"The Weight" - 3/9/09 ABB w/ Levon Helm

[gpollak34]

What a joy! Rick and Richard are smiling from heaven. Long live Levon, and the ABB.

[22mitz22]

The feeling I get listening to this performance is the whole reason I listen to music to begin with.

[dachooch4u]

I love seeing the smile on Derek and Warren when Taj walks up and starts singing. PRICELESS!!!

[MegaGum1]

I believe that ANYONE come from the great American musics, be it Jazz, Blues, Bluegrass, Church, Rock and Roll, will hear this and say to themselves "Yep, thats it. They got it right there."

[rotagen5]

this IS one amazing version of this song, so much talent.

[inatizzy2]

SURE DO miss Rick s voice on this song. RIP R.D.

[mlwisott]

Mix one part Beacon, six parts AB with Levon or so many other legends and what do you get, pure brilliant blissful blues, baby. Oh yeah. Moogis is truly a gift.

[Cr8zydave69]

Robbie screwed the Band over. I've read two different books on the Band. He was a good to great guitar player. They could of replaced him easier then any other member. He didn't harmonize with them hardly at all. And he screwed them all by getting the rights put in is name. The other guys were having to much fun, party wise , to realize what was going on. One of the most underrated bands of all time. If you like the music read "this wheels on fire" or "across the great divide"

[BluesMK]

I barely got to this video and I haven't even watched it yet but I have already thumbs upped it. I have faith in the ABB

[MrFerdell]

EPIC!

[mloaks]

helm looks like bowie

[sromano07]

i think ive listened to trucks solo like 100 times now.

[kylekylelewis]

Levon Helm is one of my all time heroes and this song is why.  He is THE most underrated songwriter I can think of.

[mmarino1956]

@kylekylelewis Hate to burst your bubble but Levon did not write this song, Robbie Robertson wrote it along with 95% of The Band catalog. Levon did make most those songs "his" with his unmistakable voice, but still let's give credit where credit is due.

[SOUTHPAW731]

@mmarino1956 well hate to burst your bubble but Robbie got most of the song writing credits because nobody in the group was paying mind to the things such as writing royalties and publishing rights and writing credits they had a " one for all , all for one " policy in the early days. I know for a fact that this was a collaborated effort

[jonnygonzo]

Trucks may have ripped the all time nastiest slide solo on this track

[theplourde]

No one can match Levon and what he did with the Band. stunning.

[ridingroy]

Levon and Gregg have two of the greatest voices in the history of American music and there is a boatload of talent on that stage. Guitar solo by Butch is magic !

[lyric520]

THANK THE STAPLE SINGERS FOR THIS SONG. MAKING IT INTO CIRCULAR MUSIC,AND REE-REE...TOO.....AMEN....AND THOSE WHO CAME AFTER AND DID A GREAT JOB RE-DOING THE BEST OF THE BEST.....THANK YOU FOR THE POST.....

[needianame]

Can there possibly be a more powerful version of this song?

[mikper7]

@needianame No, absofuckinglutely impossible

[mmarino1956]

@needianame Yes there is a more powerful version, from "The Last Waltz" with TRhe Staple Singers accompanying The Band

[12gagedan]

Taj's dance moves RULE.

[BobMillahhh]

I jizzed myself just a little bit during Derek's solo...

[julianmolesz]

who is in the woice CRAZY CHESTER FOLLOW ME....

[rewolfe0]

@julianmolesz That's Rick Danko, Bassist.

[moloch5642]

@julianmolesz That's Taj Mahal. Rick Danko, the Band's bassist, sang that verse in the original Band version. Check out the version from The Last Waltz!

[Cinsing57ful]

Hey , This is brilliant stuff....This man is a total musical Legend!!!...Playing this weekend in Newport at the Folk Fest!!! He still rocks on! May God bless him!

[zulugreen]

OMG: I suggest that we change the US National Anthem to "The Weight!"

[foutupourfoutu]

0:24 always, ALWAYS give me goose bumps. Please Levon, could you live another hundred years more?

[danigoni]

I love the way everyone is smiling when taj is singing

[TheScoop1128]

Tonite a new venue but the same ole allmans!!!!!!!!! can't wait 4.5 hours to go

[Hogweedmusic]

How was the show???

