The Band - The Making of "Up On Cripple Creek"

Great little clip picking apart of one of The Band's biggest hits, "Up On Cripple Creek".
Featuring Garth Hudson, Robbie Robertson & Levon Helm, flanked by two of their peers: producer Don Was & career session drummer Jim Keltner.

[@wangson]

Garth's smile/laugh after playing his line is so sweet! That dude NEVER smiles!!! To see that happen...it's something to treasure, man!! He was having a good time, clearly!

[@tullinadaly]

i was going to type the same.. not often Gareth smiles, but man he hit a sweet note that time, brilliant !!

[@Greg2600]

I love Levon's line, "there were no rules and it felt good, so we went with it." That's what a true innovator thinks.

[@SimpleManGuitars1973]

Levon Helm is one of the coolest dudes ever to live. He seems like he was such a genuine and down to earth guy that would really be friendly.

[@peterwalsh5068]

@@joeking433Robertson wasn’t great even though he wrote some of the greatest songs of all time…and he couldn’t play the guitar very well? What d’you consider well? Like hundred notes a second well? The guy was a masterful guitar player.

[@peterwalsh5068]

@@joeking433 Depends what your definition of mediocre guitar playing is. He did write good songs 😂…only a few “good” ones.

[@peterwalsh5068]

@@joeking433 Simple is all it needed. He didn’t need to play the rhythm guitar up front, look at the rhythm section they had. Danko, Manuel, Hudson.

[@koala381]

listening to Levon's voice... knowing he died from throat cancer... I cried a little. He's a legend.

[@sgtpepper1138]

Yeah, so sad. I loved the way he spoke and sang. I grew up in the 80s and I first knew him as Jack Ridley/the narrator for The Right Stuff. Then I got a little older and became a huge classic rock fan and became a drummer/musician. Then I find out what ELSE he's done and have been a die hard fan ever since.

[@julesotis13]

❤

[@drummer78]

I saw him just before he died and he sang…hope that helps

[@harmonygreen1730]

My thought too. It is so hard to see our legends leaving...

[@thefeckineejit264]

For me the greatest group of musicians every to play together, each one a musical genius in their own right…Music from the big pink is one of my favorite albums of all time.

[@vinniechavez4310]

When I Heard this song in 1969 I was on my way to the nam and it stayed in my head the hole time I was there in the war. The funny thing about that is it sure did help me get through the war. Thank you for that so my hat off to you Levon Helm & THE BAND!!! God bless!!!

[@traviswilkins6265]

Thank you for your service.

[@philliphutson7250]

Welcome, Brother. '68-'69

[@MrBonediver]

Glad you made it home!!!!!

[@lsingstock1646]

That's what you call, Meant to Be. 🙂

[@mrjon75]

Thank you for your service Brother Vinnie.

[@onusgumboot5565]

That should be the only rule in music. "It felt good and we went with it"

[@Baci302]

Exactly. You take all those influences you've been studying and playing all your life until they've become a part of you. Then you add "You" to it then off we go. lol. You can't use the right side of your brain for this. I guess that's the beauty of it.

[@mikearchibald744]

@@Baci302 yeah, i remember geddy lee saying 'you get so many influences that you get your own style'. similar thing i think. although i think anybody can pick up any instrument and wail on it and have fun. you probably won't make a living out of it, but few do.

[@rh741]

Egotistical douches plague rock music now. For fucks sakes people are dressing like it's still 1970.

[@FrankTheTank7575]

My favourite band of all time. The whole band is amazing, but Levon's voice... took it to another level. Rest in peace, brothers. Thanks for the music.

[@howie9751]

Probably the most underrated group in rock.

[@bobwonderhem9715]

The other one HAS to be Little Feat... that's leaving out the Canadians, which is ok, These Guys ARE Canadian.. ('cept for Levon, he's honorary citizen of the planet Earth anyway,.. ) thanks for the recognizance of that fact, not too many get that. It was an Amazing time to discover an importantly classic original (near perfect, esp. the song order- to play an album right through - both sides) sounding album per month.

[@bobwonderhem9715]

For a Decade. And a Half. Mind bender a month. I was 12 in 1970. I got it, we're the Lucky Ones.

[@steveellis1191]

howie9751 s@

[@michaelgallagher3640]

Not by their peers.

[@michaelgallagher3640]

@@lastnamefirst4035... That's what I said.

[@Pivojed]

"People give me good credit... and I appreciate it. ... But it's actually easier!" Haha! Levon's a legend!

[@TheKiller-yh3pi]

Garth's face after that organ fill right around 0:45 is just priceless...and contagious! Makes me get the contact grin every single time...he may well be the most talented musician of the 20th century, seriously. Who else can play like that nowadays?? Nobody, that's who!

