Down from the Mountain

When the time came for the Coen Brothers to find the music for their Southern period piece comedy, “O Brother, Where Art Thou?,” they asked record producer T Bone Burnett to lend a hand. They wanted original recordings of old-timey, American folk music. What they came up with was a sprawling mix of authentic bluegrass musicians and contemporary alternative country stars that resulted in a surprisingly successful soundtrack album. Featured on the soundtrack are Emmylou Harris, Alison Krauss, Gillian Welch, John Hartford, Ralph Stanley, David Rawlings, and Chris Thomas King, among others.
“In May of 2000, plans were made for the artists on the soundtrack to gather and perform the music from the film at a special concert at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium. T Bone Burnett enlisted producer Bob Neuwirth to assemble a team of all star filmmakers.
The resulting Down From The Mountain documents the evening’s concert, complete with backstage preparations and rehearsals. Co-produced by Frazer Pennebaker, the film by D A Pennebaker, Chris Hegedus and Nick Doob captures a joyous and free-spirited celebration of a truly American musical form.
John Hartford died just about a year after this album was recorded, at the age of 63. He was in his prime. John was a living library of old fiddle tunes and river songs, mountain music and lore about the people who played it. Some of it is gone with him; this film is part of the enormous share that he left behind - on records, and with the people who knew him.”
- Joel Cohen, Ethan Cohen, and T Bone Burnett
“If you have any affection at all for traditional American music, the movie is pretty close to heaven.”
- A.O. Scott, The New York Times
Featuring Performances by:
Emmylou Harris, Alison Krauss & Union Station, Gillian Welch & David Rawlings, The Cox Family, Fairfield Four, The Whites, Chris Thomas King, Colin Linden, John Hartford, Ralph Stanley
(Source: PENNEBAKER HEGEDUS FILMS)

[@johnkeith2450]

The John Hartford solo is just so heartbreaking. He knows, everyone knows, he is on his way out soon.

[@RUNNOFT71]

This whole video is great. But man, when John starts playing his fiddle @1:11:42, it put serious chills down my arms. The passion and spirit he had for that music always inspires me when I hear him play. RIP John Hartford!

[@USNAVDC]

I was in the Navy 1969-1973 stationed at NAVCOMSTA-WASH working in the Pentagon. Lots of greats were singing around Washington, D.C. then....Emmylou Harris, John Denver with Bill Danoff and Taffy Nivert, even Roberta Flack. When I hear a song by any of them, I can't get it out of my head for days. I was born in the coal fields so a lot of that music sounds like home. EmmyLou always looks like an angel when she sings.

[@Sluggo01]

😅Willie Nelson always said “2 kinds of people”. Those who love Emmylou Harris and those who have never met her

[@aandrews7106]

OMG! I LOVE BOTH OF YOU!

[@Sluggo01]

@@aandrews7106 you are soooo right!!!! God love willie in his last days!!

[@michaelcarlisle5403]

Brother Stanley’s voice is what we think is our grandparents sounded like. RIP to all those gentle folks.

[@iangillis2230]

Like a bracing breath of fresh air.

[@rlloyd20]

Amen brother!

[@mairianncullen8753]

He sounds like I remember old men singing in the Western Highlands of Scotland. It certainly is 'a lonesome sound'.

[@user-ms3tz9if2j]

For you youngsters out there, the guy in the hat is John Hartford: banjo, fiddle, guitar. He wrote "Gentle On My Mind."

[@user-bw6in2tl5x]

I always though Jimmy Webb wrote that- thanks for the info!

[@EvilEmpire_4u]

Man of the people

[@fjorddriver]

Tall Buildings - my!

[@mairianncullen8753]

He was an amazing, multi-talented man. Lots about him on KZbin - well worth seeking out.

[@stephenpatt952]

what a delight it was, being the physician for the tour...still friends with most of the surviving members of the troupe...s

[@stephenland9361]

Emmylou Harris, Alison Krauss and Gillian Welch together... heaven

[@donaldhowe6630]

Anyone sounds better when accompanied by Emmylou Harris!

[@tomcoryell]

They are wonderful.

[@tom_olofsson]

A special performance.

