"DOWN FROM THE MOUNTAIN" Live Concert Performances By The Artists & Musicians Of "O Brother, Where Art Thou?"' (2001)

Country music reclaimed its traditional soul with the chart-topping triumph of the O Brother, Where Art Thou? soundtrack. This concert sequel, recorded (and filmed) at Nashville's venerable Ryman Auditorium, reunites Emmylou Harris, Gillian Welch, Alison Krauss and Union Station, and other O Brother standouts. With little duplication, the selection extends the movie's revival of acoustic spirituals and Appalachian balladry, though the performances and pacing of the concert aren't quite as consistently compelling as the studio soundtrack. Among the highlights are a pair of originals by Welch and David Rawlings, the bluesy "Dear Someone" and the Everlyesque "I Want to Sing That Rock and Roll." Where O Brother interspersed archival recordings among the contemporary artistry, the concert finds Nashville gospel's Fairfield Four harmonizing on the chain-gang chant of "Po' Lazarus," while the late John Hartford (in one of his final performances) renews the deadpan whimsy of "Big Rock Candy Mountain." --Don McLeeseRecorded at Nashville's historic Ryman Theater as a sort of a musical wrap party for the Coen Brothers' 2000 film O Brother Where Art Thou, this album offers live versions of several of the traditional American folk songs featured in the film, with a few additions along the same vein. Sounding almost like an all-traditional country episode of "A Prairie Home Companion," the guests (including Alison Krauss, Dan Tyminski, the Whites, the Fairfield Four, and the Cox Family, among others) amiably exchange songs on-stage, reveling in the atmosphere of warm country, bluegrass, and blues music. Highlights include two non-traditional tracks from Gillian Welch and David Rawlings, whose earthy compositions fit in seamlessly with the time-honored traditional songs, and Emmylou Harris' contribution "Green Pastures" (which originally appeared on Roses in the Snow, her own Americana revival album from some 20 years earlier). Highlights include hometown favorites the Fairfield Four hair-raising rendition of the work song/spiritual "Po' Lazarus." Of particular note is fiddler and folklorist John Hartford's cheery rendition of the hobo fantasy "Big Rock Candy Mountain," which proved to be his last recorded performance before his death nearly a year later. The concert is recorded so well that it is occasionally surprising to hear applause at the end of the songs; the performances are so nearly flawless it is easy to forget that this was a live recording. Fans of traditional American folk music and those who have enjoyed the O Brother soundtrack will not be disappointed. (Allmusic)trax:

1. Po' Lazarus - The Fairfield Four 2. Big Rock Candy Mountain - John Hartford 3. Wild Bill Jones - Alison Krauss & Union Station 4. Blue And Lonesome - Alison Krauss & Union Station 5. I Am Weary (Let Me Rest) - The Cox Family 6. Will There Be Any Stars In My Crown - The Cox Family 7. My Dear Someone - Gillian Welch & David Rawlings 8. I Want To Sing That Rock And Roll - Gillian Welch & David Rawlings 9. Sandy Land - The Whites 10. John Law Burned Down The Liquor Sto' - Chris Thomas King With Colin Linden 11. Green Pastures - Emmylou Harris 12. I'll Fly Away - Alison Krauss & Gillian Welch

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