The Levon Helm Band: The Electric Factory, Philadelphia, 15 February 2008

Last night Levon Helm finally brought his Ramble to Philly, playing the Electric Factory. It was Helm's second Philly appearance in the 21st Century

Rick Diamond/Getty Images (April 25, 2010 in New Orleans, Louisiana.)

Last night Levon Helm finally brought his Ramble to Philly, playing the Electric Factory. It was Helm's second Philly appearance in the 21st Century, the first being a show by his blues group The Barn Burners at a River Jam, where following his surgery for throat Cancer, Helm did not sing. It was his second appearance at the Electric Factory, the last being what turned out to be the (reformed) Band's final appearance in Philadelphia about 12 or 13 years ago. That show was so lackluster with blown intros and other musical disasters I decided I would not see The Band in that incarnation again, a major decision since The Band was, has been and always will be my favorite group.

Helm has played Philly many times over the three decades since the original Band broke up and it hasn't always been illustrious, especially considering the heights The Band achieved onstage. His first group, Levon Helm & the RCO All-Stars debuted h…