They use the word National Treasure pretty freely in this country. They even use it for movies that are anything but that. When use it referring to Levon Helm, they get it right.
Helm is best known for his years drumming and singing for the Band. His voice brought life to classics like "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down", "The Weight", "Up on Cripple Creek". His Memphis shuffle drum style can't be played by nary a drummer these days, and they sure haven't made a drum machine that has enough human heart to do it.
The only American in the Band, he was the heart of the image and sound they created. Robbie Robertson wrote songs about the American south, its struggling hard-working poor, and the blood that filled its hard caked soil. Helm lived it.
Born in rural Arkansas, son of a cotton farmer,Helm first got hooked on rock when he saw Elvis in his early years with Sun. Those roots took and grew deep. The near years added heavy influence from rock and roll pioneer Bo Diddley to country classic Conway Twitty
During the 90s he was diagnosed with throat cancer. Long and brutal radiation treatment put the cancer into remission, but Helm lost his distinctive singing voice, forever. So they thought. Living in what he calls "a time of miracles" his voice has gotten strong enough that he's singing again. It doesn't sound exactly like it did in the band, but the phrasing and quality are still there.
In late 2007 Helm released his first CD of new material in 25 years. And what a disk it is. His Arkansas roots breath glorious life into these songs. Many are old American tunes he learned as a kid on the farm from his father and friends and family. Some were added by Steve Earle and other newer artists.
Dobros, fiddles, mandolins, and Helm's own distinctive drummer give the songs their bones and color. He's backed by his daughter on backing vocals, and some great side men like Larry Campbell, a regular of Bob Dylan's touring band. Double-helix roots their, as Helm and the Band backed Dylan during what some consider his best live years.
As America disappears right before our eyes, songs that are the backbone of the land are disappearing with it. Helm's wry vocals bring the tunes back to life. Sometimes reminiscent of the Band, other of a traveling medicine show.
The shuffling drums and stinging acoustic guitar of "False Hearted Lover Blues", an old rural classic, kick it off. The cajun walz of the title track are testament to the poor dirt farmer who has lost everything, and can "only grow stone". The government will take his place and his life.
On "Wide River to Cross" he shares harmony with his daughter. "I have stumbled I have strayed/You can trace the tracks I made/All across the memories my heart recalls". Seems to capture Helm's life to this point, and the songs chorus - "I've come a long long road/But still I've got some miles to go" - gives you an indication of the spirit that will carry it from this point on.
Do yourself a favor - join him on the trip. A few listening and this disk's deep resonance sinks into your bones and Helm's voice joins the blood coursing through your veins. Like life.
Called the American Beatles when they first appeared, the Byrds are some would argue the greatest American rock band of all-time. They went through many line-up changes that included key figures in American rock including: Roger McGuinn, Chris Hillman, Gene Clark, David Crosby, Gram Parsons, Clarence White.
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