Emmylou Harris - Pieces of the Sky CD

Pieces of the Sky buy CD music A surprise best-seller when it was first released, this mostly improvised pairing of singer/keyboardist/producer Al Kooper with two major guitar heroes of the day sounds fascinating all these years later precisely because of the distance of time--nobody makes records like this any more. The material runs the gamut from folk pop (covers of Donovan and Dylan), to blues ("Albert's Shuffle," "You Don't Love Me"), to heady jams ("His Holy Modal Majesty"), to big-band jazz ("Harvey's Tune"). All the tunes make effective templates for the kind off-the-cuff music-making that in less capable hands might have resulted in simple noodling. In fact, although Bloomfield and Stills don't play together on any of the cuts (Bloomfield played on one side of the original LP, Stills on the other), all three principals get off lots of good licks and producer Kooper has some interesting tricks up his sleeve, as in the over-the-top phasing he lavishes on "You Don't Love Me." The only real disappointment here is that Stills, a far better singer than Kooper, never opens his mouth. Those familiar with the Live Adventures album these two recorded at the Fillmore West know how brilliant they could be on stage, and here's another gem, recorded at the Fillmore East this time and featuring 'One Way Out,' 'It's My Own Fault' (with Bloomfield trading licks with Johnny Winter...Johnny was signed to Columbia after this gig!). Newly remastered & now with 4 bonus tracks, 'Albert's Shuffle' (2002 Remix w/o Horns), 'Season of the Witch.' (2002 Remix w/o Horns), 'Blues For Nothing' (Studio Outtake) & 'Fat Grey Cloud' Previously Unreleased Live Track). Features 12-page booklet with unpublished photos from the recording session, new liner notes by Al Kooper & the Rolling Stone Hall Of Fame review by David Fricke. 60 scintillating minutes! 13 tracks. Colunbia/Legacy. 2003. Includes liner notes by Al Kooper, Michael Thomas. Includes liner notes by Michael Thomas. Full performer name: Mike Bloomfield/Al Kooper/Steve Stills. Personnel: Mike Bloomfield (electric guitar); Al Kooper (vocals, 12-string & electric guitars, piano, organ, ondioline); Steve Stills (electric guitar); Barry Goldberg (electric piano); Harvey Brooks (bass); Eddie Hoh (drums). Personnel: Mike Bloomfield (electric guitar); Al Kooper (piano, organ, ondioline, vocals, 12-string & electric guitars); Steve Stills (electric guitar); Barry Goldberg (electric piano); Harvey Brooks (bass); Eddie Hoh (drums). Reissue producer: Bob Irwin. ...

Pieces of the Sky album for sale After working his way through loss and chaos on the brilliant TONIGHT'S THE NIGHT (recorded in 1973, but not released until 1975), Neil Young deftly exorcised any lingering demons with 1974's ON THE BEACH. The album opens with the saunter of the aptly titled "Walk On," followed by the utterly gorgeous, Wurlitzer-tinged "See the Sky about to Rain." The set also features a trio of scathing songs--"Revolution Blues," "Vampire Blues," and "Ambulance Blues"--that address issues important to Young, both social and personal. It is good to hear Young back with such bite and vitriol, especially after the broken desperation of TONIGHT'S THE NIGHT. But while ON THE BEACH is edgy and deeply felt, it also manages to sound liberating and relaxed, with glimmers of hope and humor peeking through the spare, evocative arrangements. Inexplicably unreleased on CD until 2003, ON THE BEACH is both unflinching and resilient, and easily stands as one of Young's finest albums. Recording information: Broken Arrow Studios, San Francisco, CA; Sunset Sound, Los Angeles, CA. Photographer: Bob Seidemann. Guests:Graham Nash/Rick Danko/ David Crosby/Levon Helm Personnel: Neil Young (vocals, guitar, banjo, harmonica, Wurlitzer organ); Neil Young (Wurlitzer piano); Ben Keith (vocals, guitar, slide guitar, steel guitar, dobro, Wurlitzer piano, organ, Wurlitzer organ, drums, background vocals); Graham Nash (vocals, Wurlitzer piano, Wurlitzer organ); Ralph Molina (vocals, drums, background vocals); Tim Drummond (bass instrument, drums, percussion); Rick Danko, Billy Talbot (bass instrument); David Crosby (vocals, guitar); Rusty Kershaw (guitar, slide guitar, violin, fiddle); George Whitsell (guitar); Joe Yankee (harp, tambourine); Levon Helm (drums). Liner Note Author: Rusty Kershaw.

