Customer Reviews

Songs of the West

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

While a PROFILE III: THE BEST OF EMMYLOU HARRIS collection could have been a better addition to her catalog, SONGS OF THE WEST is still throughly enjoyable. The most valuable songs on the album, are the ones issued on domestic (or any) CD for the first time. THE BALLAD OF SALLY ROSE, and CIMARRON are two of my favorite, and two of her most beautiful, albums. Unfortunately, Warner Bros. has pulled these records from print, THE BALLAD OF SALLY ROSE is available through import, CIMARRON isn't available at all. This album includes the first two songs from CIMARRON, the magnificent "Rose Of Cimarron", and the beautiful "Spanish Is A Loving Tongue", and the Emmylou Harris origninal "The Sweetheart Of The Rodeo" from THE BALLAD OF SALLY ROSE. The other seven songs are equally fantastic. These aren't the only songs that would have worked on this collection, "Pancho & Lefty" (from LUXURY LINER) or the also unavailable "Sweetheart Of The Pines", penned by Emmylou Harris (from THIRTEEN), are just a few additional songs. The review from DIRTY LINEN fails to recognize is the value and beauty of "Rose Of Cimarron", "The Sweetheart Of The Rodeo", "Spanish Is A Loving Tongue", and all the other great songs on this album. I'm hoping that Warner Bros. will bring CIMARRON back into print, along with THIRTEEN, EVANGELINE, and LAST DATE (at least WHITE SHOES, and THE BALLAD OF SALLY ROSE are available through import). If Warner Bros. would bring these albums back in print I think they'd have some really quick sales.

Forget about what you read above: Sure this is a retread but what this review doesn't tell you is that three of the most lovely songs on this CD have never before been available on Domestic CD. They were released on the LP CIMARRON which is apparently only availble on Australian CD and I have never seen it for sale. Since that Album has been out of print for years, I gladly paid the price for this CD just to have those songs. Also, if you have not had a decent sampling of Emmlyou's Western style and only been listening to her more pop oriented music, this will be an eye-opening experience for you. I popped this into the Car Stereo last Christmas while driving my parents about town and they loved it, having only heard her radio hits before. Accept this CD for what it is: an introduction to a side of Emmylou not heard on the Radio and a welcome chance to own a few precious songs not included on the PORTRAITS Boxed Set or on any other CD

I'm a big Emmylou fan, but this cd was a disappointment. Her more recent western songs, like "Ballad of a Runaway Horse" from _Cowgirl's Prayer_ and "My Antonia" from _Red Dirt Girl_, are far superior than any on this cd. The one thing I like about this cd is that I can put it in my cd player with other western cds and put it on random play without breaking the cowpoke mood (except fot the unfortunate pinball machine in Amarillo), which doesn't work with her other cds with their more southern flavor. Still, I might have used the money more wisely elsewhere, on some other Emmylou album or some other western cd.

Emmylou can harmonize with anybody, and I prove it riding in my car with this album on. Around the house I can dance my housework as well. Gulf Coast Highway with Willie Nelson is one I hadn't heard before this album came out, but it describes my old home town so well it brings tears of reminiscence. (The rice fields are mostly gone now--it's cheaper to import from China.) Queen of the Silver Dollar, Cattle Call, One-Paper Kid--can't identify with those but love them anyway because they are so perfectly rendered I can picture the scenes as though they were a movie. This album has been a favorite of mine for years, alongside albums by Eagles, Don Henley, Trisha Yearwood, Simon & Garfunkel, Billy Joel, Mickey Newbury, and Sarah McLachlan.

i have always been a great fan . I wonder did she ever record an album with Buddy Holly songs. This album is excellent

This is some of Emmylou Harris' best. But then what of her work doesn't qualify?

I'm a huge Emmylou fan, particularly of her more recent stuff (Wrecking Ball in particular)... but this collection has a few absolute gems. I am not too concerned about what other albums they were on, or all that history, etc - I just enjoy the music for what it is. "Rose of Cimarron" is my faraway favorite, and it is a great road song as well. "One Paper Kid" showcases some very unusual, but very beautiful, harmony with Willie Nelson. "Spanish is a Loving Tongue" is another favorite - it is a classic take on that enduring south of the border love story - I know it well - and the tragic end brought on by classic Western troubles. "Sweetheart of the Rodeo" is a gorgeous song, very much a country tune, and quite unabashedly so. "Cattle Call" never sounded better (I can't take Eddie Arnold in the first place). "San Antone Rose" - well, if there's anyone who has danced a slow song with a passionate, mysterious stranger that can't relate to that song, I don't know what to say. "Queen of the Silver Dollar" is the first song I ever heard from this collection - it must have come from another album, because I seem to remember it on Canadian radio when I was a kid (Ottawa's CKBY - my dad always had his old school country on in the morning when I was getting ready for school). I wasn't too excited about this album the first time I heard it many years ago, but it has become one of my favorites. It showcases Emmylou's vocals in a more mainstream, less convoluted way than some of her more recent offerings. There can be no doubt that Emmylou has one of the most beautiful, unique and haunting voices in music, and this album gives her a more subtle, less contrasting musical backdrop for those vocals.

I've been an Emmylou fan ever since her days at the Cellar Door in Georgetown (Washington, D.C.). Unlike many artists, Emmylou has always been true to her country roots. Yes, she has had successes that found their way to the pop charts, but make no mistake, Emmylou is a true country artist. This CD is a wonderful collection of material. It's a wonder I haven't worn my copy out. I love the songs "Even Cowgirls Get The Blues," the lively, foot-tappin' "Amarillo", and "Montana Cowgirl", and the tender "Rose Of Cimarron" and "Spanish Is A Loving Tongue". She also revives Eddy Arnold's classic "Cattle Call". Included on the album is "I'll Be Your San Antone Rose", "The Sweetheart Of The Rodeo", "Queen Of The Silver Dollar", and "One Paper Kid". SONGS OF THE WEST is over much too soon unfortunately, but there's always "instant replay!"