On most Saturday nights since January 2004, Levon Helm has hosted evenings of music at the “barn,” his home studio in Woodstock, New York. These magical nights are called The Midnight Ramble Sessions. On September 17, 2008, Helm took the Midnight Ramble on the road to one of America’s treasured venues, Nashville’s historic Ryman Auditorium, where — accompanied by such luminaries as Buddy Miller, John Hiatt, Sheryl Crow and Sam Bush — the Levon Helm Band gave birth to a night of stage magic. Captured in pristine high definition Levon Helm – Ramble at the Ryman is part of special programming airing on PBS in August 2009 (check local listings).

The performance is a veritable tour through the American songbook, featuring tunes from Helm’s tenure with The Band, as well as selections from the 2008 Grammy winning Dirt Farmer and classics from artists such as Chuck Berry, the Carter Family and more.

Levon Helm – Ramble at the Ryman came on the heels of Dirt Farmer’s debut. After overcoming seemingly insurmountable odds, Helm released the album, his first solo recording in 25 years, and won the Grammy for Best Traditional Folk Album. The San Francisco Chronicle called Dirt Farmer “nothing less than a return to form by one of the most soulful vocalists in rock history.” Helm was obviously on a roll in 2008. Rolling Stone hailed his Midnight Ramble as “2008’s Best Jam Session” and the Americana Music Association bestowed on him the Artist of the Year Award.

Levon Helm. Courtesy PBS.

Levon Helm – Ramble at the Ryman includes:
· “Ophelia”
· “Back to Memphis”
· “Fannie Mae”
· “Baby Scratch My Back”
· “Evangeline”
· “No Depression in Heaven”
· “Wide River to Cross”
· “Deep Elem Blues”
· “Rag Mama Rag”
· “Time Out for the Blues”
· “The Shape I’m In”
· “The Weight”

Levon Helm recently released his new album Electric Dirt (Dirt Farmer Music/Vanguard) which was hailed by critics and fans alike. The New York Times cited “His voice is vigorous and unbridled… the music struts and cackles through every earthly travail.” Electric Dirt marked Levon Helm’s highest in Soundscan era at #36.

Visit PBS online for broadcast times in your area.

– From Shorefire