Hardly Strictly Bluegrass celebrates its 20th anniversary with an online broadcast titled “Let The Music Play On”. Curated & filmed at iconic venues in Austin, Nashville, and San Francisco featuring new performances by Emmylou Harris, Rhiannon Giddens, Birds of Chicago, The War & Treaty, Steve Earle & Fantastic Negrito, as well as archival treasures and the history of the event.
During last summer’s Furthur Tour, me and my tour friends went to New York City on a night off to see Levon Helm and Emmylou Harris play at the Summerstage in Central Park.
I didn’t have a ticket, or even the money for one… it was a lovely day though, and i figured I would just hang out in the park and listen from outside the amphiteatre, while my friends went into the show. Then a guy came up to me, and asked if I was on Furthur tour. When I said I was, he said “Well then you ought to see Levon tonight, Phil might sit in!” and then gave me a miracle ticket to the show.
Phil Lesh did not sit in, though Joan Osbourne did. First up, Emmylou Harris gave a gorgeous performance. Then the Levon Helm Band came out, featuring Levon’s daughter Amy, and Larry Campbell and Teresa Williams, played us into the evening. Sweet and beautiful, music for the love of it.
Here are a few sights and sounds from that show.
RIP Levon, and thanks for all the music.
Levon helm and Friends – The Weight – Central Park 2011
Levon Helm with Emmylou Harris, Central Park 2011
7 Walkers
Emmylou Harris
Indigo Girls
Paige Anderson
Michael McDonald
Enjoy our photo gallery:
[nggallery id=12]
