Nominated by: GK
Music club: Wander to Wozza's
Playlist addition: You Gotta Serve Somebody
Although released in 2022, the sessions were from 2011, just before Levon's death. The billing is a bit cheeky, too, in that Levon drums, but only sings on one song - he helps out on The Weight and although he is recognisable, he sounds very frail. His drumming isn't diminished though. His unique style is captured well throughout.
That leaves the heavy lifting, vocal-wise, to Mavis, who can carry a tune! Ha ha. Faint praise! She is a bit of a force of nature and like Levon's drumming, she has a powerful style that suits the spirited (in more ways than one) songs.
Before reading the backstory to their record, I admit that I was waiting in anticipation for Levon to start singing. In his prime he had a superb vocal delivery. Sadly, he wasn't healthy enough it seems.
The thing I like about the set is that it's a live-in-the-studio affair. I don't know why more acts don't do this. Slade Alive and Tom Waits' Nighthawks at the Diner are two of my all-time favourites that take this approach. You get the ambience and the tight band performance, as well as quality control via the studio. It sounds like the Mavis and Levon, and their bands, had a whale of a time during the recording.
Compare the 'live' version of Dylan's You Gotta Serve Somebody with her studio version. The live one is vibrant with a funky groove; everyone playing superbly in sync with that groove. The other is limp and flat in comparison.
Apart from that song, which is my clear standout, I do find myself especially enjoying the aforesaid The Weight, This Is My Country, Trouble in Mind, Hand Writing on the Wall, and You Got to Move.
Of the others - When I Go Away is very poignant and a trifle hard to listen to, given the recent event for GK. Plus, on subsequent listens, I skipped their version of The Lighthouse Family's I Wish I Knew... and the acapella song Farther Along.
For the most part, a great selection from GK that follows the War album nicely.
