At the Ryman [LIVE]

Emmylou Harris

Product Details

• Audio CD (January 14, 1992)
• Original Release Date: January 14, 1992
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Live
• Label: Reprise / Wea
• ASIN: B000002LQF
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (25 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #74,094 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

  Popular in this category: (What's this?)

  #36 in

  Music > Rock > Live Albums > Country Rock

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com essential recording
While live recordings can be treasured mementos for those who were present at the show, they're often substandard versions of favorite material. The live At the Ryman avoids this by covering the material of artists who've influenced Harris's music, rather than concentrating on her own hits. From Steve Earle and Bill Monroe to the Everly Brothers and Creedence Clearwater Revival, her choices are solid and sometimes unexpected (Bruce Springsteen). Harris's love of the music--and appreciation for the audience--shines through in these performances. The songs may have been done better elsewhere (most notably by the songwriters) and Emmy's delivery is at times uneven (as with any live performance), but the talented, fun-loving, all-acoustic Nash Ramblers do much to compensate. --Alexandra Russell

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Wonderful Live Album!, August 6, 2003

By	Kenneth M. Gelwasser (Hollywood, Fl USA) - See all my reviews

I've been listening to and enjoying Emmylou Harris's live album "At the Ryman" for a number of years.It had been a good while since I last heard it and the thought occurred to me too put it on tape for the car (yes, I know, I'm way behind in the technology department..). Relistening to it made me once again appreciate what a wonderful live album it really is.The CD is culled from some 1991 performances at the historic, world famous, Ryman Auditorium, which is basically considered "the Mother church" of country music.On this CD Emmy and her band, The Nash Ramblers, concentrate their efforts on interpretations of cover tunes from song writers/performers that have influenced her career. This includes everyone from rocker, Bruce Springsteen to folkie/country artist, Nanci Griffith to the father of Bluegrass music, Bill Monroe.The CD opens with a rousing version of Steve Earle's "Guitar Town". The music is high spirited and lively. Emmylou and the band really cook! Probably my favorite cut of the album is a performance of Stephen Foster's civil war era tune, "Hard Times".This is a sentimental, song, where one stops for a moment to remember those who are less fortunate. Emmylou and the members of the band join their voices (acompanied by a lone guitar) and pull it off beautifully.Another highlight is Emmy's interpretation of Nanci Griffith's "It's A Hard Life Wherever You Go".Here Emmylou reveals her former days as a 1960s folk singer. This gentle song is at first nostalgic, but then eventually reveals it's pity and rage against those who commit acts of racism.The song then morphs into the sad '60s era ode to our fallen civil rights leaders "Abraham, Martin and "John". Emmylou's performance is simply beautiful.There are many great tunes on this CD and Emmylou and the Nash Ramblers do a fantasic job with outstanding performances.I highly recommend this CD if you are a fan of country, bluegrass, folk or just plain, good music in general!

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Exactly what a live recording should be, October 10, 2000

By	C. Heinrich "wsidechris" (Oyster Bay, NY USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I would *LOVE* to get this entire concert on audio and video. I have a ticket to see Emmylou in concert this month, but I already know it won't be anything like this. This performance is pure country soul, and the band is just incredible. I love not only Emmylou's "Wrecking Ball" sound, but I love even more her more traditional country side. This album and "Roses in the Snow" are the two best examples of Emmylou as a venerable country artiste.

Her vocals here are even better than studio recordings, and this band brings it all together so impeccably. I have so much fun with this album, yet I take a break near the end and cry with Nanci Griffith's beautiful "It's a Hard Life Wherever You Go" (which segues into a beautiful rendition of "Abraham, Martin, and John"). I could say more and more about this, but some of the previous reviews capture it.

If you're on the fence about buying this album, just buy it and love it; you wouldn't be reading this if you weren't already curious and interested. And it will deliver. It is really golden. I hope I get to see Emmylou play with a band like this some day. I'd love to kick up some "hillbilly dust" with them.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Seamless blend of the old and the new, April 3, 2005

By	Pieter "Toypom" (Johannesburg) - See all my reviews (TOP 50 REVIEWER)

On this magical live album, Emmylou and the Nash Ramblers pay tribute to the very old (Stephen Foster), the new (Steve Earle, John Fogerty and Bruce Springsteen) and bluegrass legend Bill Monroe, with covers of three of his songs. Of course, the album is a seamless blend of the old and the new.

The music goes from uptempo country rock like Earle's Guitar Town, to lovely yodelling as on Cattle Call, the Tex Owens song. There is also the lovely lilting country pop of Guess Things Happen That Way, the sensitive treatment of Springsteen's Mansion On The Hill and the thrilling instrumental Scotland, the first of the Monroe numbers.

Emmylou talks a bit more between songs here than on her other brilliant live album, the great Spyboy. The playing is superb throughout, as in the buoyant Montana Cowgirl, the slow and melancholy ballad like Strangers (first recorded by the Everly Brothers), and the propulsive Lodi, the old Creedence hit.

A highlight of At The Ryman is the soul stirring Calling My Children Home, just Emmylou and the male backing vocals. This one reminds me of the biblical expression about Rachel weeping for her children, because they're there no more. Next, there is the most beautiful guitar picking on If I Could Be There, a tender love song.

Walls Of Time and Get Up John are both energetic Monroe compositions, performed with feeling and gusto. The medley of Hard Life and Abraham, Martin and John is done in a more folkie style and her voice really soars here. The album concludes with the rhythmic train song, Smoke Along The Track.

At The Ryman is a triumph of excellent material interpreted with expertise and feeling. The CD booklet contains background notes by Emmylou on this performance plus photographs and information on her and the members of the Nash Ramblers.