I didn’t know what to expect from Levon Helm’s book. I met him once but no real conversation, just a handshake. He seemed frail. If I had read this book earlier I would not have been able to contain myself, would have asked many things and acknowledged all the pleasurable details making his book soar, ” Richard had been raised a Baptist, but the bigger church was needed to accommodate his last sold-out show. The organist was Garth Hudson, who set the tone of the service with his old Anglican hymns. It was hard to see so many beloved sad faces on such an occasion. I never did like funerals. Robbie Robertson had been asked to deliver a eulogy, but he didn’t show up. Friends of Richard’s remembered his laughter, his jokes, his scary driving, his love for music. Then Garth played, “I Shall Be Released” which Bob Dylan had written for Richard to sing. Through all three verses there wasn’t a dry eye in the church. I was thinking about Richard and asking myself why, when I clearly heard Richard’s voice in the middle of my head. It came in as clear as a good radio signal.” Among the people I know who read this book most say it is an angry book. Seems much more to me. If I could live another life I would be the artist who spends a few months making a graphic novel out of it.