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..."
Emmylou Harris & the Nash Ramblers - At The Ryman Songs
Emmylou Harris & the Nash Ramblers - At The Ryman Album Track Listing
Trk
Song
Time
Price
1
Guitar Town Emmylou Harris, Emmylou Harris)
2
Half as Much Emmylou Harris, Emmylou Harris)
3
Cattle Call Emmylou Harris, Emmylou Harris)
4
Guess Things Happen That Way Emmylou Harris, Emmylou Harris)
5
Hard Times Emmylou Harris, Emmylou Harris)
6
Mansion on the Hill Emmylou Harris, Emmylou Harris)
7
Scotland Emmylou Harris, Emmylou Harris)
8
Montana Cowgirl Emmylou Harris, Emmylou Harris)
9
Like Strangers Emmylou Harris, Emmylou Harris)
10
Lodi Emmylou Harris, Emmylou Harris)
11
Calling My Children Home Emmylou Harris, Emmylou Harris)
12
If I Could Be There Emmylou Harris, Emmylou Harris)
13
Walls of Time Emmylou Harris, Emmylou Harris)
14
Get up John Emmylou Harris, Emmylou Harris)
15
It's A Hard Life Wherever You Go / Abraham Martin And John Emmylou Harris
16
Smoke Along the Track Emmylou Harris, Emmylou Harris)
At The Ryman Music Review
Customer At The Ryman Reviews
Average Rating: (4.5 out of 5 stars)
Super Emmylou I'm like a pig in mud listening to this CD. It don't get much better than this. Submitted by Bob (Raleigh, NC) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
Traditional Emmylou at her best This is an all live album, recorded at The home of the Grand Ole Opry ( The RYMAN Auditorium ) With her the New fresh all acustic band The Nashramblers!! With maby a few of the best plyers/pickers there is in country/bluegrass today ( Sam Bush, Roy Huskey JR, Al Perkins. Jon Randall and Larry Atumanik ) The songs are very variable . From Steve Earl`s Guitar Town. To Bill Monroe`s Get up John. Her voice is not as crystal clear as usual but more powerful than I have ever heard of hers. In reality The Nashramlers would play more Rockin/ uptempo sound, but not at the Ryman I guess. Anyhow this is a good album of 16 songs recorded live at the home of Country Music in a god tradition way!
Submitted by a reviewer (6460 Eidsvaag, Norway) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
Super Emmylou
Traditional Emmylou at her best
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