This live album documents a love affair, one between a singer-songwriter who attracted a whole new following with the release of 2002?s 1000 Kisses and the devoted fans who flocked to her subsequent tour. The rapturous res... more »ponse at Nashville?s Ryman Auditorium, long the hallowed home of the Grand Ole Opry, makes it plain that Griffin is among friends for this concert recording, with kindred spirits Emmylou Harris and Julie and Buddy Miller joining her onstage to lend vocal support. Despite the setting, Griffin?s music resists categorization as country (or folk or rock), with acoustic guitar, accordion, and piano providing exquisite settings for her expressively edgy vocals on a range of striking material--from the suicide of a tormented gay boy in "Tony" to the plight of an unhappy heiress in "Christina" (which Griffin explains to the crowd came to her in a dream about Christina Onassis) to the hint of ragtime in "Mad Mission." A bonus DVD of backstage scenes and videos completes the package, which lets fans feel they?ve gotten to know not only the music, but the artist. -- Don McLeese« less
This live album documents a love affair, one between a singer-songwriter who attracted a whole new following with the release of 2002?s 1000 Kisses and the devoted fans who flocked to her subsequent tour. The rapturous response at Nashville?s Ryman Auditorium, long the hallowed home of the Grand Ole Opry, makes it plain that Griffin is among friends for this concert recording, with kindred spirits Emmylou Harris and Julie and Buddy Miller joining her onstage to lend vocal support. Despite the setting, Griffin?s music resists categorization as country (or folk or rock), with acoustic guitar, accordion, and piano providing exquisite settings for her expressively edgy vocals on a range of striking material--from the suicide of a tormented gay boy in "Tony" to the plight of an unhappy heiress in "Christina" (which Griffin explains to the crowd came to her in a dream about Christina Onassis) to the hint of ragtime in "Mad Mission." A bonus DVD of backstage scenes and videos completes the package, which lets fans feel they?ve gotten to know not only the music, but the artist. -- Don McLeese
Good Place to Start - Must have to Complete Collection
S. Sokoll | Manassas, VA United States | 04/06/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I first listened to Patty Griffin when her first album came out. I was living in Texas and thought Mad Mission one of the best songs of the year. I always wondered why KGSR played only Let Him Fly (a very good song) when Mad Mission was so stunning. And the version of Mad Mission on this CD is just so much...I won't say better...but amplified and fully realized . Even the performance of [Let Him] Fly is better and I was quite jaded by its constant rotation on the radio in 1996.I have all her albums and cannot recommend this one enough. Her live versions amplify and enhance the studio recordings from the other albums. It doesn't hurt that you have Buddy & Julie Miller and Emmylou Harris singing and playing along, but this album would still be a fantastic showcase without them.My favorites are Goodbye, Rain, Long Road Home, Tony, Mad Mission and Fly, although there is not a "skip" on the album."
Thanks United Airlines!
Chris Alberding | Berkeley, CA USA | 07/22/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Yes, I have to admit that I first heard this album while flying back and forth between NYC and San Francisco earlier this year, as part of United's in-air music programming. Well, let me say that somebody there is doing their job well.
I'd been curious about Patty Griffin's music before that, as I'd seen that she'd written some good songs used by the Dixie Chicks (FUTK), like "Let Him Fly" and "Truth No. 2." But I hadn't heard her own voice or playing until those flights, and am happy to say that I've not stopped listening to this album since.
This collection covers a lot of territory, presenting songs from most (if not all) of her albums, and has a very bittersweet tone overall. Griffin's humble personality is very apparent when she introduces some of the songs and expresses her gratitude to some special guest musicians. The production is one of the better I've heard on a live album in a while, and effectively seems to capture the feel of seeing the show inside the Ryman.
I'd recommend this as an excellent place to start for someone just getting into Patty Griffin's music. The accompanying DVD is also worth having, as it features a series of interviews with Griffin about her music and a couple of music videos."
Patty at Her Best
Seth_Haines | Fayetteville, AR USA | 10/15/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"For those of you who love Patty, this cd is a must buy. The cd captures a simple, straight-forward performance that never seems contrived. Fans of Flaming Red will enjoy the toned-down versions of "Tony," "Christina," "Mary," and "Peter-Pan." Of course, Patty includes other favorites including "Rain," and my personal favorite, "Mad Mission." "Be Careful" features the beautiful harmonization of Patty and background vocalist Julie Miller (Julie's album Broken Things also excellent). BUY THIS CD. You won't be disappointed."
I'm a wuss - she can make me cry
Seth_Haines | 02/13/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I first caught wind of Patty when she opened for Lucinda Williams in the latter part of the 90's. The show was in the auditorium of an old mansion in the beautiful city of Des Moines, IA. I admit I had never heard of Patty, but when she came on stage with just a guitar and sang the most melodic and beautifully written songs I had heard in a long, long time...well, I was hooked.I went out and bought all her recordings and I have had the pleasure of enjoying her music ever since. I can't wait to hear her new album (I hear it will have her original version of Top Of The World) that comes out in April, and I hope to see her live once again. I guess this cd will have to hold me over until that time.Like all Patty fans, I enjoy all her music, especially songs as poetic and beautiful as Nobody's Cryin'. When the song gets to the part...May you dream you are dreaming, in a warm soft bed
And may the voices inside you that fill you with dread
Make the sound of thousands of angels instead
Tonight where you might be laying your head..I have to admit it can move me to tears. And the fact that she is not more comercially known both saddens me and makes me happy. Sad in the fact that everyone doesn't know her as a household musical name, but happy in that I can have her as virtually my little musical secret, happily doleing out her music to friends knowing I'm bringing beautiful to their ears. If that makes me selfish so be it."
A must-have!
Seth_Haines | 10/19/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I was one of the fortunate souls to attend the concert in Nashville during which this album was recorded. It was an amazing evening and you will sense that as you listen to the lovely tracks captured on this CD. "Let Him Fly" is a perfect example of her vocal abilities - I've never heard anything like this version of it! And "Mary" - with Julie Miller and Emmylou Harris singing backup - will stop you in your tracks with its angelic harmonies. Although there is only one new song on the album, I think fans of Patty will enjoy the different versions of their favorites - from an all-acoustic version of "Christina" to an energetic version of "Mad Mission." Some of her between-songs comments are included and they are very fun! The DVD also gives you insight into Patty's humility and love for what she does."