Emmylou Harris, godmother of the Americana movement, is a phenomenon for any number of reasons, one of which is that she has has managed to conduct more than four decades of her remarkable career without a single misstep. While Harris has always been committed to honoring the roots of old-school, traditional country, she also expanded the music beyond its conservative lyrics and narrow melodic structures without abandoning its core themes of enduring love, family, and prideful sense of place. Throughout, she interpreted and wrote songs of integrity and emotional depth and resonance, surrounding her keening soprano with a Who's Who of players and collaborators, including Rodney Crowell, the McGarrigle Sisters, Dolly Parton, Linda Ronstadt, Daniel Lanois, and Mark Knopfler. This unusual 4-CD compilation isn't a greatest-hits package, but rather a gathering of Harris's personal favorites, most of which have never appeared on other collections. Some of the most compelling tracks are special collaborations ("Jordan," with Willie Nelson and Johnny Cash), previously unreleased live, studio, and demo tracks (the folky "Falling in a Deep Hole," circa 1970), and contributions to tribute projects (Townes Van Zandt's chilling "Snake Song"). Harris's reedy voice is one of the most empathetic instruments in all of popular music, and perhaps no other female performer of the genre has been able to capture the desperate, paralyzing sense of longing and loneliness as well as this greatly revered singer. That may be a red flag of warning for the Prozac generation, but this deeply satisfying set stands as a benchmark of 40 years of artistry, as well as an uncommonly soulful illumination of the human condition. --Alanna Nash
Customer Reviews:
Avg. Customer Rating: 4.5 / 5.0
STOP MOANING:
about the packaging! Listen to the music!
I have read many of the reviews of this collection and totally and absolutely agree about the quality, both of Emmylou's singing and of the choice of input, of this package. To my amateur and tone deaf ear (my wife says) this is one of the most beautiful and moving collections of music that one can hear, in any genre.
Another thing, just look at those photographs in the booklet! Emmylou is such a beautiful woman too; in some pictures those eyes are... more info
Rare Tracks and Forgotten Gems- Emmylou Harris:
This is a great collection of Emmylou's work.
Unfortunately there is not a big support base here in Australia for Emmylou and it is great to be able to get her music from you. I am impressed with the quality of your business and the handling of my order.
Thank you very much. Butch Semmler - Australia
a tapestry of gems:
one of the many reasons Emmylou fans will want this collection is the set of tracks making their debut on CD including several from Evangeline and Thirteen, along with songs from her early folk period and demos. there are also duets from tributes and other artists' albums (yes, i am a dinosaur), and several songs that have always belonged in collections but never managed to be included, like Sorrow in the Wind. each of the CDs is so beautiful and packed with good songs that it is overwhelming, and points... more info
PACKAGING:
I do agree with people who are complaining about the packaging; why does Rhino--which CATERS to the collector--put together such shoddy packaging?
Hip-O Select has SLEEVES, which keep the surface of the cd pristine. That said, I'm obsessive compulsive, and also PRACTICAL...take the cds out ONCE, and put them in slim-line jewel cases. I do that with all cds that come in cardboard; I even do it with cds and dvd that overlap in cramped box sets. THAT WAY YOU'RE NOT TAKING THEM IN AND OUT OVER AND OVER... more info
Tracks:
Clocks (alternate version)
The Angels Rejoiced Last Night (Gram Parsons)
The Old Country Baptizing (Gram Parsons & The Fallen Angels)
