Emmylou Harris - Pieces of the Sky

Emmylou Harris's 1975 major-label debut unveiled the formula that she would revisit numerous times throughout the decade: a melding of traditional country's honesty, folk music's heart, and country-rock's punch. Her choice of material followed a similar curve--everything from Merle Haggard, Tammy Wynette, and the Louvin Brothers to the Beatles and Shel Silverstein. Former Elvis sidemen James Burton, Glen D. Hardin, and Ron Tutt along with guests like Ricky Skaggs, fiddler Richard Greene, and pianist Bill Payne of Little Feat form a formidable supporting cast. What's most impressive is Harris's versatility--she moves from delicate acoustic ballads to buoyant two-steppers to lavish string arrangements without ever sounding overmatched. She even takes a very personal tale like Dolly Parton's wonderful "Coat of Many Colors" and makes it her story. She may have inherited the band and the vision from her late mentor Gram Parsons, but the shimmering soprano voice is all her own. --Marc Greilsamer Amazon.com essential recording

A Classic Album!

All I knew about Emmylou Harris was her name before my friend recommened her music to me. So, I borrowed five CDs from the library, and this was one of them. The first song "Bluebird Wine" convinced me immediately. That was good old country music! The next ones didn't leave me cold either - "Too Far Gone" is a beautiful and peaceful song! "If I Could Only Win Your Love" and "Boulder to Birmingham" are excellent songs too. There's no way I could hate this album - all the songs are great! It's no wonder that many says that this is a country music classic album! Emmylou has a very beautiful voice! The songs are very touching and beautiful but still very catching. I love each and every song in this album!
Stars: Bluebird Wine, Sleepless Nights, Boulder to Birmingham July 4, 2008

Great American Music

This 1975 debut album covers alot of ground, from the traditional country of Merle Haggard to uptempo country rock and even a Beatles song. But it is all brought together by Harris' dedication to making honest music that defied narrow genres or stereotypes.

Like her former beau, Gram Parson, it also united traditional sounds with a rock and roll sensibility. Thus making her a pioneeer of the sort of music that has come to be called "Americana" or "alternative country". But, whatever the label, Harris' emphasis has always been on making great music and she has continued to be one of the best until the present day.

The first songs on this album are my favorites, including the winsome "If I Could Only Win Your Love" and the gorgeous "Before Believing." I also love "Boulder To Birmingham" and it's lyrical power makes me wonder why Harris wasn't do more song writing at this point in her career.

The band is excellent throughout and includes such standout musicians as James Burton on electric guitar and Ricky Skaggs on fiddle and viola. This is a great album. Check it out! May 24, 2008

Where It All Started

December 7, 1974 my friend Early and I went to see Leo Kottke at Minnesota Orchestra Hall. The opening act that night was an unknown girl singer named Emmylou Harris. We had no idea what to expect and little interest - we'd come to see Kottke. As soon as we saw Emmylou, we began to get interested and when she opened her mouth and started singing, we were completely and totally mesmerized. A voice like nothing we'd ever heard before. And, a voice that is still instantly identifiable.

Pieces Of The Sky came out early in 1975 and I was almost afraid to play it, afraid that it could never match what I remembered from that cold December night. But as soon as the needle hit the record, I knew that it was everything I remembered and more. "Bluebird Wine", "The Bottle Let Me Down", songs that really show that she can make a song move. "If I Could Only Win Your Love", the first of many Louvin Brothers songs that she exposed to a whole new audience. And my favorite, "Too Far Gone." Everything about the way "Too Far" is produced says that it should be a disaster. I mean, heavy strings, for Pete's sake? Instead, Emmylou makes both the song and the arrangement a masterpiece.

Since "Pieces", I've bought nearly all of Emmylou's works and have rarely been disappointed. I would urge anyone who doesn't own this disc, to get it immediately. It's a timeless piece of work that stands as well today as it did when it was released 30 years ago.

Thanks for all you've done for country music, Emmylou. I just wish that today's Nashville suits would go back and listen to this CD and and understand how beautiful three chords and the truth can sound. They - and we - need you more than ever. June 24, 2005

Beautiful debut!

This is one of the best debut albums I've heard. It would establish a style that would continue to evolve over the course of her career. The album is eclectic and achingly beautiful. The emotion is so raw and captivating. She does a great cover of The Beatles "For No One", the Louvin Brothers' "If I Could Only Win Your Love" (a hit for her), and of course one of the most stirring pieces of music she's ever recorded, the song "Bolder to Birmingham", a tribute to her mentor Gram Parsons (she puts her stamp on a lot of his songs throughout her career). A must have! October 13, 2004

reflections

Back in the early seventies when my friends and I were sorta hippie, sorta bluesy, sorta blue-grass...all long-haired and raggamuffinish...we chanced to attend a Merle Haggard concert
(imagine, if you will, 4 california not-quite-post-hippie teenagers, rockin out to the strains of "We don't smoke marijuana in...")...the opening act was a tiny little woman with a HUGE voice...thus we were introduced to Emmylou Harris.

After that, every time she came out with an album (umm-hmm, vinyl) we got it. The harmonies alone are priceless.

On the morning of 9-11, as i sat watching to horror show that was the news, and calling friends just to touch base with fellow humans...the words to Pieces of the Sky kept filling my ears:

"what if pieces of the sky were falling
in your neighbors yard
but not on you?" September 26, 2004

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