CONCERT REVIEW: Willie Nelson, Levon Helm at CMAC

July 30, 2010 at 11:52am

In order to decipher Willie Nelson's phrasing, you'd have to invent new punctuation: the slow-release comma, the mid-sentence period, the participle (with extra dangle), the endless ellipses... and the total eradication of exclamation points!

Nelson is and was beyond casual as he finally took the stage at CMAC Thursday night. Sporting a kicky new summer bob beneath a 10 gallon hat, the Redheaded Stranger and his modest band - bass, drums, piano, harmonica, and Nelson playing his trademark battered guitar - got things rolling with the classic "Whiskey River." The crowd seemed ready to boogie and Nelson gave them plenty of opportunities to get rowdy ("Good Hearted Woman," Jambalaya," "On The Road Again") but the night belonged to Nelson the balladeer.

The night's ultra-syncopated version of "Crazy" proved how beautiful and resilient the tune is. Nelson would cram two lines into one measure, then casually let another phrase slip in just when you thought it was too late. Same goes for "Night Life," "Blue Eyes Crying In The Rain," and "Angel Flying Too Close To The Ground."

But Nelson really came off as a mellow fellow in contrast to show opener Levon Helm. From the opening notes of "Ophelia" to a round-robin version of "The Weight," Helm and his band swung like a New Orleans sledgehammer. They even pulled a second-line-style parade around the stage at one point.

His voice all but gone, Helm still sang what he could with admirable fervor, the slack picked up by the rest of his most excellent band, which included his daughter Amy Helm and multi-instrumentalist/guitarist extraordinaire Larry Campbell, who used to play with Bob Dylan. Helm stayed on stage, routinely bringing the crowd of around 5000 to its feet so long - the set lasted almost an hour and a half - that we almost forgot about Willie.

Comments for "CONCERT REVIEW: Willie Nelson, Levon Helm at CMAC" (8)

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jas cooper said on Jul. 30, 2010 at 1:20pm

Helm was a pleasant surprise. Willie was somewhat of a disappointment, but I guess at 77, what do you expect?

and It's "The Weight"

mike mac. said on Jul. 30, 2010 at 10:12pm

helm was the hit of the show for me him and his band played several different varieties of music and styles that keep me tapping through there set. i was not disappointed by willie i have seen him several times and he still got it done for me.

Tailingspile said on Jul. 31, 2010 at 1:57am

Beg to differ, but most did not "forget about Willie", while listening to Helm's band.
Willie was brilliant.
Your review blog is on Willie's website, so if there is any chance you can save face about quickly changing " The Wait" to "The Weight" before Helm and the world reads it.....
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Weight

tooee said on Jul. 31, 2010 at 7:53pm

I agree with tailingspile, Willie was great. Some people have commented on various sites that they didn't get it, but I loved his unique style. And at 77, holy ****! I pray that I have that energy in me at that age.

mellohchik said on Aug. 01, 2010 at 1:52pm

Willie Nelson was and always is amazing.I have seen him several times and he always puts on a fantastic show.This was the first time I have seen him with just part of his "family" band and I really enjoyed it.Levon's set was also great and I was so happy to get to see 2 legends on one bill.Can't wait to go see them again on the 15th.It justs amazes me how Willie still does it.I'm only 40 and I needed to rest the next day after having a late night watching him.

jas cooper said on Aug. 01, 2010 at 3:56pm

I see
'The Weight" spelling was corrected. The fact remains Helms held up the show for almost 2 hours while Willie was in the bus getting high. He was there. Just not coming out when he should have.

Next time I'll save >$100 and rent Honeysuckle Rose. I don't go to concerts to pay homage, but for good music. The lateness of his appearance, and the fact that he had little backup (harmonica, drum (not drums), and bass indicates.

Those of us with grey hair know...

carol said on Aug. 01, 2010 at 9:45pm

Whoa jas, where did you get the idea Willie didn't come out when he should have? he came out just as soon as they could clear the stage from the 13 people with Helm. As far as backup, Willie could perform all by himself and it would be wonderful. He may be 77, but he's still puts on one heck of a show. By the way, there was a piano also. Anyone who is familiar with Willie and his family band knows and loves his sister Bobbie as much as they love Willie.

"Those of us with grey hair know..." hmmmm, I'm one with grey hair and I think I know just how wonderful Willie Nelson is.

jas cooper said on Aug. 10, 2010 at 11:52am

Whoa Carol. It's obvious that people have different expectations of what they should get for their entertainment dollar. Venues are set up so they just roll ones bands gear off, and the next one on.

Here we have a reasonable band with a full compliment of instruments. Helms played his heart (and voice having survived throat cancer).

When CMAC has a noise ordinance that shuts them down at 11pm. The headliner doesn't amble out after 10.

If Levon was a "special friend", why didn't they play together?

They were at Radio City the night before, and the Times did a good piece on them.

My grey hair also finds it abhorrent that they were getting $50 for t-shirts. And I thought Harley shirts were the biggest ripoff. Live and learn.

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