Customer Reviews

Ballad of Sally Rose

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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

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.

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.

I first heard this great album on tape about 12 years ago and when I no longer had the equipment to play the tape, I found the CD buried on a sale table. I nearly screamed out loud!! Now, that CD has been played by me and my daughters so much, its falling apart. Yea! It's still available. When we travel, this is the #1 sing along CD for me and the girls. With her pals Dolly and Linda, EmmyLou makes sweet, sweet sounds. And, the story is terrific.

I had the tape of this about 15 years ago. It was one of my favorites--then it got misplaced. Finally I found it on Amazon. I would say this is my favorite Emmylou Harris recording.Some of the songs are so clear and pure as if an angel inspired them.

Another reviewer mentioned that people familiar with this album would pay double to get it. I did pay double, and it was worth every penny. This not only is Emmylou Harris's best album, it is one of the best albums ever made by anyone. Why it has not been re-released I don't understand.

This should be Emmylou Harris' ultimate album. She wrote it (with some help and some medleys) pretty much entirely, and it holds together as a "concept" album better than Rick Wakeman's 'Journey...", which is saying something.

Ok, the story is PURE Nashville "my dog died". So what? The music is BEAUTIFUL.

The beginning (Ballad of Sally Rose) is a setup, both musically and plotwise, that does the album well. The change, as it were, in "Diamond in my Crown" is wonderful, and the ending, well, um, good for grabbing a few hankies.

But the music is WONDERFUL, even if the plot is a wee bit traditional and predictable.

It's a shame this one isn't currently available.

what about willie nelsons redheaded stranger released in 1975...

however the ballad of sally rose is a supreme album.

This album belongs on any Emmylou fan's "Must Have" list, whatever it takes to find it. A powerful, cohesive concept piece, it should be listened to straight through, with no distractions. "Woman Walk the Line" is absolutely stunning, and "Sweet Chariot" can be heard again and again and again, and never grow stale. Really, this album is the progenitor of the TRIO albums, and features many of the same performers. Every song is Emmylou's, and while some have been covered by other artists, Emmy does it best. If unforgetable solos, impeccable harmonies, haunting renditions, straight-to-the-point lyrics, and superb production are your thing, this is your album.

This really is THE BEST Emmylou Harris album. Since this title is not available in the USA (sigh), I first listened to one of the songs from this album thru "Portraits" the 3-cd box set. "Sweet Chariot" is just marvelous, marvelous. Then I searched the net to find samples for almost all of the songs from this album, and they're all awesome ! So I got myself the import CD from Germany. Let's hope someday there's a US remastered version of "Ballad of Sally Rose," just like "Cimarron" and "Last Date."