Richard Thompson - The Weight

[@leofosse]

Rest on peace, Levon Helm. The greatest combination of singer and drummer of all time, and pretty high on the list of just plain singers and just plain drummers.

[@ColinManning-r8e]

One of the all time great rock songs, and a great performance - what a stage of musicians and singers

[@douglasalan5783]

I was there at the Apollo for this. Fantastic.

[@Timothy23P]

You, sir, are what we call a lucky bastard.

[@williamthelast1]

And now Robbie Robertson died too... Sad week, sad days, sad life... We always love you brothers musicians. Coz life is a little bit easy with you areound us....😢😢😢😢😢❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@iamtheeggman0036]

RIP Levon, thank you for your life’s work.

[@ronkopald]

I'm sorry but did my brain just explode or did I just watch a video with Nick Lowe, Elvis Costello, Richard Thompson, Levon Helm and ALLEN TOUSSAINT all on the same stage? This can't be real. I must be dreaming this.

[@artcflowers]

Its magic. Pure. Also, Ray LaMontagne

[@normanhall8435]

Excellent performance. I am a big Richard Thompson fan. Another version to listen to is The Band with the Staple Singers.

[@tpsmith800]

My favorite version is Gillian Welch w/OCMS

[@Bodyknowledge77]

The amount of talent on this stage is chillingly staggering! The obvious has been stated..

[@roybutterfield9368]

Can't get a better line up of talent as this.

[@reveddro319]

Levon, Elvis, Richard, Ray,Allen what a cast!!

[@goodun2974]

In his memoir "BeesWing", Thompson writes of how The Band's "Music from Big Pink" record was a huge influence on Fairport Convention ---- not stylistically, but upon hearing how the Band blended and melded traditional American music with modern instruments and a rock sensibility, it inspired Fairport to do the same with the traditional music of the British Isles. Joni Mitchell was another big influence ---- Fairport had access to some of Mitchell's early demos through their shared producer Joe Boyd before they were properly recorded and publicly released. Thompson admits to doing something he now considers unforgivable, which was to take a peek through Joni's songbook backstage as she was on stage playing!

[@wendysgarden4283]

Davey Graham was also an influence on Fairport and on Thompson. I just watched the unbroadcast bio of him that's here on youtube and was thinking about how great he was, how many he influenced (not to mention those who stole directly from him and never paid him, which Thompson is not one of, to be clear), and what a lousy businessman he was. Revolutionary guitarist and composer whose ideas still reach into today's fingerstyle guitarists and how they compose. Like Allen Toussaint, here on keyboards, also influential beyond reckoning but he never wanted to leave New Orleans for long, and while it left him a bit poorer in cash, I have no doubt it also left him happier in spirit.

[@pentelikos]

Wow! All that talent on one stage! And not to forget the self-effacing, excellent Larry Campbell.

[@jackdedert2945]

There have been days where I spent hours down a rabbit hole viewing various versions of this piece, yet I've never seen this particular one. The 'Playing for Change' version done as a tribute to Robbie Robertson is one of my favorites, as well as the Americana Awards show at the Ryman, the year of Levon's passing.

[@whitetigress7448]

I love, love.love this. Been to church once or twice, and this so much better. Pope and Cardinals right up in there. I'm good with God now. Thanks!

[@davidcrofts848]

Wonderful, especially for the joy on Levon's face.

[@34hedgehog]

Awesome pick-up band... and just look at Levon's face when Allen Toussaint comes in on the 3rd verse... he's lovin' it.

[@cherylbianchi9616]

this showed up in my memory think on FB...what a joy to see this again!

[@mikelisacarb]

First time I really got the words to the "Crazy Chester" verse. Gritty as hell, but clear as a bell. Thank you, Richard Thompson!

[@silverblade757]

mikelisacarb Me too-always thought' fog' was 'barn'-for 40 years!

[@sloanmichael]

@@silverblade757 After he caught him in the fog, the verse is about a bed (fix your rack) and he wants him to put down his dog (but he can't because he is a peaceful man)... gotta see the video where Robbie talks about this.

[@misslantana52]

Splendid! I always loved this song, and to hear all of these fab musicians sing this song...AMAZING to say the least! LOVE IT!!!!!

