CD review: Jonny Lang, "Live at the Ryman"

From Friday’s Weekend Look section of The Oklahoman.

Blues

Jonny Lang “Live at the Ryman” (Concord Records)

Thirteen years after his breakout debut, now-grown blues wunderkind Jonny Lang reasserts his prowess as a guitarist and singer with the release of his first live album, “Live at the Ryman.”

In 1997, the North Dakota native, then 15, became part of an odd trend of teenage blues guitarists shooting to fame with his first major-label record, “Lie to Me.” Along with modern blues, Lang, now 29, also has experimented over the years with rock, funk, soul and gospel.

Recorded at the Ryman Auditorium, one of the most historic and beloved venues in Nashville, Tenn., his concert album reflects Lang’s genre-crossing passion and proficiency.

His first record since 2006’s “Turn Around,” which won a Grammy for best gospel album, “Live at the Ryman” swings as it preaches with the uplifting faith-based anthems “Thankful” and “Turn Around.” Lang gets funky with the declarative ballad “I Am” and rocks through relationship troubles with “Give Me Up Again.”