[vladamih]

This is so breathtakingly amazing.Probably the best performance of this song ever recorded.That Trucks' solo just kills

[commentkid69]

@vladamih This is great, and I'm Derek's biggest fan, but the version from the Last Waltz with the Staples is musical perfection. If you haven't heard it (which it seems you already have but you never know), do me a favor son and go keep ol' Levon company [and watch it haha].

[vladamih]

@commentkid69

Of course I have heard it zillion of times by now, it's just that I was very mesmerised by this performance when I wrote that comment.It doesn;t necessarily mean that it;s the best version out there but it surely is a special one

[tendtheflag909]

if im not mistaken, robbie robertson wrote this song not levon.

[bluesboy25000]

he did

[eco7savatage]

respect.... i like metal but i recognise the soul when i see it

[kw21925]

There have been better singers, and there have been better drummers, but Levon Helm was the best "singing drummer" who ever lived. Cancer and age have taken their toll on his voice, but he was great in his day. Watch "The Last Waltz" sometime for evidence.

[classicrockrdude]

festival express is good too!!

[RayNDeere]

Considering that he could barely speak above a whisper while fighting cancer, his voice has recovered greatly. Still a showman

[foutupourfoutu]

And by the way, did you notice that here he holds his left drumstick in the "classic" way? AFAIK he always used it in the "jazz" position

[handidrummed]

He's also using a glove so I'm assuming that he has some problems with his left hand these days.

[owen09234]

not sure if im correct, but his hand is probably so weak is using the gloves to grip the sticks

[atourdeforce]

no i dont think so because he wore a glove on the left hand too before he got cancer so hes not all week and frail just a comfort thing now i guess.

[foutupourfoutu]

What a great drummer he is.

[filmerado]

Levon is king

[sartainja]

The Weight is one of the greatest songs ever written. Levon is a master. God bless him.

[taylorata3a]

@sartainja I love Levon too, but I'm pretty sure Robbie Robertson wrote this one.

[videotube10]

Amazing!!!

[bluesguy0524]

Let Levon sing. Those back up girls kill an otherwise gem of a jam.

[wickedgrin]

dude they make it, are you sure you're ok?

[MrJerryWallace]

Levon is barely breathing during this track. Get the f**k off the backup singers. They are right on key. Unfortunately, Levon is not. I'm his huge fan. I'm just glad his persussion added to this cut's excellance.

[Free1108]

This was just prior to Levon finding out he had tumors on his vocal cords. I think he sounds great, especially for a man that should not have even been singing. He had surgery, was ordered to rest his voice. He has once again had to take vocal training to get his voice back in top shape since this last bout of problems with his vocal cords. I'm so happy there was no return of the cancer. I love this man and his committment to his music, He is the best!!

[highwayman012]

Levon was told he would never sing again after going for throat surgery. Levon never gave up and after 10 years Levon started singing again. If that isn't what the meaning of hero is i don't know what is. Levon is truly a hero. So stop saying he's "off key" which he isn't.

[foutupourfoutu]

Levon is always in tune during this song. His voice flips out sometimes...but that's all

[Free1108]

I agree bluesguy! Realize too, that is he not only singing here when he should not have been, but he is a survivor of throat cancer. He had to totally re-train his voice through vocal coaching and came back to win a Grammy for Dirt Farmer. He has had to do this once again this year due to the tumors I previously mentioned in the last post. Levon is the ultimate musician, was during his Band days and, IMO, will always be one of the best to ever grace a stage!!!

[DMac1712]

4:15 derek trucks - i cant believe how good this song sounds with a solo like that

[ModernLifeisGreg]

was at this show. between Levon and also Taj Mahal's appearance, this night was perfect.

[goo44]

i was there too- completely agree! so many guest stars at once, what a night!!

[allman1968]

WOW! Outstanding cut. The world of music is much better when Levon Helm is playing.

[Mikkeyboyy]

what a great line up

americian music history

[1358531]

levon's still got it

amazing

[billieredsocks]

Fantastic!