[@jonstern7511]

Absolutely amazing having this lot together on such a great song 👍

[@archiegoodwin7050]

And the legendary Allen Toussaint on piano and one verse!

[@simonlee8889]

Yeah! Thanks, nice spotting

[@sarina1014]

Man, if this isn't the pick up band of geezers but my god, what talented geezers they are, it doesn't get any better than this. Ah Levon looks like he is having the time of his life, RIP Levon. Too many artists (and I use the term loosely) are just going through the motions these days, but few possess the passion for their craft the way this group does.

[@cravinbob]

They say about old and grey: May be snow on the roof but there still is fire in the furnace.

[@AndrewStuartBrown]

I know it's silly to respond to a comment three years old, but I do it for the reader of today. So, "pick up band of" what? "But my god, what talented" what? Are you as casual about using hate speech when you refer to women or POC as you are when you talk about old people? I think I represent quite a few other seniors when I say that I resent being referred to as a geezer. No, it isn't an "affectionate" term. It's demeaning. Keep saying it in public and see what happens.

[@derykbarker9634]

@@AndrewStuartBrown You appear to misunderstand the term "pick up band", which means essentially a group assembled just for the occasion. Also applied to orchestras. Absolutely nothing to do with picking up women, which I presume is why you are getting vicariously offended. Nor am I offended by "geezer", which has nothing to do with old people in Britain, where I was born nearly 70 years ago. Lighten up.

[@Kareliz]

Well said Mr. Brown! 😮❤

[@LibertarianBob]

Awesome version of one of my favorite songs!

[@filmerado]

Wow never saw this before and I am blowowowown away. Thompson & Helm in the same city at once, too much. !!!

[@texascarl]

About 500 years of experience and at least that many tons of talent on that stage.

[@krisscanlon4051]

elvis nick and Richard were I'm heaven since the LOVED the Band!

[@jejesus]

What a heavy weight reunion! Love it. Thanks for sharing!

[@borisbadenov8957]

WoW...so many legends on one stage..don't forget Nick Lowe

[@sianwarwick633]

Oh the talent on that stage, i swear

[@amywvful]

Even the angels can't help but sing along...

[@dthebassman7999]

That is a great all-star and talent line-up. Great tune and they did it proud!!

[@louisehawes4317]

Well, time has certainly made physical changes in this group. ...But OH, they've still got it inside!!! Thanks for this vid!

[@norajosie6883]

One of my favorite bands.

[@skylarkman2000]

Amazing musicians and one amazing song !

[@alanjones4080]

I couldn't believe this line-up! Nick Lowe, Ray Lamontaigne, Allen Toussaunt - but not only them, but also the two of the best British singer-songwritersof the past 45 years (Richard and Elvis) and the best ever British electric guitar player (RT again)...

[@stephendsullivan]

Amazing band!

[@graemecreegan6749]

Levon Helm 🙌

[@marklong4980]

Have to disagree about RT being the "best ever British electric guitar player"! Great voice, amazing song writer, and a fine guitar player, the dude is multi talented. But when there are players like Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, Mark Knopfler, Jimmy Page, David Gilmour, need I go on. It's a stretch to call him the best ever.

[@graemecreegan6749]

@@marklong4980 adding RT to the list you give proves that ‘best’ is a fallacy, we should stick to ‘favourite’ (and we all know favourite can change depending on our mood too 😁)

[@lesleybroughton6103]

@@marklong4980You forgot to mention Peter Green. Maestro.

[@Turgorful]

That's quite a lineup of talent

[@cherylbianchi9616]

swoooon! what a line up

[@PeteD1884]

"spectacle elvis costello with..." season two. What an amazing group of musicians. Check out "Shoot out the LIghts" from this same program - incredible.

[@jonstern7511]

What a line up! ❤️💚💙

[@jedtattum9996]

look at that line up.... awesome

[@DavidNewlandz]

I was up an apple tree when I first 3 versions of this on the radio, this ones a new one on me some considerable time later. Thanks for a stella post.

[@ChosenHandle117]

Alan yes! What a gig... stellar.

