Customer Reviews

Singing With Emmylou 1

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I was thrilled when I saw SINGIN' WITH EMMYLOU VOL. 1 on up-coming releases along with the re-issues of CIMARRON and LAST DATE. It was an instant purchase. Even the devoted and obsessive fans (like myself) may find this album tries their patience. Raven Records did a great job with this compilation: there are several rare tracks, great liner notes, and a song by song description. But in many ways this collection isn't the successor to DUETS issued in 1990 by Reprise. SINGIN' WITH EMMYLOU VOL. 1 contains twenty songs, of which only five are Emmylou Harris duets. The remaining fifteen songs feature Emmylou Harris as a background or harmony vocalist, though her gorgeous voice is always present. The duets are pure magic, and the main reason for listening. "Angel Eyes" is a magnifiscent duet with Willie Nelson from his HONEYSUCKLE ROSE soundtrack. (An advantage to that collection is Harris also is lead singer on "So You Think You're A Cowboy"). "Only The Heart May Know" is a great song, performed with Dan Fogelborg. There will never be a better sound than Emmylou Harris and Gram Parsons singin' together on "That's All It Took", live from the Fallen Angels concert. "Here We Are" is another masterpiece sung with George Jones. Waylon Jennings and Emmylou Harris are extraordinary on "Spanish Johnny". This is the only version available in Harris' catalog, her solo recording is on EVANGELINE, but unfortunatley that great album has never been released on CD. There are several gems among the other songs too. Rosanne Cash's "Hometown Blues" is terrific, a small glimpse at the magic of Cash's masterpiece SEVEN YEAR ACHE (which I tried unsuccessfully 7 times to get). Trisha Yearwood's recording on Harris' "Woman Walk The Line" is a highlight. As well as several other greats, which are too numerous to list. I'm glad Raven Records is working on a second volume, hopefully they'll include more of her duets; like the ones with Linda Ronstadt, Bob Dylan, Little Feat, and several more. Also maybe a compilation that gathers her recordings on various projects like HONEYSUCKLE ROSE ("So You Think You're A Cowboy"), and THE HORSE WHISPERER ("Slow Suprise"),would be excellent. Not as highly recommended as duets, but if you're looking for rare songs, you've discovered a treasure chest.

TRACK LIST: 1)Angel Eyes:EMMYLOU HARRIS & WILLIE NELSON, 2)Only The Heart May Know:EMMYLOU HARRIS & DAN FOGELBORG, 3)That's All It Took:EMMYLOU HARRIS & GRAM PARSONS, 4)What Could Have Been: KATHY MATTEA, 5)Oh Carolina:VINCE GILL, 6)Here We Are:EMMYLOU HARRIS & GEORGE JONES, 7)Woman Walk The Line:TRISHA YEARWOOD, 8)Walk Through The Bottomland:LYLE LOVETT, 9)You Are:GLEN CAMPBELL, 10)Spanish Johnny:EMMYLOU HARRIS & WAYLON JENNINGS, 11)Mexican Wind:JANN BROWNE, 12)Anyhow I Love You:GUY CLARK, 13)Just Like You:JON RANDALL, 14)Nobody's:DAVID BROMBERG BAND, 15)Just Can't Believe It:PURE PRARIE LEAGUE, 16)Rachel:GARY STEWART, 17)Our Baby's Gone:HERB PEDERSON, 18)Hometown Blues:ROSANNE CASH, 19)Streets Of This Town:MARY KAY PLACE, 20)Fourteen Days:STEVE GOODMAN.

I've been waiting years on an Emmylou collection to include the song "Only the Heart May Know" with Dan Fogelberg. It was missing from her duet album a few years ago and this collection finally includes it. There are many songs making this a memorable compilation since Emmylou leaves her mark on every song she collaborates on, even for background vocals only. Since it would be tough to buy all the individual cd's everything is on, this is a find to someone who loves her work.

IF YOU ARE AS BIG OF FAN AS I AM, RUN TO THE STORE AND PICK UP THIS ONE! I THINK EMMYLOU HAS COLLABORATED WITH ALMOST EVERY GREAT SINGER, AND THERE ARE SOME GOOD ONES ON THIS CD! EMMYLOU'S BEAUTIFUL VOICE IS ONE OF A KIND, AND IT ALWAYS STICKS OUT NO MATTER WHO SHE IS SINING WITH! I AM REALLY GLAD THEY ARE ALREADY WORKING ON VOLUME 2. I WILL ALSO BE ADDING THAT TO MY COLLECTION.

I listened to this one once or twice and then stopped playing it
in favor of almost any other Emmylou CD. Some tracks it's hard to even find her. Not that it's bad music, it's just not Emmylou.
I expect a CD with Emmyloud Harris as the title artist to have her as lead, duet, or featured harmony on most of the cuts. This would be the last Emmylou CD I would add to a collection, but I would include it.

Some people are clearly disappointed by the low Emmylou content on this compilation although the front cover clearly says 20 country recordings featuring the duet or backing vocals of Emmylou Harris. However, Emmylou seems to be more in evidence on this volume than on the sequel, so if you don't think you can hear enough of Emmylou here, don't even bother with volume 2. If, however, you accept this for what it is, you may find it an enjoyable listening experience.

In picking out highlights, I've based my assessment purely on the music and not on how much Emmylou contributes to each track. The set opens in great style with a duet from Willie Nelson's Honeysuckle Rose soundtrack and a high standard is maintained throughout. My favorite track here is Mexican wind, performed by Jann Browne. As Jann's voice is similar to Emmylou's, it is difficult to identify Emmylou's voice here. Then again, if you enjoy one of their voices, why wouldn't you enjoy the other's voice too? Emmylou co-wrote Woman walk the line for her concept album, Ballad of Sally Rose. Highway 101 later covered it and so did Trisha Yearwood. Here you'll find Trisha's excellent version. Other highlights include Oh Carolina (Vince Gill), That's all it took (a duet with Gram Parsons), Here we are (a duet with George Jones) and Rachel (Gary Stewart), but every track here is brilliant.

The writer of the comprehensive and impressive liner notes thinks that Street of this town (Mary Kay Place) is the most obscure track here. Actually, both of her albums were released as a twofer a few years ago on Raven (the label that is also responsible for this compilation), so it's not obscure to me as I bought and reviewed it a long time ago.

Taken for what it is, which is a collection of great country music by a wide variety of singers, this is brilliant although you won't find many hits here. Just don't expect to hear too much of Emmylou. Judged as an Emmylou album, it would rate one star, but judged for what it is, I have no hesitation in awarding it five stars.

She has her own career and many beautiful cds, but she has also done some wonderful background work and gorgeous duets as well! Many of those are highlighted here! work with artists like George Jones, Kathy Mattea, Trisha Yearwood, the late Dan Fogelberg, Pure Prairie League,,just to name a few! Their is already a Vol 2 out,,,how long do we have to wait for Vol 3 Emmy? Don't make us beg!! LOL

Anyway, the CD was in great shape, came quickly and played beautifully! Kudos to the seller and to Emmylou! =)

Is a wonderful CD, I have listened to it many many times,and have enjoyed it so much. Emma Lou's voice is wonderful, and all the singers on this album are just great.