Fans of The Band..a question...

[mix]

What was the relationship between Levon Helm and Richard Manuel? I'm listening to the alternative take of Whispering Pines...Manuel forgets the lyrics, the song stops, and you can hear Helm gently encouraging and praising Manuel for how he handled a vocal transition...despite being a nearly inaudible and fleeting moment, it is touching.

[Tangerine LaBamba]

1. Richard Manuel

was a tortured soul. It was rough for him, this life.

But, what exactly is your question? Are you querying to find out if they had a romantic relationship?

Naw, they both were as straight as could be.

Levon Helm is a gentle love of a man. It's reflected in his music, and it doesn't surprise me that he'd be part of such an exchange.

They were beautiful, all of them........................

[mix]

2. No,

not a "romantic" relationship, but how did they get along within the band, as collaborators and artists? The tone of that exchange on Whispering Pines just seemed very intimate, in that Helm knew how to talk to him, how to keep Manuel focused...it's a beautiful few murmurs that I suspect reflects a profound friendship.

[Tangerine LaBamba]

3. I only know that they lived together

and made some wonderful music.

I'm sure there are some good biographies out there about The Band - check amazon........................

[mix]

4. thanks, I will...I've been meaning to buy a good history of The Band n/t

[Zomby Woof]

5. They got along fine

All the tension in The Band was between Helm and Robertson, who until this day are still not speaking to each other.

They all thought Danko would be the first to go - he lived the closest to the edge. But alas, it was Manuel found in his motel room, having hanged himself while on tour in 1986. At that time, it was Manuel, Helm, Hudson, and Danko still going as The Band. It was Robertson who forced "The Last Waltz" (a helluva good movie, directed by Martin Scorsese) - the others didn't want to quit.

[mix]

6. thank you

[Zomby Woof]

7. You're welcome

Begin with "Mystery Train" by Greil Marcus, for a bio. It actually contains several essays, not just about The Band. But a good place to start.

[mitchum]

8. I so wanted to like The Band after first reading Mystery Train as a kid...

and I tried
and tried
and tried
and tried
and tried
and tried
but alas...

Still
it is a great chapter in a great book

[Zomby Woof]

9. Not even 'The Basement Tapes', huh?

Ah well. You did try, anyway, lol.

[mitchum]

11. Only when they are backing up that Zimmerman kid

It's the weirdest thing
with him, they sound so vicious and hungry
but on their own
just...I dunno...polite?
Maybe his hostility and venom isn't contagious
and doesn't transfer?

That is a fantastic essay though.
It and the Sly Stone as Staggerlee are my favorites.

[Zomby Woof]

13. Save for Helm, they are all Canadian

Could explain the "polite" factor.

[mitchum]

14. LOL, You may be on to something there...

I really do like Helm as an actor. I think he has pulled it off better than any "rock star"
I can't believe that Scorsese thought than Robertson had a magnetic screen presence and would find great success as an actor.
But cokebuddy loyalty is touching and sweet in a way...

[Zomby Woof]

16. His turn in "Coal Miner's Daughter"

One of the best things about that film. It's too bad he wasn't offered more roles (or accepted them if offered).

So true about cokebuddy loyalty. All that came of it were some weak tunes for "The Color of Money" soundtrack.

[mix]

15. here ya go...Dylan and The Band...from Rock of Ages (1971)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sDQauecosxE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uN96abzSLfQ

[mix]

10. don't give up

[mitchum]

12. Oh, I probably won't...

I still give them and the Buzzcocks "one more" chance every few years.

[704wipes]

17. Have you tried 'Jubilation' ?

nt