Robert Earl Keen,
Live at the Ryman



Label: KOCH Records

(3½ out of 5)

With near constant touring, it must seem as though the road really does go on forever for Robert Earl Keen. And somehow, despite the tens of thousands of miles logged each year, there are still a few venues he's yet to play. Keen crossed one of the crown jewels of country off that list when he finally headlined a night at Nashville's famed Ryman Auditorium in September 2004.

Live at the Ryman finds Keen in typically excellent form, backed by his usual crew of Rich Brotherton (guitar), Bill Whitbeck (bass), Tom Van Schaik (drums), and Marty Muse (pedal steel) plus special guest Danny Barnes (banjo).

Keen and company step through most of his greatest hits, from early favorites like "Merry Christmas from the Family" (listen) and Terry Allen's "Amarillo Highway" (listen) to Jimmy Driftwood's "Long Chain" (listen) and the title track (listen) from the then-forthcoming What I Really Mean (review).

It's a solid but predictable set list, with few new touches other than Barnes's banjo and a full-band jam that extends "The Road Goes on Forever" (listen) beyond 11 minutes. And unfortunately, there's a complete absence of Keen's trademark storytelling — no matter how many times you hear him describe Willie's Picnic on No. 2 Live Dinner (review), it's always funny.

Live at the Ryman is yet another good live album, Keen's fourth to date. The crystal-clear sound is sure to please audiophiles. But for fans who enjoy his onstage banter, No. 2 Live Dinner is still number 1.

Reviewed by Patrick Nichols (email)
August 16, 2006