Pieces of the Sky
Emmylou Harris's 1975 major-label debut unveiled the formula that she would revisit numerous times throughout the decade: a melding of traditional country's honesty, folk music's heart, and country-rock's punch. Her choice of material followed a similar curve--everything fromMerle Haggard,Tammy Wynette, and theLouvin Brothersto theBeatlesand Shel Silverstein. FormerElvissidemen James Burton, Glen D. Hardin, and Ron Tutt along with guests likeRicky Skaggs, fiddlerRichard Greene, and pianist Bill Payne ofLittle Featform a formidable supporting cast. What's most impressive is Harris's versatility--she moves from delicate acoustic ballads to buoyant two-steppers to lavish string arrangements without ever sounding overmatched. She even takes a very personal tale likeDolly Parton's wonderful "Coat of Many Colors" and makes itherstory. She may have inherited the band and the vision from her late mentorGram Parsons, but the shimmering soprano voice is all her own.--Marc Greilsamer