Levon Helm & The Classics (Barn Burners)
Empire State Plaza
Albany, NY
August 31, 1999

Source: SBD > DAP-1
Tranfer: MDAT > Fostex D-15 > Ardour @ 16/44.1
Master: Wavelab 6.10 (Remove DC Offset; tracking; fades) > FLAC

One Set

1. Too Many Drivers > Sweet Home Chicago
2. Hide & Seek (Paul Winley - Ethel Byrd)
3. Mr. Used To Be (Chris O'Leary)
4. I'm Ready (Muddy Waters)
5. I Wants To Be Loved (Muddy Waters)
6. I Just Want to Make Love To You *
7. Jealous Hearted Man (Chris O'Leary)
8. Long Distance Call (Muddy Waters) ^
9. Shake That Boogie (John Lee Williams)
10. crowd and banter

Encore:
11. Hound Dog * (Big Mama Thorton)

A solid SBD recording. Thanks to Tom Reizes for the DAT.

Opened for Little Feat. Billed as Levon Helm and the Classics, but Chris O'Leary introduces the band as the Barn Burners.

The Albany Times Union reviewed the concert here: http://alb.merlinone.net/mweb/wmsql.wm.request?oneimage&imageid=5944247 The paper said:

"The Band's Levon Helm has played with a number of different bands in recent years, and there was some confusion as to just who was onstage Tuesday opening the show. The advertising proclaimed his band to be the Classics, but in fact, they have been dubbed the Barn Burners. Whatever you want to call them, they sounded simply great.

Helm's voice has been silenced by illness in recent years, but he was still a knockout behind his drum kit. And his band -- led by vocalist, harmonicat and Schenectady native Chris O'Leary -- mined the rich vein of blues nuggets from masters like Muddy Waters, Big Joe Turner and James Cotton.

Barrere and Tackett slipped onstage to join in the festivities, but this band didn't need any special guests. They lived up to their name, no matter which one it was."

In August 1999, Levon Helm and the Classics was:

Levon Helm - drums
Chris O'Leary - vocals
Pat O'Shea - guitar
Francis Anthony Salvatore - bass

* w/ Amy Helm (vocals)
^ w/ Paul Barerre (slide guitar)
(I didn't hear Fred Tackett)

Enjoy!

--mhg :: 04/19/12