[@herryblackstudio]

👍👍❤️🌺👍👍

[@johnnyconn4130]

Kitty Well she give you a feelings Love , Happy , Sad she touched the hearts of the world 🌍🌍❤

[@user-xi6ti4su2x]

I'm 82 yrs young. Grew up with this music. Carries me back ! Beautiful, authentic true.

[@johnnyjones2255]

Me too!

[@stepno]

"I'm a frustrated librarian. Rather than be a banjo picker or steamboat pilot, I'd like to be some guy who sits behind a desk and goes 'shh!'" I'd like to hear where that conversation went. 😊

[@mairianncullen8753]

There's lots about John Hartford on KZbin. It's worth seeking out. He was an amazing, multi-talented man and he really did have the most amazing archive in his house by the river.

[@cynthiastrawson3316]

Husband and I just watched this from South Africa and totally enchanted by the all the music from the heart. Magic ❤

[@WJSpies]

NYC boy who hated Country and especially Bluegrass music; as a young boy my dad sent me to live with relatives in Virginia and North Carolina. I can't remember listening or hearing any music there, tho I know it must have been in the background prominently featured. Years and years later when Rock, Hard Rock, and Acid Rock lost all their glitters, I noticed Country there as the foundations of the Blues (which I still love to this day) and even more foundational in there was Bluegrass music. It's an amazing form, way far underrated. These performers tip the scales quite heaviy in pure raw talent. I couldn't turn this video off, jaw dropping stuff.. Leave it to the Cohen brothers to find the beauty of it all. Numb and dazed by it.. btw.. John Hartford (now deceased) was the pillar on which this show rested as its touchstone. RIP John

[@alexsetterington3142]

I born N.Z and live N.Z but 87-90 lived Cary NC. Did grade one and 2 there. I remember a bit. Seemed great to me.

[@oldsalt7534]

Folks, it just don't get no better than this.

[@joshuadonini1318]

The white volvo station wagon seen @ 2:30 was used to pick up Ralph Stanley from the airport. I bought it from the lady who drove him in November, 2001. I totaled it six weeks later on Christmas Day.

[@LostInThe0zone]

There just aren't enough fine words to adequately describe the collective performances of these consummate artists.

[@marnestclaire9168]

Amen!

[@WildPhotoShooter]

Absolutely ! The talent in these artistes is the pinnacle .

[@lizabethgussman331]

Ralph Stanley- a cappella 👍👍👍👍💚💚💚💚

[@ilsevandervelden1186]

What a great joy to see all these legends and incredible musicians together on one stage, the genius of T Bone Burnett. Beautiful music.

[@murraymaunder8754]

The most genuine music you could find, thank you to all involved for turning me to country music.

[@dobazajr]

Rest in peace, Dr. Ralph Stanley and John Hartford!

[@tomcoryell]

Willard and Marie Cox of the Cox family.

[@likebot.]

This is an hour and a half of pure pure joy.

[@AudioFileZ]

Ralph Stanley crushed it, sent chills down my back.

[@milliebanks7209]

Lord have mercy! I hear music from the Scotland highlands, an Irish jig, and a whole of other music including MS blues! Love it all!

[@williamcole9040]

DONT FORGET CHOIRS FROM WALES….THE BEST!!

[@b.tilson5198]

I only wish there was a way to applaud for each song, rather than give a thumbs up. I would applaud every one of them!

[@user-ub9th6mf9t]

Proud to say George winn was my neighbor for 40 years ...listening to bluegrass is a way of life here

[@beholst888]

Great music came up on my feed. Love it. Hard to turn it off. I`m from Norway, and the only one I know is Emmylou Harris😍 thank you for the music👌

[@leebaker5518]

Wonderful honor having the great John Hartford as master of ceremonies !! Sad to see the cancer taking its toll on him.

[@MTGallagher]

Found this,boy what a surprise. All my favorite artists in one place.❤❤❤

[@davidhopkins1786]

Gillian Welch is one of the most underrated vocalists in music today.

[@wernerspitzenberger6916]

yes, but i love her and her soooo hearttouching voice, esp. when she sings with dave rawlings. for me shes one of the most important singer in my musiclife. just a fine professional folkie

[@reddragonready]

Is she really? Next to whom?