[@BornLate56]

Garth Hudson was a musical genius - no other word for it. If you watch video of any of the tracks recorded in the basement at 'Big Pink', you can see him watching the other players from his perch behind the organ / keyboards up above them, and he's putting in the fills and embellishments and his brilliant little touches as the music rolls along. Where bands nowadays put in overdubs and multi-layer their music, in what's now called post-production, Garth Hudson was doing it in real time. The Band were IMHO one of the best groups of multi-talented musicians that ever played, and Garth Hudson was the jewel in their crown.

[@bobbailey5072]

Sweeps McCullough his face reminds me of the video of the kid eating bacon for the first time. Priceless.

[@bg00d9199]

Love the band. Helm, Robbie, and Rick Danko especially on it makes no difference. But would not consider one of these guys the most talented musicians of the 20th century. I think McCartney single handed takes that prize

[@HammondB200]

well now that's a clavinet, that's where they talkin about, you even listening?

[@Strokecity1]

Amen to that! A true genius! :)

[@NorthWriter]

Rick and Levon were so tight. I love songs like "King Harvest" and "Up on Cripple Creek," because Rick's bass playing is so in sync with Levon's bass drum. They complement each other so perfectly.

[@deathmetaldownhiller7874]

The way the bass and keyboard dance together at the tail end of King Harvest is amazing

[@mojomojo5779]

This is one of my all-time favorite rock songs. I never tire of it. The tune always makes me think that these were probably really cool guys to have as friends.

[@ustheserfs]

There weren't 5 better musicians in a band, and it made Dylan reach for heights he might never have without their intervention.

[@marshsherrif2824]

THEE BAND

[@DavidGriffin-ww2fk]

My dad grew me up on this stuff.That dips her doughnut in my tea line always made me laugh as a five year old.Then in '06 my dad got me backstage to meet Levon!Nice and down to earth as he could be.One of the highlights of my life.

[@detestor420]

thats amazing.. do you know what he meant by "puts a donut in my tea" ?

[@mrdanforth3744]

@@detestor420 I feel a little Canadian influence there. Hot tea is a lot more popular drink in Canada. In the US you might see someone dunk their donut in their coffee. In Canada they would as likely be dunking in their mug of tea. Also, 'dips a donut in my tea' scans where 'dips a donut in my coffee' wouldn't.

[@buddyalbert5808]

This is THE BAND! Never ever will they be duplicated. That’s it....here comes my “The Last Waltz” DVD marathon.

[@mkerwin1]

Garth at 0:49 !!!!!!!!!! warms my heart to see that smile.

[@Frijolero18]

Man, he's just like a big teddy bear. Gotta love him.

[@jcoltrane8976]

He’s feeling the groove. Who couldn’t?

[@jackflash5659]

The Band...the greatest Canadian/American collaboration in history.

[@jameslumpkin3334]

The PERFECT mix of GREATNESS there will never be music like this again RIP LEVON

[@krisscanlon4051]

Robbie is blown away by it all...What a classic band...Love em

[@landyachtfan79]

I have a bit of an embarrassing story to tell you all about this song. I have loved it ever since I was little, thanks to my father's "The Best Of The Band" cassette tape that we used to listen to in his 1980 Honda Civic 1500DX 5-Speed Hatchback, & one day, we were asked in preschool to write down some of the exciting things we had done during the week. Well, all I knew of the song at the time was the chorus, especially that line "A drunkard's dream, if I ever did see one". And, um.......sure enough, one of the things I put down was "I listened to "A Drunkard's Dream". Needless to say, my father's face was QUITE red when he saw it during a Parents' Night!!!!!!!

[@psmguy63]

Thank you for sharing. I laughed out loud and had the whole visual. Well done.

[@RastaSaiyaman]

One of the most bad ass keyboard tracks ever done, Garth you're a master.

[@Au60schild]

Too cool for words. Five musical geniuses!

[@michaelligue3842]

I love the big smile on Garth's face when he hits the riff .

[@benrumson1063]

I was there. And I'm glad I was a part of it. That was a revolution in music during the 60-70s. No one will see that again.

[@hermanblume275]

I was there, too!

[@tattyshoesshigure5731]

Love Levon’s great vocals on this wonderful song, his voice had such a rich, down home flavour to it that’s really heart warming. My favourite lines in the lyrics: “Now there's one thing in the whole wide world I sure would like to see That's when that little love of mine Dips her doughnut in my tea” oh yes indeed!

[@timsullivan67]

Freaking brilliant, no more needs to be said. RIP Robbie!

