A spirited version of a moving song. RE; criticism about its being "inauthentic" - any song admits of many interpretations. (Eric Bibb's "inauthentic" version is also a revelation.) This one just "drives" with a harmonic force that must make the band joyful to perform it. I know this type of exhileration - we've been singing "Johnstown Flood" for 10 years now - I lost Family in that event! - the momentum, harmony & emotion of it overwhelms us - the song becomes a celebration. Good job!
Amy Helm rocks, as does her pa, the great Levon. But the best version of this song I have ever heard is a Weber Brothers rehearsal with the staggeringly awesome Garth Hudson (note to whippersnappers, Levon and Garth were the genius of The Band, one of the greatest groups of all time and featured in the greatest rock movie ever made, The Last Waltz by Martin Scorcese
Its a bit to light hearted for me considering the extreme cruelty and suffering that the song is about. Listen to the Lonnie Donegan posting for the authentic version
Ollabelle's version is based upon the version by The Band on Bob Dylan's "Basement Tapes" album whiich is the only version I was familiar with - but you are right about Lonnie's version being more authentic to what must have been the original feel of this slave song. His version is very potent in this regard although he was and Englishman. I always preferred his rollicking and spirited rendition of "Rock Island Line" to any other version of that song I've heard.
This is actually a prison work song rather than a normal work song, if you feel like splitting hairs about it. It functions the same way as any work song, but the vocabulary is that of the Texas prisons and it is about prison life. There are many versions of it, the arrangement that the Band uses should be noted to the "king of the twelve string guitar" Huddie 'Leadbelly' Leadbetter. Bruce Jackson's book 'Wake Up Dead Man' has a lot of information about this song as well as other prison songs.
great version of this old folk blues. The Band based their version on Lighting Hopkins recording from the early 60's,Lyle Lovett does a great rendition as well
Wow, these guys are good.
bulbheadmyass 1 month ago
A spirited version of a moving song. RE; criticism about its being "inauthentic" - any song admits of many interpretations. (Eric Bibb's "inauthentic" version is also a revelation.) This one just "drives" with a harmonic force that must make the band joyful to perform it. I know this type of exhileration - we've been singing "Johnstown Flood" for 10 years now - I lost Family in that event! - the momentum, harmony & emotion of it overwhelms us - the song becomes a celebration. Good job!
SpikeCrain 11 months ago
Amy Helm rocks, as does her pa, the great Levon. But the best version of this song I have ever heard is a Weber Brothers rehearsal with the staggeringly awesome Garth Hudson (note to whippersnappers, Levon and Garth were the genius of The Band, one of the greatest groups of all time and featured in the greatest rock movie ever made, The Last Waltz by Martin Scorcese
1longcoat 1 year ago
nice version of an awesome song..
jayrayfrisbee 2 years ago
Its a bit to light hearted for me considering the extreme cruelty and suffering that the song is about. Listen to the Lonnie Donegan posting for the authentic version
TheSarah69 2 years ago
Ollabelle's version is based upon the version by The Band on Bob Dylan's "Basement Tapes" album whiich is the only version I was familiar with - but you are right about Lonnie's version being more authentic to what must have been the original feel of this slave song. His version is very potent in this regard although he was and Englishman. I always preferred his rollicking and spirited rendition of "Rock Island Line" to any other version of that song I've heard.
anthonypepitoneVideo 2 years ago
The keys player does a particularly good job evoking the amazing Levon Helm's vocals on the absolutely incredible Band version.
GaGaGaGaGa27 2 years ago
this performance kicks ass. such good vibes.
fbfiveohv3 2 years ago
Actually, this originally a Hudie Ledbetter (Ledbelly) song. But the Band's version is great.
redhairedlad 3 years ago 2
This is actually a prison work song rather than a normal work song, if you feel like splitting hairs about it. It functions the same way as any work song, but the vocabulary is that of the Texas prisons and it is about prison life. There are many versions of it, the arrangement that the Band uses should be noted to the "king of the twelve string guitar" Huddie 'Leadbelly' Leadbetter. Bruce Jackson's book 'Wake Up Dead Man' has a lot of information about this song as well as other prison songs.
anthonypepitoneVideo 3 years ago
Amy Helm rocks!
outcast73 3 years ago
great version of this old folk blues. The Band based their version on Lighting Hopkins recording from the early 60's,Lyle Lovett does a great rendition as well
panchohill 4 years ago
Really nice. I like how you all take turns singing a verse. That song always gives me shivers. Son Volt also did a good version. Cheers!
hfader 4 years ago
Great band, great song, very well done incredible performance by all, Thanks for sharing. Thx LM, nice pass my friend...Reg
TeamCannabis 4 years ago