*Levon Helm’s Midnight Ramble w/The Levon Helm Band and guests The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band and Eric Church @ Levon Helm Studios (Woodstock, NY)/11.21.09
To close out the 2009 concert calendar, I was presented with the opportunity to experience a concert unlike any I had previously encountered. This concert took place in a barn in the woods in Woodstock, NY.
Sometimes where a concert takes places is just as significant as what takes place. In this case, Levon Helm Studios provided the setting for another Midnight Ramble, a concert series that takes place at Levon Helm’s home studio and features guest artists and bands at each show opening for The Levon Helm Band.
Much has been written about the legend that is Levon Helm, chronicling his days in The Band to his health problems and his resurgence in the music scene in recent years with heavily praised solo efforts and the Midnight Ramble shows. For a brief summary of Helm’s recent influence, check out this piece from Muzzle of Bees.
Before discussing the show, take a look at the venue. Now, imagine witnessing a concert in such an intimate setting. A few hundred people enter the barn and fill in the seats and space around the band, with each perch providing a unique view of the spectacle. Performers mingle with the crowd, tune instruments surrounded by fans and when not performing, watch the show as intently as the ticket holders.
Show opener, Eric Church, played a solid set of new country/rock tunes that seem to contradict his primary goal. He repeatedly and respectfully praised the legends of country music, like Johnny Cash, and criticized the newer, slick pop country that currently presides over the radio. Unfortunately, his music sounds a lot more new country than Cash. I feel bad pointing this out as he seemed genuine and reverent throughout his portion of the show and the rest of the evening as he interacted with fans and watched the remainder of the show. Maybe I should reserve judgment as Church had a loyal and vocal following at the show, and his brief opening set was my first taste of his music. He certainly appears to have the best of intentions, and, really, being invited to play at the Ramble at all is a credit to him.
Next up was The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, a band I was familiar with more for their name than their work. The NGDG impressed during their set that combined elements of bluegrass, country, folk, rock and pop. Having toured since the 60’s, The NGDB certainly know how to perform and play off an audience, including crowd pleasing covers like their countrified version of The Beatles hit Get Back.
Ultimately, this was all prologue to The Levon Helm Band, an impressive lineup of seasoned performers that includes Levon’s daughter, Amy, and the Ramble’s musical director, Larry Campbell (also know for his work with Bob Dylan). Helm’s crew opened with The Band’s classic, The Shape I’m In, and instantly performance and setting became complete.
The Levon Helm Band’s set consisted of standards like Long Black Veil, covers (Dylan’s You’re Gonna Make Me Lonesome When You Go) and the inevitable closer, The Weight. A personal highlight was seeing It Makes No Difference performed by Levon and his new Band. For the full set list, here is a picture of a guy holding the set list.
The Midnight Ramble is a concert like no other, an experience any fan of live music would appreciate regardless of the guests. Church was solid, The NGDB impressed and as incredible as Levon and company were, the real star of the show was the venue. This barn in the woods, and its growing reputation, may one day be considered one of the iconic American music venues (along with the likes the Fillmore, the Ryman, Red Rocks, MSG, Stubb’s and many others).
For more information on The Midnight Ramble, look here.
Also, DSP recently announced that the Ramble will make a stop in Ithaca as it hits the road in the new year. For information on that show look here. It may not be in a barn in the woods, but the band surely will not disappoint.
To close out the 2009 concert calendar, I was presented with the opportunity to experience a concert unlike any I had previously encountered. This concert took place in a barn in the woods in Woodstock, NY.
Sometimes where a concert takes places is just as significant as what takes place. In this case, Levon Helm Studios provided the setting for another Midnight Ramble, a concert series that takes place at Levon Helm’s home studio and features guest artists and bands at each show opening for The Levon Helm Band.
Much has been written about the legend that is Levon Helm, chronicling his days in The Band to his health problems and his resurgence in the music scene in recent years with heavily praised solo efforts and the Midnight Ramble shows. For a brief summary of Helm’s recent influence, check out this piece from Muzzle of Bees.
Before discussing the show, take a look at the venue. Now, imagine witnessing a concert in such an intimate setting. A few hundred people enter the barn and fill in the seats and space around the band, with each perch providing a unique view of the spectacle. Performers mingle with the crowd, tune instruments surrounded by fans and when not performing, watch the show as intently as the ticket holders.
Show opener, Eric Church, played a solid set of new country/rock tunes that seem to contradict his primary goal. He repeatedly and respectfully praised the legends of country music, like Johnny Cash, and criticized the newer, slick pop country that currently presides over the radio. Unfortunately, his music sounds a lot more new country than Cash. I feel bad pointing this out as he seemed genuine and reverent throughout his portion of the show and the rest of the evening as he interacted with fans and watched the remainder of the show. Maybe I should reserve judgment as Church had a loyal and vocal following at the show, and his brief opening set was my first taste of his music. He certainly appears to have the best of intentions, and, really, being invited to play at the Ramble at all is a credit to him.
Next up was The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, a band I was familiar with more for their name than their work. The NGDG impressed during their set that combined elements of bluegrass, country, folk, rock and pop. Having toured since the 60’s, The NGDB certainly know how to perform and play off an audience, including crowd pleasing covers like their countrified version of The Beatles hit Get Back.
Ultimately, this was all prologue to The Levon Helm Band, an impressive lineup of seasoned performers that includes Levon’s daughter, Amy, and the Ramble’s musical director, Larry Campbell (also know for his work with Bob Dylan). Helm’s crew opened with The Band’s classic, The Shape I’m In, and instantly performance and setting became complete.
The Levon Helm Band’s set consisted of standards like Long Black Veil, covers (Dylan’s You’re Gonna Make Me Lonesome When You Go) and the inevitable closer, The Weight. A personal highlight was seeing It Makes No Difference performed by Levon and his new Band. For the full set list, here is a picture of a guy holding the set list.
The Midnight Ramble is a concert like no other, an experience any fan of live music would appreciate regardless of the guests. Church was solid, The NGDB impressed and as incredible as Levon and company were, the real star of the show was the venue. This barn in the woods, and its growing reputation, may one day be considered one of the iconic American music venues (along with the likes the Fillmore, the Ryman, Red Rocks, MSG, Stubb’s and many others).
For more information on The Midnight Ramble, look here.
Also, DSP recently announced that the Ramble will make a stop in Ithaca as it hits the road in the new year. For information on that show look here. It may not be in a barn in the woods, but the band surely will not disappoint.
Comments
Also, Zebb's is not planning on doing that.
it may be in mattydale.
the new site should get some action sometime
in jan.