Levon Helm on Drums and Drumming

[DonVerduci]

I would love to hear the whole of that rendition of Short Fat Fanny, but it seems to be unavailiable on The Band webside, if that's even where one could get it. Any ideas.. anyone!? :D

[rmdrummer87]

This man is why I sit behind the kit and hold a pair of sticks in my hand.

Thank you Levon and the band.

[dangerbirdzuma]

the best. him and keith moon

[HIRAHOTO]

i got a fever and the only perscription is more cowbell

[houseofchintz]

Proof that some of the greatest drummers are some of the worst teachers.

[pretorious700]

@houseofchintz also proof that stupid people can't keep it to themselves

[squeakystool]

Larry Williams did it originally.

[foutupourfoutu]

This is GROOVE

[furateo]

YES!!

[bapyou]

The dopes who wrote here that Levon is less of a technical drummer -- and that is a negative -- didn't make to the last groove he lays down on 'Life is a Carnival.' Because what he does in that song is some sophisticated funk shit! The people who wrote those comments are just fucking idiots. This man is a master drummer. He does it how it needs to be done. You can have fifteen Neil Pearts; I'll take one Levon Helm. And you can keep them Pearts. Rock on, Levon, rock on! We love you madly!

[bensmith3200]

@bapyou Damn right. Levon Helm plays with a feeling and a style all his own. His drumming is like traditional folk music with a funk edge. He syncopates and grooves without loosing that authentic Americana vibe. So musical.

[SwampDaddy7]

@bensmith3200 I'll take that over Neil Peart any day. Levon plays by feel. Like Gene Krupa did back in the day.

[1019drummer]

One of my Heros. Lv ya Levon.

[keepinpositive]

Read some of the "don't overplay" comments. Well, yes that goes for every player, guitar, bass, keys, and especially these days, vocals. Some of these R&B singers want to spew all their vocal chops in every song. I hear myself saying "enough, can I just hear the song for a few bars". Hee.

[eoneal12]

Feel is everything ...

[rdety]

Levon was always a really talented drummer,and anyone who doesn't see that..well you're lost

[lildondon29]

Totally agree with him about half timing the beat. He has such a distinct style and aproach too....Even if you don't like the way or what he plays, you can't take that away from him, and that's what it's all about.

[Opqosite]

that drum kit sounds awesome

[Rolco64]

I've always felt that Levon Helm and "The Band" were underrated but one of the best around. I think they are a Treasure and would like to see them in the Hall of Fame.

[MultiAngel38]

me encanta!!!I love his music

[thebetterhalf37]

sunglasses indoors??? STONED

[zoarces]

Great.

But what's with that other drummer? When you've got Levon Helm on the drums, it is all you will ever need.

[epistades1]

legend.

[harrycarrysghost]

@1:35 hum the intro. to The Weight along with his riff. Could it be?

[BillMcE]

@harrycarrysghost Good call Harry!

[houseofchintz]

I find the same principles work on my wife. If she's sounding a little bright I just put some electrical tape on her. Thanks Levon!

[selmansax]

why put artificial cold sound reverb on those beautiful woody sounding drums of Levon's?

[inatizzy2]

@selmansax

It works quite well, thats why. LOL

[inatizzy2]

LEVON! One of my fav drummers.

[yogstersfc]

are u dead?

[LocalRailfan]

Thanks Mr Helm, your my biggest influence when it comes to drumming you are a ledgend in the history of music.

[CoolRoel]

Thanx man! The Man is a living worldwonder to me haha Awesome clip!!

[mianphila]

la force de LEVON est une force bien tranquille

[sweetfly66]

Levon is the MAN

[HengistTheGreat]

Enough to make us want more, Mr Poster. :)

[adamh68]

Love to hear him say - that's gets old in a hurry - too many many drummers today sound like metronomes, but not good ol' Mr. Helm

[Psoodoekko]

just heard him on allmemphismusic really glad you got this vid. here

[shakey64]

IVe watched this video many times....even went to buy the dvd. I love Levon's advice...where he says...try different things....if you do this...(straight 4/4 rock beat) its gonna get old in a hurry.