[@allanmerovitz871]

I agree

[@Lea99Jones]

This "underrated" comment is so overused. Who is doing the rating here? I believe what you're getting at is that she is underappreciated. But in this day and age, how does one gauge appreciation? It sure isn't by record sales. She has a song about that on her revelator album, in fact. Check it out.

[@reddragonready]

@@Lea99Jones I presumed it to be by those "rating" singers. There are a lot of those on youtube. Vocal coaches ( real and selfdeclared) who react to singers. Other than that I can only think the person meant critics?

[@pavanatanaya]

There is nothing more American than Emmylou Harris and Baseball

[@pulldpin67]

I thought the Cox family was fabulous... that female lead singer... OUTSTANDING.

[@calillcockerham5819]

I stumbled across this and it has really been a blessing.

[@steveparsons6324]

This music awakens the soul

[@sharpenflat6002]

This music makes me puke.

[@lawrencemay8671]

My Dad played back Guitar for the Stanley Brothers in the late Fifties.

[@rms2365]

National Treasure.....Amazing!

[@theresaduncan1081]

I listen this type music most of the time. This has ever even came up on KZbin I really like it.

[@macbac6554]

i just love everything and everyone who worked this movie for us . love from iraq

[@visnot]

Wow! Just Wow! Heritage/classic.

[@irenewomack7705]

I loved more than anything seeing the fox family I grew up goin from bluegrass to bluegrass and I remember lil brother as a lil boy but then again we was all much younger back then y’all still sound just as beautiful as I remember

[@irenewomack7705]

Cox family idk why my phone wants to change it to fox but they r the cox family just like my granny

[@mikealsop4270]

One of my cherished possessions is Ralph's autograph on the Oh brother Album I have,

[@dmn23]

I had the privilege of attending this show. The audience was almost as interesting as the show - I spotted Ricky Skaggs, Billy Bob Thornton, Frances McDormand, and Joel and Ethan Coen. I'm sure there plenty more.

[@Russel-lp1js]

We got lots of love for you John Prine

[@kerihandaly1312]

Ralph Stanley is a national treasure, he will be memorialized in Nashville and the Smithsonian!

[@emmetroche4144]

I'm a country boy from Ireland loves this song

[@phillipwilles849]

So beautiful to hear such sweet music.

[@michaelgaley9532]

I'm from the Missouri Ozarks this is the music I listened to from WSM 650 Grand Ole Opry it will always be endeared to me.

[@oldhippypeace]

Oh I'm 81 but in my head 25 years old, still smoking all the ......

[@user-ok9ft1iv4x]

I'am 71 and I am a big fan of Jimmy Rodgers.I call it folk music. That always makes music special.

[@PatsySelf-cj6fj]

So Beautiful and brings back Precious Memories!

[@rabokarabekian409]

Try to live in at least one bluegrass or Americana festival in your life, whether you like this music or not. Spend as much time as you can in the performer camping area. Music played only by the love of the everyday people right there with you is life-changing.

[@gunrunner4747]

I can’t believe I came across this tonight. My wife and I saw this show in Milwaukee. Hands down the best music I have ever listened to.

[@thomengel9720]

Gotta be one of the greatest presentations I've seen.

[@KathrynRucker]

I loved the movie 🎥 but the music 🎶🎵 is what I grew up listening 🎧 to in my hometown area of Roanoke Virginia 💙

[@cattycorner8]

How wonderful to see John Hartford talking about his greatest love- The River.

[@NYCHFAN]

I cried during that part. With chills.

[@jimmiller7971]

One of the very few, privileged enough to have a riverboat pilots license!

[@andrearenee7845]

There's nothin like Kentucky poor. Just so gripping music... Sad and blue. Great one.

[@aikidragonpiper71]

I live in the hills and mountains of Arkansas and I’ve always loved bluegrass, mountain folk and American folk music.

[@elainejbaskin4255]

Made my evening on a cold grey rainy day on Cape Cod! Unimaginably perfectly wonderful music and musicians- all good people! Thanku thanku

[@RoyJenner]

How wonderful to have the legendary John Hartford captured in time!

