News and Updates 2014

• Interview: Rick Danko, December 21, 1977 , by Peter Stone Brown.

• "Upstairs, Downstairs: Revisiting 'The Basement Tapes'" -- must-read article/Garth Hudson interview, from Clash Magazine's Simon Harper.

• 15 years ago today, on December 10, 1999, one of the sweetest souls of rock'n'roll left us. Read Carol Caffin's tribute "The Flame Still Burns: A Dedication to Rick", written in 2009.

• "Jeff Bridges Narrates a Brief History of Bob Dylan's Basement Tapes"

• "Levon's brothers in life and in music - The Weight band -- Jim Weider, Randy Ciarlante, Brian Mitchell, Byron Isaacs, Marty Grebb -- paying tribute to and honoring the legacies of Levon, Richard and Rick. Honoring the ongoing careers of Garth and Robbie. Keepin' it going for Levon and The Band! C'mon out and catch a show." Tour dates and tickets here.

• New article in Vanity Fair magazine: "The Secrets of the Sessions That Produced Some of Bob Dylan's Best Songs" -- with several quotes from an interview with Garth Hudson.

• YouTube video: "Bob Dylan & The Band: The Basement Tapes Complete trailer" -- Bob Dylan: "Garth you don't have to you're just wastin' tape."

• "How Dylan rocked our morning" -- "When Garth Hudson appeared on BBC Radio 4's Today programme, the show was expecting a discussion on Bob Dylan's Basement Tape recordings. What it got instead was an impromptu piano performance of songs that will cause Dylan obsessives to salivate."

• From bobdylan.com: "The Basement Tapes Track-by-Track", with comments on (almost) all(!) tracks on the new The Basement Tapes Complete box set.

• From Nick Deriso at the Something Else! web site: "We went in depth with Garth Hudson on the restoration project for 'The Basement Tapes Complete.' Here's our report" -- "The Band's Garth Hudson on why The Basement Tapes are still 'special and treasured"-

• New article and video from Rolling Stone: "Garth Hudson back to Big Pink for the first time since 1968 for an exclusive documentary"

• New review from the legendary Peter Stone Brown: "The End of a Five Decade Quest: Dylan Still Down in the Basement, But Finally Out of the Vault" (scroll down a bit to read it)

• Article from NPR: "First Listen: Bob Dylan, The Basement Tapes Complete: The Bootleg Series Vol. 11", with twelve of the songs from the new box set, including a beautiful version of "One Too Many Mornings" with lead vocals by Richard Manuel and Bob Dylan.

• "Exclusive: Unreleased Bob Dylan song from 1967 -- Ain't No More Cane (Take 2)"

• "Listen to a previously unreleased take of Bob Dylan's "Yea! Heavy and a Bottle of Bread" from 'The Basement Tapes Complete'"

• "Stream Bob Dylan's Previously Unreleased '900 Miles From My Home'"

• "Listen to Bob Dylan's unreleased cover of John Lee Hooker's 'Tupelo'"

• Listen to "Don't You Tell Henry" from the new Basement Tapes box set!

• From Rolling Stone: "Why Robbie Robertson's Son Wrote a Kids' Book About His Dad"

• Added photos of Garth Hudson and Robbie Robertson at the induction of The Band in Canada's Walk of Fame, 10.18.2014, Sony Centre, Toronto.

• 20 years ago this week, The Band web site went on-line. The home page back then looked something like this. Your humble editor looked something like this. The site looks better now... It's been a bumpy ride over the last two decades, but well worth it. We are proud of what has been created here, by everyone involved in the project. All the friends we have made, the travels, the gigs, the wonderful encounters with musicians, key figures and fans over the years -- priceless. We're having a little celebration tonight.

• Pre-order Sebastian Robertson's Rock and Roll Highway: The Robbie Robertson Story from amazon.com now!

• Don't miss an amazing tribute to The Band at Canada's Walk of Fame next Saturday, Oct 18 at the Sony Centre in Toronto. Tickets start from $36!

• Rick Danko's brother Terry just posted this lovely photo of Garth and Rick on Facebook.

