“Levon Helm: The Making of Electric Dirt”

Electric Dirt (Dirt Farmer Music/Vanguard Records) is the second album in the last two years from American musical treasure Levon Helm. Its predecessor, Dirt Farmer, his first solo LP in a quarter century, followed Levons near-miraculous recovery from throat cancer, and as such represented a new lease on life for the legendary artist, who rose to prominence as the drummer and vocalist for Levon and the Hawks, which later became The Band. The accolades poured in after Dirt Farmers release in the fall of 2007. This album is nothing less than a return to form by one of the most soulful vocalists in rock history, raved the San Francisco Chronicle, reflecting the universal sentiment. Levon was named Artist of the Year by the Americana Music Association, and the album was awarded the 2008 Grammy for Best Traditional Folk Recording. Meanwhile, Rolling Stone hailed Helms Midnight Ramble, which takes place monthly at Levon Helm Studios—aka The Barn—in his longtime home of Woodstock, NY, as 2008s Best Jam Session.
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