Movie of the Week: Garth Hudson Returns to Big Pink After 46 Years with Rolling Stone

Garth Hudson

The new Basement Tapes

Its not not often I get to tip my cap to Rolling Stone magazine, but in this case I definitely have to. This short film of instrumentalist, Garth Hudson (who still lives in the area), returning to the house where he was a part of rock mythology with his fellow members of The Band and Bob Dylan, is a gorgeous & touching piece of work. 

The house itself, located between Woodstock & Saugerties in New York State, about 100 miles from New York City, is really nothing to look at. Every time I've ever taken someone to see it, I always feel like its a bit anti-climactic. Its really just another somewhat run down house in the woods. The interior looks much better than I imagined seeing it through the camera lens, and with some music flowing through it, it becomes a magical place.

The Band in front of Big Pink by Elliott Landy

The real Basement Tapes!

Daily Travels: Big Pink

Movie of the Week: Bob Dylan and The Band - Down In The Flood (2012)

Today we wish Bob Dylan a very happy 72nd birthday with this presentation of a terrific 2012 doc called Bob Dylan and The Band - Down In The Flood.

Documentaries of note: Ain't In It For My Health & Portrait of Jason

Here are a couple of recent films I plan on seeing soon:

Shot over the last couple of years of his life in and around his home in Woodstock, NY, Ain't In It For My Health tells the story of The Band's Levon Helm.

Official website here.
Official Facebook here.

Shirley Clarke's Portrait of Jason tells the story of a one time, real life NYC character, Jason Holliday. The restored 1967 film was shot entirely in one night in Jason's room at the Chelsea Hotel. Read a terrific write up about the movie in the New Yorker here.

Official website here.
Official Facebook page here.

Levon Helm RIP

Levon Helm - RIP

Woodstock NY is in for some sad days - Levon Helm in final stages of cancer battle

From Levon Helm's website:

Dear Friends,

 
Levon is in the final stages of his battle with cancer. Please send your prayers and love to him as he makes his way through this part of his journey.

Thank you fans and music lovers who have made his life so filled with joy and celebration... he has loved nothing more than to play, to fill the room up with music, lay down the back beat, and make the people dance! He did it every time he took the stage...

We appreciate all the love and support and concern.
From his daughter Amy, and wife Sandy

Before and After: Makes No Difference

Before - the Band:

The Band on Amazon

After - the Mekons:

Mekons on Amazon