Ballad of Sally Rose [Import]

Emmylou Harris | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 31, 1999)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: Warner Bros UK
• ASIN: B0000070R9
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (35 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #23,569 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #43 in Music > Imports > Country

Editorial Reviews

French edition of the influential country star's 1985 album for Reprise. 12 tracks.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The most fascinating album Emmylou Harris has released., September 26, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Ballad of Sally Rose (Audio CD)

THE BALLAD OF SALLY ROSE is much more than just an album. For starters it is one of Emmylou Harris' most fascinating collections, one you just have to hear from start to finish. Each song defines a small piece of the story. The material Emmylou Harris and Paul Kennerly wrote for the album is consistent and remarkable. Uptempo numbers like "White Line", "Bad News", and "K-S-O-S" are flawlessly done and instantly enjoyable. Where the album leaves it's mark is on the slower, more intense material. "Diamond In My Crown" is warm, touching, and uplifting. It is a song that mixes strenght and beauty into something everyone should hear. "Timberline" is a graceful acoustic song, with a beautifully harmonized ending. "Sweet Chairot" has the most awesome vocal arrangements on disc, demanding a second listen. "Women Walk The Line" is a power ballad with Emmylou Harris delievering incredible vocals. "The Sweetheart Of The Rodeo" is a well done western piece. The storyline is best told through the titletrack, "Rythym Guitar", and "Long Tall Sally Rose". The only unfortunate thing about THE BALLAD OF SALLY ROSE is that it is not easily available. If you see it, buy it, you won't regret it. MATT COKER

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It Would Make A Great Movie, March 9, 2004

By 

Christina Kelley (Los Angeles, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Ballad of Sally Rose (Audio CD)

I was just here to look for the song by Emmylou that was played during the closing credits of The Sopranos last week, but while searching through her catalog was surprised to discover that this CD, probably her best ever, is only available as an import. What a travesty!

A little background...The Ballad Of Sally Rose is the first "concept album" ever in Country music. Talk around the time it was released was that the songs were inspired by the romantic relationship between Emmylou and Gram Parsons, but only one person knows that really, and she's never confirmed it.

The story that's told in the CD is of a half Indian girl named Sally Rose who grows up on a reservation after her father abandons the family. She leaves the reservation, as the opening song goes "with stars in her eyes and greater expectations" and soon joins a band as a guitar player. While on stage one night a huge star is in the audience and falls in love with her at first sight. She joins his band, they get married, but he starts cheating on her before being killed on the road in a traffic accident. Heartbroken, she continues with the band, and is now the biggest star around with sell-outs everywhere they play. But she's all bummed out without him and decides to retire and buy a radio station to play nothing but his music 24 hours a day. Then she dies and goes to heaven.

Great story, huh?

But, just wait until you hear the music! Background singers include Linda Rondstadt, Dolly Parton and Waylon Jennings, and you can hear them really belt it out on some beautiful vocal arrangements. There are ballads, two-steps, and rocking songs on this CD, acoustic and full band songs. It's one of the best ever. I still can't believe it's an import. Get it while you still can.

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Concept Album, June 17, 2004

By 

Jake Z "holden84" (Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Ballad of Sally Rose (Audio CD)

This is an interesting album from Emmylou Harris. Released in 1985, it stands as one of her best. Avid fans will want to get their hands on this cd, it's pretty rare to find but worth the search! This is the first album in her career where she wrote or co-wrote all of the songs, something she is more inclined to do on her newer albums. She is an excellent songwriter in my opinion. The album works as a concept album, telling a story of a girl from a small town who gets taken under the wing of singer that takes her (and her angelic voice) out on the road. Which is sort of like what happened with her and Gram Parsons. To get the story of the album though you need to read the liner notes. She truly shines on the slower ballads such as "Diamond in My Crown" and the closer "Sweet Chariot." Not an essential album for casual fans, but the hardcore Harris fans will either already have this, or be looking for it.