Greetings all! It’s late, past my deadline, I’m tired, there’s not much of anything new and exciting (other than Reservoir Music’s move to a new and exciting location at 711 Route 28), and not much live music to recommend this week, so I’ll just say goodnight and see you next week! Psych! Actually, all true, except the last part. So, I’m gonna be brief and to the point.
Bob Dylan will be receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom, which is the highest civilian honor given by the United States! President Bush gave this award to guys like Paul Bremmer, the overseer of the Iraq reconstruction. Obama’s giving it to Dylan! Other recipients this Spring will be Shimon Peres, President of Israel (two Jews blues?); Toni Morrison, the Pulitzer and Nobel Prize winning novelist; Madeleine Albright, former Secretary of State under President Clinton; John Glenn, the first American in outer space; retired Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens, and 7 other luminaries. They’re in pretty good company! I’m sure Obama will want to sing with Bob, the only question is, will it be “Blowin’ in the Wind”, “Chimes of Freedom”, “The Times They are A-Changing” or “Mister Tambourine Man”. Time will tell! I’m voting for “Tombstone Blues”!
The offerings of live musical faire this week actually is kind of slim, but here it is.
I just wanna conclude by reprinting the lyrics to a song written as a tribute to Levon by TJ in the Hills of Woodstock, which I think captures the spirit of the man quite well. Here ‘tis.
Levon Helm, Levon Helm, These hills won't be the same, without Levon Helm
Levon Helm, Levon Helm, These hills won't be the same, without Levon Helm
Rice Puddin and "hand jive" Willy
Country Blues Gospel and Rockabilly
Green Coke bottles stacked from the ceiling to the floor
You spit in the eye of that wolf at your door
Levon Helm, Levon Helm, These hills won't be the same, without Levon Helm
Levon Helm, Levon Helm, There'll never be another, like Levon Helm
From poppin wheelies on that ole tractor
To Hollywood, bein an Actor
Founding Father of Americana
Ya never did anything, ya didn't wanna
Levon Helm, Levon Helm, These hills won't be the same, without Levon Helm
Levon Helm, Levon Helm, nobody banged that drum like , Levon Helm
Always your own man, your own master
A voice as unique as that cowbell Telecaster
Friends in every state of this land
Playin with Bob and Muddy and The Band
Levon Helm, Levon Helm, there'll never be another like Levon Helm
Levon Helm, Levon Helm, nobody sang a song like, Levon Helm
These hills, won't be the same without Levon Helm
Have a great week. More later!
Fred Perry is the owner of Reservoir Music Center on Route 28 in Kingston, and founding member of Alt-Country supergroup, The Brooklyn Cowboys, is from a 3rd generation musical family and lives in the Hudson Valley, where he does what he can to promote live music.