[@philtration-Em11]

Levon Helm was in a class of his own, shame what 1/2 million roll ups can do to a great man and his wonderful voice. RIP LH

[@BigDog_76]

Levon from the band on drums! RIP Levon

[@flyoneagleswings]

Total brilliance

[@jkennan]

Great version!

[@mekes12]

this is just too cool, love it!

[@mainmaam]

Thank you for posting this!!

[@johannbogason1662]

I love the way all these musicians just grow rolling over the weight still poignant

[@gtrrobster]

Joyous !

[@markroberts1301]

What a lineup!

[@alanollier9683]

And Levon looks so much like He wished He could still sing, mouthing the words..Sadly missed, an honest working Man's voice, but what a cast to take up the slack.

[@keithfitzsimons815]

+Alan Ollier indeed

[@simonlee8889]

Got that right, AO

[@krissyramsey3934]

And to top it off. produced by Sir Elton John. Sweet!

[@Robbbo64]

Good to see Levon enjoying himself there. Rest In Peace....

[@JPFP1958]

What a BAND (Y)

[@ticticboom1]

What a line up! 😳

[@surfwriter8461]

This is one of Richard Thompson's best songs, definitely. It's kind of fun to see him playing it with Elvis Costello as a sideman. This isn't quite up to the standard of the recorded version, but it's well-done. I suddenly thought of Tom Verlaine, maybe some overlap or influence between them, or maybe not. But some of the playing puts me in mind of Tom Verlaine as in the live performance of an extended "1880 (or So)" with Richard Lloyd and the Television band as it was off and on. That live performance from the Jools Holland TV program is available on this site.

[@kirkaracha]

Umm...the original is by The Band.

[@richardcondon3797]

Go back to 'the last waltz. it is and will remain unmatched. that defines great music.

[@fabrikk60]

In Richard's 2021 book "Beeswing", he writes about how The Band were a major influence on him and Fairport. I'm sure everybody else in this clip would concur.

[@mariebriand9493]

Wonderful..!!

[@billparry3591]

R.t.and levon , don't get any better.

[@popsfereal]

All star lineup!

[@TheAgeOfAnalog]

Man, I sure miss Levon...

[@jagtone]

That must have been when Levon was still sick--no mic. But aren't those Allen Toussaint and Nick Lowe, beside Ray Lamontagne? They are worthy of mention too, I would think.I love that RT got Rick's verse--perfect edginess for that.

[@simonlee8889]

Exactly so

[@franktaconelli9095]

what a stellar lineup; Levon in his ‘can’t sing’ period but who better to drum for this?

[@macfeoffensivemacflatearth9887]

Oh my goodness!!!

[@TheJennyJams]

This is so sweet - where was this recorded? Levon will be greatly missed. Rest in peace sweet man.

[@RomyArena]

WOW!

[@martinevensen406]

Good singer good richard

[@VonRaveOn13]

RIP Levon, Rick & Richard

[@chiphead777]

ah, levon helm, the legend, rip

[@kathrynphillips84]

Excellent post, thanks. We got Elvis Costello, Richard Thompson, Levon Helm, Ray Lamontaigne, but who were the others?

[@iancunningham5576]

A SUPERGROUP JAM. To put it mildly.

[@SuperAllanjames]

There are times when Elvis Costello looks so much like Eric Morecambe that it is hard to take him seriously!

[@seanparker5595]

Richard Thompson.... and Levon Helm, elvis Costello etc....

[@salliepine1210]

All the stars came out that night…

[@Bamaboompa]

Thanks for the great upload. I am ASSuming this is one of Levon's Midnight Ramble shows in Woodstock. There's an article on his website about Toussaint's friendship and him showing up to play. As for comments on Costello, I've never "gotten" him. From being lucky enough to snag Diana Krall to showing up in more places that Jessie Jackson, I just don't get it. But opinions are like assholes. Everybody's got one. Thanks again and RIP Levon

[@montalbans]

It's not one of the Rambles -- those were held at Levon's barn, which is a much smaller and more intimate space. Not sure when/where this was, but I think it was done for a TV special. Here's one of the barn shows: kzbin.info/www/bejne/n2XJaqqbjLipq6M

[@olafbigandglad]

It's from Elvis Costello's T.V. show Spectacle, which was shot in Vancouver. I'm not sure if it aired outside of Canada.

