Levon Helm cleaned up at this years Americanas awards, winning best album with his first album since his battle with throat cancer - dirt farmer. This album moves the soul and chills you to your very core with the classic americana country tales, and eventhough Helm's voice is obviously not what it was, - it doesn't make the slightest bit of difference, the tracks on this album are outstanding. From the early track of poor old dirt farmer, mountains and Anna Lee are songs which really put across the feeling in what Helm was trying to achieve with this album, and it moves you to your very heart - this album is unbelievable.
Produced by Larry Cambell and Levons Daughter, Amy, the album sounds like every good country album should, with some tracks featuring just vocals and violin it conjurs up memories of the classic Levon Helm back with The Band in The Last Waltz Days.
If you have been waiting for a jewel, a classic, and a fantastic return to form, then Levon Has truly delivered here, Hope you enjoy it as much as I did !

Levon Helm is BACK! What utter joy! Okay, you have to like his southern drawl to enjoy his songs, but if you do, this is for you. What a recovery from throat cancer! I wonder was he tempted to try a full blown on version of The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down? These tracks are songs he grew up with, and they are all wonderful, feel good songs. The picks are probably the opening 3 - False Hearted Lover Blues, followed by the title track, and the warm The Mountain. But I also like the sparseness of tracks like Calgary, and Got Me a Woman! This is good old fashioned music, delivered in style by one of the greatest performers over the past 50 (yes 50!) years. Happy Days.