News and Updates

Robertson pays tribute to Band tribute Thirty years after an all-star cast said goodbye to The Band at its final concert, a new group of stars honors the Rock and Roll Hall of Famers with Endless Highway: The Music of The Band. "In the past, I've never been that fond of tribute albums," says The Band's guitarist, Robbie Robertson, "but I ended up liking it very much. It's an interesting musical journey that they've put together, with this really diverse selection of artists." Endless Highway features new covers of The Band's biggest songs, among them "Up on Cripple Creek" (Gomez), "The Weight" (Lee Ann Womack) and "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down" (the Allman Brothers Band). Other acts include Bruce Hornsby, Jack Johnson, Josh Turner, My Morning Jacket and Death Cab for Cutie. Additional tracks by Gov't Mule, John Hiatt, Joe Henry and the Animal Liberation Orchestra will be available as retailer exclusives. All recordings are currently streaming at the 429 Records web site.. Robertson says he's currently writing songs for a "native North American musical," with director David Leveaux and Tony-winning scenic designer Bob Crowley attached to the project. "I'm trying to do an extraordinary celebration of the original people of this continent," he says.

"I make no apologies for wearing my love for the most underrated mostly non-American band in American rock history on my short sleeve for the world to see. You know how they say if we didn't jump into World War II that all of Europe would be speaking German right now? Well, if The Band hadn't hung'em up in 1976 we'd all be singing Canadian-Injected Southern Country Soulful Rock right now".

• "A Behind the Scenes Look at Legendary Levon Helm" -- 11.30.2006 article/transcript from Arkansas TV station KATV Channel 7.

• "The Band Drummer Levon Helm Rambles On -- A barnstorming experience: The intimate Woodstock concert series shows no sign of slowing down " -- new article from Rolling Stone.

"New Midnight Ramble date: January 27, 07. This show will start at 7:30. Due to three bands!"

"For the anniversary, which is hitting me (and others, I think, too) extra hard this year, I wanted to write something for him. Then I realized that, when describing Rick, words aren't always necessary. In Rick's case, if a picture's worth a thousand words, then a laugh is worth a million. This sound bite was culled from my personal recordings of Rick, from my first interview with him, and from one or two other recorded interviews. It's less than 10 seconds, but I think it says it all. And this is how I choose to remember him--laughing and HAPPY. By now, he's probably taught all the angels how to sing. And I hope he's singing with them today."

"Please visit the family room for an early start on enjoying some Holiday family fun including a musical selection performed by Garth's cousin Keith. Singing Santa says to also be sure to use your mouse to explore a variety of 'kid-friendly' hidden links."

"I noticed another recently posted [YouTube video] interview with Rick from a Much Music program done here in Canada in 1992 with Colin Linden and Andy Robinson... Rick looks incredible, sings beautifully... such a pretty song. He is such a gentleman and such a Gentle Man... sigh... And I love the way Colin sings harmony and the respect and love of friendship when he looks at Rick... WOW."
--"Nancy"

"Greetings from Levon Helm Studios. Great News! Levon decided to do a New Year's Eve Midnight Ramble, Sunday December 31, 2006. C'mon up to the Studio and bring in the New Year with Levon and all of us at LHS! Invitations are $100.00 each, order online from levonhelm.com. Thanks and we hope to see you there."

• Rick, early 1993
• At the Village Gate, NY, 1992
• Rick in NJ, 1990
• On stage with the Shredder, NJ, 1990
• Danko/Fjeld/Andersen in Boston, 1993
• In Bensalem, PA, 1991
• Arista press photo, late '70s

"Garth and Maud are on their way to Hamilton, Ontario today where Garth will present a Lifetime Achievement Award to Ronnie Hawkins on Sunday. Then Toronto to guest with Blackie and The Rodeo Kings for a two-night celebration of the 30th Anniversary of The Last Waltz (sorry both Toronto shows are sold out). They decided to go on to Toronto and thought it would be fun to join Colin Linden there. Seven young Canadian singers will be spotlighted during the evening. It is being recorded by the CBC, who are throwing this shindig. Hope Maud can find time for a little travel blogging in Whispers."

• "Slippin' and Slidin'" -- The Band, complete song from Festival Express, 1970.
• "The Weight" -- live cover with Gillian Welch, David Rawlings and The Old Crow Medicine Show.

"Levon has just added another Midnight Ramble for Saturday December 23, 06. We know it's holiday time, but you just might like to spend some time at the studio for Christmas. Follow this direct link to order now! Thanks, from the staff at Levon Helm Studios."

"Its time for another all-Band edition of Mystery Train, would love as many Band fans to tune in as possible. Tuesday night, November 21, from 9:00pm-midnight EST all three hours of Mystery Train will feature music from The Band. Together, solo, with Robertson, without, Levon & the Hawks -- should be a good time! Always is...

The show will be rebroadcast:

• Wednesday November 22, 3:00am-6:00am EST.
• Thursday November 23, (Thanksgiving) 6:00pm-9:00pm EST.
• Sunday November 26, 9:00am-Noon EST.

Mystery Train can be heard anywhere in the world by logging on to wjzf.org."

Important Information about 2007 Ramble Ticket Price Increase Well, the time has finally come - we have to raise the 2007 Ramble ticket price. Our overhead costs have increased over time, but our price hasn't. We're also at a crucial point with the bankruptcy and foreclosure and we need to prove to the court that Levon Helm Studios and Levon Helm can service his debt. In order for us to save "the barn" and keep this amazing music alive, we need to do this. We sincerely hope you all understand. This is world-class music by world-class musicians IN THE HOME of a legend. We must keep this going and with your support, we will. We thank you for your loyalty and we look forward to seeing you all in 2007 at "the barn"! Today we are posting the first show of the New Year. Saturday, January 20, 2007 will be the kick off date. Use this direct link to order: http://levonhelm.com/store/

"Levon Helm and his band raise money for a local High School to help with the kid's music program. Featuring Amy Helm, Jimmy Vivino, Jerry Vivino Mike Merritt, Brian Mitchel, Little Sammy Davis and some students from Onteora High School. Film by Anthony Sapienza. Brought to you by Seventh Hour Blues magazine."

• The Band
• Rick Danko
• Levon Helm
• Garth Hudson
• Richard Manuel
• Robbie Robertson

"Levon has just added another Midnight Ramble for Saturday December 16, 06. Order from levonhelm.com. Hope to see you all there..."

• Rick in Georgia, 1991
• Rick jammin' with Zen Trickster in NY, early '90s
• Rick Danko's logo from the '90s
• Danko/Fjeld/Andersen, Boston, MA, 1994
• Bug-shirt Rick, 1994
• The coolest intersection in America!
• Garth at the Lone Star, NYC, early '90s
• Levon on stage, early '90s
• Robertson, 1988 press photos

• Rick Danko in South Street Seaport, NYC, early '90s
• Rick Danko in Glenside, PA, 1992
• The Band in NJ, 1990
• Rick and Carol 1990

• Woodstock '94
• Rick Danko backstage, 1991
• Rick with The Band, 1992
• Rick Danko at the Village Gate, Greenwich Village, NY, May 1992
• The Band in Hampton, VA, September 1990
• Garth
• Rick Danko w/The Band, the Lone Star, NYC, early '90s

Thanks, Carol!

