April 28, 2006

A damn fine surprise


As I have noted, this has been a stressful week. Last night, out of the internet ether, I received a really great gift of this. I have long been a fan of Emmylou Harris. I still remember the first time I heard Pieces of the Sky and fell in love with that voice. Her first solo album (1975) and if you can listen to "Before Believing" and not feel the emotion, then...

Since then, she has been one of music's most prolific artists and the list of albums and songs that I treasure are long. Her duet with Don Williams on Townes' "If I needed you" is one of our favorites. Her bluegrass albums, Roses in the Snow and the live At the Ryman are truly amazing. Then there is the semi-autobiographical Ballad of Sally Rose which I think deserved a lot more attention than it received. How about Wrecking Ball? That one made my rock and roll friends who normally scoffed at country agree that she was one of the best voices of our generation. Cowgirl's Prayer, Red Dirt Girl: the list goes on.

Anyway. What a nice gift, and what a nice ending to a rough week.

4 comments:

Dr. Mike Kear said...

Emmylou Harris is yet another proof (along with good coffee, fine books, premium cigars, and Guinness) that God exists and that God loves us very much.

Roses in the Snow is one of my top five best albums of all time. Can't wait to pick up All the Roadrunning.

Bootleg Blogger said...

Hey- Can you give us a little more on this specific album? What's the style? Is it just Knopfler and Emmylou or is there a full band? Bluegrass? Country Rock? Mother's day is around the corner and this could be an easy answer to my shopping :-).
Peace
BB

Streak said...

Dr. Mike, well said. and wants us to be happy.

BB, Is it just Knopfler and Emmylou or is there a full band? Bluegrass? Country Rock? Hmm. How about yes? I have only listened to it a few times since last night and would say that it has a lot of everything--from distinctive Knopfler guitar sounds to Emmy's wonderful harmonies. At times it reminds me of her Wrecking Ball album, but there are songs with a nice mandolin in the background.

I will listen more over the weekend and see if I can describe it better.

P M Prescott said...

She does have the purest and sweetest voice. She mixed well with Linda Rondstat and Dolly Parton on the Trio albums they put out.