[@nightmoves7989]

Levon is Americana personified! Funky as hell as a drummer with a different sense of time and like that engineer said to be able to sing and play drums with that complexity is crazy and he's a typical hillbilly/Country Boy like myself being born and raised in West Virginia and he being from Arkansas he's like so many people I've known growing up in the late 70s, 80s and early 90s! Men that were full of knowledge that just effortlessly poured out of them and most were quite proficient at playing multiple instruments while I was struggling to learn to play the guitar at 13-14, my grandpa, my Dad, uncle's, friends and neighbors seemed like every home had at least one accomplished musician in the family.

[@jimmyBside]

Hey NM. We need more Men like Levon and You. And your friends and family! Who knew we were growing up in legendary times…60/70/80’s. Holy smokes. That was cool to hear the guys breaking down the simple genius of UOCC. That engineer was Robbie Robertson. (He’s with the band). The joy and love on his face…telling the story…a glimpse into his soul. Amazing. Catch you on the B-side…🍻

[@luzazul1203]

Way cool. Keep it going, man! May we never lose this incredible treasure.

[@Trippy_solutions]

That’s not a engineer that Robbie Robertson the dick head of the band.

[@ProjectTwang]

"That Engineer" is Robbie Robertson, the real genius in the band, and writer of that song!

[@clafong9]

Boy this is fantastic. The short video of them playing in the beginning, Robbie talking through the mixing, Levon talking about his drumming style... What a great, great band.

[@TELEthruVOXx]

Levon. What a guy

[@Luke-pd7xj]

Levon embodies all things cool

[@Toilbaby]

Levon don’t down play your vocals/instrumentals. You guys made this song GREAT. ABSOLUTELY GREAT. And I thank you all of you guys. God bless you all. Lodie. ☺️

[@darrellcooling7670]

"its actually easier says Levon", Mortal drummers say different. A once in a lifetime talent.

[@HankFinkle11]

I am a singing drummer and have been doing it for years. It’s not hard. What baffles me is how organists can play two different patterns on separate keyboards while hitting bass notes with the right foot.

[@ThoughtsEtcEtcEtc]

This song is like the best dark meat chicken. And if you know a thing about reggae you know what the rhythm guitar and piano are doin together is super similar. I’m a huge reggae and rocksteady fan, and when the weather turns cold I always slide over to the Band.... same groove. Ridiculously tight. Helps to have a sublime trio of vocalists in the band as well. Unstoppable.

[@SwampDaddy7]

I love The Band very much . . . ESPECIALLY the way Levon played the Southern Rhythms on the drums . . . sometimes with that timing almost going into Reggae without even trying to go into Reggae at all . . . just fits.

[@blahblah606]

The opening guitar and drums always make me think of the way the Meters groove. Very New Orleans for a northern group. Love it!

[@WordslingingStephen]

"Northern" group. Yeah-- Canadian!

[@kimh5566]

Jedi Master of syncopated rock drumming - Jim Kelter - giving props to Levon. LOVE it! Gotta go right now and find the rest of this documentary. RIP Levon. Play on Jim.

[@Odawg292002]

Kim H Classic Albums: Making of The Band

[@linebacker79]

Watch “Ain’t in it for my Health” and find out why Levon despised Robbie Roberson for ripping off his band mates, leaving Rick basically destitute.

[@BillMcGirr]

Snakey Jim Keltner... He played on some of my favorite Harry Nilsson albums. I think he did some Warren Zevon albums as well. Just a great player. Good stuff.💪👍

[@c.j.rogers2422]

Man, Mr. Helm was just great! The world should miss him a lot more than it does.

[@JCPJCPJCP]

All of their oddities add up to originality, which is why they were great.

[@lostplanet1308]

The only song I know that mentions my home town: Lake Charles, Louisiana.

[@joetaska]

Check out Lucinda Williams song Lake Charles!

[@albertfachan1470]

Lucinda williams lake charles

[@GahDub]

"There were no rules and if felt good so we went with it...." There it is there. RIP Levon. You were / are the king of this type of playing. Miss you terribly!

[@redskindan78]

Garth...wow...but I've always -- most of all -- heard Levon's drumming on that song. Two beyond-perfect perfomances. RIP, Levon!

[@mullen25]

i was too young to appreciate them in their prime. i get it now. they are legends.

[@kevinferministudio]

RIP Levon, and thank you for everything. Hope you, Rick and Richard are all in a good place now.

[@DoubleVisionandco]

Even so Robbie and Levon were at odds with each other when this was made it's nice to see how Robbie still gave Levon credit for his abilities and talents as a musician and a former band member. Rest In Peace Levon, You were one of the greats.

