As we’ve been mentioning, the Levon Helm documentary Ain’t In It For My Health put together by filmmaker Jacob Hatley goes into wider release this month will runs at Cinema Village in NYC and a premiere party at Levon Helm Studios. Today, the trailer for the film dropped.
Hatley had unprecedented access to Helm for a two-year period. Here’s the trailer…
A long-in-the-making film about the life of Levon Helm of The Band, Ain’t In It For My Health, will make its New York City and Levon Helm Studios debuts later this month. The documentary was put together by filmmaker Jacob Hatley, who had unprecedented access to Levon for a two-year-period. Ain’t In It For My Health will be shown at a special Midnight Ramble that will be held at Levon Helm Studios in Woodstock, New York on April 13th, which will be followed by a run at Cinema Village in New York City starting on April 19th – the one year anniversary of Helm’s death.
Here’s more info about the film from a press release…
Shot over the course of two-plus years, this highly anticipated film focuses on the former lead singer and drummer of “The Band,” four-time Grammy winner and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member after his “Dirt Farmer” comeback album ushered him back into the spotlight. While this period was artistically productive, AIN’T IN IT FOR MY HEALTH: A Film About Levon Helm also shows Helm dealing with the burdens of renewed celebrity, continuing financial obligation and returning health problems.
The man known worldwide for his soulful voice, as well as his singular and unparalleled drumming and multi-instrumental skills, permitted a camera crew inside his home to show the world an intimate side of his art and life. Of the film, longtime Helm collaborator and musical director Larry Campbell says, “Jacob was the perfect fly on the wall for many months as we experienced the ups and downs of a wonderful time in all our lives.” The result is a rare, artful and honest glimpse into the fascinating world of one of our true American treasures, Levon Helm.
The film’s run in NYC will be followed by limited engagements in other major cities.
UPDATE: The April 13th Ramble will include a BBQ, the studio premiere of Ain’t In It For My Health, a 45-minute performance by several of the Midnight Ramble Band members and a brief Q&A about the film. Tickets for this event are currently available through Levon’s website.
Here’s the schedule for the April 13th Midnight Ramble…
Austin’s scenic Auditorium Shores hosted a tribute to the late Levon Helm yesterday as part of SXSW. A number of musicians shuffled on and off stage to honor The Band drummer by performing with The Midnight Ramble Band, who were making a rare Texas appearance. JJ Grey of JJ Grey and Mofro led the act formerly known as The Levon Helm Band through Ophelia, while Ramble regular Steve Earle sang The Mountain and The Band classic Rag Mama Rag.
Carolyn Wonderland sang Don’t Do It with The Midnight Ramble Band…
As previously reported, Marco Benevento will be a special guest of the Midnight Ramble Band on March 2nd at Levon Helm Studios in Woodstock, New York. Marco’s old Duo band mate, and a regular at recent Rambles, Furthur drummer Joe Russo will also guest at the March 2nd Midnight Ramble.
[Photo by Jeremy Gordon]
Tickets, which run from $45 – $55, are available now through LevonHelm.com.
SXSW Music has just announced a special Levon Helm Tribute and Benefit that will be held at Austin’s Auditorium Shores on Saturday, March 16th. This “all-day concert” will feature the Midnight Ramble Band (formerly known as the Levon Helm Band) fronted by Amy Helm with “special guests.” All proceeds will go towards Keep It Goin’, a program designed to save and preserve Levon Helm Studios and the Midnight Ramble programming.
[Photo by Jeremy Gordon]
In addition to the Midnight Ramble Band, other acts expected to play at Auditorium Shores that day include Robert Randolph and The Family Band, Los Lonely Boys, JJ Grey & Mofro, James Hunter, Spirit Family Reunion, Nicki Bluhm & The Gramblers and The Mother Hips.
Back in September Furthur / Bustle In Your Hedgerow drummer Joe Russo was a special guest at a Midnight Ramble held at Levon Helm Studios in Woodstock and he’ll duplicate that feat on December 8th. Russo will perform Grateful Dead tunes and more with the Midnight Ramble Band, aka the Levon Helm Band. The Dirt Farmer Band, featuring members of Levon’s band, will open.
[Photo via @LevonHelmRamble]
Tickets are on sale now for this very special Ramble.
