Cowgirl's Prayer
Emmylou Harris has aged more gracefully than any other country artist (with the exception of Willie Nelson). 1993'sCowgirl's Prayershowcases this maturity in a collection of songs that share wisdom, offer forgiveness, make amends, and explore spirituality. As always, Harris's voice is angelic and sad, her phrasing languid and lonesome. Lucinda Williams's "Crescent City" glows with tragic barroom neon while the classic "You Don't Know Me" takes on a deeper meaning, as if sung perhaps to an old friend or a lost relative? And while spoken-word delivery often falls flat, "Jerusalem Tomorrow" tells such a compelling story--and Harris's delivery is so knowing--that it haunts you long after it's over.--Alexandra Russell