• 

  Press release (edited), Toronto, Ontario, September 16, 2014: Canada's Walk of Fame announced today at a press conference in Toronto, the names of six new inductees. These outstanding Canadians, who have excelled in their respective fields and made notable contributions to Canada's cultural legacy, will walk the Canada's Walk of Fame Yellow Carpet, and will be celebrated on Saturday, October 18 at the Sony Centre for the Performing Arts in Toronto. The following remarkable individuals will join Canada's Walk of Fame's long list of celebrated Canadians, bringing the total number of inductees to 157:

  • Louise Arbour, Former Justice of the Supreme Court of Canada, International Lawyer
  • The Band, Musicians
  • Jeff Healey, Musician
  • Rachel McAdams, Actor
  • Ryan Reynolds, Actor
  • Hayley Wickenheiser, Athlete

  "We are proud to welcome these six new outstanding honourees to Canada's Walk of Fame," said Melanie (Berry) Hurley, CEO of Canada's Walk of Fame. "Each have impacted Canada's social and cultural heritage across the country and around the world. They are inspiring and remind us that anything can be achieved with hard work, dedication, passion and integrity. They are ambassadors of Canada and instill pride in our country."

• On November 4, 2014, the 6-CD 138-song Deluxe box set The Basement Tapes Complete with Bob Dylan and The Band, compiled and produced by Garth Hudson(!) and Jan Haust, will be released!

• "Hear Bob Dylan Get Loose on Lost 'Basement Tapes' Cut 'Odds and Ends'"

• "Put the weight on it: Hurley bridge could be named for Levon Helm"

• "'We'll figure it out; we'll wing it': Robbie Robertson remembers thrilling unrehearsed Band set with Bob Dylan"

• Added a 1978 photo of Rick Danko with Bob Marley.

• Robbie Robertson appears on the new Jerry Lee Lewis album Rock & Roll Time

• Added the 1989 album Pop Classics to the compilations discography. Thanks to Hilda Fernhout for the contribution.

• 
  It's Garth Hudson's 77th birthday today! We send our best wishes to Garth and Maud.

• New The Band page on Facebook.

• Check out the new The Band Official Merchandise pages.

• Added a lovely 1977 photo of Rick Danko with Bonnie Raitt.

• "July 5: Robbie Robertson is 71. Happy Birthday!"

• "Levon Helm's Last Bow: 'Midnight Ramble Sessions, Vol. 3' (Exclusive Album Premiere)"

• "Garth Hudson to Play Two California Shows in June"

• "Robert Pattinson Says He'll Be Starring In A Movie About Seminal Rockers The Band"

• "Chapter 13 is done" -- Robbie Robertson comments on his autobiography on Facebook yesterday!

• There are now lyrics sections for both The Band and Robbie Robertson available from robbie-robertson.com.

• "Mavis Staples Remembers Singing 'The Weight'" -- from The New Yorker yesterday.

• 
  

  The Midnight Ramble Sessions Volume 3

  At long last, on July 1st, Vanguard Records/Levon Helm Studios will release The Levon Helm Band - The Midnight Ramble Sessions Volume 3. This collection features select Ramble performances circa 2005 to 2010 with such guest artists as Chris Robinson, Elvis Costello and Allen Toussaint with The Levon Helm Band: Levon Helm, Larry Campbell, Jimmy Vivino, Mike Merritt, Jimmy Weider, Amy Helm, Teresa Williams, Jay Collins, Eric Lawrence, Clark Gayton, Brian Mitchell, Steven Bernstein, Howard Johnson and Byron Isaacs. With each track hand-picked by Helm who also designed the cover art, The Midnight Ramble Sessions Volume 3 continues to solidify Helm's legacy as a revered musical force.

  The Midnight Ramble Sessions Volume 3 track listing:

  1. The Same Thing (Levon Helm) 2/14/09
  2. Ain't That Good News (Amy Helm) 8/28/10
  3. God Don't Never Change (Jimmy Vivino ) 1/10/09
  4. Drivin' Wheel (Levon Helm) 5/16/09
  5. I'm A Jealous Man (Larry Campbell) 1/31/09
  6. Stagger Lee (Little Sammy Davis) 10/18/05
  7. Simple Twist of Fate (Brian Mitchell) 3/14/09
  8. One More Shot (Levon Helm) 12/9/06
  9. Turn Around (Teresa Williams) 5/9/09
  10. The Beautiful Lie (Amy Helm, Teresa Williams, Fiona McBain) 1/3/09
  11. A Certain Girl (Allen Toussaint) 1/1/07
  12. Shake Your Money Maker (Chris Robinson) 8/23/08
  13. Take Me To The River (Levon Helm) 2/10/07

  Pre-order now!