"Levon has just added another Midnight Ramble for Saturday December 2, 06. Guests to be announced. Order now! We will be posting the 2007 season soon. Thanks and we hope to see you all at Levon's in the coming months."

• "Contrary to most advertising and popular belief, Garth Hudson does not appear on Blackie and the Rodeo Kings Let's Frolic CD released this year." [Note: Garth did participate in the sessions for this album, his work will surface on BARK's follow-up Let's Frolic Again.]

• "Mark Dann Recording is a great little studio in Woodstock, New York where Garth records from time to time. Mark is developing his website and has added an audio sample page. You can listen to a sample from one of Garth's recent solo piano sessions."

• "Georgia On My Mind"
• "Four Strong Winds"
• "Acadian Driftwood"
• "Hazel"
• "The Last Waltz"

These are low-quality audience recordings -- why would anyone would want to buy something like this? Btw, thanks to Joseph J. Menna for the links.

"Due to the overwhelming response for The Midnight Rambles, Levon has added two new dates to the 2006 schedule: Saturday November 4th and Saturday November 18th. Follow this direct link to order. Please order your invitations as soon as possible, they go fast. Hope to see you all there!"

• "Days Gone By" -- 1995 video (in the Flash Video format) with Ronnie Hawkins, Garth and Levon, included on the the Let it Rock! DVD from Hawkins' 60th birthday party gig. Not everyone loved this one when it came out...

• Ronnie Hawkins and The Hawks with Plum Loco and Garth and Maud Hudson.

• "On and off Blackies get busy" -- September 28 article from the Toronto Star about Blackie & the Rodeo Kings and their conections to The Band.

"Just want to thank you for your site, it is indispensible to me, I love it to bits, I couldnt live without it - its the only place for updates on my favourite band!"
-- David J.G, 09.27.2006

• FREE DOWNLOAD UNTIL OCTOBER 1st ONLY! You can download the two songs that GARTH HUDSON played on ("Black Gown" and "December") along with all the other tracks on The Lemonheads new self-titled CD if you scroll down on this AOL page. Listen closely and you can hear Garth churnin' and burnin' up that Hammond B3!

• Garth plays Hammond B3 organ and Steinway piano on the new Vagrant/Polydor album from the Lemonheads being released [yesterday in the US].

• Maud also just made a new entry to her blog so please visit MAUD WHISPERS & WAILS.

• "I need your lovin'" with Ronnie Hawkins & the Hawks -- Levon on drums and lip-synched vocals, note Hawkins' 1959 moonwalk!

• "The Weight" -- from Ronnie Hawkins's 60th birthday gig, 1995.

• "Bob Dylan - On a Rainy Afternoon (w/Robbie Robertson)" -- 1966 hotel room session from Eat the Document.

"Due to the overwhelming response for The Midnight Rambles, Levon has added two new dates to the 2006 schedule. Saturday October 14th and Saturday October 28th. Follow this direct link to order."

• "Robbie Robertson Receives Governor General's Award".

• "1998 Native American Music Awards" -- video clip with Robertson performing "Making a Noise".

• "David Remembers Richard" -- beautiful memories from a friend of Richard Manuel.
• "Lewis 'Last Man Standing' among his peers" -- article on the Killer's new album, featuring Robbie Robertson.
• German The Band web page.

"Scorpio will release the DVD The Band -- The Lost Waltz, featuring Bob Dylan, Neil Young, Eric Clapton and more, on extended play DVD-9 Disc. If quality's any good, too bad Scorsese didn't upgrade The Last Waltz on DVD."

"Spoke with Richard Bell today, who returned home yesterday after completing a series of chemotherapy. He feels a bit tired, but remains in good spirits and is enthusiastic about his recovery. Richard asked us to tell you, 'The rumours of my demise have been greatly exaggerated. I can't afford to die 'cause I owe too much money!' You may contact him at: rbell369@sympatico.ca."

• HAPPY LABOR DAY WEEKEND!!!. Please visit the FAMILY ROOM for a musical celebration.
• Maud also recently made a couple of new entries to her blog so please visit MAUD WHISPERS & WAILS.

• A healthy-looking Rick in session with Eric Garrison, 1998
• Rick jamming at Levon's studio, late '90s

Thanks to Peter Stekel for sending us links to these.

• On Friday August 25, 06, Levon was featured in Rolling Stone Magazine and on their on-line site. They are also featuring a 15 minute video clip from the New Year's Eve 05, Ramble. Don't miss it!!

• In case you missed the NPR interview with Levon, you can get it here....

• We have a few Ramble invitations available for September 9, 06 and December 9, 06 .

• Lots of exciting news coming up soon... Keep checking the site for updates.

"You never asked for my advice, but here it is anyhow. As soon as you can, get to Woodstock, New York, and attend one of Levon Helm's Midnight Rambles. You will have a front-row seat to some of the best music you will ever hear, and that's a promise."

Sneaky Pete and Garth Hudson with Burrito Deluxe, 2004. Update On Americana Music Icon "Sneaky" Pete Kleinow "Sneaky" Pete Kleinow - pedal steel guitar wizard, original member of the Flying Burrito Brothers, and award-winning animator. "I want all the fans, musicians and media to know that my father was diagnosed with Alzheimer's about a year ago. It hit him so hard and fast that he is now living in a skilled nursing facility. He would enjoy receiving a card, photo or note from you." -- Anita Kleinow (daughter) Please no phone calls or emails. Sneaky's mailing address is: Sneaky Pete Kleinow c/o The Oakes 450 Hayes St. Petaluma, CA 94952

"Garth is in this promotional film (EPK) for Blackie and The Rodeo Kings sent to YouTube from True North Records. Garth recorded with them at Turtle Creek/Bearsville Studio."

"Last night (August 17th) Garth made a surprise visit at The Bearsville Theater and joined a memorable tribute... a celebration of guitar player, Chris Zaloom (the Pups, Dts, and other Woodstock Bands). Jim Weider was a special guest for the event. Randy Ciarlante too. The show was a live recording and video shoot and a percentage of the proceeds went to the Woodstock Youth Center."

"I have had the good fortune to work with Richard Bell on many occasions and he has become a great friend. Richard appears on a few songs on my upcoming CD. For any who wish to hear this incredible player's work on my stuff, visit www.myspace.com/beatheathen and listen to his stellar piano work on 'With You' and his equally incredible organ work on 'Winter Blues'. I pray for him daily."

"Richard Bell: Another prominent local musician, Richard Bell, has been hospitalized, gravely ill with cancer. Bell is a producer and keyboardist whose long history includes The Band, and Colin Linden, as well as scores of others. Cards and other tokens of your thoughts can be sent to L.R. Bell, B Wing, 4th Floor, Room 30, Bed 01, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, 2075 Bayview Avenue, Toronto, M4N 3M5. Although heavily medicated, he's reportedly in good spirits - Family are constantly present, including his 91 year-old mother."

