Expecting Rain

Rest in peace, Levon. The world is a lesser place without you. Richard and Rick now have your beat.

While I agree with others who have posted that we knew this day was coming (unlike Richard, which was a shock), it's still sad news, to say the least. I always loved Levon's vocals -- their cover of "Atlantic City" was incredible to me, because it was so different than Springsteen's original, and Levon was front and center on that. RIP, Levon.

bummer

While riding on a train goin’ west
I fell asleep for to take my rest
I dreamed a dream that made me sad
Concerning myself and the first few friends I had

With half-damp eyes I stared to the room
Where my friends and I spent many an afternoon
Where we together weathered many a storm
Laughin’ and singin’ till the early hours of the morn

By the old wooden stove where our hats was hung
Our words were told, our songs were sung
Where we longed for nothin’ and were quite satisfied
Talkin’ and a-jokin’ about the world outside

With haunted hearts through the heat and cold
We never thought we could ever get old
We thought we could sit forever in fun
But our chances really was a million to one

As easy it was to tell black from white
It was all that easy to tell wrong from right
And our choices were few and the thought never hit
That the one road we traveled would ever shatter and split

How many a year has passed and gone
And many a gamble has been lost and won
And many a road taken by many a friend
And each one I’ve never seen again

I wish, I wish, I wish in vain
That we could sit simply in that room again
Ten thousand dollars at the drop of a hat
I’d give it all gladly if our lives could be like that

Copyright © 1963, 1964 by Warner Bros. Inc.; renewed 1991, 1992 by Special Rider Music

Giada, what song is that? The lyrics are so beautiful. I had never heard of Special Rider Music; thank you. I went to Levon's site and it is closed down, temporarily I would think, in tribute to him. I think he is in Nazareth. According to Levon's autobiography all of these characters were based on real people. I hope he has found a bed. Love, Joanna XOXO

I pulled into Nazareth, was feelin' about half past dead;
I just need some place where I can lay my head.
"Hey, mister, can you tell me where a man might find a bed?"
He just grinned and shook my hand, and "No!", was all he said.


(Chorus:)
Take a load off Anny, take a load for free;
Take a load off Anny, And (and) (and) you can put the load right on me.

I picked up my bag, I went lookin' for a place to hide;
When I saw Carmen and the Devil walkin' side by side.
I said, "Hey, Carmen, come on, let's go downtown."
She said, "I gotta go, but m'friend can stick around."

(Chorus)

Go down, Miss Moses, there's nothin' you can say
It's just ol' Luke, and Luke's waitin' on the Judgement Day.
[ From: http://www.elyrics.net/read/b/band-lyri ... yrics.html ]
"Well, Luke, my friend, what about young Anna Lee?"
He said, "Do me a favor, son, woncha stay an' keep Anna Lee company?"

(Chorus)

Crazy Chester followed me, and he caught me in the fog.
He said, "I will fix your rack, if you'll take Jack, my dog."
I said, "Wait a minute, Chester, you know I'm a peaceful man."
He said, "That's okay, boy, won't you feed him when you can."

(Chorus)

Catch a cannon ball now, t'take me down the line
My bag is sinkin' low and I do believe it's time.
To get back to Miss Fanny, you know she's the only one.
Who sent me here with her regards for everyone.

Johanna, you've never heard of Special Rider Music?

Google it...

Hey, Joanna. It's Bob Dylan's Dream from Freewheelin', you should listen to it, it's beautiful.

I haven't listened to Freewheelin' for a while. About a year ago I decided to start from the start, but I soon gave that up and went straight to Blonde on Blonde. I am going to Youtube it right now or put on the CD. Those lyrics are so beautiful and Miss Milky, I do know how to google . I google day and night. Seriously, I had never heard of Special Rider Music; it's sad I had to learn about it through Levon's death. I have something to read about tomorrow when I am bored! I am going to watch The Last Waltz and cry and think about how young everybody was and how all my heroes are dying. Love, Joanna XOXOX

Johanna Special Rider Music is bob Dylan's

That's why I laughed. I just wanted you to google it and see bob's name and then laugh

Very sad...a tremendously soulful artist and the heart of The Band. When I think of The Band, I always think of Levon's vocals. This was a man who loved to play for the sheer joy it gave him and others... an amazingly generous performer. You could see a lust for life and simplicity in his eyes and hear it in his voice. He's in a good place now. A man like that has to be.

Milky, I had already done that and when I saw Bob, I did laugh because I had never heard of that label or company before and then I felt even dumber than usual because I thought I knew everything about Bob! In fact, I got quite a shock! Thanks for trying to make me laugh. I haven't learned much about it yet; is all his music under that name? Did you ever go to one of Levon's music nights? I read about them several years ago in The Rolling Stone and they sounded really fun. 71 is too young to die today and I know he was married, but we need all the old guys we can get to stick around a while! You know we love men that age! Has Special Rider Bob issued any type of statement? It doesn't look like he played anything different and related to The Band in his set list for today. I feel so sorry for Levon's family and friends. Love, Joanna XOXOX P.S. Wineman, you are so right about the voice. Would I have loved the band as much without Levon's vocals?? - no way!

^
here's Bob's response, J:
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=69580

For some reason that makes me feel a little better; however, I think he could have played The Weight or I Shall Be Released or something from Planet Waves or Big Pink, etc. yesterday or today. Just my opinion; carries no weight; it was a very nice, moving statement. Love, Joanna XOXO

"Son of a bitch, the splendid Levon Helm has left us. A great loss. Heaven doesnt need more music. We do." ~ Lewis Black

Now that's a great goodbye! Love, Joanna XOXO

Sad to lose another fine musician. RIP, Levon

"But they should never have taken the very best"

^^^^
They really shouldn't have, but you made me smile. Thanks and Love, Joanna XOXO

RIP Levon. You keep rambling now. We'll miss you.

SLuggy

^The Midnight Ramble Music sessions, Vol1 & 2 with DVD, are really enjoyable, good music.

Rest in peace, Levon!
A great legend, he will be missed.

I feel sad. Really.

Anna Lee
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=pl ... JMMUZOq3OU

I couldn't find the words because you took them first.

Rest in peace, Levon. Thank you for everything you gave to music.

Levon on a jet plane.

I dont believe in an afterlife, but celebrate his existence and mark his passing.