The Band in 1968. From L-R: Rick Danko, Levon Helm, Richard Manuel, Garth Hudson and Robbie Robertson

What makes great Americana music? I’ve thought about this question on and off for a while now and have come to a few conclusions: song-writing, story, simplicity and sincerity. While those might not categorically capture what is at the heart of the matter (I will leave that up to musicians much more schooled in the genre than I), I can’t help but hear those recurring themes in most Americana that I listen to. Bob Dylan was in many ways one of the progenitors for folk and Americana, as were monster musicians like Johnny Cash, Merle Haggard, Hank Williams Sr., and Elvis. But Dylan led the charge in the folk/rock vein that was purely and quintessentially American. We’re not talking about the British Invasion when we talk about Dylan, but a sing-song style of writing, playing and performing that captured the heart of his nation.

What Dylan accomplished in taking folk music electric will always stand as a monument in the history of rock n’ roll. Although it was not well received at first, it would become the staple of a sound that was unmistakably rock and unmistakably American. When this happened, a group named The Hawks would be tapped by Dylan to back him on his new electric tour. This band would eventually become known as simply “The Band” by Dylan fans — and so a legend was born. Bob Dylan and The Band.

While Dylan’s line-up would change over the years, The Band’s legendary status remained and they went on to record albums of their own until 1976. In the winter of that year, they would perform a farewell concert at Winterland in San Francisco during Thanksgiving called The Last Waltz. The event would also be filmed, becoming one of rocks first “rockumentaries”, and is considered a classic by any rock connoisseurs worth his weight. The guest appearances during the concert included rock legends like Ringo Starr, Eric Clapton, Muddy Waters and Bob Dylan.

Levon Helm, drummer for The Band, was perhaps one of the most recognizable and talented members of the group. Often donning a trucker’s hat and pork-chop sideburns, Helm was a Southern raised gentleman and musician through and through. Many times, Helm would carry the melody and more often than not be singing and playing the drums in perfect synchronization. It was Helm’s voice that was so distinctive, having a tinge of down home Southern twang that Band fans came to know and love. During the 1990’s, The Band released three more albums, the last in 1998 when Helm was diagnosed with throat cancer.

Levon Helm, a man of huge musical stature and truly a legend in his own time, receded abruptly from the stage and

Album cover to Dirt Farmer

would not emerge for another 9 years. Although, he would still play drums, mandolin and harmonica, the most distinctive voice from The Band had been seemingly lost to the throes of a vicious disease, one that left him, his family and doctors thinking that he would never sing again. And so, when Helm released Dirt Farmer in 2007, it was as if he had come back from the dead to carry once more the standard of great Americana. The album cover shows Helm sitting in front of a field of some growing crop, an arm resting over a knee, his lips tightened as he gazes towards the ground. There is now a grit about the man that only years of hardship can create and this grit carries over into his music. His voice is strong, but it is the voice of an old man that has been to hell and back. Levon Helm may very well have the most clout of any living Americana or country musician. It was Johnny Cash who once owned the persona as country music’s bad boy, and although Helm is bad for different reasons, I wonder if in Cash’s absence, it now falls on him?

Country, Bluegrass and Americana talk about drinking, smoking, jail, trains, home, false and true loves. It’s hard to believe some pretty boy country or Americana artist who wants to talk tough, like they’ve been to the depths and seen it all. When Levon Helm wails into a microphone “False hearts have been my downfall”, I believe him. If there were anyone who could come back from obscurity and sing with such authority, it is Levon Helm. The grit-iron song “Train Robbery” reeks of Helm’s story-telling talent and country roots, and I can’t help but wonder if there is a statement being made with this entire album. Almost as if Helm is saying to the country/americana musicians of today: “You think you know music, boys? You don’t know sh*t.” That is not to say we cannot empathize with the man through his music — indeed, his authenticity is the very reason such empathy is possible — but when a musician of Helm’s stature speaks, we should probably be quiet and listen.

Helm now has a new album released on June 30th called Electric Dirt. I have yet to pick it up, but intend to do so very soon and will post my thoughts on it once I do. I have no doubt that Helm once again raises the bar and showcases his mastery over those elements of song-writing, story, simplicity and sincerity. It is difficult to hear Helm and not hear all of those coming through in perfect harmony, from a man who helped write the book on Americana music specifically, and rock n’ roll in general.