Emmylou Harris At The Ryman CD

Among Emmylou Harris' many extraordinary gifts has always been her genuine enthusiasm for promoting the talents of others. Whether in her selection of material to sing or musicians to perform alongside her, Harris is unfailingly generous in spotlighting those who create the music she loves. This quality is abundantly evident on AT THE RYMAN, the 1992 live album Harris recorded at country's legendary landmark, the onetime home of the Grand Old Opry. Harris uses the concert to pay tribute to country music history's many strands and also to showcase the extraordinary musicianship of her backing band, the Nash Ramblers.

The generous set reaches all the way back to the 19th century for Stephen Foster's "Hard Times," also touching on cowboy songs ("Cattle Call," "Montana Cowgirl"), honky tonk ("Half As Much"), gospel ("Get Up, John"), bluegrass ("Walls of Time"), and modern traditionalism ("Guitar Town"). Harris also manages to nod toward rock (Bruce Springsteen's "Mansion on the Hill," John Fogerty's "Lodi") without breaking stride. Throughout, her band provide seamless, effortlessly virtuosic support. AT THE RYMAN is a great album from one of modern country's greatest artists.

Recorded live at the original Grand Ole Opry building (the Ryman Auditorium) from April 30, 1991 to May 2, 1991.

Live Recording

Personnel: Emmylou Harris (vocals, guitar); Al Perkins (acoustic guitar, dobro, banjo, background vocals); Jon Randall Stewart (acoustic guitar, mandolin, background vocals); Sam Bush (mandolin, fiddle, background vocals); Roy Huskey, Jr. (acoustic bass); Larry Atamanuik (drums, percussion, background vocals).

Rolling Stone (3/5/92, p.70) - 3.5 Stars - Very Good - "...a consistently rewarding concert album....Harris can get to the heart of the matter.... always emotionally potent, never stuffy..."
Entertainment Weekly (2/7/92, p.62) - "...a live performance of sparkling tunes....a stirring yet dignified performance....[Nash Ramblers are] the best backing ensemble of her career..." - Rating: A
Musician (2/92, p.87) - "...some of her most spirited music..."
Mojo (Publisher) (12/00, p.41) - "...Harris in concert at Nashville's most venerable theater....the orthodoxies - often glorious - are interleaved with songs about poverty...and racism..."