[@xtc1957]

So funny to hear Levon Helm talking toward the end; he was the narrator for the epic movie "The Right Stuff" and I always loved the way he talked.

[@slingbladejch7935]

@billt460 Sure do miss him.

[@kristiannissen6366]

@billt460 i still cant believe its the same man... and when i found out it just made "Shooter" even better!!! ....Still got the shovel!!! :-D

[@OverlandOne]

Not just the narrator. He played the character Jack Ridley, who was a great engineer that worked on the X-1 project and he later even flew the X-1. He was the only engineer Chuck said he trusted. If Jack said it was OK, Chuck flew the profile. Levon was perfect for the part.

[@shinigami146]

Holy crap, I did not know that Levon did that! Verified and mind blown!!

[@jaypickett3552]

Levon did some acting. In the late 80s he had a supporting role in a movie called “End of the Line”. An enjoyable film that you could watch with your kids. Wilford Brimley, Kevin Bacon., Mary Steenburgen. Check it out.

[@fulltonesmusic]

My favorite singer & drummer came in one musician. Levon. ❤️

[@jeremyjeanguenin162]

The dynamics in Helm's drumming are impressive. What a rimshot.

[@joelglanton6531]

He's one of my favorite drummers for this reason. He could also hit so hard that I was really surprised when I first saw that he played trad grip.

[@jasonlee8497]

Garth is a trip....that smile in the old footage when he hits that lick.... Gets me everytime

[@Nahmanimkewl]

That Levon helm could sing his ass off like no other.

[@andyandcallie]

I like to watch Levon when he's drumming. His eyes look out into nowhere and you can SEE him listening. He's seeing whatever there is to see but it's not computing. I think that's fascinating how focused he is on the sound and not the sight.

[@pwb0511]

Different than anything else out there. Canadians more southern than southerners? The Bands music is truly extraordinary. Thank God I got to see them once live, never forget it!

[@michaelligue3842]

What an amazing group of musicians , they gave us so many great times .

[@docdave15]

that little drumstick twirl just proves it.

[@mitchdfla]

Levon, still missing you terribly...rest in peace, sir.

[@bobbyosborne2375]

RIP Levon. Love ya brother, and eternal thanks for all the music.

[@mitchellschwartz2148]

Saw Bob Dylan in 1975 MSG show with The Band...during the concert, they did a 45 minute set that blew me away. They were the real deal. Road tested, tighter than Levon's snare kit.

[@johnneal7169]

Either I give these guys way to much credit or they are one of the most unappreciated bands, by the general public, ever! I'm wrong more than I'm right, but I'm pretty sure I'm right this time. What a band. So much talent and charisma

[@TheHSIHP]

I absolutely love Levon's drumming.

[@kristiannissen6366]

OMFG i love these videos with old bands telling how they made their music

[@otaurasi]

5:29..."there were no rules and we went with it." That is exactly what music is about.

[@carolgroff591]

One of the the greatest bands ever!❤️

[@ChicagoBeaver]

I'm blessed to have been born in the 60's, I lived through the most amazing time period with the best music created. I had "Big Pink" and the "Basement Tapes," in my album collection and loved when they got together with Bob Dylan.

[@Marsx4]

Goodness how love Mr. Helms soulful voice!

[@muncieZ310]

i was 1st intrroduced to the Band in the 80's while playing drums in a 3 piece cover blues band...and have never looked back. i adopted Levon's style for the rest of my life as a drummer, and b4 i retired, was 1 of the "sought after" because of the style. thanx guys , for a helluva ride

[@bigiedieot]

Don Was keeps popping up everywhere! I love his song “Tell Me That I’m Dreaming”

[@mafiafpv3469]

Absolutely love this song❤❤❤

[@Ratguitar58]

Love this song! Genius, Timeless, Fun! Thanks for the post! 😎👍

[@mrgnicholls]

You know, back then some of those "folk-rockers" couldn't actually reproduce their music live very well. Whereas for years The Band delivered all the goods, note by note, night after night whether as The Hawks, as Dylan's band, or as The Band, for many years at a high level of vocal and instrumental accomplishment, and it must have taken a toll on them. So I refuse to pass judgement on their personal troubles.

[@pattischell7975]

Thank You!

[@shinigami146]

@@pattischell7975 And they just kept working at their songs to make them better and better rather than just increase the tempo to get through the songs live. That is a real band.

[@secondsamadhi]

The Band were one of the best live concerts I ever heard. Cripple Creek still one of my all time favorites.

[@dougpeters1625]

I have an unhealthy obsession with the magnificent natural God-given talent of Levon

[@Freakster1970]

Garth made so many great sounds on those early Band records.