"Garth and Maud just returned from Toronto today where Garth was recording on Daniel Lanois's new album. Brian Blade and Tony Garnier were also recording on the album. More info soon."

"A 1998 video from The Charlie Rose show with Robbie Robertson is available from Google. Robbie's interview begins at about the 38 minute mark and ends at around the 50 minute mark with a video from Underground of Red Boy, 'Code of Handsome Lake.' Note on the video that Robbie is fingerpicking his electric guitar [and without fingerpicks]."

• Todd at Big Pink.
• Chris Martin at Big Pink and at Rick Danko's grave.

"Billboard today reports that Garth and Maud perform on the track "No Depression in Heaven" from the four-disc boxed set The Harry Smith Project: Anthology of American Folk Music Revisited, due out October 24 from Shout! Factory."

Wednesday, September 6, 7pm Hall of Fame Series with Robbie Robertson Tickets: $10, on sale Monday, July 31 through Ticketmaster and the Museum box office Robbie Robertson is one of the most significant contributors to the American songbook. His eclectic musical sense came through an early introduction to country music and through the influences of his parents, a Mohawk mother and a Jewish father. Robertson's early forays into Native American music happened at his mother's childhood home, Six Nations Reservation. Later, a cousin taught Robertson to play the guitar, and not long after the young Jamie Robbie Robertson began writing his own music. As Robertson's songwriting evolved, he absorbed the sounds of the Native American Indian tradition, rural country music, big band music, and early rock and roll music that would together color his writing style. In 1958, Robertson joined the Hawks, the band of rockabilly legend Ronnie Hawkins, and connected with fellow sidemen Levon Helm, Rick Danko, Garth Hudson, and Richard Manuel. The group eventually became the backup band for another rising star, Bob Dylan, and supported the folk singer-songwriter's legendary 1965-1966 tour. Shortly thereafter, they became known simply as "the Band"? Fueled by Robertson's narrative style and a fascination with the American South and its music, the band made a series of now-legendary recordings, including Music From Big Pink and the self-titled masterpiece. After the filming of an all-star concert by Martin Scorsese later released as The Last Waltz, the band broke up on Thanksgiving Day 1976. That project, however, solidified Robertson's longstanding creative relationship with Scorsese, which ultimately resulted in his recording a number of soundtracks for Scorsese. In 1980, Robertson composed the score to Scorsese's classic Raging Bull, going on to work with the filmmaker on soundtracks for The King of Comedy and The Color of Money. In 1987, Robertson released his self-titled solo debut, which featured guest appearances from Rick Danko, Garth Hudson, U2, Peter Gabriel, Daniel Lanois and Gil Evans. Robertson's conceptual piece, Storyville, was released in 1991, followed by the 1994 release of Music for the Native Americans, a collection of tracks inspired by Robertson's Native American Indian roots. Robertson's latest work, Contact From the Underworld of Redboy, was release in 1998. Most recently, Robertson executive produced a five CD and DVD box set of the Band, which was released in 2005. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum is honored to present a special Hall of Fame Series with Robbie Robertson, during which he will discuss the many layers of his remarkable career.

Thanks to Todd Richards for the information.

"We have a few tickets available for the August 5th Midnight Ramble. You still have time to order. Last weeks Ramble was GREAT!! Rob Bartlett (from the Imus show) was the masters of ceremonies. David Fathead Newman and The Alexis P. Suter Band were amazing!! Levon's set was just under 2 hours and even snuck in Ophelia!! The fans gave Levon and his band a standing ovation...check out the photos.
Hope to see you all soon."

RICK DANKO TRIBUTE CONCERT Friday, August 4th., 2006 at 8pm Friendship Festival Weekend THE SHOESHINE BOYS BLUES BAND - BEARFOOT - PROFESSOR LOUIE & THE CROWMATIX Location: Simcoe Composite School Auditorium (SCS Aud), Simcoe, Ontario, Canada. Tickets: $25.00 in advance, $30.00 at the door. Call for tickets, 519-426-6655 at Info Centre, 40 Colborne St., S. Simcoe. Reserved seating, doors open at 7pm. Tribute Lounge: Food and beverages available (licensed event lounge). Hosted and sponsored by The Simcoe Lions Club. BEARFOOT will include Terry Danko (Rick's younger brother) on bass, Jim Atkinson and Hugh Brockie on guitars, Ray Harrison on keys, Orin Baird (horn), Dean Atkinson (of the Atkinson Brothers Band) on drums. A video slide show will be presented by Carol Caffin, Rick Danko's longtime publicist, and Glen Silverthorn of the former Rick Danko Band, the Starlites.

"Preorder your copies of THE SADIES new CD, In Concert Volume One from YepRoc Records due out August 8. GARTH performed on a few of these tracks and Maud joins in on the track 'Food, Water, Etc.' Also available on Vinyl."

• "National Public Radio will air a ten-minute interview with Levon on The Morning Edition with Scott Simon. The show will air on all NPR stations Saturday morning, July 29, between 8 ~ 10am, depending upon your area."

• "As you may know we have added five new Midnight Ramble dates. Order your tickets soon, they are selling fast!! Thanks and see you at Levon's"

"GARTH is preparing to record a jazz album this Fall with SAVOY. See article [here]. Contrary to CNN reports though, Garth has not given up Rock & Roll."

"Ollabelle will release their second album, "RIVERSIDE BATTLE SONGS" on August 1, 06."

• Part 1
• Part 2
• Part 3
• Part 4

Due to the overwhelming response to Levon Helm's Midnight Ramble Sessions, we've added more Ramble dates to the existing 2006 "season". There are also a few more reservations available for each of the original 2006 shows (July through December). In addition, we'd like to announce the line-up for the July 15th show at the Woodstock Playhouse. Show opens at 7:30 p.m. with local talent - Sarah Kramer-Harrison of Woodstock. She is followed by The Alexis P Suter Band. Willie Nile is next, playing with Jimmy Vivino (of the Conan O'Brien show). The show ends with the legendary Levon Helm and The Levon Helm Band. Tickets are available, but are limited. That show is preceeded by a "meet & greet" and BBQ at Levon's private studio/home in Woodstock from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. and those tickets (separate from the Playhouse show tickets) can also be purchased at Levon's web site. Levon just got back from Vancouver, working on a film entitled "The Shooter" which also stars Danny Glover and Mark Wahlberg. That project is scheduled for release in March 2007. Thanks and hope we see you all soon.

• "Rick Danko Came to Party"
• "The Band -- Reunited and Recharged"
• "Rick Danko Playing It Low-Key"
• "Shocked's Show Goes on, Despite Disputes"

Guest's announced for summer shows! Guests include: Tommy Talton, Sean Costello, Rick Richards The Carolina Horns and more -- check tour dates!

