Growing up I had an older cousin who owned a great Marantz stereo and every cool heavy metal album you could want. I idolized him. Then one day a switch flipped and he was a country music fan. Emmylou Harris was his favourite. It wasn’t until years later when the Trio album came out that I appreciated what he heard.
Aside from that essential record I can recommend All the Roadrunning, her album with Mark Knopfler. The closer, If This is Goodbye has beautiful harmonies in the chorus and in the fade-out a remarkable moment when she duets with his guitar.
“I Ain’t Living Long Like This” - a Crowell song that she covers with Buddy Miller playing a scorching solo and Brady Blade on drums. Live video on You Tube. Worth the time.
Lovely stuff. Gram and Emmylou: a sonic marriage made in Heaven. 'Sweep out the Ashes' is my favourite; no matter how many times I've heard it (it's a staple in my car stereo) her verse always slays me.
What a great idea for a list. I would add to this Guy Clarks’s haunting and sublime cover of Steve Earle’s “Fort Worth Blues,” about the death of their mutual friend Townes Van Zandt. The combination of Clark and Harris’s vocals (two of the all time best vocalists in the genre if you ask me) make it the definitive version, at least in my opinion.
I’d also add “One Endless Night” with Jimmie Dale Gilmore (unfortunately far better known for his role as Smokey in the Big Lebowski, which is still pretty cool though). This album isn’t streaming, unfortunately, which is a big bummer because it also includes his cover of “Mack The Knife,” my favorite version, and not just because it plays over the credits of “A Prophet,” (but that doesn’t hurt).
Much like with Guy Clark, she’s done so much with Rodney Crowell that it’s hard to pick, including two duet albums, not to mention her being a member of his Hot Band, but I’d add their duet on a cover of “Shelter From The Storm”—maybe my favorite cover of the track
She’s on a ton of Neil Young songs in the 70s. Star of Bethlehem, for example.
“Goodnight, New York” with Nanci Griffith and “Oh My Sweet Carolina” with Ryan Adams (yeah, I know. I hesitated typing that name)
I suppose Emmylou is a back-up singer on these tracks, but her harmonies elevate both songs.
Can’t believe I forgot ‘Carolina’ - that was one of the songs we sang. Didn’t know the Nanci. Thanks.
Anyhow I Love You! Best love song ever. No one ever knows it. Such a delight to read it here.
& her duet w/ Don Williams on Townes' "If I Needed You," on "Cimarron," always knocked me out (Spotify doesn't ID him on the track, tho the album did)... thanks again! https://open.spotify.com/track/5pY4kSu1BvKDP398xUFoc3?si=34994df340704d0f
Lovely appreciation, and playlist. Here is a good one with two of her friends from Ireland.
https://open.spotify.com/track/7LupDPRLSzv59dBkkuxMCO?si=06bf3c4df82643f7
Growing up I had an older cousin who owned a great Marantz stereo and every cool heavy metal album you could want. I idolized him. Then one day a switch flipped and he was a country music fan. Emmylou Harris was his favourite. It wasn’t until years later when the Trio album came out that I appreciated what he heard.
Aside from that essential record I can recommend All the Roadrunning, her album with Mark Knopfler. The closer, If This is Goodbye has beautiful harmonies in the chorus and in the fade-out a remarkable moment when she duets with his guitar.
Loving the music, thank you x
Emmylou is a treasure. This is Us with Mark Knoplfer was always a fave.
“I Ain’t Living Long Like This” - a Crowell song that she covers with Buddy Miller playing a scorching solo and Brady Blade on drums. Live video on You Tube. Worth the time.
https://open.spotify.com/track/5DLkHUNurlFcvXDptaGaTS?si=U2kdv1RISO6FvYeftMpHYQ
Buddy Miller and Emmylou on Wide River to Cross gets me every time
As do her duets with Patti Griffin - Mary is my favorite https://open.spotify.com/track/5IINR00AdSxDGuDTVD5a3I?si=hbNw3hdNSMeDCPTlcVy3MA&context=spotify%3Aalbum%3A7GWcXBH4yhDV2hgKOQ4kHd
Thank you. Fantastic.
I Know One with John Prine and Juanita with Sheryl Crow
Lovely stuff. Gram and Emmylou: a sonic marriage made in Heaven. 'Sweep out the Ashes' is my favourite; no matter how many times I've heard it (it's a staple in my car stereo) her verse always slays me.
I'd add 'Star of Bethlehem' with Neil Young.
First Aid Kit paid tribute in their song “Emmylou”
Love
First Aid Kit's Emmylou is the musical version of Nick's post - nothing quite like finding that harmonic sweet spot with another soul.
Also the trio: Emmylou, Linda and Dolly,. Three sublime voices.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fua6PSz4-kY
“Sonny” with Mary Black and Dolores Keane - the blend of their three voices is magical.
$1000 Wedding is one of my favourite songs. Many thanks Nick for introducing me to some I didn't know. They'll be magical for sure.
What a great idea for a list. I would add to this Guy Clarks’s haunting and sublime cover of Steve Earle’s “Fort Worth Blues,” about the death of their mutual friend Townes Van Zandt. The combination of Clark and Harris’s vocals (two of the all time best vocalists in the genre if you ask me) make it the definitive version, at least in my opinion.
https://spoti.fi/3ZIORHY
I’d also add “One Endless Night” with Jimmie Dale Gilmore (unfortunately far better known for his role as Smokey in the Big Lebowski, which is still pretty cool though). This album isn’t streaming, unfortunately, which is a big bummer because it also includes his cover of “Mack The Knife,” my favorite version, and not just because it plays over the credits of “A Prophet,” (but that doesn’t hurt).
http://youtu.be/QudtoAP6Sss
Much like with Guy Clark, she’s done so much with Rodney Crowell that it’s hard to pick, including two duet albums, not to mention her being a member of his Hot Band, but I’d add their duet on a cover of “Shelter From The Storm”—maybe my favorite cover of the track
https://spoti.fi/49FqbnX