Monday’s Hors d’Oeuvres: Levon and Cactus

Two of this rag’s favorite musicians joined forces on Saturday night when Mike “Silent G” Gordon came out to play bass during Chest Fever at Levon Helm‘s Midnight Ramble in Woodstock. Saturday was Gordon’s second appearance at the Ramble, but it was the first time he actually performed. Levon keeps busy this month with Rambles scheduled for the 15th, 29th and New Year’s Eve.

It’s been a busy weekend, so let’s all get caught up with the haps:

• Bruce Springsteen plans his return to Giants Stadium
• Time for some fun facts: Did you know bands like Little Feat and Buffalo Springfield made their television debut on sitcoms?
• N.Y. Times uncovers what led Radiohead to revolutionize the industry
• Hot Chip straddles pop and electronica with great success
• Neddy runs down the shows of the week in New York City
• Tom Waits, The Blind Boys of Alabama and Paul Weller all contribute tracks to two new soundtracks for HBO’s The Wire
• Like many of us, Lefsetz asks whether The Grammys are relevant

And we’re happy to see that Ovation has picked up the Artist’s Den series, which features rock bands performing in unconventional venues. If the Crowded House show at the Masonic Lodge is any indication, we’re in for quite a treat.