• Jonah Smith (Jonah Smith, 2006)
• Songs of a Prairie Girl (Joni Mitchell, 2005)
• Songs Chosen by Her Friends & Fellow Musicians (Joni Mitchell, 2005)
• The Essential Greatest Hits Collection (Neil Diamond, 2005)
• Reflections (Carly Simon, 2004)
• A Thousand Years of Peace (Nenad Bach, 2003)
• Collection (Miss Marie, 2004)
• Off the Shelf (Keith Emerson, 2006)
• Fast Man Raider Man (Frank Black, 2006)
• Want (Rufus Wainwright, 2005)
• Favorites 1990-2005 (Nils Lofgren, 2005)
• Double Plays (Mercury Rev, 2005)
• At the Movies (Keith Emerson, 2005)
• Violence in the Snowy Fields (Dolorean, 2004)
• Sean Costello (Sean Costello, 2004)
• Will the Circle Be Unbroken: The Trilogy (Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, 2003)
• ...At First Sight (Pete Pidgeon and Arcoda, 2003)
• They Ain't Making Jews Like Jesus Anymore (Kinky Friedman, 2005)
• Superstar Rock Festival (Various Artists, 2003)
• Super Rock Festival (Various Artists, 2006)
• Three (Jackie Lomax, 1972)

• "Levon is off to Vancouver to make a film titled The Shooter. The film also stars Danny Glover, Mark Wahlberg and Wesley Snipes."

• "Levon has added 5 new Midnight Ramble dates for 2006:
  • August 5
  • September 9
  • October 7
  • November 11
  • December 9
  We also have a few tickets available for the July 15th, Meet and Greet and The Woodstock Playhouse. Thanks and see you at the next Ramble..."

• Eric Andersen, Carol Caffin and Rick Danko, 1992
• Rick Danko, New York City, summer 1993
• Rick Danko, near Philadelphia, May 1992
• Rick signing autographs, NJ, September 1992
• Rick Danko, New Jersey, 1992
• Rick Danko with The Band, South Street Seaport, NYC, May 1992
• Terry Danko, 1992
• Intersection at the edge of Woodstock, NY

...the quintet [My Morning Jacket] delivered a more than three-hour set that sported a guest turn from friend and singer Andrew Bird for an epic take on another classic rock moment, "It Makes No Difference" by the Band. MMJ recently recorded the track for an upcoming Band tribute album at singer/drummer Levon Helm's barn studio in Woodstock, N.Y.

Garth's wife, MAUD has now signed up at myspace.com/maudhudson. She has posted never heard ruff "live" versions of "Don't Do It" from Barrie, Ontario, Canada and "Mambo Daddy" from River-to-River Festival in NYC with Tangoman and their band The Best! All the songs posted are performances with Garth. Please read more detail about the songs in MAUD WHISPERS & WAILS.

"GARTH has signed up at myspace.com/garthhudson. It is active now while under construction and will change as it develops. Please stop by, enjoy the music, and say hello."

On June 27th, Hail! Hail! Rock and Roll!, the movie about Chuck Berry, will be re-released on DVD. The making of that movie was the beginning of the public's beginning to learn who Johnnie Johnson was. Soon Johnnie's true role in the creation of Rock and Roll, and more specifically, in the creation of the songs that Chuck Berry was known as the songwriter of, began to come to light. It was also the beginning of Johnnie's emergence as a solo artist. To honor Johnnie, on June 27th the Cousin Moe Music website will be offering free downloads of Johnnie Johnson's last solo project, Johnnie be Eighty and still Bad! Before too long, we will be offering the project for digital download on various download sites.

The Sadies - Vol. 1: This double-live set from Toronto's spaghetti-surf guitar heroes features guests like Neko Case, Garth Hudson, Maud Hudson and Jon Langford. Release date set for August 8, 2006.

I noticed that though you reference the several covers of Band songs by the Mekons, I didn't find any mention of the Mekons song about the Band - or more specifically about Richard Manuel. Though it never mentions Manuel by name, the song "The Road to Florida," on the 1988 Mekons album So Good It Hurts, is pretty clearly about, or at least inspired by, his suicide while the Robertson-less Band were on tour in Florida. The lyrics are as follows:

Staying up all night
In a motel room
And the alchemy must make sense to me
Heaped up powders, bottles and tubes
It's all gone upside down
It never turns to gold
I came so close but it slipped away
(He guards his actions, guards his words)

It makes no difference
Now I've come this far
They send narcotics agents
To catch a falling star

It's throbbing so hard
Like a funeral march
Twenty years I've been on this road
Out of control when the hammer comes down

When the hammer comes down
Something has to be done
And this is as good as anything
(He guards his actions guards his words)

It makes no difference
All that work and stuff
I know that there's a place
When things start getting rough

Throbbing so hard
Like a funeral march
Kick away the chair

The repeated use of the phrase, "It makes no difference"; the line "He guards his actions, guards his words," so evocative of "Stage Fright"; the motel room setting; and the final kicking away of the chair (before hanging oneself) - all appear intended to evoke Manuel. Some details seem a little bit wrong - "twenty years ... on this road" is a little too short relative to Manuel's career with the Band, and I don't recall that "narcotics agents" were on this "falling star"'s tail. But the intention seems clear - especially when one considers the Mekons' love for the Band, and their dedication on the 1986 record The Edge of the World: "To Richard Manuel - see you down the road."

--Jesse

5/30: TURNIN' YOU LOOSE LIKE AN OLD CABOOSE

A humid night and a sparse crowd in Columbus, and with a tiny G.A. area, the stage seemed almost as crowded as the pit. But as Bruce said while gearing up for the audience participation of "Old Dan Tucker": "We are not great in numbers, but we are mighty!" And it was, by several accounts, a mightier show than DC. "Bring Them Home" moved to the main set for a strong Memorial Day pairing with "Mrs. McGrath," and "My City of Ruins" was back in the opening encore slot. What followed "My City" was the big surprise of the night, as Bruce intro'd a song by J.R. Robertson (why does that name ring a bell?) and said "We ain't never played this one before." Turned out to be a cover of the Robbie Robertson-penned "Rag Mama Rag," from The Band's 1970 self-titled album. From their work with Dylan on The Basement Tapes to their own unique fusion of traditional musical styles, The Band were modern godfathers and propagators of this kind of eclectic Americana, clear forerunners to what Springsteen is bringing to the stage every night. So tonight's world premiere was a very appropriate tip of the hat -- and a rocking one at that, pretty true to The Band's original. After that was a new bit of shtick: earlier on the tour Bruce had laughed that they were playing everything but the kitchen sink on this tour, and one of these nights they'd have to actually bring a kitchen sink. We figured he was kidding. But tonight, that's exactly what they did. Drummer Larry Eagle bashed away on some dishware, and Bruce told him to take it easy: "Patti's gonna kill me if we bust those fucking plates!" Patti herself was absent tonight, and as a result so was the scat portion of "Open All Night." Can't say it didn't work better without it. "Buffalo Gals" didn't come out tonight, and neither did "Ramrod" -- both were listed as possibles after "When the Saints Go Marching In," but a venue curfew cut the night short at 20 songs. But a tremendous show, and a reminder, if anyone needed one, that Springsteen gives it his all no matter how full the house.

