LEVON HELM

The Midnight Ramble Sessions Vol. 3

2014-07-15

Many of Levon Helms most memorable musical performances revolved around recordings he did with his family and friends at his home in Woodstock New York. The collection on this disc were all handpicked by Levon prior to his passing in April 2012 and represents many of his personal favorites. The CD begins with Levon covering the Willie Dixon classic "The Same Thing" and shows the greatness still contained within in his vocals after dealing with cancer that many thought would silence him forever. Levon does share vocals on this disc with his daughter Amy Helm on Sam Cooke's "Ain't That Good News" & an A Cappella version of "The Beautiful Life". Other standouts include Jimmy Vivino of the Black Italians on the Blind Willie Johnson's gospel track God Don't Ever Change and Allen Toussaint covering his own A Certain Girl as well as Chris Robinson on Elmore James "Shake Your Money Maker". Levon may have saved the best for last as he ends with a classic version of Al Green's "Take Me To The River". Levon may be gone, but with this disc along with so many of his treasured recordings, he will live forever. Reviewed By: Gregg Saur