[@RTFan52]

@@olafbigandglad Probably silly to reply to a three year old comment, but Spectacle was filmed at the Apollo theatre in New York, and most certainly did air outside of Canada.

[@ChrisLawton66]

"Richard Thompson - The Weight" as if everyone else on that stage was a simple touring musician.

[@paulsmith6963]

They were.

[@JackT13]

@@paulsmith6963 Levon would take issue with that

[@wendysgarden4283]

haha. indeed. How many of these guys are gone. I miss Toussaint terribly.

[@buckchile614]

Your pain is palpable

[@ChrisLawton66]

@@paulsmith6963 troll on

[@im4out]

super..

[@7stanmac7]

Elvis is in the building...

[@BMWLDRider]

Groovy!

[@Jantze]

Who ISN'T on this stage?

[@tomholihan4850]

RT rocks indeed. I'm a bit of a smartass, but he is just smart.

[@engenhero42]

uau great

[@Bietel]

And Declan McManus (aka Elvis Costello)... and none of them would make it on American Idol but... good grief, this is some talent on one stage here!! Check out the vesrion by Gillian Welch and Old Crow Medicine Show, too, if you can.

[@dennispfohl3004]

American Idol is for those who want to make it as big pop stars not great musicians.

[@TinaCamp71]

God, why wasn't I there?

[@stephenandersen4625]

wait... Richard Thompson, Nick Lowe, & Elivis? Ho;y shit!!

[@JesseCaine]

I'm not normally a musical pedant, but love the bass (?) mistake at 1.30 ....

[@bjl11663]

Also seemed like Allen Toussaint didn't really know the words for his verse(!)

[@im4out]

still good

[@jamespage7998]

Levon!!!!

[@jumpfortyfour9965]

nick low what what a guy

[@BoBo0807]

There is an alternate reality in which this is the 5th or 6th incarnation of the Traveling Wilburys.

[@TRCOnline1]

I know that's Allen Toussaint on keys!

[@RaymondHelfrich]

I like all these folks and this performance, but I wish you wouldn't have worded this like it was an RT solo.

[@wildthistle535]

Yeah, no kidding. I see Allan Toussaint, Elvis Costello, Levon Helm...I don't know the white-haired guy with glasses. Is that Nick Lowe?

[@juliethelps1361]

Chad Thorne p

[@MatthewCrocker]

Who did the second verse? Yeah, that's the Jesus of Cool.

[@davidcrosskill9137]

Looks a lot like Nick Lowe.

[@KathyBennett27]

Because it is Nick Lowe

[@GooseMcSwan]

What was this concert? is there more??

[@Nummymuffincocobutter]

it's from the tv show SPECTACLE...there were only 2 seasons..this is from season 2...

[@fatdice911]

Produced by Elton John and his husband, I noticed. Surely this must have been one of Levon Helm's last performances.The version he did in "The Last Waltz" with Mama and Papa Staples was stunning.

[@latinology]

Nick Lowe and Allen Toussaint are in there.

[@GooseMcSwan]

Who sings second verse? Grey hair and glasses guitarist?

[@TheRicardoguitar202]

nick lowe

[@GooseMcSwan]

Cheers

[@kellymoon3406]

+Clem Fandango Nick Lowe he was in the band's Rockpile and Brinsley Schwartz and he's a producer for Elvis Costello, The Damned, etc... He's an amazing songwriter!

[@goodun6081]

Nick Lowe also played bass on John Hiatts' Bring The Family recording with Ry Cooder on guitar and Jim Keltner on drums, and some years later they made a recording and went out on the road as the band Little Village.

[@gordeauxd]

Nick Lowe also wrote What's So Funny About Peace, Love and Understanding, a top 10 song in rock and roll history, IMHO.

[@philipclifton3058]

CHRIST!!! and fffK ME! this isjust beauiful!

[@SuperAllanjames]

This shouldn't have worked. One of the pillars of American folk-rock being performed by a load of 60 years olds + a few new boys. Half the band isn't even American. It's perfect. My, how the original Band would have loved this tribute.

[@SuperAllanjames]

"Have a nice day"!