Some albums arrive like a fresh coat of paint. Others show up like somebody finding an old Polaroid in a jacket pocket and realizing: oh right, this is who we were. Holy Cross Blues is that second kind. It doesn’t feel “new” in the trendy sense. It feels newly revealed.
“See For Yourself” – a Premiere from The Far West
Some records take longer than others to make. While not in the Guns N’ Roses Chinese Democracy category (or budget), The Far West’s latest album Everything We Thought We Wanted took the long road to fruition. Delays were both planned and unplanned – COVID, for example, was an interruption that turned into an opportunity to […]
Monday Morning Video – Levon and Friends
Ok, so the occasion was really Ringo Starr’s All-Starr Band but it’s hard not to think that Levon Helm didn’t steal the show with this one. Here’s Levon singing The Band’s classic “Up On Cripple Creek” backed by Ringo Starr, Clarence Clemons, Rick Danko, Dr. John, Jim Keltner, Nils Lofgren, Billy Preston and Joe Walsh.
Monday Morning Video – Garth Hudson and The Band
We lost a giant last week with the passing of Garth Hudson, the last surviving member of The Band. The group The classically trained multi-instrumentalist was a quiet force within the group, one whose contributions helped define their sound. Here are a few choice Garth moments. First, “The Genetic Method/Chest Fever” where Hudson’s expansive solo […]
Monday Morning Video – Dr. John
The Last Waltz, the all-star farewell concert by The Band on Thanksgiving night back in 1976 is the stuff of legend. As we wrap up the holiday weekend, here’s one of my favorite performances from that show – “Such a Night” by the late Dr. John.
Monday Morning Video – Robertson, Rodriguez, and O’Connor
It’s been a rough couple of weeks in the world of the music. The passing of Robbie Robertson, Sixto Rodriguez, and Sinead O’Connor have taken from us three artists who, each in their own way, made an indelible mark on audiences around the world. Here is a brief video playlist that features just small pieces […]
Monday Morning Video – Billy Preston and The Band
There are very few members of the rock pantheon with whom Billy Preston hasn’t performed. Famously referred to as “The Fifth Beatle” for his contribution to “Get Back” and their final albums, he has also worked with others ranging from Sam Cooke to Eric Clapton to the Rolling Stones and even the Red Hot Chili […]
Monday Morning Video: A Vintage Performance by the Band
Now this is a find. Here’s a four-song set by the Band, captured during a performance in Pittsburgh, PA back in November 1970. The set list includes: “Time to Kill,” “The Weight,” “This Wheel’s on Fire” and “Up on Cripple Creek.” Mighty fine.
Monday Morning Video: 2012 Americana Music Awards
As part of our re-cap of the 2012 Americana Music Conference and Festival, here are some highlights from the Americana Awards show. We bookend our collection with the all-star version of “The Weight,” a tribute to Levon Helm. We open with Emmylou Harris, Buddy Miller, Richard Thompson, Brittany Howard and others rehearsing “The Weight” for […]
Monday Morning Video: Love for Levon Helm
A special benefit was held last week in New Jersey to raise funds to preserve Helm’s farmhouse studio in upstate New York and continue his tradition of Midnight Ramble performances. Alas, I wasn’t at the show, but all reports indicate it was a truly special evening. Guest included Mavis Staples, Roger Waters, John Hiatt, Gregg […]