Levon's Last Waltz

"With horns and a full rhythm section, the drums always looked like the best seat in the house."
Levon Helm

Rock of Ages is one of the best live albums. Ever. Recorded in 1971 with Joe Farrell, Snooky Young, Howard Johnson, Earle McIntire, and J.D. Parron on horns with arrangements by Allen Toussaint, the performance is a blown out romp. People say it's a toss-up between Rock and The Last Waltz, but I don't think it's even close. From the opening bass line on Don't Do It, The Band is tight as Levon's rimshot. Even with that monster horn section punching out Toussaint's licks, Robertson's searing guitar, and Danko's pounding bottom end, the center of it is Levon's soaring voice. That guy could sing. Don't Do It was a cover - no one has ever sung it better and for me it was an anthem to adolescent angst. A voice to real (in a prospective sense anyway) and imaginary romance. Levon's version howled straight from my heart. Later it was Life Is a Carnival from the same record, but Don't Do It has always pounded just below the surface.

As a world we'll be paying tribute for a while here. The next three weeks are going to be consumed with trial, but I'm gonna get out every night. Gonna work out on the road; shed the suit, sweat some place with a view and listen to the pure joy that is Levon's music. Charles Pierce has written up him best.  http://www.esquire.com/blogs/politics/levon-helm-america-8173059 Great thing about social media is that we all get to celebrate Levon together. He was one cool dude; his virtual wake is gonna rock.

Sunday
EH. Miss B but good class.

Monday
Court all day, nothin'.

Tuesday
Seven hours of mediation and then CT. I am going to appreciate being told what to do for a bit here and 30-45 minutes in transit is perfect.
10, 8, 6, 4, 2
Swings, snatches, squats, presses, windmills
2x
Same 5-1
2x
Same 10-1
2x

Wednesday, nothing but work.

Thursday
Jury section. Big fun, smart people, hope it lasts.
CT session. Just the two of us, swings (single 8+8 x 3, two hand 20x7 28's) jerks (double 24x 5), deck squats (16 lb counterweight)
CT improbably swinging the 32, 2/3 of her birdlike body weight like a fucking BOSS. Hip snap and heel drive generating serious power, 70 pounds flying up like a feather. Yes, I should get a Beast. End up dripping sweat and in pieces on the studio floor, throwing heavy metal amidst the small group pilates people. Move along, pay no attention to the sweaty troll in the corner.

Friday
Scramble, but do get in bu fuckaround.
Leave for Pradeep. 60 minutes of tough love (not in that order.) Not too pounding and that's fine.

Saturday
Reviewing Exhibits, MJFs opening. Take B in for easy yoga.

Sunday
14 hours in office.

Monday
First day trial, to office after.

Tuesday
CT
8+8 28 kg cleans to 6 + 6 squats
5+5 t0 3+3
3+3 10 1+1 x2

Wednesday, in court, then in office until 9:30. Have yet to enjoy the commute throwdown.

Thursday
All day examining witnesses
CT at 7
20 32 kg swings to modified flow get up x2 with 16
x6

Friday
Back in office buried but clients overall supportive.
Bail for late Pradeep who puts us through 90 minutes of slow excruciating joy.
One of those classes where the music does not come on for 20 minutes. Where the knee stays bent, opposite hand to foot, raise leg, balance, look to nothing, relax your face, feel the universe in sweat, breathe and balance.

Long weekend.
Witness prep Saturday and then accounting document review, listening to Levon in 2008. Long week ahead. One of more than a few coming up.

Put it down at 7:30 and go out for some small movement:

30/30 20 reps, 30 sec, 32kg x 7, drop to 24 x 3 for total of ten, grip smoked.

Sunday
Up at 7 working on redirects. Stop to walk for an hour with daughter and dog. More work until we start getting mindfuck emails from opposition at 7:20. Waste of time, bring it on assholes.

You can set the load right on me . . .



Will try to sweat more this week . . .