August 03: The Levon Helm Band at The Newport  Folk Festival in 2008

The best way to remember Levon Helm is to enjoy his music.

Today we have searched the cellars of YouTube and found a shining gem: The Levon Helm Band at The Newport Folk Festival in 2008.

I think we got the full show (but not sure). Levon Helm and his band went on stage second to last on the final day of the festival. They gave a tremendous show that confirmed their influence from folk music and they were a fitting act to play at a folk music festival.

Levon Helm was one of the finest drummers and most soulful singers in music history! …and the set list has some traditional songs, some solo stuff and quite a few songs from The Band era. The Band songs are so fresh and fits this band so well, they sound amazing.

Highlights: Chest Fever, Got Me A Woman plus Anna Lee from my favorite Levon Helm album, Dirt Farmer, Long Black Veil and The Weight with guests, Jake Shimabukuro, Gillian Welch and David Rawlings

We also get some very special guests:

Set list:
Ophelia
Deep Elem Blues
Ashes of Love
Anna Lee
Chest Fever
Love Played A Game
Long Black Veil
Got Me A Woman
Rag Mama Rag
Fannie Mae
The Same Thing (incomplete)
The Shape I’m In
The Weight

The Levon Helm Band live at The Newport Folk Festival 2008:

Levon Helm – vocals, drums, mandolin
Jimmy Vivino – guitar, vocals
Larry Campbell – guitar, mandolin, fiddle
Brian Mitchell – keyboards, vocals
Amy Helm – vocals, guitar, drums
Little Sammy Davis – harmonica, vocals
Theresa Williams – vocals
Katherine Russell – vocals
Clark Gayton – trombone
Steven Bernstein – trumpet
Eric Lawrence – saxophone
Howard Johnson – tuba, saxophone
Lincoln Schluyfur – electric bass
Shawn Payton – drums

– Hallgeir