Pieces of the Sky CD music LUXURY LINER, Emmylou Harris' third album, found Harris' Hot Band undergoing a major transformation. Quick-picking maestro Albert Lee replaced lead guitarist James Burton. And future mega-star Ricky Skaggs, fresh from a stint with bluegrass pioneers J.D. Crowe and the New South, also signed on, taking Rodney Crowell's place. The result was a different, but equally breathtaking, version of what was fast earning a reputation as country music's finest ensemble. Aside from the personnel changes, LUXURY LINER is a typical early Harris album, filled with wonderful songs and performed with tons of feeling and tremendous skill. Harris takes mentor Gram Parson's title track and kicks it up a notch, allowing Lee to show off his trademark chops. Townes Van Zandt's "Pancho and Lefty" immediately follows and, while this isn't the recording of the song that topped the charts (Willie Nelson and Merle Haggard had a hit with it later), it clearly laid the blueprint for the blockbuster version. Other standout tracks on this uniformly excellent album include Chuck Berry's "C'est La Vie," the Louvin Brothers' "When I Stop Dreaming," and the Carter Family classic "Hello Stranger." Includes two previously unreleased bonus tracks. Additional Tracks Recorded at the Enactron Truck, Beverly Hills, California. Originally released on Warner Bros. (2998). Personnel: Emmylou Harris (vocals, guitar); Nicolette Larson (vocals); Rodney Crowell, Albert Lee (guitar, background vocals); Brian Ahern, James Burton, Rick Cunha (guitar); Hank DeVito (pedal steel guitar); Mike Auldridge (dobro); Ricky Skaggs (fiddle, mandolin); Mickey Raphael (harmonica); Glen D. Hardin (piano); Emory Gordy (bass); John Ware (drums); Fayssoux Starling, Herb Pedersen, Dianne Brooks, Dolly Parton (background vocals).

Pieces of the Sky songs On her second album ELITE HOTEL, Emmylou Harris follows the blueprint she established with PIECES OF THE SKY. She even draws songs from many of the same sources, going to the well one more time for songs by Rodney Crowell ("Till I Gain Control Again") and the Beatles ("Here, There, and Everywhere"). With guitar legend James Burton, pianist Bill Payne, and singer Linda Ronstadt among the returning guests, the supporting cast also echoes that of PIECES. Whereas that album only hinted at Harris' potential commercial success, however, ELITE HOTEL delivers on the promise. With three top-five singles ("Together Again," "One of These Days," and "Sweet Dreams"), HOTEL established Harris as one of country's premier artists. HOTEL goes further than Harris' previous album in acknowledging her debt to her mentor, country-rock avatar Gram Parsons. Three Parsons songs ("Sin City," "Wheels," and "Ooh Las Vegas") appear here, and other selections clearly reflect Parsons preferences (the Louvin Brothers' "Satan's Jewel Crown" and Buck Owens' "Together Again"). Harris does Parsons proud, maintaining his traditionalist musical vision while polishing his execution. In so doing, she accomplishes something Parsons never would have; Harris succeeds in reintroducing classic country to mainstream contemporary audiences. Includes two previously unreleased bonus tracks. Additional Tracks Recorded at the Enactron Truck, Beverly Hills, California. Originally released on Reprise (2286). Personnel: Emmylou Harris (vocals, guitar); Joanthan Edwards (vocals); Brian Ahern (guitar, bass); James Burton, Rick Cunha, Amos Garrett, Bernie Leadon (guitar); Ben Keith, Hank DeVito (pedal steel guitar); Herb Pedersen (banjo, background vocals); Byron Berline (mandolin, fiddle); Mike Auldridge (dobro); Micky Raphael (harmonica); Glen D. Hardin, Bill Payne (piano); Emory Gordy (bass, background vocals); John Ware, Ron Tutt (drums); Fayssoux Starling, John Starling, Dianne Brooks (background vocals). Personnel: Emmylou Harris (acoustic guitar); John Starling, Rodney Crowell, Bernie Leadon (acoustic guitar, background vocals); Rick