Emmylou Harris Brand New Dance CD

1990's BRAND NEW DANCE, Emmylou Harris' 16th studio album, is another in a line of excellent efforts by one of modern country's finest artists. The album was Harris' first (excepting a Christmas album and a gospel record) to fail to produce a Top 40 country hit. Abandoned by the commercial country machine (or liberated from it, depending on your take), Harris would soon begin experimenting with her sound, resulting in a successful collaboration with rock producer Daniel Lanois (WRECKING BALL), and a tour with an edgy backing band (SPYBOY).

Nothing about BRAND NEW DANCE points to Harris' imminent commercial demise; the songs, playing, and performances here are typically impeccable and impassioned. Songwriter/husband Paul Kennerley contributes two of the album's best compositions, "Sweet Dreams of You" and the title track. Harris also plucks gems from the catalogs of Bruce Springsteen ("Tougher Than the Rest"), Robin and Lynda Williams ("Rollin' and Ramblin'"), and David Mallet ("Red Red Rose"). The album's overriding themes, yearning and heartache, dovetail nicely with the understated backing tracks and Harris' aching, quavering vocals. Those seeking evidence of modern country's demise might well start with the unjust fate this disc suffered.

Live Recording

Recorded at Jack's Tracks Recording Studio, Nashville, Tennessee.

Personnel: Emmylou Harris (vocals, guitar); Richard Bennett (guitar, mandolin guitarophone, tambourine); Chris Leuzinger, Bruce Bouton, James Hollihan (guitar); Stuart Duncan (mandolin, fiddle); Pete Gorisch (cello); Cindy Reynolds Wyatt (harp); Liam O'Flynn, Davey Spillane (uilleann pipes, whistles); Jo-El Sonnier (French accordion, triangle); John Jarvis, Pete Wasner (piano); Bobby Wood (keyboards, organ); Glenn Worf, Garry Tallent, Bob Wray, Roy Huskey, Jr., Dave Pomeroy (bass); Milton Sledge, Kenny Malone (drums, percussion); Harry Stinson (drums); Iris Dement, Barry Tashian, Kostas, Claire Lynch, Kathy Chiavola, Wayland Patton, Melba Montgomery, Marshall Chapman, Kieran Kane, Jamie O'Hara, Mary Black, Delores Keane (background vocals).

The Nashville String Machine: Connie Ellisor, Carl Gorodetzky, James Grosjean, Lee Larrison, Ted Madsen, Robert Mason, Dennis Molchan, Laura Molyneaux, Pamela Sixfin, Mark Tanner, Gary Vanosdale, Kristin Wilkinson (strings).

Q (1/91) - 3 Stars - Good - "..Guaranteed to make your toes curl.."