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(Audio CD)
by Levon Helm | | | | | SKU:
015707984423 | | In Stock | | Availability:
Usually ships in 1 business days | | Only 4 left in stock, order soon! | | | | | | Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Levon Helm's Dirt Farmer will be released
October 30 by Vanguard Records, his first solo, studio album in 25 years. The organic feel of the sessions hark back to his work with The Band and comes on the heels of a wave of attention for his Midnight Rambles, late night concerts held at Levon Helm Studios in Woodstock, NY.
It's a major landmark on a remarkable journey for Levon Helm. "The last few years have proven to me that we truly live in an age of miracles," writes Levon in the poignant liner notes. After arduous treatments for throat cancer that took away his singing voice and a fire that consumed over eighty percent of his recording studio, Helm was amazed to find both restored.
On Dirt Farmer, Helm's pays tribute to his family, singing traditional songs that he learned growing up in rural Arkansas. He also covers songs by Steve Earle and J.B. Lenoir; full of Dobros, mandolins and acoustic guitars, the album resonates deeply, honoring Levon's roots.
Multi-instrumentalist Larry Campbell (Bob Dylan, Lyle Lovett, Solomon Burke) and Levon's daughter Amy, also a member of Ollabelle, produced and shepherded the project at "The Barn," Levon Helm Studios. Levon himself plays drums, mandolin, and acoustic guitar and provides all lead vocals. | | | |
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| | Product Details | | Audio CD Release Date: | October 30, 2007 | | Studio: | Vanguard Records | | Number Of Discs: | 1 | | Average Customer Rating: |  based on 126 reviews |
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| | Track Listing | | 1. | False Hearted Lover Blues (Traditional) | | 2. | Poor Old Dirt Farmer (Traditional) | | 3. | The Mountain (Steve Earle) | | 4. | Little Birds (Traditional) | | 5. | The Girl I Left Behind (Traditional) | | 6. | Calvary (Byron Isaacs) | | 7. | Anna Lee (Laurelyn Dossett) | | 8. | Got Me A Woman (Paul Kennerley) | | 9. | A Train Robbery (Paul Kennerley) | | 10. | Single Girl, Married Girl (A. P. Carter) | | 11. | The Blind Child (Traditional) | | 12. | Feelin Good (J. B. Lenoir) | | 13. | Wide River To Cross (Buddy Miller, Julie Miller) | |
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| | Customer Reviews | Average Customer Review: ( 126 customer reviews )
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
75 of 78 found the following review helpful:
 Great, timeless music! Nov 01, 2007
By John Reynolds
Levon Helm, the voice behind 'The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down' and 'The Weight,' is in fine form here. This music would have been good fifty years ago, and will be good fifty years from now. Levon's voice is perfect for these songs about life's sorrows and joys, full of perseverance and hope. The songs are real beauties with excellent traditional arrangements. I am a long-time fan of traditional folk, bluegrass, and blues music. What I liked best about this CD is that it is fresh, making these tunes vibrant and not museum pieces. Bravo!
35 of 36 found the following review helpful:
Could almost be Library of Congress material Nov 27, 2007
By Flight Risk (The Gypsy Moth)
"Exiled Yankee"
If you loved The Band way back when, then you will love this recording. There were those who considered Robbie Robertson the quintessence of The Band, but I always connected this voice with the greater output of the music from The Band - and, thirty years on...after winning a war with cancer...Levon Helm's raw, wide-open sound has not dissipated all that much.
This is real mountain music, presented in the manner it was meant to be - oral tradition through song. It's not possible for me to determine which songs are relatively new and which are old, old stories derivative of Celtic tradition, brought to the mountains generations ago from Scotland and Ireland. The yearning, sorrow, and loss of some of the songs is perfectly projected in Mr Helm's evocative country voice - False Hearted Lover Blues, typical of the mountain songs I learned as a child, with the title of the song being all you need to know; Anna Lee, about a young mother cut down heartbreakingly early. There are humourous songs as well, like Got Me a Woman, with the man in the song describing a woman perhaps not what you'd call a looker but high in character that just knocks his socks off; Single Girl, Married Girl, about the things that make these two so diametrically opposed. There's even a song about Frank and Jesse James (A Train Robbery). Some of the songs have a beat reminiscent of music from The Band; I heard shadows of "Ophelia" in one piece, and nuances of other songs, but it is clear here that this album is pure tradition, and that Mr Helm is very much enjoying himself in presenting to us the music he learned as a child.
After his successful fending off of a deadly disease that by all accounts should have robbed us of his characteristic howl, it is a wonder and a blessing that this album got to be made. The first notes of his singing literally sent shivers up my spine. I truly wish I lived anywhere close enough to Woodstock, New York; I would somehow contrive to be a regular at his Midnight Rambles, the shows he periodically puts on in a barn on his property, and at which quite a few excellent old friends of his pop in to share in the musical bounty. This is real entertainment; and I know "Dirt Farmer" is only a taste of what Levon Helm has stashed away from a lifetime devoted to music. Long may he continue his Rambles; long may he continue to bring us gems like this.
12 of 13 found the following review helpful:
The Real Deal Nov 01, 2007
By Jeffrey Mason
Having been a fan of Levon's since the days of Ronnie Hawkins and The Hawks and having just been to one of his Rambles, I couldn't wait for the release of Dirt Farmer.
I've been listening to this CD almost non stop since I got it and I'm absolutely in love with it. With the help of daughter Amy Helm (vocalist with Ollabelle)and the incredible Larry Campell on guitar and fiddle, Dirt Farmer is the Real Deal. This is what music should be. Emotional, heartfelt and timeless. Dirt Farmer is a masterpiece,the work of a true musician.
The Weight has paid off
Jeff
6 of 6 found the following review helpful:
Back to his Roots Feb 11, 2009
By James Gibson
"World Famous"
Levon Helm brings it home with this great new collection. Each song starts off as a seed and starts to grow and gets nurtured and before your very ears turns into a solid oak tree. In todays world where musicians depend on electronics,Levon brings back basic skills like playing real instruments. How refreshing to hear 3 part harmony over just a fiddle. Wow The placement of Levons snare drum in a waltz will set the standard for years to come. Real instruments, real songs and real people, that's bringing music back home.
JG
6 of 6 found the following review helpful:
 Stripped Down Roots Nov 21, 2007
By Jerkat1
"Jerkat1"
As a casul fan of The Band I purchased this product in the hopes of renewing my interest in their music. This recording has been something of a complete suprise to me. After reading the product description I was expecting a contempary take on some classic american music. However, this album sounds like it could have been recorded in the 50's. The sound itself is crystal clear, it's the interpretation of these songs that sends you back to an era complete with sawdust on the floor, someone playing a 'jug' bass, fiddles, juice harp, and a 'triangle'. All and all I've been pleasantly suprised, and the more I listen to it the more I find myself enjoying it. This is an album that I could easily sit around and listen to while playing cards with my Grandfather(RIP, love ya...) & Dad.
Considering all that Mr. Helm has been through these last 10 or so years his voice sounds remarkably well. You can hear the slight struggle in Levon's voice on the occasional note, but this only seems to add character to the song as opposed to being a distraction. If your a fan of The Band, or just plain good ol' american music you will not be dissapointed.
See all 126 customer reviews on Amazon.com
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