• 1-hour concert video -- Rick Danko w/Sredni and band, Somers Point, NJ, late '90s.
• Audio -- Rick Danko & friends, Iron Horse, Northhampton, MA, 01.20.1995.

Thanks to "Richard" for the links.

• The Beards presents a preview of 2 songs that will be published soon; "This Wheel's on Fire" and "Million Dollar Bash." More details to come. Thanks
  -- Emanuele Marchiori, Beards Records

• New concert dates.
• New live tracks on the website download page -- check out their reggae-inspired instrumental version of "The Weight"!
• jambands.com reviews PERCoLAToR.

Please check out the Family Room at GarthandMaud.com for a personal Memorial Day message from Garth and Maud... and also check out Maud Whispers & Wails for a personal recollection from Maud...

"Levon Helm Day" May 20, 2006

On April 18, 2006 the Town of Woodstock Town Board unanimously approved a resolution, declaring Saturday, May 20, 2006 "Levon Helm Day" in Woodstock. The day will begin with government officials presenting Levon with a "key to the village" -- late morning (exact time to be announced on www.levonhelm.com) at the Comeau Property town offices, located in the Village of Woodstock. The celebration will continue throughout the day with local merchants hosting their annual sidewalk sales. There will be live music played on the Village Green throughout the day by The Alexis P. Suter Band and other local musicians, with bands playing a much-deserved tribute to Levon and his songs.

Levon Helm Studios will host a "meet & greet" at Levon's studio in Woodstock from 4 to 6 p.m (invitations can be obtained through www.levonhelm.com or by calling the studio at 845-679-2744). Invitees will be limited to 100 people and the festivities will include an outdoor BBQ, a tour of the studio and an opportunity to meet Levon and musicians. (Invitations -- $50 per person)

The festivities will conclude with a concert by The Levon Helm Band, Ollabelle and The Alexis P. Suter Band at the Woodstock Playhouse at 8 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at www.levonhelm.com or by calling the studio at 845-679-2744. Ticket price is $50 per person.

This is an opportunity for everyone to come out, enjoy the weather, visit Woodstock, New York -- Levon's adopted hometown AND help us pay tribute to our national treasure, Levon Helm.

"Levon and The Levon Helm Band will be performing at The Woodstock Playhouse July 15th 20006, at 8pm. Guests to be announced. Also a meet & greet at the studio before the concert, from 4 to 6pm."

"The latest Secret Machines' album, Ten Silver Drops, was released on April 25th and is in stores now. You can hear Garth playing his Black Excelsior Tropicalinnata-120 Bass Piano Accordion and Red Hohner Bravo III-72 Bass Piano Accordion with special effects on "I Want To Know If It's Still Possible". (You can find and listen to track 7 on the very tiny sound menu bar at the bottom of the linked page). "

"On April 28th Fordham University's Radio Station (The Bronx, New York City), WFUV-90.7, released the results of their Listeners' Poll of the Top 90 "Essential Songs". The Band scored twice: At #9 with 'The Weight' and at #69 with 'It Makes No Difference.' The music lives on in our minds."

We will be performing 2 shows this weekend. Here are a couple of photos of Tommy Talton and myself at the 4-7-2006 Last Waltz Ensemble Show in Athens. The show was a run-away sell out. Tommy was a friend to the boys and wrote songs for Levon's first solo record. He was a member of Cowboy in the late 60's and played with the Allman Brothers Band and Greg Allman Band.

"The infectious mood and music of the Last Waltz Ensemble spilled over into a crowd of 400 last month at the Georgia Theatre in Athens. I have never seen a group playing for the first time in Athens, make such a connection with the audience" declared Georgia Theatre manager Will Greene after the show. "This music is timeless and this group is boundless."

• The Last Waltz Ensemble at The Pour House Music Hall in Raleigh NC April 27- Captain Soularcat opens.

• The Last Waltz Ensemble at The Charleston Pour House in Charleston SC April 29 - Polytoxic opens.

• Garth was reunited with Norah Jones in the studio a few days ago... recorded Hammond B3 Organ and a Black Excelsior Tropicalinnata-120 Bass Piano Accordion and a Red Hohner Bravo III-72 Bass Piano Accordion. Lovely songs for her newest album. The sweetness of her voice is sincere. Can't wait to hear the entire CD when it's done.

• Garth joined Jeff Wasserman at Mark Dann Recording studio in Woodstock last weekend. Jeff was visiting from Norway. After 25 years of writing songs for other people and with coaxing from his friends, Jeff is finally recording an album of his own. We're glad he is. Garth recorded on a Yanagisawa Soprano Saxophone and Hammond B3 Organ. In 1994, Jeff worked as tour manager for The Band in Scandinavia for what Garth dubbed The Band's "Wheelchairs on Fire" tour (Norway, Denmark).

• "Crash on the Levee/WS Walcott" (JimmyVivino/Levon Helm, 6:08)

• On April 18, 2006 the Town of Woodstock Town Board unanimously approved a resolution, declaring Saturday, May 20, 2006 "Levon Helm Day" in Woodstock. The day will begin with government officials presenting Levon with a "key to the village" -- late morning (exact time to be announced on www.levonhelm.com) at the Comeau Property town offices, located in the Village of Woodstock. The celebration will continue throughout the day with local merchants hosting their annual sidewalk sales. There will be live music played on the Village Green throughout the day, with bands playing a much-deserved tribute to Levon and his songs.

  Levon Helm Studios will host a "meet & greet" at Levon's studio in Woodstock from 4 to 6 p.m (invitations can be obtained through www.levonhelm.com or by calling the studio at 845-679-2744). Invitees will be limited to 100 people and the festivities will include an outdoor BBQ, a tour of the studio and an opportunity to meet Levon. (Invitations $50 per person)

  The festivities will conclude with a concert by The Levon Helm Band at the Woodstock Playhouse at 8 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at www.levonhelm.com or by calling the studio at 845-679-2744. Ticket price is $50 per person.

  This is an opportunity for everyone to come out, enjoy the weather, visit Woodstock, New York -- Levon's adopted hometown AND help us pay tribute to our national treasure, Levon Helm.

• In cooperation and partnership with the Onteora High School (Boiceville, NY), Levon Helm will perform at a fund raiser on Saturday, May 6, 2006, beginning at 8:00 p.m. An electric string band -- Mango -- will open for The Levon Helm Band (Levon Helm, Little Sammy Davis, Jimmy Vivino (of the Conan O'Brien Show), Amy Helm, Mike Merritt (of the Conan O'Brien Show), Erik Lawrence, Brian Mitchell). Mango is a highly acclaimed Onteora Student Band, led by faculty member, Winnie Paetow.

