BEST JAM SESSION

Levon Helm's Midnight Ramble

You'll need a good map to find the Midnight Ramble, Levon Helm's joyful, improvisational jam sessions that go down about once a month at his out-of-the-way barn in Woodstock, New York. For the past four years, Helm has invited artists including Emmylou Harris, Gillian Welch, Allen Toussaint, Elvis Costello and Donald Fagen to sit in with his killer house band — and break out their favorite songs or just jam on old Dylan and Band tunes. Inspired by the traveling shows he saw growing up in Arkansas, the Band's former drummer began the Ramble after surviving throat cancer. Since then, the BYOB parties (admission: $150) have become the hottest ticket in town. "I love playing for them," Helm says of his fans. "Every song is a celebration. We've got so many great singers and players — that's what's so fun. We can go to the Beacon Theatre [in New York, where Helm has hosted several out-of-town Rambles] and play, but it just don't sound as good as this old barn." AUSTIN SCAGGS

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Photo: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

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