As a tribute to The Band’s late Levon Helm over the weekend at the Newport Folk Festival, My Morning Jacket covered the Band’s It Makes No Difference with the help (?) of Brittany Howard of Alabama Shakes.  Though Rick Danko sang the original, Levon Helm sang the song at the Newport Jazz Festival in 2010.  Check out below (at 47:35) the winning version (despite some pitchy, off-key moments from Howard, particularly on the chorus–Brittany, they make these things called “in-ear monitors”–you might want to try a pair).  Highlights in the song are Jim James’ vaunted vocals, the usual gutty guitar work (at 52:28) of Carl Broemel and the sax work of Clint Maedgen (at 52:57).  Perhaps even more compelling is the intensity of Conor Oberst’s participation on Smokin From Shootin’ (also with Ben Sollee), which begins at 54:59.  MMJ never fail to captivate.

MMJ Setlist:

Welcome Home, Golden, The Way That He Sings, It Beats 4 U, Wonderful (The Way I Feel) w/ Ben Sollee and Laura Veirs, Bermuda Highway w/ Will Johnson (Centro-Matic / New Multitudes), Victory Dance, Dondante, It Makes No Difference w/ Brittany Howard (Alabama Shakes) and Clint Maedgen (Preservation Hall Jazz Band / New Orleans Bingo! Show), Smokin From Shootin’ w/ Ben Sollee and Conor Oberst, Movin’ Away, and I’m Amazed

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YQ5QQZaMLaQ