  The event will be held at the Onteora High School, in the auditorium. Tickets can be purchased by visiting Levon's site at www.levonhelm.com OR by calling Levon Helm Studios at 845-679-2744. After-cost proceeds will be donated to the school district's music program and Levon hopes that this event will encourage other area musicians to reach out to their respective school districts to do the same thing. School districts across the State are suffering from budget cut-backs. Those cut-backs often severely impact non-mandated programs such as music and sports and in many cases, much-needed equipment and supplies for these programs is also eliminated. Music is a fundamental part of our lives and our children should not suffer the loss of such enrichment. In his never-ending desire to help our youth, Levon urges everyone to come out and support this fund raiser.

  Raffles will include the following: Yamaha snare drum, donated by Woostock Music Shop, autographed by all musicians playing that evening. An autographed CD by top performing artist, James Blunt of Atlantic Records. Autographed Levon Helm CD/DVDs. Other items are being donated by other local merchants and artisans and those items will be listed as they're received. All raffle proceeds will go to the school's program.

  Ticket prices: $50 for adults, $25 for Onteora students. Date: May 6, 2006 Time: 8:00 p.m.

  Place: Onteora High School Auditorium. Onteora High School, Route 28 West, Boiceville, NY (About 10 miles west of Woodstock, right off Route 28).

• Evan Dando of the Lemonheads invited Garth to record organ and play some synth for their newest album. A bit of Rock 'n' Roll energy going on at Allaire Studios over the weekend! We will let you know when the CD release date is known.

• Hammond Heroes, A History of the Hammond Organ and its evolving role in the shaping of popular music. If you think that sounds like a great project, you are right! Garth was filmed in interview and playing for the Hammond documentary last week at the Clubhouse studio.

Next Tuesday, April 18, "Mystery Train" will be doing part 2 of our tribute to The Band. The entire 3 hour program will once again feature the Band (with and without Robbie), lots of solo material, The Hawks, etc.  Mystery Train can be heard world wide at wjzf.org. The show will broadcast Tuesday April 18, 6:00-9:00pm EST, with rebroadcasts Thursday April 20, 6:00-9:00pm  EST and Sunday April 23, 9:00-noon  EST. Great response from many listeners around the world last time -- this next broadcast should be just as much fun !

• "The Band's second LP saw the full flowering of all their influences. Blending ragtime, roots, country and Dixie soul into an elgiac paean to the American South -- mostly by Robbie Robertson, but with Levon Helm, Richard Manuel and Rick Danko swapping vocals -- charged Vietnam-era rock'n'roll with the frontiere spirit of the past." [The Band is #4 in Uncut's list of the "50 Greatest Cosmic American Albums," behind Smile at #3, The Byrds' Fifth Dimension at #2 and the winner, Workingman's Dead from The Grateful Dead.]

• "Regular collaborators... are joined by The Band's mercurial keyboard player Garth Hudson (to glorious effect on "Maybe Sparrow") -- and it's the example of The Basement Tapes, or Big Pink, that seems to fire the record's strange brew of myth, dream and dread." [Review of Neko Case's new album Fox Confessor Brings the Flood, with a stunning photo of Case.]

• "Purr-fection -- Steely Dan dude's third solo album in as many decades is a true classic." [5-star (out of 5) review of Donald Fagen's Morph the Cat -- did we mention that we e-mailed with Mr.Fagen earlier this year?]

"Mitch Stein & Ron Jenkins join "ProJECT PERCoLAToR" Band. Mitch "Moose" Stein is a world class guitarist capable of infusing all modern styles together with a rare and organic ease. Mitch has toured as a member of the Steve Kimock Band for the past five years, also with Dave Sanborn, Tania Maria, Randy Brecker, Bill Evans and his group The Hermanators. Ron Jenkins has been a major touring and session musician playing bass with some of the greatest artists of our times! And has a world wide reputation for his bass playing with Anita Baker, Whitney Houston, Gato Barbieri, Bill Evans, Jeff Golub and many others."

• We now have the new Levon Helm and The RCO All Stars CD in stock and Geanine is shipping out orders daily.

• Readin', Writin' & Rhythmatic with Levon Helm & The Levon Helm Band. An S.O.S. Project (Save Our School) Fund raiser for the Onteora School District's Music Program. Saturday, May 6, 2006 Onteora High School, Route 28 West, Boiceville, New York (10 miles west of Levon Helm Studios, right off Route 28). 8:00 p.m. ticket prices: Adults $50, Students (with ID) $25. Advance ticket sales only through levonhelm.com and available at Onteora High School (845-657-2373). Raffle includes Ramble Tickets and an autographed Yamaha snare drum (autographed by musicians playing that night), donated by Woodstock Music Shop.

• Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada starring Tommy Lee Jones is now playing at most movie theaters in the USA. L.A. Times says "Levon Helm delivers an unforgettable performance".

• Levon and the studio crew would like to thank you all for your support and hope to see you at the upcoming Midnight Rambles.

Tune in Sunday morning 9:00am-noon to www.wjzf.org for one last chance to listen to the 3-hour webcast of all The Band music and selections from individual solo projects. Many thanks to Bob Reichers at WJZF-FM in Maine for his tremendous support! You may remember Mr. Reichers from his "Nighthawks" show at WOMR-FM in Cape Cod where he began his special programs highlighting music of The Band and it's members from time to time.

"Sorry to announce that the Colony Cafe concert has been cancelled. Hope to see you during our tour this summer and fall. Thank you."

"Garth and Maud Hudson will participate in The Basement Tapes concert to benefit the national YMCA. The date is confirmed for May 25th, 2006 at the Avalon in Hollywood, California. This is another outstanding Hal Willner production. Anyone familiar with Hal Willner knows that there will be many performers who can be relied on to present their own creative versions of the songs. The lineup will be announced at a later date here, as well as further information when it becomes available."

My copy of Levon Helm & the RCO All Stars Live at the Palladium just arrived. I took the opportunity to run a boring errand so I could listen really LOUD in the car. This is a must-have album, superb performances with the drums loud and to the fore, wonderful horn arrangements, a great "Ophelia" and the opening track "Ain't That A Lot of Love" is way better than the rather weak rendition by The Band on Islands. It's also a very crisp, clear mix, suggesting that this was always seen as a possible release. New tracks (i.e. not on the original RCO All Stars album) include "Ain't That A Lot Of Love," "Goin' Back to Memphis," "Born in Chicago," "Got My Mojo Working" and "Goodnight Irene." With a band comprising Duck Dunn, Dr John, Steve Cropper, Paul Butterfield, Fred Carter Jnr and the TLW horn section, you can't go wrong. You're mad if you don't order it today!
--Peter Viney

Go grab a free two-song sample CD from Neko Case's new album Fox Confessor Brings The Flood at Barnes and Noble stores. These preview tracks are: "Hold On, Hold On" and "Star Witness" which is one of the tracks Garth plays on. Listen to "Star Witness" [here]. The entire album will be available March 7th. To find Neko tour dates, go to http://mintrecs.com/upcoming.php.

Richard Manuel (1943-1986), always with us... in our hearts and minds. A beautiful voice, great pianist, and wonderful friend. R.I.P. At this time of year we look forward to next month with glee... for he was born in April and brought much happiness. Memories shared in Garth's Rotlings and in Maud's Whispers and Wails.