[quackbeef]

I have mostly play hard rock and idolize drummers like Lars Ulrich, John Tempesta, Dave Lombardo, and Shannon Larkin. However, Levon Helm is a drummer that everyone can learn a thing or to from..... he is amazing..... 5/5

[CharlesandSebinc]

I realy want to find this video in full!!

[drummer78]

A breath of fresh air on youtube. I have the original VHS of this released on Homespun Tapes. In fact, Homespun once had my review of the tape up on their website. If you have a chance, go see Levon play. He is connected to the souldful/earthy rural American spirit. It is something that is not found very often in this day and age.

[wallywompa]

helm the man

[mkwbmh]

Levon's the man. A great inspiration to me. I sing and play drums in my band Blue Moon Highway (Portland, OR), and along with Levon, Ringo and Charlie have been my influences. I like drumming to be understated, a little behind the beat...not too busy. Because I sing too, I try to stay on time and support what's going on out front...less is more.

[surfmcgoogler]

1:35-1:40. This is from 'the Weight' and the way he plays it, is this not the perfect rap/hip-hop beat?

[aznjess]

i thought that too when i heard his drumming on the last waltz

[hyperbilly13]

incredible drummer

[muZicMan1234]

A song drummer. He knows how to play behind the beat...on it and in front of it, all in one song! Drum machines can not do this even when they are well programmed. Somebody tell Clapton that Levon is still available. Claptons' latest uses 'drum programming'...what a sin!

[rickb731]

i know!!! i bought the Pilgram album a while back, here was only one good song on it the one Steve Gadd drummed on, the rest was programmed and sucked

[Shieldz64]

@muZicMan1234 that makes me so sick, any fake drum beats man.

[54spiritedwill54]

the greatest!!

[hagront]

what's the first song called?

[Rigel7WasAlreadyUsed]

Short Fat Fanny, I believe.

[maxxxx1972]

@Rigel7WasAlreadyUsed yes right, i think was a little richard song!

[adamtzsch]

@hagront Slippin and a-Slidin' - Lil' Richard

[Ekulssorc]

I love his wonderfully simple approach to drumming. He is just an all around incredible drummer and singer. I wish more drummers my age (and otherwise) could appreciate this. Im 16 by the way.

[drummerboyjac]

I agree. I'm 17 and the whole electrical tape worked really well for me. I'm also a singer so Levon and Don Henley (Eagles), who are both VERY underrated, have been a major inspiration to me.

[matthewhalley]

drummerboy you need to check out josh dion (another singing drummer, but very young). he's insane. also check out nikki glaspie.

[rollyhe]

More cowbell.

[ziggassedup]

you can't beat cool man...way cool dude.

[hagront]

love the way he holds his left drumstick ;) what's that technique called?

[NWA1982]

The technique is called "traditional grip". When you hold both sticks like the right hand, it's called "match grip".

Traditional grip dates back to the military, where drums were worn on slings, and used to pass signals between troops during battle.

[beatledrummer92]

LEVON HELM! LOVE YOU MAN!

[allsopg]

I have been playing drums for 35 years - and I still don't quite get it. Levon does - he is f&^*ing incredible.

[whitinoheat]

hes one of the greatest drummers simply because he keeps it simple but yet still holds everything else thats going on in the band together

[fullfloat]

Levon Is The Best !

[FunkadelicALI]

just because he plays easy grooves does not meen he isnt a good drumer....one of the most anoying things in a band is to have a drummer putting in over complicated beats and fills when all that is needed is simple but effective drumming....

[jelmerrr4]

@FunkadelicALI

yeah. you are realy good if you don't play to much and don't play to less. Levon Helm does that. playing coplicated things is the least important when drumming.

