Various Artists, “At the Louisiana Hayride Tonight” (Bear Family)
Nashville’s Grand Ole Opry has always been the best-known venue for live and broadcast performances by country, bluegrass, folk, gospel and other roots musicians, but the Louisiana Hayride was a rowdier, more adventurous younger sibling. Hank Williams, Elvis Presley, George Jones, Johnny Cash, June Carter, Webb Pierce and dozens of others complement their studio recordings with frequently revelatory live performances on this 20-CD, 559-track and $205 box. (R.L.)