Yesterday's News were at Levon Helm's Studio last weekend finishing up their newest album. Garth stopped by Saturday evening to say hello and contributed accordion. Let's hope it is released soon so we can all hear it. You can read about the first trip Yesterday's News took to Woodstock, New York at Jan Høiberg's The Band website [here].

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY! Music in the family room. Click on the icons (please wait for songs to download, art by, © 2006, Dave Zuck).
--Garth and Maud Hudson

It was a beautiful night, and everyone should make an effort to get to at least one of these things. You pretty much sit in what one of the performers called "Levon's living room" (actually a modified barn)and spend 5 or 6 hours with Levon and his guests, in an informal and easy atmosphere of joyful music-making. Of all stripes. There was a jazz band, a rhythm 'n blues lady, Levon doing "rootsy" stuff, Levon doing rock 'n roll, Allen Toussaint doing his piano rolls, Elvis Costello doing new songs he's working on with Toussaint - the whole cast of bands and characters reconfigures for each set, with a lot of seeming spontaneity. Levon's the master chef for his set - calling out the menu and ingredients as the spirit moves him - and, man, does the spirit move him! His presence was the key-note of the evening - he just radiated pleasure and happiness in what was happening and swept everyone up in a kind of collective merriment. He came out and did a set on guitar, with his daughter Amy playing and singing with him. Elvis was on rhythm guitar, very unassuming, and just followed along. Diana Krall came out and did assorted syllables with Amy on some of the songs. He did "Atlantic City" and "Man of Common Sorrow" and an awesome "Don't Ya Tell Henry." He's in fine vocal form - there's no holding back, it's full throttle. His voice is a national treasure - "he should leave it to the Smithsonian" (as Bob said of Brian Wilson's ear). When he switched to the drums the set became more rock 'n roll; listening to disc 1 of the Band box today, it makes me realize how full circle he went - back to the Ronnie Hawkins and the Levon & the Hawks recordings. It's like he's gathering up every type of music he's ever made and loved and letting it tumble out with a generous prodigality. A harp player joined him and did the blues equivalent of "1000 Views of Mt. Fuji" - about 10 versions of your basic blues vamp - Levon kept yelling out "Do one more!" At some point, Allen Toussaint came out and led the band for a bit, then Elvis took center stage and did his new songs ("Ascension Day's" a ... ummm... gem!). Then everyone came back out for a grand finale - which went on and on. "Rock and Roll will never die" was the presiding deity of the finale. Just recounting sets and set-lists doesn't really do justice to the evening though - it's shot through with a certain luminosity of spirit that has to be experienced - sorry, all you "had-to- be-there"-agnostics - but in this case it's true, it was a musical warts-and-all (false starts, mis-steps, "what the hell is he playing now?," bemused musicians looking at each other in grinning bemusement) thing, which will not sound on tape anything like it felt in person. Two little moments that stood out: Levon had a piano/accordion man who ceded his seat at the piano to Allen Toussaint and stood behind him on accordion while Toussaint was playing. At one point, I guess Toussaint was trying to figure out where Levon was going and he leaned back to follow what the accordian was doing - after a moment, a exceedingly bright grin of appreciation and pleasure broke out on his face at what Mr. Accordion Man was playing - he looked back at him with this big smile of approbation on his face and then turned back to his keyboard and picked up the riff from the accordion. That kind of encapsulated the tenor of the proceedings - these guys taking pleasure in the collective art of music-making and sharing it in an unabashed way in this mercifully "unprofessional" setting. The other was watching Levon's daughter give the unfailingly right type and degree of support to her Dad in every moment of the evening - handing him the guitar or mandolin he needed, lending her voice, signalling the other musicians; at the heart, this was a family affair - and it was great to be able to share in this family's bounty for a few hours, on a winter's evening. We left the barn at around 1 am - to a gathering snowfall...

Sunday, January 29, 2006 4:00 AM (EST)
The evening was spent in our suite with Garth being interviewed on camera for the DVD to accompany the Levon and The Hawks box set, From Bacon Fat to Judgment Day.

• "An opportunity to be part of rock history" -- from the London Free Press, about the concert with Ronnie Hawkins, Garth and Maud Hudson and others last Saturday, in Stratford, Ontario.

• "Farther on up the road" -- about Ronnie Hawkins and the Hawks/Band, from the Arkansas Time, 01.26.2006.

Thanks to Peter Viney and Ian Woodward for the links.

"There are many who make brief appearances in this rich and strange US-to-Mexico odyssey from director/star Tommy Lee Jones. But it's the veteran rock musician Helm, as a blind, friendly loner with a plainspoken request, who touches most deeply on the film's themes of borders both physical and mental, and what it takes to cross them."

• "BLOG ALERT!!! Garth and Maud Hudson will be reporting in LIVE from Toronto and Stratford via their GARTH ROTLINGS and MAUD WHISPERS & WAILS pages. And it all starts right --- now!"

• "Garth and Maud will be attending a launch party in Toronto on January 26th for Shakin' All Over -- Canadian Pop Music in the 1960s, an upcoming CBC-TV special celebrating Canadian music in the 1960s. The two-hour documentary will air as a CBC "Big Ticket" event on Monday, January 30th, 2006 at 8 p.m. EST. This documentary is inspired by the book Before The Gold Rush: Flashbacks to the Dawn of the Canadian Sound by Nicholas Jennings. Great archival footage and recent interviews that include Garth, Robbie, Ronnie, Duff Roman, Colin Linden and the late Domenic Troiano among many others that you will like to hear and see. Be sure to check it out."

LAST DRINKS WALTZ TO MELBOURNE
Australian rock band, Jason Walker and the Last Drinks, who hosted a very successful Last Waltz tribute show in Sydney last November are taking the show to Melbourne. The group will be reprising their tribute to the Last Waltz at Melbourne's Corner Hotel on Sunday February 12th. Tickets are $18+bf and can be purchased in person from the venue or at the venue's website, or it's $20 if you turn up on the night. As with the Sydney show, The Last Drinks will be playing a nearly complete Last Waltz set, with some surprise additions. Expect to hear all your Band favourites, a horn section, the famous guest spots including members of You Am I, Ice Cream Hands, the Vandas plus many more to be confirmed. Hope to see you there.

LAST WALTZ TRIBUTE RETURNS TO SMITH'S OLDE BAR
The Last Waltz Tribute will return to Smith's Olde Bar on Friday April 7, 2006 to perform songs from the film The Last Waltz by The Band. Showtime is 10:00 pm. This act was a runaway sellout and crowd pleaser at Smiths last November. Atlanta's Kris "Jelly Roll" Gloer is founder and promoter of the Tribute, which features Houndog (in which Gloer plays along with Mark Kramer, Eric Reed and Kevin Rutschman). Special performing guests will include Donna Hopkins, Oliver Wood, Rick Richards, Brad Thomas formerly of Bluestring, David Fisch and Kevin Thomas from Fish Mouth Fools, and special guests fro Big City Sunrise. The ensemble will perform more than 20 songs from the concert film. "You've got to respect your roots, and The Last Waltz is classic rock history," said Gloer. "This act is striking a very responsive chord with audiences and selling out great music rooms. 2006 is the 30th anniversary if the film, and we've got some serious karma flowing. Come see us!" Tickets: Etix.com.

