Review by John Hayes, Post-Gazette Staff Writer
The best country music usually happens under the mainstream radar. Sunday at the Byham Theater, Emmylou Harris and Buddy Miller gave Pittsburgh one of the most challenging and aesthetically interesting country concerts of 2003.
Since dropping off commercial radio playlists in the 1980s, Harris has been free to explore the limits of her vocal instrument and has grown as a songwriter. That growth was evident on several self-penned songs from her new Nonesuch album, "Stumble Into Grace." "Strong Hand," written for June Carter Cash, was delivered with all the sentiment of a private message to an old friend, and "Lost Unto This World" and "Time in Babylon" rippled with political and social commentary. Harris noted that the sprightly Peruvian melody of "Little Bird" was originally sent to her by a Pittsburgh fan, while "Here I Am" resonated with romantic possibility.
Backed by Nashville songwriter/ guitarist Buddy Miller and Spy Boy, Harris reached back to her most recent country-folk albums and resurrected several of the mainstream country standards that made her a darling of the Grand Ol' Opry. Although she's still a bit shy in front of crowds, Harris reminded the audience that she's a big fan of the Pittsburgh Pirates' top farm team, the Nashville Sounds, and briefly became a standup comic during the time Miller re-tuned her guitar.
Miller and his trio opened the show, amazing the Byham crowd with session-quality guitar licks and songs from his Hightone albums, "Midnight and Lonesome," "Poison Love" and "Cruel Moon." The set earned a rare standing ovation for an opening act.