Recorded at the legendary Ryman Auditorium as
Anderson East
was pushing his 2018 album
Encore
,
Alive in Tennessee
is a double-live set that was originally released for Record Store Day 2019, then it popped up digitally a few weeks later. While it's certainly designed for the faithful -- not only was its physical release limited, it runs a hefty 90 minutes, a length that naturally winnows audiences to the dedicated --
makes a convincing case for
East
's skills as as an Americana troubadour. Whether he's fronting a crackerjack band or sitting behind a piano, he's a convincing performer, selling his blend of retro-soul and sinewy country-rock. His lean, open-hearted energy could convince skeptics, but perhaps what's more impressive is how the focused nature of a concert reveals that
has developed a sturdy songbook that indeed comes alive on-stage. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine