Profile: Best Of Emmylou Harris CD

This best-of collection features some of Emmylou Harris's best-loved 1970s material. In addition to Harris' charming singing style, and her tight band, great songs by the likes of Delbert McClinton, Buck Owens, Charlie and Ira Louvin, Chuck Berry, Dolly Parton, and others make PROFILE a real gem.

Harris' stunningly beautiful voice glides effortlessly over the many country ballads. Not surprisingly, most of these tunes are essentially laments; among them poignant renditions of "Sweet Dreams," "Making Believe," the exquisite "If I Could Only Win Your Love," "Too Far Gone," and others. For all those who want to do a little square dancing, Harris delivers a few uptempo country rockers including, "(You Never Can Tell) C'est La Vie" and "Two More Bottles of Wine." Produced by Harris's husband Paul Ahern, this is a superb compilation of the singer's early work, confirming her ability to bring insight and innovation to a genre often dominated by generic abilities.

Recorded between 1974 & 1977.

Personnel: Emmylou Harris (vocals, guitar); Nicolette Larson (vocals); Albert Lee, Rodney Crowell (guitar, background vocals); James Burton, Brian Ahern, Bernie Leadon, Mike Auldridge, Rick Cunha (guitar); Hank Devito, Ben Keith (pedal steel guitar); Byron Berline (mandolin); Herb Pedersen (banjo, guitar, background vocals); Ricky Skaggs (fiddle); Mickey Raphael (harmonica); Emory Gordy (piano, bass); Glen D. Hardin, Bill Payne (piano); Ray Pohlman (bass); John Ware, Ron Tutt (drums); Fayssoux Starling, Dianne Brooks, Jonathan Edwards (background vocals).

Engineers include: Brian Ahern, Bradley Hartman, Donivan Cowart.