  CD		Vinyl		MP3

•  

  "Masters of The Telecaster", featuring Jim Weider June 14 Levon Helm Studios in Woodstock, New York Jim Weider - guitar, G.E. Smith - guitar and Vocals, Danny Kortchmar - guitar and vocals, with Randy Ciarlante - drums, Brian Mitchell - keyboards and vocals, and Byron Isaacs - bass. Masters of the Telecaster; A Historical Night of Roots Rock n Roll. Playing tunes by Lee Dorsey and Bo Diddley to Al Green, and of course the classic Roy Buchanan tunes like "Sweet Dreams" and much more. Tickets call 845-679-2744, or on line from levonhelm.com

• Nice one on Facebook: Anna's Levon Daily

• Some good news from Robbie Robertson on FaceBook:

  • "Another chapter down in the autobiography... Chapter 12. Done."

  • "Legends, Icons & Rebels won the Notable Book For Global Society Award. Honored."

  • "...here's Robbie's and Matthew McConaughey's "Money Chant," from The Wolf of Wall Street."

  • "Robbie's son Sebastian Robertson has an album coming out this summer on Lakeshore Records. Sneak a peek at one the tracks here."

  • "A rare in depth interview."

• "Rompin' Ronnie Hawkins named to Order of Canada"

• "Amy Helm records live album at father Levon's studio"

News from levonhelm.com:

• 

  Amy Helm & The Handsome Strangers Live Record Taping

  Get your tickets now to be a part of the audience at Levon Helm Studios as Amy Helm & The Handsome Strangers create a live record! All tickets are $25:

  • May 10: Doors 7:30pm / Show 8:30pm
    All seats are SOLD OUT!
    Standing Room still available!

  • May 11: Doors 6:00pm / Show 7:00pm
    Seats and Standing Room still available!
  
  

• 

  May 24, 2014 at The Barn - Levon's Birthday Celebration

  "The Weight" with special guest, Carolyn Wonderland
  Get your tickets here!

  All the way from Austin, Texas - Carolyn Wonderland, followed by The Weight with Jim Weider, Randy Ciarlante, Brian Mitchell, Marty Grebb & Byron Isaacs.

  A magical night, filled with phenomenal & eclectic music with heavy concentration on the songs of Levon and The Band to celebrate Levon's birthday weekend! Come be with us & help us create a birthday party that Levon would love!

• From our Scottish friend Darren James:

  Just to let you know of a fantastic Last Waltz tribute band from Ireland. I saw them last year in Glasgow, and they are playing again on 30th May in Glasgow at the Pavilion Theatre. They are called 'THE GROUP'. They are excellent, they look the same and sound the same, and even have the guest stars and do ad libs. They only do occasional gigs in the UK, they do not do it for money. All Band fans should really check them out, one of my best gigs ever:

  • FaceBook page
  • YouTube live video
  • YouTube live video
  • YouTube live video
  • Pavilion Theatre concert, Glasgow, 05.30.2014

• From the recent London Music Hall of Fame 2014 induction of Garth Hudson:

  • Photos of Garth at the ceremony

  • Garth Hudson and Jan Haust in a seminar panel about Making It In The Music Business

  • Something Else! webzine, 04.11.2014: "'All of it blended together': Garth Hudson remembers The Band's beginnings ahead of London Music Hall of Fame induction"

  • London Free Press, 04.07.2014: "Jack Richardson Music Awards: The Band's keyboardist inducted into local hall of fame -- Iconic Hudson thanks music mentors"

  • CTV News: The Jack Richardson Music Awards

• Johnny Harper & Carnival is doing a series of concerts in Northern California in May and June, performing the music of The Band! See their info. page (with live videos) and press release for details.

• New spring and summer concert dates for both Jim Weider's Project Percolator and The Band tribute group The Weight, featuring former The Band members Jim Weider and Randy Ciarlante in the line-up.

• Just announced: The Masters of the Telecasters, featuring Jim Weider, will be playing at Levon Helm's Barn in Woodstock, NY, on June 14th.

• The Levon Helm Band: The Midnight Ramble Sessions Volume 3 Coming July 1

• Jesse Winchester Dead at 69, Singer-Songwriter Became Anti-War Icon -- "Jesse's music stands up today as good as it did then," says Robbie Robertson

• Richard Manuel on his 26th birthday, April 3, 1969

• Wow again. New YouTube video: The Band live at the Casino Arena, Asbury Park, NJ, 07.20.1976, whole concert.

• Wow. Published on YouTube a couple of days ago: Rick Danko and his band live at the Capitol Theatre, Passaic, NJ, Dec 1977. Decent quality b/w video and sound, complete 55 min concert.

