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View Full Version : Levon Helm at The Beacon Saturday Night (3/8)


RJ
03-09-2008, 01:03 PM
Went to the Beacon in NYC Saturday night for the Levon Helm show…truly amazing. They opened with Ophelia and from there it rocked all night. Not many songs by the Band though* although they did do Rag Mamma Rag* Ophelia* The Weight and one or two others but NO Cripple Creek and no Dixie…what’s up with that?

Any way a super show and they were joined with Theresa Williams (most of the show) and by the Blues Brother’s Blue Lou Marini on sax* Phoebe Snow and the big man himself Clarence Clemmons and of course the entire world thought Bruce would do one number but that never happened.

2-1/2 hours ands this guy Larry Campbell on guitar* mandolin* fiddle and just about everything is a super guitar player. He played most of the night through an old fender* was not a deluxe reverb but larger like the Pro Reverb I think it might have been* then switched over to the Vox AC30 for that jangley sound they did on an old Humble Pie written song the Band covered…I think it was called “Tracker?” Awesome tone with the strat. He played the strat all night and the other guitar player was a LP guy all the way with the Dickie Bett’s red LP and a GT.!!

guitartom
03-11-2008, 11:44 AM
Rich*

The other guy was probably New Jersey's own Jimmy Vivino. At least it was on Friday night when I was there. He had that Cherry Red LP as well as a 50's Gold Top p90 and a nice Tele too. As to why they didn't do more Band classics: that may have to do with the acrimonious split Levon had with Robbie Robinson. I can't say for sure. A lot of stuff Friday night was from his latest "Dirt Farmer" which I love. Very rootsey* old timey stuff. They also did a lot of material from his old RCO all stars band. I had that on vinyl but never saw it on CD. I picked up the RCO All Stars live from the Palldium '77 after the show and have had it on my car system since. Larry Campbell has played on or produced hundreds of records. He's in a league of his own. Did you have any of the jerks in the audience who don't enjoy the show if you can't hear them shouting their requests over and over? I had one right behind me . Held my temper though...

RJ
03-11-2008, 11:55 AM
You are correct on the 2nd guitar player...we had a few people that did not want to sit the **** down...we had to yell to get them to sit down as we were in the 10th row on the floor...

awesome show...we are going to get tix top go to Levon's Barn concerts as well

guitartom
03-11-2008, 04:49 PM
A couple of us are looking to see the barn shows too. They sell out quick though. Especially if word gets out as to what special guest might show up. BTW* did Pheobe send shivers up your spine or what? Lot's of terrific girl singers there but she 's in a league of her own.

RJ
03-12-2008, 12:48 AM
Never really a big fan of Phoebe* but she was great that night and Tereasa Wiliams was an Emmy Lou Harris just waiting to happen..her harmonies on some songs...wow!! I thought Emmy Lou was in the house...