Cunha, Brian Ahern (acoustic guitar); James Burton, Amos Garrett (electric guitar); Mike Auldridge (dobro); Herb Pedersen (banjo, background vocals); Byron Berline (mandolin, fiddle); Ricky Skaggs (fiddle); Mickey Raphael (harmonica); Jo-El Sonnier (accordion); Glen D. Hardin (piano, electric piano); Bill Payne (piano); Ron Tutt, John Ware (drums); Emory Gordy, Fayssoux Starling, Dianne Brooks, John Randall, Linda Ronstadt (background vocals). Audio Mixers: Doug Beal; Brian Ahern. Recording information: The Enactron Truck, Beverly Hills, CA (1975). Photographer: Michael Putland. Arranger: Brian Ahern.

Pieces of the Sky album for sale On her sixth country album, ROSES IN THE SNOW, Emmylou Harris decided to explore her growing interest in bluegrass music. It was a bold move: first, because bluegrass had traditionally been the exclusive domain of men (Hazel Dickens being the most notable exception to the rule), and second, because it meant breaking with a formula that had served her well on her five previous releases. Harris tilted the odds back in her favor by assembling an all-star supporting cast including Ricky Skaggs, Tony Rice, Jerry Douglas, and the Whites, then selecting--with usual impeccable taste--10 great songs for inclusion on the album. As one would expect, Harris salutes the masters of bluegrass here, reworking numbers associated with Ralph Stanley ("The Darkest Hour is Just Before the Dawn"), Bill Monroe ("Wayfaring Stranger") and Flatt and Scruggs ("I'll Go Stepping Too"). Digging even further back, she also comes up with, and delivers on, A.P. Carter's "Gold Watch and Chain" and Bill Halley's "Miss the Mississippi and You," both vestiges of recorded music's earliest era. It's not all ancient history, however: ROSES also includes a hit version of Paul Simon's "The Boxer," miraculously recast as a bluegrass-friendly number. Remastered reissue of the original 1980 album with two previously unreleased bonus tracks, 'You're Gonna Change' & 'Root Like A Rose'. Highlights include the title track, the traditional 'Wayfaring Stranger' & 'Green Pastures', versions of Ralph Stanley's 'Darkest Hour Is Just Before Dawn', The Louvin Brothers' 'You're Learning', the Center Family's 'Gold Watch & Chain', & much more. 2002. Recorded in July 1979. Originally released on Warner Brothers (3422). Includes liner notes by Holly George Warren. All tracks have been digitally remastered. Personnel: Emmylou Harris (vocals, acoustic guitar); Ricky Skaggs (vocals, acoustic guitar, banjo, mandolin, fiddle); Linda Ronstadt (vocals); Brian Ahern (guitar, 12-string guitar, pipe, 6-string bass, fretless bass, percussion); Frank Reckard (acoustic guitar, electric guitar); Tony Rice, Barry Tashian (acoustic guitar); Albert Lee (electric guitar, mandolin); Hank DeVito, Steve Fishell (steel guitar); Willie Nelson (gut-string guitar); Jerry Douglas (dobro); Bryan Bowers (autoharp); Wayne Goodwin (mandolin); Jim Horn (pennywhistle, recorder); Glen D. Hardin (piano, Fender Rhodes piano); John Ware (drums, percussion); Keith Knudsen (drums). Audio Mixers: Donivan Cowart; Brian Ahern. Audio Remasterer: Denny Purcell. Recording information: Enactron Studio Two (07/1979). Photographer: Robert Matheu. Arranger: Brian Ahern. Personnel: Emmylou Harris (vocals, acoustic guitar); Ricky Skaggs (vocals, acoustic guitar, banjo, mandolin, fiddle); Linda Ronstadt (vocals); Tony Rice (acoustic guitar, background vocals); Frank Reckard, Barry Tashian (acoustic guitar); Albert Lee (electric guitar, mandolin); Brian Ahern (guitar, synthesizer, bass, percussion); Willie Nelson (guitar); Steve Fishell (steel guitar); Jerry Douglas (dobro); Wayne Goodwin (mandolin); Bryan Bowers (autoharp); Jim Horn (recorder, penny whistle); Buck White (piano, background vocals); Glen D. Hardin (Fender Rhodes piano); Emory Gordy, Jr. (bass); Keith Knudsen (drums); John Ware (percussion); Dolly Parton, Cheryl White, Sharon White (background vocals).

