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.

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.

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 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.

It's been quite awhile since I've heard anything that turned me on as much as this CD. Patty Griffin has always been a fine songwriter and indeed I've enjoyed her CDs, but this, this is a step beyond that. Here she gathered some of the finest musicians imaginable and took off on a tour, doing her music the way she wanted to do it. And the final concert, this one, in Nashville, at the old Ryman, is one of those magical occasions in music, where everything goes better than it has a right to. She's just perfect here! It's as if she had one really really really great performance in her, and boy, did she ever give it right here, for all of us to hear. I am just enthralled with the beauty of this performance. Even if you just kinda, sorta like her - grab this CD. I promise you, you'll end up loving Patty Griffin as much as I do! And that's a lot!