"Garth was in the studio with Colin Linden on January 11th. He played accordion and Hammond B3. Colin was recording his new album at Bearsville Studios at Turtle Creek. It was a Blackie and the Rodeo Kings project that became quite a reunion with Garth, Richard Bell and Jimmie Weider. Hope it will be available soon."

"Cryin' Heart Blues"- Rick Danko, Other Peoples Music
"Cryin' Heart Blues," the posthumous deep-throat CD from former Band bassist and singer Rick Danko ties together any remaining loose ends for a great, but underused voice. "Cryin' Heart Blues" works like the brilliant "Hoy Hoy," Little Feat's 1981 epitaph to Lowell George -- a patchwork of live cuts and studio recordings in what amounts to a final goodbye. It's the sort of record that demands repeated listening, though some of the 17 tracks aren't much more than half-baked sticks and stones from aborted late 1970s projects. It's the mid-'80's studio segments with collaborator Blondie Chapman that truly bring this project to life. Cuts include the husky whine of "Twilight" and a first-rate overhaul of the Motown classic: "I'll Turn to Stone."
--Paul Fastiggi, Hartford Courant

"Fans of The Band will be happy to know that out of print albums by the group AFTER the classic lineup that featured Robbie Robertson and Richard Manuel, will be reissued featuring 24-bit remastering. The titles impacted will be Jericho, and High on the Hog, which itself will feature 2 bonus tracks as well the aforementioned 24-bit remastering. These albums wern't bad albums but, again, did not feature the classic lineup. Both discs will release from Fontana's Titan/Pyramid Records on February 21. I'm getting them!! "

"THANK YOU for all the good wishes over the holidays and our anniversary. The year ahead looks promising. We are considering tours with our new band, The Best! We are working with OPM Inc in Toronto for more archival releases, and continue plans for The GARTH HUDSON Institute."

Rick Danko: Cryin' Heart Blues Richard Manuel: Whispering Pines Garth Hudson: Music For Our Lady Queen Of The Angels Garth and Maud Hudson: LIVE at the WOLF OPM MUSIC A generous batch of rare post-Band solo recordings Contrary to popular opinion, most of The Band did not retire from recording or stage performance after the 'apparent' denouement that was The Last Waltz. Mssrs. Helm, Danko, Manuel, and Hudson carried the legacy forward through various incarnations and solo projects for another 20-plus years. In fact, 1998's Jubilation, the final chapter under the Band's moniker, remains a virtually unknown masterpiece. Rick Danko released arguably the best post-Band recording, an eponymous platter, in 1977. His affable spirit and musical Catholicism characterize Cryin' Heart Blues as well, a collection centered around late-'70s sessions for his aborted second Arista album. Here, Danko teams with one-time Beach Boy Blondie Chaplin on tracks ranging from stark country balladry (the title cut) to mutant rustic soul. Danko's angelic falsetto on "Cry Another Tear" rivals Marvin Gaye. It also includes three '80s/'90s-era studio cuts and four fiercely rocking live 1979 numbers featuring Chaplin and Paul Butterfield. Probably the most tragic aspect of the entire Band/Hawks saga is that Richard Manuel, a singer of unfathomable depth and lump-in-throat vulnerability, never regained his studio footing. Whispering Pines, a live 1985 performance, represents the sum total of his official solo legacy. And it is magnificent. Manuel's voice is a bit off-the-cuff, gruff in spots, and lyrics are occasionally flubbed, but "Chest Fever" is shockingly intense, Manuel leaning into the lyric with palpable desperation. "Whispering Pines", meanwhile, is unbearably haunting, an existential hymn. A more curious item in the collective's back-catalogue is Hudson's keyboard opus for Music for Our Lady Queen of the Angels. Originally composed to accompany sculptor Tony Duquette's 1980 exhibit in honour of Los Angeles' 200th birthday, Hudson's expansive and elegiac score is a marvel, weaving otherworldly textures, ambient bits, and even Ray Bradbury poems (read by Charlton Heston) through the vastness of fevered imagination. LIVE at the WOLF is a slightly more grounded affair, a stellar, mostly improvised show by Garth and his wife Maud. Once again, Hudson's virtuoso keyboards are front and centre, embellishing the songs with playful, imaginative fills, while Maud handles the vocals on both standards and a few old Band nuggets with the rarefied delivery of a soul/blues diva. (www.opm66.com) --Luke Torn Q&A Garth Hudson Uncut UNCUT:Is LIVE at the WOLF similar to your current shows? GARTH HUDSON: No, this was a premier performance. A lot of it is improvised, solo sections would be introduced. We were experimenting -- it was the first time we did a full concert together as a duo. We debuted our 12-piece band named The Best! in NYC, June 2005. UNCUT: Did Richard Manuel do any more recordings over the years? GARTH: There's a piano interlude that he did, no voice -- it was very short, and when I heard it, I thought maybe you could give it to some young fella who does looping, or samples -- kids love to do those kinds of things. UNCUT: OPM is promising a Hawks boxed set soon. What kinds of songs were the Hawks attracted to? GARTH: The big event was when I changed the chords in "Georgia," that's one of the first 'uptown' songs we worked on -- making subtle changes here and there. By then I already understood conventional jazz harmony very well.

A couple of quotes from the reviews:

"Jubilation, the final chapter under The Band's moniker, remains a virtually unknown masterpiece"

(Cryin' Heart Blues) "tracks range from stark country balladry (the title cut) to mutant rustic soul (Danko's angelic falsetto on 'Cry Another Tear' rivals Marvin Gaye)."

(Whispering Pines): "The title track is unbearably haunting; an existential hymn."

(Music for Our Lady Queen of The Angels): "Hudson's expansive and elegiac score is a marvel, weaving otherworldy textures, ambient bits and even Ray Bradbury poems read by Charlton Heston."

(LIVE at the WOLF): "Hudson's virtuoso keyboards are front and centre, embellishing the songs with playful imaginative fills, while Maud handles the vocals on both standards and a few old Band songs with the rarified delivery of a soul / blues diva."

Q: Your albums (and those of the Band) have been largely responsible for my interest in instruments like accordion and mandolin and their use in rock settings. You have played with Garth Hudson on at least one occasion and I see Garth is on Teddy's upcoming CD. Can you tell us a bit about playing with Garth? Did you work together on Teddy's latest? Any chance of you two doing more work together?

A: My encounters with Garth are a bit few and far between. I first met him at festivals in the '80s, and was probably speechless with admiration, having loved his contribution to The Band - Albert Hall 1970 was a bit special. Most recently, I played with him at the Harry Smith tribute at Royce Hall in LA. We have appeared on the same records, but as far as I know, never at the same time. Garth is a monster musician, who also has the fascinating, and disconcerting, ability to continue the last conversation you happened to be having with him, even after a gap of years.