dmait Posted February 10, 2009 Share Posted February 10, 2009 After years of missing Levon's rambles in Woodstock, I was lucky enough to see Levon about 15 minutes from my house. The Wellmont Theatre was recently reopened after a multi-million dollar restoration. It was built in the 1920s as a vaudeville theater, if I'm correct, but in the 1980s was turned into a movie triplex, with the screen in front of the stage and most of the period details covered over. It had been vacant for the last few years, before the new owners restored it to its original look. They did a tremendous job. It now looks like a mini-Beacon Theater, seating maybe 1500 people. It was the perfect setting for Levon. He was set up stage left, facing the stage. Larry Campbell was on guitar and fiddle; his wife Teresa Williams on vocals; Levon's daughter, Amy, on vocals; a piano-organist; and a five-piece horn section (trumpet, trombone, two saxes, and tuba) filled out the rear of the stage. Levon's voice was in fine form. I was expecting something slightly more than a whisper from him, but he was belting out his vocals. He sang lead on about half the songs. He can still pound away on the skins, too, really belting the snare. I've seen recent pictures of him, but when you're used to his look from the Last Waltz, it's a bit jarring to see him this frail looking. He looks a good 75 years old, though I'm sure he's younger. The band at times had a real funky New Orleans sound, care of the horn section, and at others times had a nice country feel. The rest of the time they sounded a lot like the Band at the Palladium in 1976 with the Howard Johnson horns. I had to contain myself from shouting out for Snooky Young. My personal highlight was Deep Elem Blues with horns. It was a transcedent version. Of course, hearing a lot of the Band songs live for the first time was magical. Here's a best approximation of the setlist, though I'm not sure if I have every song or each name correct: When this Battle is OverSame ThingOpheliaSimple Twist of FateLove Played a GameI Wanna KnowLong Black VeilGot Me a WomanAshes of LoveWhisperin' SeaDeep Elem BluesTrain RobberyTime to Ring ChangesAnna LeeRag Mama RagMardi Gras in New OrleansHoly CowJealous ManRain Down TearsAcross the Great DivideTime Out for the BluesEverybody Loves a WinnerThe Shape I'm InChest FeverThe Weight Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Central Scrutinizer Posted February 10, 2009 Share Posted February 10, 2009 I saw a ramble three years ago on a cold January night in Woodstock, close enough to him that I had one of my feet propped up on his vocal monitor when he was playing mandolin. I was surprised at his initial appearance. He's slight but in no way frail. Towards the end of the evening, though, his hand cramped up and one of the guys at his studio came over and rubbed it out, and he was good to go. He had two opening acts, a small loose group from New York, Alexis Suter Band, an (incredible blues performer) and about 2.5 hours of Levon and the large ensemble gathered for the night. Several of the songs you list were on the set-list that night. When this Battle is OverLong Black Veil, Anna Lee, Rag Mama Rag, Holy Cow, Jealous Man, Rain Down Tears, The Shape I'm In. He did a great version of Springsteen's Atlantic City (the horn players that night were touring with Springsteen, but it was a coincidence as he recorded AC). It was with a shrug that they broke into The Weight that night. It was amazing because all the people who worked there, it caught totally by surprise. They dropped what they were doing and rushed to watch. A few of the musicians afterwards said that it had been about 15 years since he had played the song live. After years of missing Levon's rambles in Woodstock, I was lucky enough to see Levon about 15 minutes from my house. The Wellmont Theatre was recently reopened after a multi-million dollar restoration. It was built in the 1920s as a vaudeville theater, if I'm correct, but in the 1980s was turned into a movie triplex, with the screen in front of the stage and most of the period details covered over. It had been vacant for the last few years, before the new owners restored it to its original look. They did a tremendous job. It now looks like a mini-Beacon Theater, seating maybe 1500 people. It was the perfect setting for Levon. He was set up stage left, facing the stage. Larry Campbell was on guitar and fiddle; his wife Teresa Williams on vocals; Levon's daughter, Amy, on vocals; a piano-organist; and a five-piece horn section (trumpet, trombone, two saxes, and tuba) filled out the rear of the stage. Levon's voice was in fine form. I was expecting something slightly more than a whisper from him, but he was belting out his vocals. He sang lead on about half the songs. He can still pound away on the skins, too, really belting the snare. I've seen recent pictures of him, but when you're used to his look from the Last Waltz, it's a bit jarring to see him this frail looking. He looks a good 75 years old, though I'm sure he's younger. The band at times had a real funky New Orleans sound, care of the horn section, and at others times had a nice country feel. The rest of the time they sounded a lot like the Band at the Palladium in 1976 with the Howard Johnson horns. I had to contain myself from shouting out for Snooky Young. My personal highlight was Deep Elem Blues with horns. It was a transcedent version. Of course, hearing a lot of the Band songs live for the first time was magical. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dmait Posted February 11, 2009 Author Share Posted February 11, 2009 >It was with a shrug that they broke into The Weight that night. It was amazing because all the people who worked there, it caught totally by surprise. They dropped what they were doing and rushed to watch. A few of the musicians afterwards said that it had been about 15 years since he had played the song life. That must have been something. Though it will never happen, it would be great if he and Robbie would bury the hatchet and have Robbie perform at a ramble. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Central Scrutinizer Posted February 11, 2009 Share Posted February 11, 2009 >It was with a shrug that they broke into The Weight that night. It was amazing because all the people who worked there, it caught totally by surprise. They dropped what they were doing and rushed to watch. A few of the musicians afterwards said that it had been about 15 years since he had played the song life. That must have been something. Though it will never happen, it would be great if he and Robbie would bury the hatchet and have Robbie perform at a ramble.Having read Helm's book and other post-Band interviews, I think Levon would bury the hatchet but Robertson would be in no shape to perform anywhere. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dmait Posted February 11, 2009 Author Share Posted February 11, 2009 >but Robertson would be in no shape to perform anywhere. Didn't he play at Clapton's Crossroads concert last year, I think in Chicago? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mfwahl Posted February 11, 2009 Share Posted February 11, 2009 >but Robertson would be in no shape to perform anywhere. Didn't he play at Clapton's Crossroads concert last year, I think in Chicago?He played Who Do You Love. Meh. And I'm a big fan of his. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Central Scrutinizer Posted February 12, 2009 Share Posted February 12, 2009 >but Robertson would be in no shape to perform anywhere. Didn't he play at Clapton's Crossroads concert last year, I think in Chicago?I was implying that Helm was not on the best of terms with Robertson -- that he'd use the hatchet. Honestly, though, Robertson gave his Band mates a thoroughly raw deal. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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