Review: Levon Helm

At times, the main attraction of this show became his own sideman, the timekeeper in a band comprising a five-piece horn section, two backup singers (including his daughter) and a musical director with a gaudy resume. 

Levon Helm was the marquee name in Monday's show at Crossroads KC. The former drummer of the Band drew about 750 devotees to the outdoor venue behind Grinders, and he and his band rewarded them with two free-wheeling hours of American music; a set list that honored Bob Dylan, Leadbelly, the Grateful Dead and the Band; and a show that will be remembered as one of this year's best. 

Helm is 70 and a cancer survivor and a bit frail, but aside from a few breaks (and an early stoppage to get the stage lighting to his liking) he was was actively involved all night, vocally and instrumentally. During "Sweet Ellum Blues," he suspended his mandolin duties briefly to burst into a short crazed dance.

He shared vocal duties with several of his bandmates, sometimes within a song: music director and esteemed multi-instrumentalist Larry Campbell (Dylan's former right-hand man); keyboardist Brian Mitchell; his daughter Amy Helm; and vocalist Teresa Williams. About halfway through, Campbell, Williams and Amy Helm were left alone for a lovely rendition of the Grateful Dead's "Attics Of My Life." 

The setlist also included the Dead's "Tennessee Jed," Leadbelly's "Bourgeois Blues," Dylan's "Blind Willie McTell,"  "Long Black Veil" (which the Band famously covered) and Dr. John's "On A Mardi Gras Day." 

Several times during the show, but especially during that song, Helm and his band stirred up a bawdy, rowdy horn-laden vibe that recalled Springsteen's Seeger Sessions band, thanks to a mixes and arrangements that included accordion, tuba, trumpet, baritone sax, trombone, stand-up bass and, as Campbell described him, one of the best drummers ever.

The show started with two Band nuggets, "Ophelia" and "The Shape I'm In," and it ended with four more from the Band catalog: "It Makes No Difference," "Chest Fever," "The Weight" (featuring opener Justin Townes Earle) and Dylan's "I Shall Be Released."

On all of those, Helm seemed immersed in the music and reverie that surrounded him. Yet it was hard not to feel like the entire luminous summer evening (to borrow one of his words) revolved around him and his storied career.

Justin Townes Earle: If you've seen him with his quartet, you already knew how good he is as a singer, songwriter and live performer. Last night Earle (son of Steve) performed as part of a duo, and though he got a little lost in the large space and all the arriving traffic, he made his point across: See him the next time he comes through town (usually at Knuckleheads). 

| Timothy Finn, The Star

Comments

[pellboy]

Great show from beginning to end with nary lull and as you said, TF, Helm keeping pace all night. The whole band was outstanding and Larry Campbell was exemplary as the bandleader of sorts. The problem with the lighting was a distraction at first (at least from my vantage point towards the back) but the quality of the music never waned. Judging from his last two studio records and not following his current tour, I went in expecting a smaller show with a more rootsy, bluegrassy vibe but came away very pleasantly surprised by the revue-style presentation. Well done, Levon and company.

[NEW]

I was expecting more "Dirt Farmer" type material as well, PB. Nevertheless, I agree that the setlist was hardly a dissapointment.

[Bewlay]

I would have liked to have gone. Last time I saw Bob Dylan Larry Campbell was part of the band and he's a great multitasker. I am glad Levon is still keeping the flame while Robbie Robertson's hobnobbing in Hollywood with Martin Scorsese. Levon's the man.

[NEW]

And just as an FYI, the song title is actually "Deep Elem Blues". It's a traditional tune that was also adapted by the Dead. As for why there was an abundance of Dead material in Levon's set, I am guessing that Larry Campbell, who has done numerous tours with Phil Lesh might have something to do with it.

[ReverbTank]

Great show and review. And the weather cooperated brilliantly. I definitely missed Danko on “It Makes No Difference”- apparently it does. And I’d like to punctuate that the "Attics Of My Life” cover was unexpected and outstanding. Anyone been to Helm’s Woodstock shows?

[Bill Osment]

Tim, you should know that "Long Black Veil" is not a traditional song. It was written by Danny Dill & Marijohn Wilkin and first recorded by Lefty Frizzell (1959). It takes a boatload of talent to confuse even the best among music writers. Looks like I missed out last night by having to work late.

[Tim Finn]

tks bill. i've heard so many versions of it (jcash, dave matthews, the band, the chieftains w/jagger, rcash) i figured it was more than 50 yrs old. never heard lefty's.

[Johnny C]

Levon's show and set list was excellent, beautiful performance. Levon is very respected and adured. But having finally gotten good seats up front by the stage, the lighting was a definate problem! The stage lighting was obviously reversed, the spot lights shined too brightly directly into the first few front rows audiences eyes, blinding us. We literally could not see the performers. Very disappointing. Who ever was responsible for lighting was asleep at the wheel!

[musiclovr]

Somehow I did not even notice the lighting problem. What I noticed was the big band sound vs. the nice, rootsy quality of last year's tour, which I caught in Tulsa. This band is awesome, so full of talent, but I missed hearing a lot of Dirt Farmer and Electric Dirt.

[KCJones]

...cue the guy that always talks crap about the Crossroads (aka dump).

[Penny]

We thought the lighting was really strange. No spotlights on any of the band. (We sat in back and didn't know about folks in the front with lights in their eyes.) At first we thought it was a f@ck up, but someone else said that's what Levon wanted. I usually take little movie clips at shows, but last night when I tried it was too dark, no one showed up thru the lens. Guess Levon wanted to be in the dark...

[JFP]

great band great drummer - rock solid they wuz havin fun - chest fever great intro by Larry Campbell. everybody played great from Ophelia start to I shall be.. everybody singin good - I wish they was playin again tonight in KC. Crowd was great-Levon was in top form "Y'all come up to Woodstock an see me and we'll treat you as good as you've treated us tonight!" "some of the best barbegue in the USA-Kansas City!" the lighting was a bit strange but- da music woz great- and Justin Townes Earle made a bunch of new friends too- All in all a great night and I might jus take that trip to woodstock

[Tom]

We were sitting in the Bleacher section and it was the worst show I have been to in Years. The mixing was terrifically bad, Vocals were muddy and indistinct, Sounded like 9 individuals vs a Band. Guess, we didn't drink enough.

[Matt]

"We were sitting in the Bleacher section and it was the worst show I have been to in Years. The mixing was terrifically bad, Vocals were muddy and indistinct, Sounded like 9 individuals vs a Band. Guess, we didn't drink enough."

The sound was not an issue at all. It had to be where you were sitting. You might have tried walking around to find a better spot...next to the sound boards is always the best bet.

[pellboy]

Yeah, I didn't really have a problem with the sound either. Watched most of it from the back and made my way upfront for 2 or 3 songs about midway through. Never have sat in the bleacher seats but from appearance anyway, that doesn't seem to be the best vantage point for Crossroads shows.

Glad to see they allowed lawnchairs for this (made the wife happy) but was just wondering if this was on a show-by-show basis as it might seem to be a problem at a more crowded event.

[Dianna]

It was a great night of music. Levon is a legend and showed us why. Just when I thought it could not get any better, Levon call out to all of us and invited everyone to visit him in Woodstock. He said he would not forget the KC hospitality he had received and promised a good time for all who stop and visit him. I loved this show.

[blee]

we were in the bleachers, but didn't have a problem with the sound. a bit distant, but we could discern every instrument except for the bass, for some reason. enjoyable show. i found myself rooting for levon to make it through ok. his voice was a bit scratchy, but came through well. a good lesson in american musical history.