Pieces of the Sky CD music Emmylou Harris & The Hot Band: Emmylou Harris (vocals, acoustic guitar); Albert Lee (guitar, mandolin); James Burton, Rodney Crowell (guitar); Hank DeVito (pedal steel guitar); Ricky Skaggs (fiddle, background vocals); Glen D. Hardin, Tony Brown (piano); Emory Gordy, Mike Bowden (bass); John Ware (drums). Emmylou Harris' albums of the '70s all follow a well-defined game plan. First, she selects a stellar repertoire of classic country songs, new material from neo-traditionalists like Rodney Crowell, and one rock oldie (this time it's the Drifters' "Save the Last Dance for Me," which Harris took into country music's top-five). She then surrounds herself with Nashville's finest players-such as guitarists James Burton and Albert Lee, fiddler/mandolinist/singer extraordinaire Ricky Skaggs, and pedal-steel wizard Hank DeVito. Finally, Harris pours her heart and soul into every vocal performance. The resulting albums, of which BLUE KENTUCKY GIRL was the fifth, defined the state-of-the-art for serious country enthusiasts of the era. By the time BLUE KENTUCKY GIRL was recorded, Harris' already impressive taste in material had reached near perfection. Particularly inspired choices here include the George Jones rarity "Beneath Still Waters," the Louvin Brothers' "Every Time You Leave," and Jean Ritchie's gorgeous "Sorrow in the Wind." Among the more obvious-but equally fine-choices are the Hank Williams Sr. hit "They'll Never Take His Love from Me," Gram Parsons' "Hickory Wind," and Rodney Crowell's "Even Cowgirls Get the Blues," the last featuring Dolly Parton and Linda Rondstadt on harmony vocals. Includes two previously unreleased bonus tracks. Additional Tracks Recorded at the Enactron Truck, Beverly Hills, California. Originally released on Warner Bros. (3318). Personnel: Emmylou Harris (acoustic guitar, electric guitar); Albert Lee (acoustic guitar, electric guitar, mandolin); Brian Ahern (acoustic guitar, banjo, percussion); James Burton, Frank Reckard (electric guitar); Ricky Skaggs (mandolin, fiddle, background vocals); Wayne Goodwin (fiddle); Mickey Raphael (harmonica); Lincoln Davis (accordion); Glen D. Hardin, Bill Payne (piano); Don Heffington, John Ware (drums); Cheryl White, Dolly Parton, Fayssoux Starling, Sharon White, Linda Ronstadt (background vocals). Audio Mixers: Doug Beal; Brian Ahern. Liner Note Author: Parke Puterbaugh. Recording information: The Enaction Truck, Beverly Hills, CA (1979). Photographers: Charlyn Zlotnik; Tom Wilkes . Arranger: Brian Ahern. Additional personnel: Tanya Tucker, Sharon Hicks, Cheryl Warren, Don Everly, Glenn Campbell (vocals); Brian Ahern (guitar, banjo); Ben Keith (pedal steel guitar); Mickey Raphael (harmonica); Lincoln Davis, Jr. (accordion); Bill Payne (piano); Duke Bardwell (bass); Ronnie Tutt (drums); Dolly Parton, Linda Ronstadt (background vocals).