Wednesday, December 15, 2021

The 1980 Listening Post - Levon Helm - American Son

 Levon Helm - American Son



1980 Housekeeping

Levon Helm

American Son

Genre: Americana

3.5 out of 5



Highlights:

Sweet Peach Georgia Wine



Confession time: I didn’t like The Last Waltz. I saw it in the theater in Maine. The Criterion. An old, Art Deco era cathedral for movies. I think it was a midnight show. Maybe it wasn’t. I fell asleep. Not a couple times. I had so much trouble getting through it.

No, I’m not a huge fan of The Band. But that makes sense, right? I don’t care for Dylan, either. 

Here’s what I DO like about them: Levon Helm was terrific in The Right Stuff. I heard he was great in Coal Miner’s Daughter, but I missed that one, too. I know, I know. (I also never saw Norma Rae. Bona Fides disappearing) I didn’t see Carny, although Helm wasn’t in it. But Robbie Robertson was. 


This is a bunch of songs written by others that Helm put together and does a credible job of bringing to life. 


This record came together because Helm was asked to cover “Blue Moon of Kentucky” for the aforementioned Loretta Lynn movie. So, they recorded more songs. 

They’re good. It makes a neat little companion to Nanci Griffith’s Other Voices, Other Rooms. An album of classic “folk-Country” tunes I mention because I like it a lot. 


It’s more charming than this. Although this is a sweet little record to put on at your next barbecue. 




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