[LesbianVampireLover]

Absolutely incredible! 40 years ago, the ABB and The Band were in constant play with me and my friends. What a stage full of survivors! It's difficult to imagine them collaborating like this but after hearing the results, it is a natural match. And its so wonderful to see Taj Mahal, too. By the way, the great slide player is Derek Trucks, Butch Trucks' nephew.

[ev7001216]

this must have been a nasty show

[stuman7892]

i was there...it really was

[rotagen5]

My god so much talent on one stage, wish I were there.

[UTubeMeTubeWeTube]

Who's the cat playing the slide lead...out of this world slide playing. Fantastic performance all the way around.

[dthornby]

Derek Trucks

[KEITHMOONIE]

always loved levon's voice. What a wonderful combo of greats, and nice surprise when Taj comes out for his verse. My fav version ever will always be The Band with the Staple singers.

[msacks63]

Great song and performance

[logjammers]

that was like too good!

[NOwhutIMthayin]

What a wonderful, wonderful song...Levon Helm is a treasure in the world of music...and to team with Gregg and company...one of the great songs ever, ever written...chill bumps indeed!

[robracer25]

Management announced just before curtains up that The Ryman show was going to dvd. A good one too... Plant, Krauss, sheryl Crowe, Delbert McClinton, Steve Earl, Emmy Lou Harris, Little Sammy Davis. All star All the way!

[robracer25]

Consider yourself blessed to enjoy talent like this. I attended his show at The Ryman Aud. last Sept. If I never see another live show, it's o.k. Suposedly that show will go to dvd. Levon is the man!

[TumblingDice66]

This is wonderful. Wish I could have seen this one live. I just read that Levon Helm had throat cancer and lost most of his voice for a time. Great to see him overcoming that and sounding pretty darn good for his age and medical history.

[joebrassmonkey]

will this show be released on DVD?

[toozak]

This is awesome, I had the chills throughout the whole song!

I hope the show I'm going to on 3/21 will be this good, although I'm sure it will be

[Jeremy123454]

this is brilliant....i wish i was there!...this seems like THE concert to have attended...c'mon....the Allman Brothers, Taj Mahal and Levon Helm performing on one stage doing one of the most classic tunes of all time...doesen't get much better than this

[MSS614]

I'm so happy I was there to see this!

[stuman7892]

It really was one of the alltime great concerts...im mad lucky i was there

[lexmark256]

does anyone have and could you post standback or wasted words from 3/10? they were over the top.

[lexmark256]

this was the best abb show i've ever seen

[FTIBand]

Did anyone else notice the mistake around 5:30? It was in the organ section I think.

[joebrassmonkey]

Yeah, haha, I herd it. Ole' Levon tricked em! Still, who care about 1 little mistake, when you got that much talent on one stage, there's bound to be a slip up or to, but everyone seemed to not notice at the concert. Mistakes happen.

[dlilly4]

I hope to God they make a dvd of the run

[moosikfreek]

I'll tell you what, if this don't make you feel good I dont' know what would! This looks to be just the tip of the iceberg for the Beacon run from what I've been hearing! And even though Levon may not be able to still hit the note singing, just look at his energy & enthusiasm behind the drum set - sweet! Can't wait till I go down at the end of the month! Happy 40th Allmans!

[guinness25]

the 40th anniversary run seems to be very promising. Really looking fwd to being there on Friday. Derek is just the best player on the scene...

[1PinkFreud]

Clapton will most likely be there for that show; should be incredible.

[steve71966]

All I can say is fuck! I knew I should have been there for some of the Beacon shows!!! Looking forward to Wanee!

[stuman7892]

I was freakin there!...It was one of the greatest concerts ive ever been to. This was awesome.

[Balloonatic1]

What a great response. Good job J.

[tbruchey]

Levon Helm is a God

[KyrionMyrthar]

Jesus, this is outstanding, Jim. Thanks.

[danigoni]

Now that i have looked the vid several times, it looks like everybody was having a hell of a time, hell even derek was kinda like moving/dancing, just amazing

[walstib63]

Thanks Jim!

[danigoni]

Thank you, Thank You, Thank You, Thank You, For Uploading These.

It's a shame i don't have the opportunity to attend the beacon run.