[@MelissaThompson432]

He's been my hero since he was a regular on (one of) The Smothers Brothers' Show(s) back in the (early 70s?) Somehow or another, the album _Mark Twang_ (1976) found its way into our household at about that time. And he was Glen Campbell's banjo picker, if I remember correctly. Those were good times for music.... According to Google, both tv series (and the Johnny Cash show) happened between 1968 and 1971. Before any of them was "Gentle on My Mind," which he wrote and recorded in the mid-60s. The GC version was in 1968, if I remember correctly.

[@nathanmayo5700]

Had the honor of seeing him perform twice in the late 70s.

[@RoyJenner]

Memorable!

[@mimclark3274]

Had the pleasure of seeing him perform and sit with a a small little bar in Hallowell Maine…in the 80’s I believe. What a great musician and an even better person?🥰

[@hwy138]

wonderful. I am grandchild of Virginia coal miner and daughter of musicians.

[@Charlie-fx9dp]

Superb show of true music... What talents... From France.

[@tomhart6962]

Boy, that Mike Compton was all over this. One of my favorites.

[@mooskamoo]

In the background throughout the whole concert, fantastic performance!

[@elissaaltman7684]

Just one of the most beautiful programs I've seen in a very long time. Glorious.

[@Pinpon-Ponpin]

😘💐💐💐

[@sharonmashatt4869]

So much harmony. What a treat.

[@gatormike1434]

I can't believe that I just found this. Nothing short of spectacular with so many favorites. Thanks so much!

[@winslowschoolofdance]

What a treasure of musicians!

[@user-ok9ft1iv4x]

There is nothing on this earth like a Mother's love and often it brings out in them something like heaven on earth.

[@donuthole3359]

Utterly fantastic ... those harmonies talk to the heart

[@theresapelham1918]

Just saw Jerry at Grey Fox!!!! So dang good!!! Such amazing music. Been listening to Emmylou all my life

[@valeriehayes5555]

The best of the best! Some of my favourite musicians of all time.

[@charlieclark102]

So beautiful to hear this kind of music I love it wish it could still be this away. Thank you from my heart Charlie Clark.

[@trafalgar22a8]

200823 ❤🧡💛 I just love this.

[@johnneumann3789]

The original movie opened my eyes to traditional American music. This particular film was a joy to watch.

[@drmichaelshea]

Gillian, thank you forever for this. You know what? It’s a hymn meant for mountain dulcimer. Makes me want to sing my pathetic heart out.❤

[@glencoe6305]

Hairl Hensley R.I.P. @ 03:38. Hall of Fame worthy Grand Ole Opry/WSM Announcer.

[@shirleysmith9421]

Thank you for this Great beautiful music!❤❤❤🎼🎶🎵🎸🪕❤❤❤

[@donnavictor5986]

Entire feature is a treasure

[@mikekastrukoff8002]

Nothing like old time music in tough times,may peace be with you in Yeshua s name.

[@gertrudheck4332]

I love this..Thank you..Greetings from Germany ❤️❤️❤️

[@oldhippypeace]

Wonderful, wonderful a treasure and historic but best of all fantastic people making astounding music. You Tube for me is the absolutely best thing on the net.

[@dannsherstone1037]

I had to look up T Bone Burnett and see if he did Cold Mountain - and he did! These two movies are epic sound tracks!

[@user-wy7ml3sd2m]

Thank you for posting this, John Hartford, still alive, made me cry, and Gillian Welch is still the best of the best.

[@NYCHFAN]

Me, too!

[@glennjustice2760]

This is probably the best Ryman auditorium program that’s ever been done. Amazing.

[@greggriffin3422]

Hello! How are you doing today! Please pardon me for intruding into your privacy but I just wanted to know if you're a fan!.. Stay safe

[@kerryevans1562]

Dr Ralph Stanley Bluegrass old time mountain style music 🎶 🎶 is revered here In Dublin Ireland 🇮🇪 This whole movie Ring true 👍 😌 👌 The who who of bluegrass tis a feeling Similar to our own traditional Irish music When you hear it you know.. Righteous.. Thanks for sharing We are better human beings for having watched this lullaby&field holler.👍 😊 😀 🙂 🙏 ☺ 👍

[@drmoore4011]

This is music from your country, and others of Great Britain, Ralph Stanley is from the southern central Appalachian Mountains. It is the music his family played, predating Bluegrass. It came from the music the Scot-Irish, brought over in the 1700’s.