After the passing of any musician respected by his peers and/or beloved by a widespread audience, it’s become customary for their friends and family to organize one final concert to serve as a public memorial. Experience Hendrix tours notwithstanding, these commemorative shows are typically charitable affairs and often produce some memorable and genuinely heartfelt moments. At Wembley Stadium, the surviving members of Queen welcomed a slew of singers to honor Freddie Mercury (and raise AIDS awareness), Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr offered moving tributes at the Concert for George held at Royal Albert Hall and the unfortunate passing of Ahmet Ertegun brought the surviving members of Led Zeppelin together for their finest performance since the death of John Bonham. This October, those touched and influenced by Levon Helm gathered together at the IZOD Center in East Rutherford, New Jersey to honor The Band’s lovably cantankerous drummer. As far as concert memorials go, the Love For Levon concert may go down as one of the best.
[Photo by Jeremy Gordon]
By now, especially if you’re reading this column on this site, you are intimately familiar with who sang what with whom and that the fantasy booking revolving around Bob Dylan and Robbie Robertson never gained hold outside of the active imaginations of those that likely still believe they can clap Tinkerbell back to health. Larry Campbell, Levon’s long time bandleader, anchored the house band which featured those integral to the warmth and success of the Midnight Rambles, namely Teresa Williams, Levon’s daughter Amy, guitarist Jim Weider, bassist Byron Isaacs, keyboardist Brian Mitchell and the horn section of Steven Bernstein, Eric Lawrence, Clark Gayton, Jay Collins and Howard Johnson as well as Don Was and Kenny Aronoff.
Bruce Springsteen and Levon Helm might have come from two completely different worlds, but they had a love and respect for each other that they voiced many times. Helm and The Band started covering The Boss’s Atlantic City in the ’90s and the resulting version is arguably the best Springsteen cover of all-time. When Levon passed away earlier this year, Bruce tackled The Weight and talked about his reverence for The Band drummer at an E Street Band show in Newark on May 2nd. However, there was only one time the two music legends actually performed together.
Levon Helm and his All Stars visited Springsteen’s “hometown” bar, The Stone Pony in Asbury Park, on August 22nd, 1987. The Boss was pretty much on hiatus from the road that year, so he often sat in when his musical friends would rock The Pony. As it was that night when Bruce emerged towards the end of the show. The crowd went nuts as Springsteen shared lead vocals on Up On Cripple Creek with Levon. Then, Bruce, Helm and the All Stars lit into a rollicking take on Little Richard’s Lucille. You could tell the two were getting off on the experience by the knowing glances they exchanged in a fan-shot video that thankfully emerged of the sit-in. Take a look at this meeting of the minds…
Bruce Springsteen w/ Levon Helm and the All-Stars – Up On Cripple Creek / Lucille
If the afterlife works in a way that’s fair and just, Levon Helm and his old pals Rick Danko and Richard Manuel were looking down on the impressive roster of talented musicians lined up for the Love For Levon concert at the Izod Center in East Rutherford, New Jersey paying tribute to their music and were smiling proudly. After The Last Waltz the members of The Band never received the accolades they deserved as the post-Robbie Robertson incarnation of the group played small clubs and bars. Sadly, it took Helm’s passing to get the music of The Band back in an arena. But enough of the sappy stuff, let’s talk about what a magical night of music took place in the swamps of New Jersey.
[Photo by Jeremy Gordon]
The setlist for the two sets of Love For Levon were composed of tunes from The Band’s catalog, the group’s live repertoire and Helm’s solo career with the exception of Marc Cohn’s gorgeous 2007 original Listening To Levon. An all-star cast of musicians were backed by a house band that featured the members of the Levon Helm Band along with famed producer Don Was on bass and in-demand session drummer Kenny Aronoff. My Morning Jacket took the stage without the house band, though the Levon Helm Band horns stuck around for MMJ’s three songs.
