Search - Emmylou Harris :: Singing With Emmylou 1

Not exactly what it seems...

Matt Coker | Davis, CA, USA | 07/17/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"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."

20 songs that will bring back a lot of wonderful memories!

Donna | San Diego, CA United States | 04/19/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"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."

Its about time!!

Matt Coker | 10/08/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"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."