[@tas22222]

all genius all of them ! in ONE BAND ! we were SO Lucky ! I feel even luckier that i grew up with them from 14 on

[@johngallaghermusic9777]

This is fantastic. Ive not seen a breakdown of this great song in it individual parts. God ,they were so on it.Levon came out out of the womb with the amount of feel and funkiness in his bones. But they were all that good. The Band by name ,the Band by nature.

[@darrinmmuzyka6104]

One of the best Canadian rock bands ,, With a US ,, southern twang ,,, Thank you Robbie Robertson ,,,,, from a prairie kid ,,,, 🇨🇦

[@OverlandOne]

RIP Levon. Thanks for the music.

[@montereypopfestiva67]

2:22 is my favorite part. The guitar and piano alone together sound so peaceful, so beautiful.

[@MrGandharva108]

One of the greatest songs ever.

[@jefferyakathedude]

this is great to hear through headphones!

[@BBPalmer420]

Garth is a gate keeper to other worlds

[@GrandsonofSoul]

I could listen to them dissect their entire discography!!!

[@edwardpate6128]

Well the main instrument is Levon Helm's amazing voice!

[@philiphalpenny9761]

Garth' s smile is like a bashful baby bear here...So much talent in this group. The addictions that blighted them seems sacrilegious.

[@isaacdodson1565]

The most underrated band period

[@williamstafford8951]

They were so Magical at their peak.

[@atendriyadasa6746]

Talk about being unacknowledged genius, Garth is a Vunderkynd!!

[@RobTackettCovers]

The more I look into The Band, the more it looks like they were kind of the Beatles' Beatles...I mean I think I even read once that Clapton said at one point, he wished he could be in The Band.

[@StarlightWorkshop0z]

Clapton is a heamoroide, he says that about every band he talks about. Overrated

[@spencercoulter9325]

I’d say the Band could be compared to almost a North American version of the Beatles. That’s just my view.

[@chipmaxwell1564]

You know your band doesn’t suck when both Harrison and Clapton wanted in....

[@davidkopec9442]

He broke up Cream after he heard them.

[@mrdanforth3744]

Clapton tried to join The Band - they turned him down.

[@hayzz8]

Thanks for sharing this inside look at one of my favorite songs and a small look into a trendsetting group of musicians who changed the world of music by performing outside the box. Their sound is what made more than a few of Dylan's songs more palatable and popular. Great stuff!

[@LocalRailfan]

Thanks so much for posting, I love Garth and Levon even Robertson, so much talent!

[@foutupourfoutu]

The first to use a clavinet (I think) was Don Preston of The Mothers Of Invention on the album Absolutely Free (1967). Gotta love THE BAND

[@nightmoves7989]

Musicians like that do not exist anymore! I am a musician, born in the early 70s and I don't have a thimbles worth of the talent of any of the cats in The Band, Robbie, Levon and Garth alone are the type that just kinda effortlessly beam musical talent and creativity!

[@utlye]

We miss you levon

[@thefeckineejit264]

“it felt good so we went with it”…words of a legend!

[@helenhess1603]

They were all great geniuses that's what made them the band. Great music that will never die

[@bustedfender]

0:49 that squealing feeling is why I can’t stop playing music ❤️ If you know, you know.

[@wolfeyes9357]

I live on Plochmann Lane now and missed meeting Levon by one year!!! That would have been quite a treat for me and my family!. I am thankful that Amy and her band do the Midnight Ramble and hope they keep it going!!!!

[@josephkohlerjr.8407]

That was sooooo interesting!!... Robertson's dissection of the song was pretty cool!. & great to see & hear Levon Helm!.

[@lordofthemound3890]

I could listen to Levon talk all day.

[@captbanjo1]

For a brief moment in time, Gods ascended the hills of Woodstock. Nothing would ever be the same again...

[@soniadusi6583]

On Rutube there is the full documentary: Classic Album: the Band in 4 parts. Too good !

[@usair1232]

Masters of their craft

[@TheJimByrd]

Before 'Superstition' says it all ... Much as I love that song (and the undoubted brilliance of it's composer), the ability of Garth Hudson to lift a song to another level was truly remarkable - especially in latter years from Cahoots on when the organic brilliance of the original chemistry of five men making music as one had been somewhat dissipated for the documented reasons (not to say the resulting music wan't still very good (to my subjective ears) and still, at times, awesome. Who would have been up to the challenge of following those first two albums). Garth could always add something, somewhere and take what may not have been one of Robbie's classics into a higher realm (or onto Higher Ground to bring me back to the original thought).