On april 19, 2012, helm died of throat cancer complications in new york city. In uncuts list of the 150 best albums between 2000 through 2009, electric dirt was listed 80th. Electric dirt again finds levon steeped in tradition in his connection to the land and those who live by it, but this record goes deeper and wider, incorporating gospel, blues and soul elements in a bracing collection of originals and carefully chosen outside songs. His first solo album in 25 years included songs hed been taught as a child by his dad, diamond helm. Buy levon helms album titled electric dirt to enjoy in your home or. And, in an attempt to recapture that magic, levon again enlists producer larry campbell and essentially the same group of players from the dirt farmer sessions. Chicagos finest because as far as we know, were the only levon helm tribute band.
Electric dirt is the final studio album from american musician levon helm, released in 2009. Levon opens with a fantastic rendition of the deads tennessee jed, which sounds like its 1971 all over aga. As with dirt farmer, multiinstrumentalist larry campbell took the reigns as producer and the album was recorded at the barnlevon helm studios. By using our website and our services, you agree to our use of cookies as described. It won the first of three grammys in a row for levon, the second being 2009s electric dirt, and the third 2011s ramble. Helms sinewy spin on the grateful deads tennessee jed starts the album off, setting the tone for a. Levon telling the story of the midnight rambles to dirt. Like dirt farmer, an aim of electric dirt was to capture of feel of helm s midnight rambles. Mark lavon helm may 26, 1940april 19, 2012, better known as levon helm, was an american rock musician most famous as the drummer for the rock group the band. In uncut s list of the 150 best albums between 2000 through 2009, electric dirt was listed 80th. Which is another way of saying that helms voice has evolved to sound like he and his bandmates looked on the covers of their first few albums. Growing trade, written by helm and campbell, explored a familiar theme in both rural america and, in a more. Electric dirt dirt farmer music vanguard records is the second album in the last two years from american musical treasure levon helm.
Neither the leftfield alternative interpretations of johnny cashs final few. Invigorated by such camaraderie and musical excellence, levon returned to his barn studio to cut dirt farmer in 2007. Electric dirt just out in june is the fairly immediate follow up to 2007s dirt farmer album from levon helm. The following year saw the release of dirt farmer, helms first solo album in 25 years. As a result, we have two albums that we can add to the bands legacy, which is a good thing for a band that, when all is said and done, only put out two great studio lps in the first place.
In 2010, electric dirt, his 2009 followup to dirt farmer, won the first grammy award for best. Discover more music, concerts, videos, and pictures with the largest catalogue online at. Helm drummed on a couple of tracks for jorma kaukonens february 2009 album river of time, recorded at the levon helm studio. That was a mistake, as this is even better, and i hove. But this proud son of cotton farmers from turkey scratch, arkansas. Not unlike his old buddy bob dylan from time out of mind onward, levon helm seems to have rediscovered his knack for making great records in what some might have imagined would be the latter days of his career. Jul 01, 2016 as a result, we have two albums that we can add to the bands legacy, which is a good thing for a band that, when all is said and done, only put out two great studio lps in the first place. Ramble at the ryman, which captured highlights of helms 2008 midnight ramble concert at nashvilles ryman auditorium, was released on both cd and dvd in 2011. The levon helm band tours the east coast through the summer, and the midnight rambles that levon hosts at his home will continue on a nearly weekly basis through september and beyond. Dirt farmer was produced by larry campbell, a session guitarist and member of bob dylans road band, in collaboration with amy helm, levon s daughter, and theyve assembled a solid but clutterfree acoustic band for these sessions, and the simple but ironstrong backdrops and superb songs are just what was needed to bring out the best in levon.
Recording again with multiinstrumentalist larry campbell like helm, an alumnus of the dylan band as producer at levons personal studio, electric dirt opened with a rumbling take on the grateful deads tennessee jed. Find album release information for electric dirt levon helm on allmusic. I cant think of anyone other than levon helm who could make an album like this. Because our mp3s have no drm, you can play it on any device that supports mp3, even on your ipod. Oct 30, 2007 electric dirt is the final studio album from american musician levon helm, released in 2009. Stream adfree with amazon music unlimited on mobile, desktop, and tablet. In 2010, electric dirt, his 2009 followup to dirt farmer, won the first grammy award for best americana album, a category inaugurated in 2010. The phrase roots music has become hackneyed to the point of redundancy, but, ironically, there may be no better way to describe the voice and sound, the realism and the genuineness of levon helm, who continues, with electric dirt, to define and legitimize, musically, what it means to be an american, and to be in america. Electric dirt sounds fresh, emphatic, and as effective as anything levon has cut since the mid70s, and one can only hope he has a few. Jul 17, 2009 the levon helm band tours the east coast through the summer, and the midnight rambles that levon hosts at his home will continue on a nearly weekly basis through september and beyond.