Garth Hudson made a few appearances and The Band keyboardist received the biggest ovations of the night – a fitting tribute to the only original member of the group on the bill. A brief intermission broke up two lengthy sets and there was no encore, though nearly every performer from the evening sat in on the closing The Weight. Here’s a look at the setlist from Love For Levon…
Set One: The Shape I’m In (Warren Haynes), Long Black Veil (Haynes and Gregg Allman), Trouble In Mind (Jorma Kaukonen and Barry Mitterhoff), This Wheel’s On Fire (Levon Helm Band w/ Shawn Pelton), Little Birds (Levon Helm Band), Listening To Levon (Marc Cohn), Move Along Train (Mavis Staples), Life Is A Carnival (Allen Toussaint and Jaimoe), When I Paint My Masterpiece (John Prine & Garth Hudson), Anna Lee (Bruce Hornsby), Ain’t Got No Home (Jakob Dylan and Rami Jaffee of Foo Fighters/Wallflowers), Whispering Pines (Lucinda Williams), Rag Mama Rag (Mike Gordon and John Hiatt)
Set Two: Don’t Do It (David Bromberg and Joan Osborne), I Shall Be Released (Grace Potter, Don Was and Matt Burr), Tears Of Rage (Ray LaMontagne and John Mayer), Rockin’ Chair (Dierks Bentley), Genetic Method (Garth Hudson) > Chest Fever (Dierks Bentley), A Train Robbery (Eric Church), Get Up Jake (Eric Church), Tennessee Jed (John Mayer), Up On Cripple Creek (Joe Walsh and Robert Randolph), Ophelia (My Morning Jacket), It Makes No Difference (My Morning Jacket), The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down (My Morning Jacket and Roger Waters), Wide River To Cross (Amy Helm and Roger Waters), The Weight (Everyone)
We’ll break down the show in song-by-song format with videos…
When Levon Helm passed away in April one of the first musicians to weigh in on his influence was Phish bassist Mike Gordon. Gordon posted a heartfelt note that explained the huge role Levon played in his musical career. Well Cactus will get a chance to pay his respects to the late Band drummer once again tomorrow night as he has been added to the Love For Levon benefit (click here for spoilers) that will take place at Izod Center in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
The other addition listed on the latest press release is Jakob Dylan, a man whose father performed with Helm many times in the ’60s and in 1974. Tickets for Love For Levon are still available.
The Current Lineup:
Roger Waters, John Mayer, My Morning Jacket, Eric Church, Ray LaMontagne, Dierks Bentley, Joe Walsh, Gregg Allman, Grace Potter, Garth Hudson of The Band, Marc Cohn, Jakob Dylan, Mike Gordon, Warren Haynes, John Hiatt, Bruce Hornsby, Jorma Kaukonen, The Levon Helm Band, John Prine, Robert Randolph, Mavis Staples and Lucinda Williams
Here’s what Mike Gordon wrote about Levon Helm back in April…
For those attending Wednesday night’s Love For Levon tribute concert and don’t want any part of the evening’s surprises ruined, do not read any further. A preview of the event and some Facebook chatter have revealed a few tidbits of info about what’s planned for the concert which will be held at the Izod Center in East Rutherford, New Jersey. As a reminder, the event is a benefit concert to raise funds that will keep Levon Helm Studios in the hand’s of Levon’s estate.
First, The Star-Ledger reports that the event’s musical directors, Larry Campbell and Don Was, have recruited famed drummer Kenny Arnoff (John Mellencamp/Smashing Pumpkins/John Fogerty/Trey Anastasio) to “hit the skins for the house band.” The Star-Ledger’s piece also reveals that Joe Walsh will be tasked with singing Up On Cripple Creek. There’s also some chatter in the piece about the possibility of Robbie Robertson appearing. We’d be shocked to see that happen, but promoter Keith Wortman would neither confirm nor deny Robertson’s potential appearance.
One of the bigger names on the bill is that of Roger Waters. Today, Levon Helm Band member Teresa Williams discussed the rehearsals and revealed two of the songs likely to be performed, one of which will be a duet between Waters and Amy Helm…
When we arrived at The Barn for rehearsals Sat. (a little toasted after our fun night with Mike and Ruthy at the Bearsville Theatre!), Muddy greeted Larry and me, stood and stared at us. It felt heavy suddenly. We paused there with Muddy’s sad eyes looking at us. “Okay, Muddy, let’s do this final big memorial for Levon.”
It felt good to be in the warm, wood cocoon of The Barn going through these songs. But hearing “Whispering Pines” nearly did us in. Same for today hearing Roger Waters and Amy doing “Wide River” . . .
I think if you miss this event at the old Meadow Lands, you’ll always regret not having been there. Love for Levon indeed.
The most recent lineup announcement stated that there are more “legendary surprise guests to be announced.” No confirmation yet on exactly who those guests will be. Rumors run the gamut from Bruce Springsteen to Bob Dylan to Trey Anastasio to Eric Clapton. Who actually shows remains to be seen. Tickets for Love For Levon are currently available via Ticketmaster.
The list of performers set to pay tribute to Levon Helm at next week’s Love For Levon concert continues to grow. Today, The Band keyboardist Garth Hudson along with David Bromberg and John Prine have also been added to bill. Plus, Garth’s wife Maud is expected to perform.
