Emmylou Harris
Born: 1947
Location: Birmingham, Alabama, USA
Genre: Country, Country Rock, Country Folk
Years Active: 1969 -
Real Name: Emmylou Harris
Meaning of the Name: Real name
Way of Working: Works with songwriters
Associated: Gram Parsons, Dolly Parton, Linda Ronstadt
Essential Releases
Quarter Moon in a
Ten Cent Town (1978)
Maintaining her reputation as a master interpreter of contemporary country and folk standards.
Roses in the
Snow (1980)
All acoustic album where Harris embraced traditional bluegrass.
Cowgirl's Prayer (1993)
A contemplative album that delves into themes of faith, loss, and resilience, marking a transitional period before her later experimental work.
Wrecking Ball (1995)
A radical departure produced by Daniel Lanois, this album redefined her sound with a dark, ethereal rock
Nashville started as a dream for Emmylou Harris, who moved to the Mecca of country music after cutting her teeth in New York's Greenwich Village during the death throes of its psychedelic folk scene in the late-'60s. At the age of 16, Harris penned a letter to Pete Seeger, asking whether or not she was "too privileged" to sing folk, to which Seeger sagely replied, "not to worry about life experience and suffering, that it would come her way."
Inevitably, his prescient words proved true, as her marriage to aspiring songwriter Tom Slocum dissolved not long after reaching Nashville. Harris was left destitute, with a young baby to feed, and no way to pay the bills.
She became one of those poor unfortunates sung about by Kitty Wells or Loretta Lynn. Lynn famously recited "hungry little baby on a cold hard floor, crying for milk but there ain't no more" on 'When You're Poor' in 1971. Did Harris hear the song on the radio as she retreated across America to seek refuge at her parents Maryland farm in the early-'70s? It's possible.
It was during these next few years, buoyed by the comforts of home, that Harris discovered a real love for the simple beauty of country music, inspired by her mentor Gram Parsons. Much of her work centres on themes such as love and its evil twin, heartbreak, as on 'Boulder to Birmingham', a song dedicated to Parsons, who died in 1973 following an overdose of morphine and alcohol.
His death hit Harris hard, but as a final gift it contributed to her success, as his cadre of experienced musicians, The Fallen Angels (some of whom had recorded with Elvis or Buddy Holly), found themselves without a singer. It was an opportunity Harris embraced, and by 1976, she had topped the US country album charts twice, her dream of making it as a singer fulfilled.
Inadvertently, Emmylou became the embodiment of staple themes in country such as resilience and grit in the face of hardship. It was her intention to work in folk; her trajectory would have surprised the younger version of herself who wrote to Seeger. But fate can be a winding road, and on this particular detour, it led into the arms of the Nashville sound, a match made in heaven.
Skills
*This is a work in progress. Values are subjective.Emotional Impact
80
Mental Impact
45
Originality
40
Artistry
55
Authenticity
75
Live
85
Production
70
Musicianship
80
Singing
90
Songwriting
45
Danceability
40
Fun
45
Consistency
85
Range
65
Cool
70
Charisma
75
Commercial & Critical Success
Awards >>>
- Grammy Award WINNER! x14:
- Country Music Awards WINNER! 1987: Trio - Album of the year
Certifications >>>
- Pieces of the Sky: Gold in USA
- Elite Hotel: Gold in USA; Silver in UK
- Luxury Liner: Gold in USA; Silver in UK
- Quarter Moon in a Ten Cent Town: Gold in USA
- Blue Kentucky Girl: Gold in USA
- Roses in the Snow: Gold in USA
- Evangeline: Gold in USA
Charts
Critics
CRITICISM
- Some fans of her traditional country felt alienated when Harris entered the experimental phase of her late-career.