Jun 30, 2009 electric dirt is the final studio album from american musician levon helm, released in 2009. Electric dirt has the best hippiecountryrock album cover since the first marshall tucker record. Electric dirt starts with a rousing rendition of the grateful deads tennessee jed, moving on to a beautiful, strippeddown version of happy traums golden bird. The similar but looser electric dirt followed in 2009. Helm released the album electric dirt on his own label on june 30, 2009. Levon helm 2008 levon helm 1981 american son 1980 levon helm and the rco allstars 1977 50 million songs. Even better is how the music more than lives up to those cool graphics. Like dirt farmer, helms new offering features a wide variety of cover tunes but this. Levon helm electric dirt 2009 written by bluesever monday, 25 june 2018. Overall, as delightful as helms 2007 comeback was, electric dirt feels like even more cause for celebration. At age 69, levon helm sings like a geezer from another erasay, the great depression. Get the best deals on music album cds levon helm when you shop the largest online selection at. In 2011, his live album ramble at the ryman won the grammy in the same category. Electric dirt, the new release from levon helm, comes just two years after his grammyaward winning album dirt farmer.
The puzzle is why it took helm so long to make an album that extended the bands pioneering canon, that subtle fusion of modern music and oldtime sensibilities in which levon helm s plaintive, southern vocals played such a central role. Would love to download this, but link is no longer valid. Official site of levon helm, drummer for the band, and levon helm studios in woodstock, ny, home of the famed midnight rambles. Growing trade, written by levon helm and larry campbell, tells a heartfelt story of a farmers struggle to preserve his livelihood.
Mp3 is a digital audio format without digital rights management drm technology. Levon helm electric dirt 2009 us, classic rock with. Listen to your favorite songs from electric dirt amazon exclusive by levon helm now. Like dirt farmer, an aim of electric dirt was to capture of feel of helms midnight rambles. Jun 25, 2018 the puzzle is why it took helm so long to make an album that extended the bands pioneering canon, that subtle fusion of modern music and oldtime sensibilities in which levon helm s plaintive, southern vocals played such a central role. On may 26, 1940, mark lavon helm was the second of four children born to nell and diamond helm in elaine, arkansas. Electric dirt amazon exclusive by levon helm on amazon. He saw the birth of rock and roll and, though he was too much of a gentleman to say it, his role in helping to keep that rebellious child healthy was more than just instrumental.
Arranged by horn arrangement allen toussaint, the levon helm band bass byron isaacs electric guitar, acoustic guitar larry campbell harmony vocals amy helm. Even more so for a guy who just started singing again in 2004 after an almost fatal bout of throat cancer. Electric dirt digipak by levon helm cd, jun2009, dirt farmer music 4. Levon helm electric dirt steve hoffman music forums.
Free shipping on many items browse your favorite brands. Campbell and mount sinais oncology staff got levon to fire once again on all cylinders. Levon telling the story of the midnight rambles to dirt farmer. Check out electric dirt amazon exclusive by levon helm on amazon music. It is the followup to his grammywinning 2007 album dirt farmer.
Helm cultivates the soil of his roots to create an intimate, wellcrafted record. How levon helms electric dirt confirmed a stirring late. For a guy whose last studio lp was done in 1982, thats quick succession. Get the best deals on levon helm electric dirt when you shop the largest online selection at. Mark lavon levon helm may 26, 1940 april 19, 2012 was an american musician and. It won the first ever grammy award for best americana album, an inaugural category in 2010. Ramble at the ryman, which captured highlights of helm s 2008 midnight ramble concert at nashvilles ryman auditorium, was released on both cd and dvd in 2011. Levon helm band with bob weir and cindy cashdollar deep elem blues gathering of the. Levon helm electric dirt on collectors choice music. The best of 19751996 levon helm take me to the river.
You werent afraid of either dirt or electricity, and you kept the spirit of the band alive. The following year saw the release of dirt farmer, helm s first solo album in 25 years. Listen free to levon helm electric dirt tennessee jed, move along train and more. Helm was also known for his deeply soulful, countrystyle voice, and power read more. Levon reminded us that he was indeed, at he center of what made the band so influential. In spring of the following year, helms family announced that he was in the end stages of cancer, and he died on april 19, 2012. Levon helm was in the right place at the right time. Tickets are available through electric dirt is available wherever records are sold. Mar 23, 2020 levon helm electric dirt 2009 23032020, 19. Free shipping on many items browse your favorite brands affordable prices. As the title implies, its a bit more electric than dirt farmer, but, just like its predecessor, it has a wonderful down home feel.
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