Search - Levon Helm :: American Son

The coalminer strikes gold

michael d markrush | usa | 01/20/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"levons finest solo performance this (album) was recorded in nashville while levon was working on the movie hit coalminers daughter. at the time levon was assisting on the soundtrack for the film,and decided to lay down some tracks while he was in a country state of mind.recorded with some of the finest session men in nashville (hargus 'pig'robbins)(buddy emmons and fred carter jr who levon played with back in his days wth ronnie hawkins. ( robbie robertson replaced him as lead guitar player in 1960. this is a country and country blues at its best. from the patriotic plea of americas farm and the trademark levon helm vocal style on nashville wimmin and sweet peach georgia wine (al a cripple creek and rag mama rag) this album rollicks as levon just plain has a good time. as levon once said "if it ain't fun then why do it) he was clearly having fun on this one."

There is no better post "Band" recording

JAMES OBRIEN | Austin, TX | 08/14/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Levon pulled it all together for this album. The songs are poignant and the playing is crisp. I had a chance to talk to Levon about this record as he was autographing my vinyl copy years ago and we sung a quick duet version of the chorus of "Dance Me Down Easy". There are hooks galore throughout this record but none as strong as the piano on that tune. What a pleasurable, kind, humble and decent man Levon is. Sadly this record is out of print but it's still my favorite one."