Levon Helm ~ Official profile picture

Levon Helm ~ Official

Levon Helm Studios

About Me

VISIT LEVON HELM.COM TO SEE WHAT'S GOING ON AT HIS STUDIO

Levon Helm, multi-instrumentalist, singer, songwriter, producer, drummer and actor, has enjoyed a versatile career that spans almost five decades.He currently hosts The Midnight Ramble Sessions, at Levon Helm Studios in Woodstock, N.Y. Named for the traveling minstrel shows of his Arkansas youth, Helm conceived The Midnight Ramble Sessions in 2004. The “Rambles” are a series of live monthly performances, played to sold out audiences, in an unusually intimate setting. The shows highlight Helm’s legendary musical excellence combined with pure southern hospitality. Friends old and new have joined Helm on his stage with recent guest appearances by: Emmylou Harris, Dr. John, Elvis Costello, Allan Touissant, Larry Cambell, Jimmy Vivino, Hubert Sumlin, Little Sammy Davis, The Muddy Waters Band, John Sebastian, and Donald Fagen.New releases produced by Levon Helm Studios are Volume I and II of the Midnight Ramble Sessions, plus a live RCO All-Stars performance from New Year’s Eve, 1977, at New York’s Palladium, which came from Helm’s personal archives. He is currently working on a studio CD with daughter Amy Helm, Larry Campbell and Teresa Williams.Helm’s film career has included numerous performances over the years, with movie roles in The Coal Miner’s Daughter, The Dollmaker and The Right Stuff. In his latest effort, the 2007 Tommy Lee Jones’ vehicle, "In the Electric Mist". Helm gives a convincing portrayal of General John Bell Hood.The Levon Helm Band has recently been involved with The Blues In Our Schools Program, educating youngsters on the significance of music.Levon Helm is a master storyteller in any genre and is considered one of the most talented musicians of his time. His magnetic, joyful and powerfully rhythmic performances continue to delight audiences of all ages. He resides in Woodstock with his wife Sandy and his best friend, Muddy.

My Interests

Inspiration from the Delta: Levon Goes Home for Dirt Farmer


Levon Helm's first solo, studio recording in 25 years, Dirt Farmer, will be released to the public on October 30, through Dirt Farmer Music LLC in conjunction with Vanguard Records. Levon sings and plays drums, guitar and mandolin on the CD, accompanied by Larry Campbell on guitars and fiddle, and the voices of Amy Helm and Teresa Williams. The record explores songs Levon learned as a boy in Arkansas and others in that style.

"Growing up on a cotton farm in the Arkansas Delta, Dirt Farmer rings true to home," Levon said. "Amy encouraged me to go all the way back and try to record some of the family songs from home that we always loved best."

The record reveals the essential beauty of traditional songs like "Little Birds" and the Stanley Brothers' "False Hearted Lover Blues," and takes a new look at Paul Kennerley's "A Train Robbery," Buddy and Julie Miller's "Wide River To Cross" and another sentimental favorite, Lauralyn Dossett's "Anna Lee."

Levon said: "'The Girl Left Behind' was one of the first songs my parents taught me as a child, along with 'Little Birds' and 'Blind Child.' 'The Poor Old Dirt Farmer' is a song that my wood-carver musician friend Michael Copus and I learned together when we worked with Jane Fonda on The Dollmaker down in Tennessee. 'Single Girl, Married Girl' is one of my favorite songs of the whole session. It gave us the chance to address a traditional standard with the entire rhythm section using non-electric instruments and a full set of drums. It also gave us the chance to monkey up the rhythm of a traditional country beat."

The tracks are elevated by the musicianship of Brian Mitchell on piano and accordion, Byron Isaacs on bass, Glenn Patscha on pump organ and George Receli's percussion. Buddy and Julie Miller contribute backing vocals on Steve Earle's "The Mountain."

1. False Hearted Lover Blues
2. Poor Old Dirt Farmer
3. The Mountain
4. Little Birds
5. The Girl Left Behind
6. Calvary
7. Anna Lee
8. Got Me a Woman
9. A Train Robbery
10. Single Girl, Married Girl
11. Blind Child
12. Feelin’ Good
13. Wide River To Cross




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A short film inspired by and featuring music from Levon Helm's GRAMMY Award winning album Dirt Farmer. Features: "Calvary" (Byron Isaacs); (BMI) "Poor Old Dirt Farmer" (Tracy Schwartz); Traditon Music Co., (ASCAP) "False Hearted Lover Blues" (Trad, arrangement by Levon Helm, Larry Campbell); Dirt Farmer Music, Talkhouse Music (BMI) "Got Me a Woman" (Paul Kennerley); Irving Music (BMI)

Music:

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