[harrycarrysghost]

"He is not what a good drummer should be. He plays stiff and all tense, he has no chops, and plays too easy of beats."

His rudimentary style belies one of the greatest pocket drummers of all-time. His jazz influenced, country-tinged rhythmic quality drove the Band to the Hall-of-fame all while singing lead on some of their greatest hits. This cat did more with a cowbell than you can do with the double-kick your daddy bought you.

[Rigel7WasAlreadyUsed]

Well, everyone is entitled to their own opinion of course but I dare you to find someone with a better sense of feel on the drums. He's almost melodic. Listen to how he drums behind a vocal. If you only heard a drum track from a Band song you could still tell what song it was.

[Skeptiq1]

You are a troll. You can't do it better.

[TheLastPictureShow]

You have absolutely no idea what you're talking about. Chops do not make a good drummer- feel and groove do. There's no such thing as "too easy of beats". There's the right beat for a song and the wrong beat for a song- and if you're spending your time worrying about how good your chops are and how complicated the beat you're playing is, odds are you're playing the WRONG beat. Listen to "the night they drove old dixie down" and tell me that's not the perfect drum part for that song.

[drummer78]

Yup, it is all about feel. Don't worry, a lot of these people who don't know are just dumb or will learn eventually.

[cantarooots]

@icandoitbetter Levon is King, Enough said.

[matttee13]

@icandoitbetter A good drummer plays time and not all solos and fills. That's how Levon and Ringo got their gigs.

[FunkadelicALI]

also how could i get hold of this video and his virsion of short fat fanny.......thank you

[FunkadelicALI]

he is the reason i started playing drums..........I watched the last waltz and was hooked by his skill and style.......my favourite drummer ever by a mile....and he has one of he best voices ever..his vocals are amazing...

[FunkadelicALI]

i was wondering what people think about Robbie Roberson and his part in the break up of the band? He is an amazing musician but what part did he play in the break up of the band?

[FunkadelicALI]

does anyone know the name of the first song he plays in this clip?...thank you

[Rigel7WasAlreadyUsed]

Short Fat Fanny I believe.

[RascalXmas]

@FunkadelicALI it also sounded a bit like Slippin and Sliddin

[curbshoppin]

nice ....cool great

[bapyou]

Now I remember: The name of the song at the end is 'Life is a Carnival' from the Cahoots album.

[bapyou]

What's the song/groove at the end with the chorused guitar line? Anyone know? I recognize it, but I can't recall the title. It's double-funky extra sauce in-the-pocket rib-stickin' good! Mr. Helm can sure lay down the law.

[acousticjunke]

Levon's new album is incredible.

[johnfright]

Whew. Sure would love to hear an isolated drum track for Life is a Carnival. Thanks!

[sublimelyardent]

it's been a while since your remark, but ....

on the homespun label video this is cut from, he plays life is a carnival - with lots of good camera work on him - his feet, hands - so you can pick up an awful lot from watching him on this song.

i really really recommend the dvd - it is one of my most treasured drum videos ever. i got mine from ebay a couple of years ago....

cheers.

lily

[Dogdrum]

Levon Helm is one of the greatest groove masters from the South. Not to mention, great technique too! Everything he plays is so crisp and clear. Combining a deep sense of musial time and space, with the authenticity, pride, and conviction he brings to his own musical heritage, he is a musical archangel!

[Rigel7WasAlreadyUsed]

I'm actually trying to get the local music store to find it for me.

[drummer78]

Just Google Homespun Tapes and call them.

[colio87]

the greatest!!

[drummer78]

I had this on VHS. It came out from Homespun Tapes which was (is) a great organization. This tape is worth it. Levon tells lots of stories about growing up in the Delta area and its influence on him musically.

[shakey64]

great clip. Got to love Levon. Im a new drummer and going to order his dvd off amazon.