Thursday, October 16, 2008

Levon Helm's Midnight Ramble

Have to say I've been extremely fortunate enough to catch some incredible shows along the path so far. This past weekend the list of all-time greats got bigger after I made it up to catch Levon Helm's Midnight Ramble.
Taking place at Levon's house(!) set back in the woods of Woodstock, NY, I struggle to pay the this wonderful evening its proper due. After picking up some food at the community table and entering the barn to catch the wonderful opener by Swell Season, who staked a claim on the map after their Academy Award winning performance in ONCE, Levon came out and ripped into a killer version of the blues-classic, "Same Thing". Standing in his barn, about 20 feet from this legendary architect of The Band was awe-inspiring. Even more so was his frail condition, having beat throat cancer (the cruelest of inflictions for a singer) he was visibly struggling throughout the performance, but only on the outside. The 15+ song set contained some classics, none moreso than The Weight finale, but it was the more intimate numbers that proved most affecting. Having had my eyes opened to the joys of blue-grass recently, I was moved unlike any previous occasion at the beauty of the songs, Levon's delivery and his band's playing.

For music-lovers anywhere, I can't recommend this very special night of music enough. Get there as quick as you can to see a true musical legend.

Thursday, October 9, 2008

Astral Weeks Revisited

wow....might have to check out flights to LA. Thankfully it's being filmed....

From rollingstone.com:
Van Morrison will perform the entirety of his 1967 masterpiece ASTRAL WEEKS during a run of concerts at the Hollywood Bowl this November. Morrison will perform at the famed Los Angeles venue November 7, 8 and 9. Many of the musicians who performed on the original album will perform at the concert as well. Tickets go on sale on October 5th.
The whole event will be filmed for an upcoming DVD, appropriately titled Astral Weeks Live at the Hollywood Bowl.

Sunday, October 5, 2008

Back Door Slam

After a brief hiatus and trip down to Austin City Limits, we're back here at FM. Thanks for your emails and music recommendations over the past month, and Ron in Minnesota I hear you bro and will post some more of my Dylan favorites shortly.

So I've got a new find to share, an act I caught down in Austin and literally was blown away by. Thought it could have been the 90 degree dead heat that was making me dizzy but no, this BACK DOOR SLAM is scary good. A UK-based trio fronted by Davy Knowles, an incredibly precocious chap who plays like he's on fire and sounds like he's a 45 and lived a hard lifetime already. Playing the kind of dirty blues that always sounds best live, I urge you to check them out when they come through your town. Props to the Geisenpatch for pulling me over to see this band.