[@F_later]

What a beautiful, special concert ! And as the cherry on the cake, my all time favorite singer/fiddler, Alison Krauss. Thnx !

[@victoriam.9498]

Ooooh my!!! I can't believe I just found this! Amazing, I'm such a big fan of this movie. Thank you for sharing 💚🎶💚

[@erinikeuchi6447]

Thank you for sharing this beautiful video. I saw it years ago and wished to watch it again. The most beautiful music.

[@PDXGregor]

Oh my god THANK YOU for uploading this! This is a collection of talent that is a rare treat.

[@htuna4101]

This is the DVD that got me into Gillian Welch!.. Wow, they all look so young (haven't watched it in awhile).

[@hatchling88]

Ralph Stanley's "Death" makes the hair on the back of my neck stand up. It's amazing and I want that played [no one else could sing it like he did] at my funeral.

[@elvis2014]

That song does the same thing to me , everytime..My cousin and I wanted to play Thats my job..by Conway at my Dad`s funeral the other day. So I tried and tried but I always cried halfway down the mirrored hallway...

[@BLCrawley]

Same. I had the pleasure of seeing this live in Birmingham, AL when the tour was going on. And just like this, Dr. Stanley spotlit and acapella, and the crowd was absolutely silent. Goosebumps, even all these years later.

[@mauricepoyser9412]

The more I listen to the more the more I appreciate the talent and the music

[@Deeg4570]

awesome, every minute of it

[@Kevin-bp2cw]

...there's some inexplicable magic going on there , maybe its the historic auditorium or god was looking down on Nashville that day , …its just too perfect , the dang thing's alive and live with not a note out of place , whew .. just incredible transceding music !

[@geraldwalker2612]

Little bit of both Maybe,could be there wouldn't be no Grand Ole Opry or historic Auditorium unless God was looking down on Nashville

[@marinoblomqvist1035]

Fantastic film!! O brother... really opened my eyes to bluegrass music.

[@thecricketbatguitar4413]

This just cropped up in my feed somehow, it's beautiful! Thanks for the upload!

[@glenbrown4408]

love these angels! god bless!

[@UTGARDER]

Love it.

[@salvationbordercountry3800]

They didn't sing the signature song from the movie (I Am a Man of Constant Sorrow(s?))!? Brother Where Art Thou is a classic and got this Yankee boy hooked on the music. And now I know who Emmy Lou Harris IS! Now I have to watch the movie AGAIN!!! (I'm hooked on the dang thing!) I never get tired of watching it! (c=

[@pattyallenfannin9181]

Ralph Stanley sang it while the entering credits were being shown.

[@Safra62]

Goosebumps at Alisson Krauss and the choir! ❤

[@hanlieloyd9260]

Amen 🙏

[@brunningwolf]

We did amazing grace on stage in Texas 2010 was so breath taking .

[@margyeoman3564]

The lovely and amazing Alison Krauss. She is the ONLY singer who could, or ever should, sing the song " I Need You at the Dimming of the Day. No one else has ever done justice to it.

[@phillipferrell4067]

She sure can sing and play that fiddle, can't she 🎻

[@EllesBellesBakery]

Bonnie R’s version is great too.

[@garyswanson7718]

Listen to Suzanne Cox sing!

[@garyswanson7718]

Great memories of the Cox family at concerts, and John Hartford as a pilot and entertainer on the Julia Belle Swain! Also Gillian Welch and David Rawlings at Merlefest!

[@micha0634]

Thank you very much for posting this grest movie! I realy enjoy watching and listening these great musicians!

[@Bozwell42]

What an absolute treat!! I enjoyed the Movie immensley, but this has been an added bonus, the best of Musicians playing the best of authentic American Music. So surprised to have stumbled on it tonight whilst browsing. I'm an old Aussie who has loved this type of music AND more for well over 60 years. Coen Brothers are by far my favourite makers of American film also, always a strong "ring of truth", as is Frances McDormand

[@jimnutter6901]

Another old Aussie who’s been digging it for over 70. Got my old harp out.🌹j.