About two weeks ago Levon Helm died. Levon was the man with that unique moving voice and the fat rock-bassdrum. He reached stardom with the band, could be heard singing 3 to 4 voice and nailing this whole hippie-company together in the legendary „The Last Waltz“ film by Martin Scorcese. Just a few solo-albums showed his gift of bringing a song across to the hearts of the listener. Even better he did in his solo album „Dirt Farmer“, where he discovered the old songs of his Arkansas home. He recorded this album after recovering from throat cancer. His studio burnt down. He had quite a load to bear in his later days.
And every time i hear this man sing, it moves me back and forth. Straight from the heart, like in his guest apearance in the great album „The Neighborhood“ by Los Lobos, where he sang „Little John Of God“. You can’t do better.