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The Band's Helms Goes Electric |
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Written by KZYR
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Monday, 20 April 2009 |
After nabbing a Grammy for his rustic album "Dirt Farmer,"
Legendary drummer/vocalist Levon Helm will return June 30 with
"Electric Dirt."
The eleven song set will be released on Helms own
Dirt Farmer Music, in conjunction with Vanguard. As with "Dirt
Famer," Helm recorded at The Barn, his studios in Woodstock, New
York and reteamed with multi-instrumentalist Larry Campbell for
production duties.
"Dirt Farmer" (which has sold 129,000 according to Nielson
Soundscan) saw Helm emerge after a twenty-five year absence from
solo work, exploring the rich, traditional roots of classic
Americana and folk sounds. "Electric Dirt" promises to continue in
that tradition, but will tap into more forms of the American
musical canon. The original "Growing Trade" will feature horn
arrangements from veteran New Orleans R&B musician Allen
Toussaint. Randy Newman's "Kingfish" gives a nod to the musical
heritages of ragtime era New Orleans as well.
Longtime fans of the Band know that the Grateful Dead often covered
the Band's classic "The Weight" in concert, and Helm seemingly
returns the gesture by opening the set with the Garcia/Hunter
penned tune "Tennessee Jed" from the group's early 70's era.
Helm's band is scheduled to make a short run of shows in mid June,
with stops at Red Rocks in Morrison, Colorado (June 13), Cain's
Ballroom in Tulsa, Oklahoma (June 16) and the Walton Arts Center in
Fayetteville, Arkansas (June 18). In addition to this, Helm will
continue his "Midnight Ramble" sessions held on a weekly basis
starting back up on April 18 and are slated to run through May 30.
The first come, first serve style seating feature jam sessions held
at The Barn and promise different special guests each week.
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