This guy is cooler than you!

The Allman Brothers Band has played a multi-night run at New York's Beacon Theatre for annually for at least the last two decades. This year's run has been especially epic becuase they billed it as a celebration of Duane 'Skydog' Allman, the band's founding guitarist. 2009 is the 40th anniversary of his death, so it makes sense that they would do something, especially considering Greg Allman might not make it another 10 behind the organ.

They've got three more nights scheduled to make it 15 shows total. To say that their 'special guests' have been good would be a criminal understatement. Over the last two weeks Eric Clapton, Bruce Willis (?), Boz Skaggs, Taj Mahal, Page McConnell, Trey Anastasio, Jimmy Herring, Robert Randolph, Stanley Clarke, Lenny White, Johnny Winter, Sheryl Crow, Bruce Hornsby, John Popper, and Buddy Guy have all shared the stage with Greg and the boys. Plus; Phil Lesh, Bob Weir, and Kid Rock have been announced to round out the final three nights. Still, it's my belief that when all is said and done, the great Levon Helm should walk away with all the glory.

On March 9th, the first night of the run, The Band's old drummer hobbled up on stage and guided the Allmans through 'Ophelia', 'I Shall be Released', and 'The Weight'. I was lucky enough to see a professional video recording of the 'Weight', and it stirred me to the core. Levon looks like he's about to die, and he almost did not too long ago. But that's not it. What hits you is that his singing and drumming are just as solid as that night at the Winterland in 1969. He's on fire, and his foot is firmly up the ass of everyone else on that stage.

I've probably spent too much time in this post talking about the Allmans. They are great, but Levon Helm is a motherfucking rock and roll bad ass! I defy you to find me another singing drummer who could hold a stone to Levon. And anyone who says Don Henley should get spit on. There's nothing easy about what he does. He never relies on a simple beat, and almost none of his vocals are the kind you could phone in. His demeanor has always struck me as the kind that you don't see in the limelight much anymore: that of the consumate professional. Unfortunately some a-hole took down the video, but you've still got his music. Please, anyone who reads this, do yourself a favor and listen to one Levon track over the next 12 hours. It's the right call.