I grew up listening to the music of The Band. The Last Waltz is something I've watched many times. But for some reason, I didn't know anything about Levon Helm Studios or the Midnight Ramble until I arrived recently for a friend's birthday.
Well, the Ramble and I made that birthday great. It's an amazing show in an amazing venue.
They call it The Barn for a reason. All wood everywhere, it's an intimate show with seats all around, above and behind the stage. Apparently Levon designed and acoustically engineered the space himself, and it shows; the sound quality is phenomenal in here.
I think any act would sound good in here, but the Ramble blew my mind. The musicianship is incredible. You'll watch people swap guitars for keyboards for drums and show startling prowess on all of them. They brought in all sorts of friends including Graham Lesh and Twisted Pine (the excellent opening act), and literally everyone could play, and sing, and just rock. With some of Levon's family in the band, you'll hear them play his music with real feeling and emotion, and watch them have a great time doing it.
I can't recommend this show enough, and I would certainly come back to the venue as well. Be aware that they don't sell drinks and food, which isn't the worst thing in the world because you could pour half a bottle of vodka into into a water bottle with some powdered grape kool-aid because that's all you had on hand, and have a great time.
In theory, I mean. read more