Letterman Music Files | Levon Helm & The Band On The Late Show

In 1993 The Band released Jericho, their first studio album without guitarist Robbie Robertson. One of the 12 tracks on the LP was a cover of Bruce Springsteen’s “Atlantic City” and The Band performed the tune with the help of Paul Shaffer and the CBS Orchestra on the December 14th, 1993 episode of The Late Show With David Letterman.

In our eyes, the best covers happen when an act adds their own distinctive style to the work of another artist. The Band’s “Atlantic City” is the perfect example as they add a roots-rock spin to the original, sparse solo acoustic rendition of the song Bruce Springsteen recorded for 1982’s Nebraska. Levon Helm’s ruff-and-gruff voice and impressive mandolin work are at the heart of The Band’s version of “Atlantic City.” Check out the “Atlantic City” The Band laid down during a visit to The Late Show:

As a few added bonuses, check out “The Weight” as performed by The Band on The Late Show in 1995 as well as the cover of “Tennessee Jed” by the Grateful Dead from Levon Helm’s 2009 appearance on the show: