Customer Reviews

Levon Helm [1982]

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

_Levon Helm_ (Levon's fourth post-band solo album and second to be called _Levon Helm) was released in 1982. His first two albums (_Levon Helm & The RCO All-Stars_ and _American Son_) were pleasant mixtures of blues and rock which maintained the rootsy feel of the early Band albums. Plus, Levon's voice more than made up for the lack of strong original material.

_Levon Helm_ is a complete departure from the feel of his earlier albums. As the CD's liner note point out, this was Levon's most commercial recording to date. Unfortunatly, Levon's style does not translate well to the slick 80's production.

To make matters worse, there is not a single memorable song on this album. "Willie and the Hand Jive" is passable but it doesn't hold a candle to Eric Clapton's 1978 recording of the song. The telling "You Can't Win Them All" and "Lucrecia" are sub-par songs awash in overly slick electric guitars and echoed drum tracks.

Only one thing prevents _Levon Helm_ from being a one-star album: his voice. Even with the horrible production and lousy songs, the voice is THERE.

Overall, this is by far the weakest album to have Levon Helm's name on it. If you need your Levon fix, it is recommended that you try out _RCO All-Stars_ or _American Son_. Even better, check out the three '90s Band albums.

"Summertime Blues" was the "import 45 single" from this album.
It was not included on the U.S. release vinyl lp.
It was included on the import vinyl lp.
Here's the error:
Why wasn't this put on the CD release, even as a bonus track?

By far the weakest of Levon's solo albums. His vocals are still sure, but the anonymous backing and production are a far cry from the RCO All-Stars, let alone the Band. Plus the liner notes are annoying. If I have to hear Levon gripe about "The Last Waltz" again, I'll scream. What's he complaining about; his performances and interviews in the movie make him look like the coolest guy in the world! Stay with his other recordings, though.