Elite Hotel
After introducing her country-rock recipe onPieces of the Sky, Emmylou Harris returned later in 1975 with a strikingly similar sophomore effort that continued to blend traditional and contemporary elements. Here she revisits three tunes from the pen of old friendGram Parsons, including "Sin City" and "Wheels," two of his most enduring compositions. However, she really struck it big by interpreting two of country music's most recognizable standards--Buck Owens's "Together Again" andDon Gibson's "Sweet Dreams" (a huge hit forPatsy Cline)--riding them both to the top of the country charts. Not many artists could handle both aBeatlesballad and aHank Williamshonky-tonker--not many would even want to--but Harris's diamondlike voice can be beautiful and translucent or sharp and cutting.--Marc Greilsamer