Love For Levon takes place on Oct. 3rd at the Izod Center in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Tickets are still available. Among the other acts on the bill are Roger Waters, John Mayer, Gregg Allman, Warren Haynes and Joe Walsh. Proceeds are set to benefit keeping Levon Helm Studios in the estate’s hands.
[via Poughkeepsie Journal]
Six years after the release of Midnight Ramble Sessions Vol. 2 the Levon Helm Estate has finally revealed a release date for the third installment of the live compilation series recorded at Levon Helm Studios. On November 20th, Levon Helm Midnight Ramble Sessions Vol. 3 will come out. According to Rolling Stone, this was one of the last projects Helm worked on before he passed away earlier this year.
Details are sparse, but we do know the collection is set up to simulate a Midnight Ramble and starts with Same Thing and ends with Take Me To The River. In addition, the Rolling Stone article mentions there are guest appearances aplenty including ones from Chris Robinson and Allen Toussaint. Head over to Rolling Stone to listen to Same Thing from this release.
The already formidable Love For Levon lineup has gotten even more impressive with the addition of Roger Waters to the bill for the October 3rd concert. Set to be held at the Izod Center in East Rutherford, New Jersey; Love For Levon is a star-studded benefit concert which aims to raise funds to help the late The Band drummer’s estate keep ownership of Levon’s home, barn and studio.
John Mayer, My Morning Jacket, Ray LaMontagne, Eric Church, Gregg Allman, Dierks Bentley, Marc Cohn, Patty Griffin, Warren Haynes, John Hiatt, Bruce Hornsby, Jorma Kaukonen, The Levon Helm Band, Robert Randolph, Mavis Staples, Joe Walsh and Lucinda Williams were the Love For Levon artists previously announced. Tickets are currently available for the event through Ticketmaster.
Now that Levon Helm, Rick Danko and Richard Manuel have left this mortal plane we may never know how much truth there was to Helm’s contention that he deserved more songwriting credit for the songs of The Band. American Songwriter dedicated their September/October issue to Helm and while they decided not to get into the songwriting debate in their cover story, a post about it featuring quotes from the man who did get the credit, Robbie Robertson, and Larry Campbell (Levon’s last musical director) has been posted on the magazine’s website .
Campbell’s take isn’t as pro-Levon as you might expect…
The breakup of The Band and the longstanding animosity with Robbie and Levon, did he ever discuss any of that with you?
Oh yeah. He had a lot of bitterness about that. My observation was, Levon was 50 percent right and 50 percent wrong. That’s all I could put it into because I wasn’t there. The thing Levon would do, once he got into a frame of mind about something, it was a logic-free zone. There was no changin’ his mind. … [and] I was not in a position to try and make him think otherwise about his experience. My take on it was always that I’m sure there’s plenty of legitimacy to what Levon was bitter about, but that he’s missing something, too; that things could have been different, had he approached the situation differently — that whatever inequity he felt with Robbie, he had some responsibility for that, too. That’s just what I feel about it. Don’t know the facts. All I know is Levon’s side of it.
While Robertson still feels credit was given when it was due as when Levon contributed to the song Strawberry Wine on 1970′s Stage Fright…
The only song that Levon ever really had any writing part of was ‘Strawberry Wine.’ He came back from Arkansas one time and said, ‘I’ve started this song; see if you think there’s anything there because I’ve got like, a verse and a chorus, and if you think it’s worthwhile, maybe you can help me finish it.’ So he sang what he had and I really enjoyed it. So I wrote some more verses to it. I loved the idea that he was willing to try and do some writing. On the other songs, he was there when I was writing these songs, and I really wanted to be encouraging for him to try and to participate in the songwriting. I just loved the feeling of him participating in that, and I was being a little bit naïve in the idea that some people write and some people don’t.
Yesterday we came across a performance of The Weight from the 1989 Canadian Hall of Fame induction ceremony for The Band. Levon refused to show, so Robbie Robertson handled Helm’s famous vocals. Robertson’s ragged vocals made us realize why he let Helm, Manuel and Danko sing his songs. The trio gave Robbie’s songs life and we wonder if these songs that are now known worldwide would’ve ever gained any attention if it wasn’t for Levon, Richard and Rick’s stirring vocals.
You’ve got to expect Robertson will share more of his take on the subject in his forthcoming autobiography. Be sure to read the whole article for more from Robbie and Larry about Levon.