• "Jim James, Elvis Costello, T Bone Burnett Recording Album of Basement Tapes-Era Bob Dylan Lyrics" -- article from Pitchfork.

• New show date at Levon's Barn -- Jay Collins & The Kings County Band and Chris Bergson Band, May 3, 2014.

• New concert dates for Jim Weider and The Weight.

• New Garth Hudson and Sister Maud Hudson gig dates:

  • April 12, Saturday. 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM. Free. Jack Richardson Music Awards. Music career seminar, GARTH HUDSON will participate on panel. Aeolian Hall, 795 Dundas Street, London, Ontario, Canada, N5W-277. (519) 672-7950.

  • April 13, Sunday. 7:00 PM. Free. Jack Richardson Music Awards. Induction to London Music Hall of Fame, GARTH HUDSON will be inducted. GARTH & SISTER MAUD will perform. London Music Hall, 185 Queens Avenue, London, Ontario, Canada, N6A-1G7. (519) 432-1107.

  • June 26, Thursday. Yoshi's, San Francisco. GARTH HUDSON featuring SISTER MAUD HUDSON, with Kevin Hearn & Thin Buckle. 1330 Fillmore Street San Francisco, California, 94115. 415.655.5600.

  • June 28, Saturday. Kate Wolf Music Festival. GARTH HUDSON featuring SISTER MAUD HUDSON, with Kevin Hearn & Thin Buckle. Black Oak Ranch, 50350 Hwy 101, Laytonville, California 95454. Tickets: 415-256-8499 or 1-866-558-4253 (9-5, M-F) or on-line.

  • August 10, Sunday. Shaw Amphitheatre, Banff, Alberta. GARTH HUDSON, SISTER MAUD HUDSON, and Daniel Lanois. More info to follow later!

• Keeping the torch burning: THE WEIGHT -- Jim Weider, Randy Ciarlante, Byron Isaacs, Brian Mitchell and Marty Grebb. We saw these guys at Levon's Barn in November, they are brilliant, catch'em if you can. You may want to sign up for their newsletter.

• Craig Harris' new book The Band: Pioneers of Americana Music can now be pre-ordered from the author's website drumawaytheblues.com.

• From Mojo Magazine: "The Genius Of The Band's Richard Manuel: On the anniversary of his death, we look back at The Band's wounded soul on film."

  

• 28 years ago, on March 4th 1986, we lost the great Richard Manuel. Too soon gone.

• Garth Hudson will be inducted into the London Music Hall of Fame on April 13th!

• Tonight at 9pm, at FitzGerald's in Chicago: "The Zimmermen Do Dylan", featuring our very own Pat Brennan -- not to be missed!!

• Garth Brooks does a version of "The Weight" on his Blame It All On My Roots box set from 2013. Thanks to Dirk Mell for the info.

• New book by Craig Harris, available April 16, 2014: The Band -- Pioneers of Americana Music. The book can be pre-ordered from Amazon.

• Added cover scans for Mr. Dynamo (Ronnie Hawkins and the Hawks, 1959). Thanks to Peter Viney for the contribution.

• This Friday and Saturday, at the Capitol Theatre, Port Chester, NY: The Midnight Ramble Band!

• To be released in October 2014: Rock and Roll Highway -- new book about Robbie Robertson written by his soon Sebastian. Availabe for pre-order from Amazon.

• Here is a new video from Elliott Landy's official Kickstarter campaign for his Fine Art photography book on THE BAND -- don't forget it closes on Jan 28th. Elliott talks about The Band recording their second album in Los Angeles in 1969.

• Garth Hudson plays piano on the new album Strong Feelings from Doug Paisley.

• Garth and Maud Hudson will be playing at the Kate Wolf Music Festival in Laytonville, CA, in June.

• New version of The ultimate The Band concert list.

• "Robbie Robertson Talks About Final Meeting with Levon Helm"

• "Graham Nash Unveils Heartfelt Levon Helm Tribute"

• Here is a new video from Elliott Landy's official Kickstarter campaign for his Fine Art photography book on THE BAND. Don't forget it closes on Jan 28th. Elliott talks about photographing Robbie Robertson being hypnotized so he would be able to perform despite his bad case of the flu on the night of their debut performance as THE BAND at the Fillmore West in San Francisco, 1969.

• And we have a winner of this year's The Band Christmas Quiz! Congrats to Harm Van Sleen from the Netherlands.