|
|
16 July 2009
Levon's Bluesy, Electric Dirt
Levon Helm made his comeback as a solo artist two years ago. "Dirt Farmer"
was the album, and it was recognized with a Grammy Award. Newly-released
"Electric Dirt", the second leg of his return in the current millennium, is
another winner.
Whereas "Dirt Farmer" was full of strong country and folk, "Electric Dirt" is a step
towards the blues. After all, it is the 'namesake' of Muddy Waters's Chess classic
"Electric Mud" (1968). Levon pays tribute to his idol with interpretations of "You
Can't Lose What You Ain't Never Had" and "Stuff You Gotta Watch".
The Band - one of the greatest musical ensembles of all time - rose to
international fame in the late 60's after years on the road and studio with Ronnie
"The Hawk" Hawkins and Bob Dylan. The Band's concert career was highlighted
by The Last Waltz on Thanksgiving 1976, with Muddy Waters as one of the stars.
Guitarist-songwriter Robbie Robertson was the one who suggested Muddy be
axed from the show -- to guarantee more stage time for his personal friend Neil
Diamond.
.
|
Needless to say, the relationship between
Robertson and the Muddy-loving Helm never
was the same.
Helm's solo career has been somewhat
fragmented. He kicked off as a solo artist
soon after the breakup of the original line-up
of The Band. True gems have been few and
far between, although Levon Helm & The
RCO Allstars was a decent group with Paul
Butterfield, Dr John, and the fellas.
The world turned upside down for Levon in
the late 90's. It was the beginning of his
struggle against throat cancer. The battle
has found winning ways in the 2000's, which
has meant more regular musical activity, too.
|
|
"Electric Dirt" was cut at the Levon Helm Studios in Woodstock, NY. Larry
Campbell, a multi-talent, was the producer. Other musicians include daughter
Amy Helm, horn great Howard Johnson, and a face familiar from Conan
O'Brien's talk shows, guitarist-keyboardist Jimmy Vivino.
Strongest Narrator Since Virgil Caine
The highlight of "Electric Dirt" is a monumental "Growin' Trade". This new original
was written by Helm and Campbell.
In musical terms, it has a lot to do with The Band's crown jewels "The Night They
Drove Old Dixie Down" and "The Weight". Lyrically, the closest relative is "King
Harvest (Has Surely Come)" -- a story about 'the suits' collecting their monetary
crops at the expense of the hard-working farmers.
On "Growin' Trade" the narrator's voice is stronger than ever since the fictional
Virgil Caine, who, through Levon's vocals on "Dixie" told stories about the grim
fate of the southeners in the American Civil War.
Now it is time for a farmer-turned-bad to deliver his story. He has struggled all his
life to make a living for himself and the family. Extreme difficulty has forced him to
move to some shady business -- here he prays, contemplating the inevitable
confrontation at Heaven's gate, for forgiveness from above.
As such, "Growin' Trade" is about the turmoil of a small-scale entrepreneur. It can
also be understood as a symbolization of Helm's own life battle. In addition, it
could well be a story about the current economic crisis: maybe becoming a
servant of a certain growing market is the key to get out of trouble?
The song is genuinely moving. Not least because it is a reminder of the music of
The Band, and compares with the group's very best songs. Amy Helm and Teresa
Williams provide some sublime backing vocals.
"I used to farm for a living, and now I'm in the growin' trade." It is no hypocrite
singing here -- it is a man, who has himself gone through some ultimate
experiences.
First-class Americana
Muddy Waters classic "You Can't Lose What You Ain't Never Had" sounds pretty
good, although it hardly matches the 'fatal' nature of the original. "Stuff You
Gotta Watch", driven by Levon's mandolin, is a couple of notches better.
Instead, a heavy-stomping "Move Along Train" by Roebuck Staples is the
strongest blues song on "Electric Dirt". "Kingfish" is given the New Orleans
treatment, thanks to an inimitable horn arrangement by Allen Toussaint. Larry
Campbell's "When I Go Away", with a healthy dose of gospel, is also an
enjoyable piece of blues music.
Other premier cuts include Greatful Dead's "Tennessee Jed", which in Levon's
hands sounds groovier than the original version. Happy Traum's "Golden Bird" is
heard as a stripped-down, credible folk performance. "I Wish I Knew How It
Would Feel to Be Free", for its part, is the 'poppiest' track on the album.
"Electric Dirt" most likely finds its audience on a wide spectrum. It is a piece of
first-class Americana, so it will loved by the friends of blues, folk and country
alike. Levon Helm, 69, has - now at the latest - made a complete comeback as
an earthy singer and extremely stylish drummer. The man is as electric as the
land he works.
PASI TUOMINEN
Levon Helm: Electric Dirt. Vanguard Records / Dirt Farmer Music, 2009
Levon Helm (vocals, drums, mandolin), Larry Cambell (guitar, fiddle, mandolin,
dulcimer, backing vocals), Amy Helm (backing vocals, mandolin, bass drum),
Teresa Williams (backing vocals, autoharp, guitar), Byron Isaacs (bass, backing
vocals), Brian Mitchell (keyboards, accordion), Jimmy Vivino (guitar, keyboards),
Steven Bernstein (horns), Jay Collins (sax, backing vocals), Clark Gayton
(trombone, tuba), Howard Johnson (tuba), Erik Lawrence (sax), Jay Collins
(backing vocals), George Receli (backing vocals), Catherine Russell (backing
vocals)
Producer: Larry Campbell
Links: Levon Helm website and MySpace, The Band
|
|
|
Contact: admin (a) blueswebzine.com
© 2006 - 2009 Blues-Finland.com / BluesWebzine.com
.
|
|
