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| Levon Helm with The Band, 1974 |
Americana
The Midnight Ramble of Levon Helm
wasn't about fashion, nor politics, not really,
his life went beyond.
With flashing sticks and a soul-filled drawl,
his Americana R&R rang with Southern
"self-evident" truths:
the American tall tale,
and the underground,
the renegade, the buccanner.
Stories told, history sang
reminding us we have a place
worthy of calling home.
most lines selected by Margaret Bednar from Charles P. Pierce's article, Art Happens 365, May 4, 2012
* * * * *
I snagged (not a few) lines from this amazing article written by Charles P. Pierce HERE. It is a wonderful article that pays homage to this great performer, Levon Helm, who died of cancer last Thursday at the age of 71. There is a GREAT jamming song "Don't Do It" that is a MUST to play LOUD!! This guy rocked and I will be adding him to my Ipod. Can't believe I had never heard of him. HERE is a website that is Home of the Midnight Rambler.
If it hadn't been for the poetry Challenge at "Imaginary Garden with Real Toads - dirt farmer" I would never have been introduced. So, thank you, Marian, for hosting.
12 comments:
oh i love it! such a gorgeous embracing and tribute. you know, i'm wondering about sharing our tributes with levon's family. lemme give that some thought. he was married to the same woman since 1974 i believe. i wonder if i could send them a link to RT to check em out.
Those last lines really sum up what he meant to the American consciousness.
Wonderful. He did rock, didn't he as a musician and a person!
Great music and great tribute, Marge!The tenacity to hold on until a ripe old age of 71 tells us something of the man.
Hank
I love your poem.....and Marian, I think his family would be very touched at these tributes. It might bring them some comfort, to know he has left a legacy and will be remembered.
That is so coool!
I'm glad The Band has a new fan in you now, Margaret. You wrote a beautiful tribute to Levon, and I know you're not likely to forget him.
K
First: Thank you for your words, Margaret, they're truly a touching and enlightening tribute Levon. Second: I agree with you on two counts, I can't believe I'd never heard of him and I'm so glad that Marian introduced him. Super great poem on this!! Thank you!
Great songs, and your poem makes a fine point about why they appeal--they speak to our history, but they also update it for our times. Glad you've found Levon, Margaret--he's a good musical companion on the down home road.
Beautiful tribute to Levon...I was young when The Band played all those songs...they will stay with me as will precious Levon
A lovely tribute and a unique take on the prompt! I like the way you used ideas from that article; they worked beautifully under your interpretation! Your post shows "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down"; one of my favorite versions of the song is from Judy Collins. Such a poignant song.
What a lovely tribute, Margaret.
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