For almost 40 years (and that is not a misprint), Levon Helm has been the glue that has held together the Band, both as a drummer, singer and the sole American in that predominantly Canadian group.
Following the Band’s semi-official demise at the "Last Waltz" in San Francisco in 1976, Helm moved on to a solo career before reforming the group, minus guitarist and main songwriter Robbie Robertson, in 1983. The newest incantation has released three albums, and Helm himself a handful of interesting solo projects along the way. This release, available from Raven as an import, chronicles both his solo work and some tunes from the Band, even including one from Watkins Glen.
Helm’s road weary voice, clear focus on the southern aspects of rock and roll and a definite New Orleans influence makes his work, both alone and with the Band, stand out. He can be standout mournful on "Rock Salt & Nails," make you dance on "Junkyard Blues," wistful on "Caves of Jericho," and downright funky on "Milk Cow Boogie."
It is all but impossible to recreate and note a 40 year career, but Raven has done a good job with this retrospective of clearly one of the seminal influences on rock as its grown up.
- Mark T. Gould
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