White Shoes [IMPORT]

Emmylou Harris

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 24, 1996)
• Original Release Date: 1983
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: Warner Bros UK
• ASIN: B0000070RA
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #72,281 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

French edition of the influential country star's 1983 album for Reprise. 10 tracks.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

28 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Rougher edged and still shimmering Emmylou!, January 25, 1999

By	[e-mail] (Long Beach, California) - See all my reviews

From the infectious upbeat intro of "Drivin' Wheel", we segue into the lilting and utterly sweet "Pledging My Love". Then, one of those spectacular highpoints; an understated and exquisite masterpiece "In My Dreams". I think this song won a Grammy, most deservedly. "White Shoes" much fun, and look out for the poignancy of a catch in the throat "On the Radio" - yes the same one that afforded Donna Summer the disco hit! Absolute rowdiness ensues with "It's Only Rock&Roll". Check out "Diamonds are Girls Best Friend" and I suspect you'll forget Marilyn Monroe ever sang it! Another wonderful rocker "Baby,..." with a duet vocal by Bonnie Bramlett that will knock your socks off. "Like an Old Fashioned Waltz" is among the most beautiful of all Emmylou songs: earnest, achingly felt, and economically sung. Stays in your head forever!

24 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Thanks to Amazon..., May 31, 2001

By	L. Quido "quidrock" (Tampa, FL United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

Amazon Verified Purchase

I found an Emmylou CD previously unknown to me. I think I was doing the motherhood thing at a 200% clip in 1983, and fell out of my music for awhile. First saw Emmylou in an old St. Paul Minnesota theatre in '76 or '77. I laughed and I cried; the quality of her voice is second to none, and, unlike many other female artists of our generation, she has been unafraid to take chances her whole career. "Wrecking Ball" was a revelation and has been the CD I return to every month since its issue. Learned about "White Shoes" by following Amazon reviewer Matt Coker, who has a way with both words and music (thanks, Matt!)

You have to listen to "White Shoes" 3 or 4 times before you get a real feel for the simple genius it took to weave this collection of songs together. You can rock with Emmylou to "Drivin' Wheel" and her 2 Rodney Crowell covers, "It's Only Rock and Roll" and "Baby, Better Start Turnin' 'Em Down"....all three are show stoppers. Emmylou can rock country like no one else; somehow the voice of an angel becomes a snarling, driving song machine.

As is the custom with a star true to her music, you will experience the best in background instrumentation and vocals, because the musicians who are the best want to work with the best. Most of the Hot Band is back, and the listener is treated to both the electric and acoustic talents of John McFee; outstanding! Bonnie Bramlett joins for background vocals with her gutsy harmony, and we are treated to a new talent, composer Shirley Eikhard, who blends with Harris on the introspective "Good News". Although there are finer songs on "White Shoes", "Good News" is my favorite so far, the one that runs through my head in the car, in the shower, in the...you get the point.

The key piece on "White Shoes" graces the middle of the CD, a haunting version of Moroder's "On the Radio". You will forget that Donna Summer ever sang it, Emmylou makes the song her own.

And, like many Ahern-Harris collaborations, you are left to wonder about the tune "White Shoes". It grows on you to the point that you stop wondering what the song is trying to say and just flow with it. When you lose yourself in the song, you will see why these 2 great musicians chose it to title a collection that is priceless.

No price is too much for "White Shoes"!

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Worth It, January 11, 2003

By	J. M. Zuurbier (Canada) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

Do whatever you can to find this album, its an album every Emmylou Harris fan should own. This was the last album Harris recorded with producer and then-husband Brian Ahern. This is the closest Emmylou has come to doing pop music, and it works extrodinarily for her! She manages an excellent cover of Donna Summer's "On The Radio", definately a highlight among the set. She rocks on the opening "Drivin Wheel" and "Pledging My Love". "Drivin Wheel" was a mild hit, peaking at #26. "In My Dreams" was a top 10 hit, making it to #9, definately worth it, its a strong song. She also manages an old showtune in "Diamonds Are A Girl's Best Friend", with ease. She is on top of this vocally, throughout the album. But what else could you expect from her? There's also two Rodney Crowell covers "It's Only Rock and Roll" and "Baby, Better Start Turnin' 'Em Down", definite show stoppers, and highlights among the set. This was a pretty experimental album. The Hot Band appears on the album as well. This is definately a must have so do what you can to find this gem!