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Levon Helm: Ramble at the Ryman

Vanguard

Astute fans know that to attend a Levon Helm ramble—especially one of his intimate rambles at his barn in Upstate New York—is to bare witness to a legend of American music. This live collection—a CD and a DVD sold separately—is from a 2008 ramble at one of America’s finest auditoriums. The big band swing of the CD bookends “Ophelia” and “The Weight”— with guest John Hiatt —with Helm’s weathered yet soulful vocals is inspirational. A plethora of guests join the band including bluesmen Little Sammy Davis (“Fannie Mae”) and Sheryl Crow, whose harmony vocals on “Evangeline” are surprisingly pleasant. Locals Buddy Miller and Sam Bush turn in moving performances on Miller’s “Wide River To Cross” and a brassy “Deep Elem Blues” respectively. But the highlights are Helm on Band classics such as the New Orleans boogie of “Rag Mama Rag” and “The Shape I’m In,” the latter sung in harmony with guitarist Larry Campbell.