Wednesday 2 August 2023

Pieces Of The Sky - EMMYLOU HARRIS****

Bluebird Wine/Too Far Gone/If I Could Only Win Your Love/Boulder To Birmingham/Before Believing/Bottle Let Me Down/Sleepless Nights/Coat Of Many Colours/For No One/Queen Of The Silver Dollar

Pieces Of The Sky was the debut album from folk artist Emmylou Harris who had previously collaborated with Gram Parsons. She has been praised for the skilled interpretations of her covers of other people's songs. (US:45)

“In which Emmylou carried forward the work her friend Gram Parsons had started by making country music a respectable art form again in the eyes of a much wider audience.”

“Although it is written almost entirely by others, Emmylou Harris will bring you to tears with Pieces Of The Sky. It is like the soundtrack to the country music fairy tale that is Emmylou Harris and Gram Parsons, whose tutelage is very apparent on the album.”

“I saw Emmylou and her original Hot Band when they first came to England and it was the best concert I have ever seen. They mostly played tracks from this great album. Boulder To Birmingham is one of the all time great songs; her feelings about her loss of the great Gram Parsons.” “Her first serious solo effort. Emmylou Harris has an incredibly gorgeous voice and her song choice is impeccable.”

Pieces Of The Sky is my favourite of Emmylou’s early records even if it is in more of a traditional country music vein and not as adventurous as the albums that would follow. She’s never bettered many of the vocal performances here. It all works and makes for an extremely pleasing listen.”

“A fine blend of ballads and upbeat numbers make this a treat of a recording. Every time Emmylou covers a song she makes the composer look like a genius. In actual fact, she's the genius, and she simply works wonders with music of all shapes and sizes.”

“I am a major fan of Emmylou Harris and have most of her albums. The purity of her delivery and glorious arrangements provide a life enhancing experience and each track is different and intriguing. What more could one want?”

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