Love for Levon - Izod Center 10/3/2012

          Last night I was fortunate to see the Love for Levon concert at the Izod Center in New Jersey. The concert was a benefit to save the Barn, the home of Levon's Midnight Rambles since 2005.
          Both the Dirt Farmer Band and the larger Levon Helm Band, now the Midnight Ramble Band, acted as house band. The band features leader Larry Campbell on Guitar and Fiddle,Amy Helm & Teresa Williams on vocals, Justin Guip on drums, Jim Weider on Guitar, Brian Mitchell on keyboards, Erik Lawrence and Jay Collins on saxophone, Howard Johnson on Tuba and Steve Bernestin on Trombone. these great musicians played throughout the show and were joined by musical director Don Was on bass. Kenny Aronoff, Shawn Pelton & Jaimoe(from the Allman Brothers) shared drum duties, along with Steve Jordan guesting on a couple songs. G.E. Smith played guitar throughout the night also.
           I was not sure what the format on the show would be. Would artists come and go or jam throughout the show? Would they do Levon /Band songs, or their own songs, or both?
           The show started with Q104.3 DJ Ken Dashow telling a story about meeting Levon at the old Lone Star Road House. Allman Brothers/Govt. Mule guitarist Warren Haynes quickly came out and got the show started. From there on, all the performers sang songs that were affiliated with Levon and the Band. An amazing show and one filled with great performances. Larry Campbell introduced the artists for each song. Original Band member Garth Hudson joined on a couple songs also.
           Here is the setlist with the featured performers.

                The Shape I'm In - Warren Haynes
                Long Black Veil - Gregg Allman & Warren Haynes
                Trouble in Mind - Jorma Kaukonen & Barry Mitterhoff of Hot Tuna
                The Wheels on Fire - Midnight Ramble Band w/Larry Campbell Lead Vocals
                Little Birds - Midnight Ramble Band w/Amy Helm & Teresa Williams Vocals
                Listening to Levon - Marc Cohn
                Move Along Train - Mavis Staples
                Life is a Carnival - Allen Toussaint
                When I Paint My Masterpiece - John Prine & Garth Hudson on Accordian
                Anna Lee - Bruce Hornsby
                Ain't Got No Home - Jakob Dylan & Rami Jaffee/keyboards of the Wallflowers
                Whispering Pines - Lucinda Williams w/Rami Jaffee on Keyboards
                Rag Mama Rag - John Hiatt & Mike Gordon of Phish on Bass
                     
                                              Intermission

                Baby Don't You Do It - David Bromberg & Joan Osbourne w/Rami Jaffee on Keyboards
                I Shall be Released - Grace Potter
                Tears of Rage - Ray LaMontagne & John Mayer on Guitar, Rami Jaffee on Keyboards
                Rockin' Chair - Dierks Bentley w/Jon Randall & Jessi Alexander
                Chest Fever - Dierks Bentley w/Jon Randall, Jessi Alexander and Garth Hudson on Organ
                A Train Robbery - Eric Church
                Get Up Jake - Eric Church w/Rami Jaffee on Keyboards
                Tennessee Jed - Larry Campbell Lead Vocals, John Mayer Guitar, Steve Jordan Drums
                Up on Cripple Creek - Joe Walsh & Robert Randolph w/Rami Jaffee on Keyboards
                Ophelia - My Morning Jacket
                It Makes No Difference - My Morning Jacket
                The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down - Roger Waters & My Morning Jacket
                Wide River to Cross - Roger Waters

                The Weight - All