Love for Levon

Performed in the fall of 2012 following Levon Helm’s passing, Love and Levon was recorded live at the Izod Center in East Rutherford, N.J. At this sprawling 20,000–seat arena, a stellar cast of musicians gathered to raise funds supporting Helm’s Midnight Ramble concert series at his Woodstock, N.Y., barn. Warren Haynes sets the tone here with an all-star group. The vibe immediately harks back to 1976, when Martin Scorsese documented The Last Waltz, The Band’s “farewell concert appearance.” Gregg Allman and Warren Haynes sound like they were born to croon the dirgeful narrative “Long Black Veil,” while Mavis Staples singing “Move Along Train” with The Levon Helm Band adds some peerless gospel. Similarly, Allen Toussaint’s soulful rendition of “Life Is a Carnival” is the album’s high point. Joe Walsh puts a little James Gang boogie into “Up on Cripple Creek” with ample help from Robert Randolph. Of course, no rootsy tribute concert would be complete without My Morning Jacket weighing in—here with handsome covers of “Ophelia” and “It Makes No Difference.”