(I have lost the name of the authour - please send it!)

Lost Highway Records release this live recording by the artistes and musicians of the film O Brother, Where Art Thou? This album comes hot on the heals of the platinum-plus original soundtrack from the movie and was recorded at a sell-out concert on 24th May 2000 at Nashville's Ryman Auditorium, along with a documentary which was screened at the South By Southwest Film and Music Festival as well as the Nashville Independent Film Festival. It is currently enjoying a successful theatrical run in New York and Nashville, with plans for UK screenings.

With Holly Hunter's introduction of a Nashville institution and a national treasure, the gospel strains of the Fairfield Four open the album with an a cappella version of 'Po' Lazarus'. 'Big Rock Candy Mountain was one of the recently departed John Hartford's last recordings and we experience a wonderful version of Harry McClintock's famous hobo song here. Alison Krauss & Union Station ring clear and true with new recordings of the traditional 'Wild Bill Jones and 'Blue and Lonesome' featuring Dan Tyminski. The sensational vocals of Suzanne Cox soar high with the expressive gospel fashioned 'I Am Weary (Let Me Rest) and 'Will There Be Any Stars In My Crown' from the Cox Family draw wild applause from the assembled audience.

The Whites offer the wonderfully traditional 'Sandy Land', while Chris Thomas King with Colin Linden hit the button with King's song about bootleg whiskey and 'John Law Burned Down The Liquor Sto' featuring some nimble cherry-pickin' guitar playing. Contributions from Gillian Welch & Dave Rawlings feature their own lovely slow 'Dear Someone' and then pick up the pass a little for their gospel inspired 'I Want To Sing That Rock And Roll'. Welch & Rawlings join Emmylou Harris along with Jerry Douglas - dobro and Barry Bales - bass for a stunning version of 'Green Pastures'. This musical spectacle is finally brought to a close by Gillian Welch & Alison Krauss for a rousing version of 'I'll Fly Away', making this one of the most thrilling live albums I have heard for many years.

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5th February 2002