ Thom Jurek 2007 limited edition triple definitive collection with fifty-one classic tracks that chronicle Morrison's incredible musical journey to date, all remaining true to his mantra 'it’s always been about soul'. These musical milestones are culled from five decades of prolific recording. Among the gems included are 1995’s ‘Days Like This’, an alternative version of 1997’s ‘Healing Game’ and two already-classics from 2005: ‘Celtic New Year’ and ‘Stranded’. Still On Top moves seamlessly thru all phases of Morrison's long career that began in the 60s with the hat-trick of ‘Here Comes The Night’, ‘Gloria’ and ‘Brown-Eyed Girl’ and still hits new heights as the years go by. Highlights from the Seventies include ‘Domino’, ‘Jackie Wilson Said’ and ‘Warm Love’. Among those selected from the Eighties are the romantic ballad ‘Someone Like You’ (utilized for the film 'Bridget Jones’s Diary') and the glorious pop standard ‘Have I Told You Lately?’. Universal Audio Mixers: Jim Stern; Alastair McMillan; Mick Glossop; Walter Samuel; Brian Masterson. Liner Note Author: Barry McIheney.

Levon Helm & the RCO All-Stars/American Son album for sale Though the Band are often discussed in terms of their contributions to musical Americana, drummer Levon Helm was in fact the only American-born member of the group, and his Dixie-fried, high lonesome lilt was one of the keys to their proto alt-country sound. On his 2007 solo release, DIRT FARMER, Helm returns to his roots and indulges in the bedrock American music on which the Band based their legendary sound. Joined by his daughter Amy, she of Ollabelle fame, and studio ace Larry Campbell (among others), Helm works his way through a relaxed yet sturdy set of bluegrass rave-ups, country slow-dances, and bluesy shuffles from across the centuries. And though Helm battled throat cancer prior to this recording, it hasn't diminished the power of his voice a drop--rather, it lends the album a steely sense of endurance and resolve. Liner Note Author: Levon Helm. Recording information: Levon Helm Studios, Woodstock, NY. Photographer: Ahron R. Foster. Arrangers: Levon Helm; Amy Helm; Larry Campbell. Personnel: Levon Helm (vocals, acoustic guitar, mandolin, drums); Amy Helm (vocals, mandola, mandolin, piano, drums, percussion, background vocals); Larry Campbell (acoustic guitar, resonator guitar, dulcimer, mandolin, fiddle, percussion, background vocals); Brian John Mitchell (accordion, piano, background vocals); Glenn Patscha (pump organ); Byron Isaacs (percussion, background vocals); George Receli (percussion); Teresa Williams (background vocals). Audio Mixer: Justin Guip.

Levon Helm & the RCO All-Stars/American Son CD music Recorded live at the Atlanta Internation Pop Festival, Atlanta, Georgia, July 3 & 4, 1970. Includes liner notes by Kirk West. The 1970 Atlanta International Pop Festival was one of the first big rock festivals of the decade, beating out the Isle of Wight by over a month. It was also home turf for the Allman Brothers, who were invited to play the opening and closing sets of the three-day event. In retrospect, it's interesting to note how--despite their penchant for extended jams--the Allmans were somewhat at odds with the flower-child ethic of the day; after the MC delivers a classic hippie/stoner intro, the tough, raw opening strains of "Statesboro Blues" come off as delightfully incongruous. Nevertheless, the band's improvisational blues-rock majesty made them a crowd-pleaser. It's easy to see why; the level of energy (and musicianship) here equals, if not surpasses their legendary live Fillmore East recordings from the following year, which showcase much of the same material. Dickey Betts and Duane Allman's guitars play ably against Greg Allman's thick organ voicings and the percolating polyrhythms of drummers Butch Trucks and J. Johnny Johnson. Between-song announcements of a rain delay and the opening of the gates to non-paying fans reinforce the Woodstock-era vibe, making this two-disc set effective as both a musical and historical document. Personnel: Gregg Allman (vocals, keyboards); Berry Oakley (vocals, bass guitar); Duane Allman (guitar, slide guitar); Dickey Betts, Johnny Winter (guitar); Thom Doucette (harmonica); Butch Trucks (drums, timpani). Audio Mixer: Thom Cadley. Recording information: Atlanta International Pop Festival (07/03/1970-07/05/1970). Photographers: Carter Tomassi; Twiggs Lyndon; Joe Sia. Allman Brothers Band: Gregg Allman (vocals, Hammond B-3 organ, keyboards); Berry Oakley (vocals, bass); Duane Allman, Dickie Betts (guitar); Thom Doucette (harmonica); Butch Trucks, J. Johnny Johnson (drums, percussion). Additional personnel: Johnny Winter (guitar).

Levon Helm & the RCO All-Stars/American Son buy CD music Not that anyone's keeping score, but as Band alumni records go, Levon is pulling way ahead of the pack with his second keeper in as many tries in the '00s. ELECTRIC DIRT finds the Arkansas legend building on its critically acclaimed predecessor, DIRT FARMER, and bringing the democratic ebullience of his weekly Midnight Ramble live sessions (held in his barn) to record. Ramble stalwarts Larry Campbell and Amy Helm (Levon's daughter) appear all over the album (Campbell as producer and multi-instrumentalist; Amy Helm providing genetically in tune harmonies), while a loose, New Orleans vibe pervades courtesy of Allen Toussaint's horn arrangements (covers of the Grateful Dead's "Tennessee Jed", Randy Newman's "Kingfish" and other album standouts). The album, naturally, belongs to Helm, who is in stunningly assured vocal form (remarkable for a throat cancer survivor) and whose slack rustic groove remains irresistible (who else can make a mandolin sound like funk instrument). Helm--never considered one of the Band's chief songwriters--reveals his songcraft chops with ELECTRIC DIRT'S emotional centerpiece, "Growing Trade," an instant classic co-written with Campbell that rates with the Band's best. Recording information: Levon Helm Studios, Woodstock, NY. Photographer: Ahron R. Foster. Personnel: Levon Helm (vocals, mandolin, drums); Catherine Russell (vocals); Larry Campbell (guitar, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, resonator guitar, dulcimer, mandolin, fiddle, background vocals); Teresa Williams (acoustic guitar, autoharp); Jimmy Vivino (electric guitar, organ); Amy Helm (mandolin, bass drum); Brian John Mitchell (accordion, piano, harmonium, organ); Erik Lawrence (soprano saxophone, baritone saxophone); Jay Collins (tenor saxophone, background vocals); Steven Bernstein (trumpet, cornet, alto horn); Clark Gayton (trombone, tuba); Howard Johnson (tuba); George Receli, Byron Isaacs (background vocals). Audio Mixer: Justin Guip.