Love For Levon: A Benefit To Save The Barn

What an inspired set of great songs! Of course if you are reading this, you are already a fan of the Band's music, so you will love the songs. Even the covers included here (Long Black Veil, Move ALong Train, Trouble in Mind, etc) sound like soulful renditions of what could have been Band songs, showing how closely they were connected to the roots of American music that came before them (some were in fact recorded by them). However, unlike many other tribute or cover albums, the artists on this one are clearly just as big fans of the music as you are. The versions here are mostly close enough to the original so that you won't say "I like the original better", but on the other hand each artist has added the best of their own personality to the song, as if offering each as a hand-made gift. If you did not already have the Band's version of the song in your head, you would love most of these arrangements. As it is, you will still appreciate most of them. To be honest, I have to sheepishly admit there are a couple I like better. (Is that wrong of me?) If you like the Band, especially in their first few years, you will love this. If you appreciate good music and well written songs, you will like this. If you just want to be impressed at how many top level musicians admired and appreciated Levon, you will like this. I always buy these kinds of albums with my fingers crossed. After having received it 3 days ago, I have already played it through 3 times. This is gonna be a top "car trip" CD for sure. Excellent! (Note added a day later: after a few more listens, i do have one caveat. Disc 2 seems to be overloaded with too many songs of similar slow tempos. Ophelia is one of the few songs on this disc that makes you want to get up off the couch. Other than the slow and relatively unvaried tempo, all the same superlatives apply. Just wish there were a few more uptempo numbers mixed in.

This is a great CD. So many great performances - John Hiatt (Rag Mama, Rag), Jakob Dylan (Ain't Got No Home), Warren Haynes (kicking it off with The Shape I'm In), Ray LaMantagne (Tears of Rage), just to name a few. Bruce Hornsby on Anna Lee (is he playing an autoharp on that one?). I was particularly surprised & impressed with My Morning Jacket on Ophelia & The Night they Drove Old Dixie Down, the latter with Roger Winters. It is hard to single a few songs/performers out, when really all are very good, & some just outstanding. It is hard not to compare this set with Last Waltz. Frankly, it stands up pretty well. This is brilliantly produced stuff. I always thought the Band was better live than in studio, & it seems the same is true for their songs. A few gripes. The liner notes are nothing short of annoying. Like many liner notes, they tend to be self-aggrandizing and go on far too long about the writer's pivotal role in making all this happen, rather than talking about the night, the music, or the artist. The 2nd gripe is the omissions from the show. For instance, the liner notes prominently feature a quote by Bruce Springsteen, & refer to various other artists who encouraged this concert to happen - then didn't appear. Where are these guys? We didn't need to have a repeat of the guest list from Last Waltz, but two omissions are inexcusable: Bob Dylan & Robbie Robertson. Dylan at least was represented through his son (might have been good if he had done a song more closely identified w Dylan + the Band). I understand their were very hard feelings between Robbie & Levon (and Levon's widow), right up til the end, but it is reported Robbie was at Levon's deathbed. It is a shame the hatchet couldn't have buried in a way that would have allowed Robbie to play. Still, I can only be so disappointed about what isn't there, especially when I am this happy about what is there. 4.5 stars, rounded up to 5.

This concert had a fantastic collection of artists. It was a great tribute to Levon Helm and The Band. Larry Campbell stole the show, but all the artists were great. This is a live album, and the sound quality is very good.

Having been a long time fan of The Band, I was very excited to see the concert. The CD set is like experiencing this event over and over, whenever I want. Levon Helms was an amazing writer and musician. The only thing missing was Robbie Robertson. I wish they had resolved their issues and he had contributed to this event. If you ever liked the music of The Band, you will like this CD set.

The musicianship on these cd's is outstanding, and the vocalists are right on par with them. Grace Potter absolutley killed "I Shall Be Released". I get the chills every time I hear her sing that. Warren Haynes guitar work is second to none. I also enjoyed some of the artists that I have not listened to before, like Dierks Bentley and Eric Church. Church's vocals on "A Train Robbery" are as gritty as it gets. I thought they should have had Gregg Allman show case his outstanding vocals on a different song other than "Long Black Veil". All in all, it's a great bunch of muscians all getting togther for another great muscian and friend in Levon Helms. He will be greatly missed. These cd's are a must for all that enjoy this wide variety of music. You won't be dissappointed.

Like inviting Levon into your living room. This album is full of joy, and truly love for Levon. Love Levon's daughter cutting loose. Would have loved to hear more from Joan Osborne. Only odd note is that most of the songs were written by Robbie, and he and Levon spent most of their lives -- tragically -- hating each other.

These sorts of mega concerts can be hit or miss, and this one is a miss. Not a lot of emotion to be found, some purely bad performances, too many people on stage, poor mixing, etc. But the worst of all is that it i not Levon or Rick singing, these songs are just not the same. John Hiat does a decent Rag Mama Rag, Mavis is a treat - the rest is not so great. But I feel good that the money went to a great cause.

Un concert émouvant avec de superbes prestations Des duos magique Dommage que Robie n'ai pas daigne être présent cela aurait été parfait.

I have had this on repeat since I got it. The talent involved here is amazing and it is nice to hear different arrangements and performances of Levon's Music. Such a pity there is no UK DVD release of the concert. My favourite is a heart wrenching soulful performance by Grace Potter of I shall be released which is so emotional she is reduced to tears at the end. There is some ragged performances but it doesn't matter as with levon it was the music that mattered throughout his life. The CD and DVD releases help support his now legendary Midnight Rambles so well worth buying for that alone. There are some surprising artists that you may not have expected to see such as Roger Waters and Bruce Hornsby but they look genuinely honoured to be performing. Well done all who were involved.

Excellent album, a long time fan had forgotten some of his songs , great to hear other artists do them justice.

ottimo!!! grandi pezzi, ottimamente suonati. alcune versioni sono da brivido. Grace Potter e My Morning Jacket su tutti. Roger Waters che c'entra?

Un gran elenco de Estrellas para un merecido homenaje al gran Levon Helm. No falta ningún tema de los que encumbraron a su THE BAND como una de las grandes bandas de la historia de la mûsica. Una maravilla para guardar. Un saludo.