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Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Levon Helm's early solo albums, made in the 1970s after the Band initially broke up, were hit-and-miss affairs, but his first solo studio release in 25 years represents a rich return to his Southern roots. With co-production and musical support from daughter Amy (of Ollabelle) and multi-instrumentalist Larry Campbell (long a mainstay of Bob Dylan's band), Helm gives organic unity and rough-hewn vitality to a selection of Cajun fiddle waltzes, country blues, hardscrabble folk, and some more contemporary material (from the likes of Steve Earle and Buddy and Julie Miller). Following his recovery from throat cancer, Helm's voice has a slightly different timbre, but his phrasing is unmistakable as the same vocalist who sang "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down" and "Rag Mama Rag." With Amy providing harmony and duet vocals and Levon's drumming evoking his signature work with the Band, Helm takes material from a variety of sources and makes it all his own. --Don McLeese
Product Description
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.
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.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
75 of 78 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
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 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
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.... Read more ›
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.... Read more ›
12 of 13 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
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
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 people found the following review helpful
By James Gibson
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
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
JG
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
By Jerkat1
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
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.
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.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
By Rick S.
Format:Audio CD
"Dirt Farmer" is well worth the wait since Levon Helm's last solo CD many years ago. If you're a fan of The Band or country roots music this one's for you. Levon's Arkansas drawl is better than ever following throat cancer surgery in 1999. His voice is bolstered by the heavenly harmonies of his daughter Amy Helm, Co-Producer, and Teresa Williams, wife of the other Co-Producer- Larry Campbell. Larry's virtuoso musicianship (fiddles, guitars, mandolin and dulcimer) is the icing on this cake.
Amy suggested to her Dad that they build this CD around the three traditional songs Levon's parents taught him when he was a child: "Little Birds," "The Girl I Left Behind"(one of my favorites), and "Blind Girl". "Single Girl, Married Girl" is another traditional song (by A.P. Carter, and one of Levon's and my favorites). The title cut is another traditional song and features the funniest line. Following a tractor accident, "now his head, shaped like a tread, but he ain't quite dead."
Levon taps some great songwriters here. Steve Earle contributes "The Mountain" with great harmonies by Buddy Miller and Julie Miller. Paul Kennerley contributes "A Train Robbery" and "Got Me A Woman" (another favorite, and a very funny lyric). Buddy Miller and Julie Miller's "Wide River To Cross" is Levon's masterpiece here, his greatest and most soulful vocal to date: "I'm only half-way home..." Levon is fully back and we're the thankful ones.
Amy suggested to her Dad that they build this CD around the three traditional songs Levon's parents taught him when he was a child: "Little Birds," "The Girl I Left Behind"(one of my favorites), and "Blind Girl". "Single Girl, Married Girl" is another traditional song (by A.P. Carter, and one of Levon's and my favorites). The title cut is another traditional song and features the funniest line. Following a tractor accident, "now his head, shaped like a tread, but he ain't quite dead."
Levon taps some great songwriters here. Steve Earle contributes "The Mountain" with great harmonies by Buddy Miller and Julie Miller. Paul Kennerley contributes "A Train Robbery" and "Got Me A Woman" (another favorite, and a very funny lyric). Buddy Miller and Julie Miller's "Wide River To Cross" is Levon's masterpiece here, his greatest and most soulful vocal to date: "I'm only half-way home..." Levon is fully back and we're the thankful ones.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Timeless twang
It's pretty down to earth stuff. You would need to be one of those people that appreciates that Hank Williams style "out of tune" singing. Simple but highly effective.
Published 5 days ago by Jay C Orelup
5.0 out of 5 stars
Among my favorite Levon's
Geez, forget superlatives with this album. You can't really write how great this record is. End to end, not a bad cut, and a whole lotta food for thought on one of the best... Read more
Published 3 months ago by Jon Mcauliffe
4.0 out of 5 stars
from dirt to dirt
Adversity can help bring about great music; Beethoven's deafness, Brian Wilson's traumatic childhood, Ray Charles' blindness are a few examples. For Helm, it was loss and cancer. Read more
Published 3 months ago by likes good books, music, movies
5.0 out of 5 stars
Levon rides
Outstanding last stand by one of the most grounded and gifted musicains of our time. There are 4 or 5 lifetime keepers on this wonderful piece which displays Levon's roots.
Published 4 months ago by eli watson tullis Jr.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent CD
I love Levon Helm so I'm biased. Love the music. It's old southern roots music. His band, all family I believe, are a great compliment to Levon. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Robert H. Mclean
5.0 out of 5 stars
love it
Gave this CD to my 80 year old father in law. He sits in his chair and LOVES litening to this!
Published 5 months ago by D. Brooks
5.0 out of 5 stars
Dirt farmer
A collectors dream cd and DVD
I bought this in remembrance of Levon and the Band. You can't go wrong.
I bought this in remembrance of Levon and the Band. You can't go wrong.
Published 5 months ago by Art Cartwright
5.0 out of 5 stars
Dirt Farmer
Good sounds from one of the orignal members of The Band. I would recommend listening to this cd. Loved The Band.
Published 5 months ago by gordon bowdler
5.0 out of 5 stars
Real down south stuff...
This is real down home and family stuff which covers themes reflective of the hard rural life with which Levon Helm was so familiar. Read more
Published 6 months ago by Dr Benjamin
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great Levon album
Listening to it on repeat in my car, I find these songs more beautiful each time I listen to them.
Published 7 months ago by April_AB
