The song is about her friend musician and singer Gram Parsons who died in 1973. Their duet of Love Hurts is my absolute favorite version of that song. Return of the Grievous Angel is another good one.
Emmylou was born in Birmingham, and the first concert she played with Graham Parson was in Bolder. She still gives Graham credit for starting her career. The reference to "watching it burn" in the first verse refers to the incident where Graham's friends stole his casket from the air line, took it to Joshua Tree Park and cremated his body in the wilderness, according to his wishes.
Those "banjo chords" you mentioned was actually the mandolin played by Sam Bush. His previous band Newgrass Revival is definitely something worth checking out. Also, his live solo music is great, he's known as the Father of Newgrass and the King of Telluride. The Nash Rambler on guitar is John Randall Stewart who wrote the song "Whiskey Lullaby" sung by Brad Paisley and Alison Krauss.
The legendary Emmylou Harris. This is one of my favorite songs of hers. No disrespect to Dolly Parton, but for me Emmylou is the queen of country music.
I remember when the album "Quarter Moon in a Ten Cent Town" came out in 1978. I just turned thirteen, and I fell in love with her on the spot. Both the vocals and her photos on the record liner and the back of the album... well, it was too much for a little country boy like myself to handle. Then in 1998, I took my six year old son to a concert in DC to help fund the removal of landmines around the world. It was Willie, Steve Earle, Lucinda Williams, and MCed by Emmylou (Sheryl Crow wasn't on the bill, but showed up and did an acoustic set). When Emmylou came out to start the show, my son stood up and said, in a long drawn out and mesmerized voice "whoooo issss thhaaaat?". He fell in love with her at six, and is still a fan to this day.
I'm right there with you. All it took was her voice on 'Tulsa Queen'. Pure heart-torn love. I learned 'Wayfaring Stranger" from Emmylou. I learned 'Leaving Louisiana in the Broad Daylight' and 'Queen of the Silver Dollar' and so many more. Emmylou is who we have to thank for Willie and Merle singing 'Pancho & Lefty' and I would not want to live in a world where I had not heard that song.
Considering Emmylou is born and bred in Alabama, this song rings with authenticity when she sings it. She's a true southern belle. That's a mandolin the guy is playing. If you really want to get chills watch her live rendition of "Hickory Wind" written by her late partner and country rock legend, Gram Parsons.
This song was my introduction to her music about 50 years ago. And I was hooked. It doesn't take more than 2 notes to know you're listening to EmmyLou.
She always has the best band, treats them like family, and always introduces them individually and credits them and their hard work together for their success. She writes beautiful music, has an otherworldly voice, leads her own amazing band, and seems tough, sweet, smart, and vulnerable at the same time. Every man falls in love with Emmylou. How could we not? She defines beauty.
Emmylou is an angel. She has one of my favorite voices of all time. I feel purified by it. She's up there with Aretha with soulfulness. 2 More Bottles Of Wine and Orphan Girl are a couple more to check out, and she does my favorite version of Pancho And Lefty.
Emmylou, while being a great singer in her own right, has been everybodies “go-to” for singing harmonies on their records, for years and years. She is exceptional at singing harmonies. One of my favourite collaborations of hers was with Mark Knopfler, formerly of a Dire Straits. Their album “All the Roadrunning” was just beautiful. One track “If this is good-bye” was written from the imagined point of view of a passenger on the hijacked 9/11 flight, that never quite reached the target. The passengers were believed to have fought back and perhaps brought the plane down early as a result. It’s a last message home, from someone fully expecting to die. Try listening to that one without getting emotional. That’s not my favourite song on the album but it does have that story to give it added “blubbing” factor.
One of those passengers was a gay rugby player from San Fransisco. Every couple years somewhere in the world gay rugby teams gather to play a tournament in his honor. If the passengers revolted I'm sure he was in on it.
Emmylou Harris is truly one of the greats. In every meaning of the words. She was known in the early 70's for her collaborations with Gram Parsons, and after his untimely death she definitely bore a lot of grief over losing such a close friend. Since then, she's become renown as one of the greatest women in country music history.
Every bad day gets turned right around when you get to hear Emmylou's voice. Britt that was the great Sam Bush on mandolin. Many great stars played in Emmylou's bands. Mostly before they were big stars, but some after having made it big.
Emmylou is so underrated and under respected that it's criminal! I saw that you did Don William and he and Emmylou did a duet on Emmylou's "Cimarron" album called "If I Needed You" which shows off both their soft side! But one of my anthems in life is "Born to Run" by Emmylou and another beautiful song is "Another Lonesome Morning" which shows some power in Emmylou's voice. Can't go wrong with Emmylou!
Written in the aftermath of the death of her boyfriend and the man who discovered her, Gram Parsons…..read Grams biography “Ten Thousand Roads” it’s a brilliant book about his life. He died at 27 from a drug overdose.
And no bigger than a bug. We had one of those moments minutes before her concert in Chicago when Wrecking Ball came out, where she was coming down the stairs (from the sound booth) and I was going up, and we both stopped and gave each other the once over. I don’t mean to brag but, I’ve been called handsome. 😝 I remember thinking, she looks just like Emmylou, but she can’t be because she’s so tiny! I’m gay, so it didn’t go anywhere 😉 but she’s even more stunning in person and up close.
Band Aid did one. And the title was Emmylou. They sang it in front of Emmylou's presence when she was given the Polar Music Award a few years back. Emmylou was in tears as she watched and listened to Band Aid's performance.
The Song is a tribute to her friend and mentor, Graham Parsons. He died after a drug overdose. Watching the canyon burning is a reference to Parson's botched creamation in Joshua Tree National Park. His friends stole his dead body using a privately owned hearse and telling some lies. Not a Banjo! It's a Mandolin. A banjo is a uniquely American instrument. Think of something that looks like a large tambourine with a guitar like neck attached
I have LOVED her since the first time I seen her, in 1974 I was 11 and I thought she was the most Beautiful girl I ever seen and still do, No woman has aged as well as her. She is also my favorite Female singer
I'm new to your channel but have watched all of your videos over the last few days. Seeing someone discover, appreciate and fall in love with the music of my heart is beautiful! The fact that you like knowing the stories behind the songs makes my heart all fluttery inside my chest. So here goes: I haven't read all the comments so if I'm repeating something someone said, I apologise. Gram Parsons helped Emmylou discover her voice within the music and his sudden death due to an overdose ripped Emmylou apart. Linda Ronstadt, one of her best friends, had her stay with her in Malibu and it was during that time that Emmylou grieved Parsons' death and Linda brought her on-stage with her. This song was written for Gram Parsons and it never fails to hit me right in the feels. A great cover of this song is by the Swedish singer Jill Johnson, specifically her performance where Emmylou was a Laurette at the Polar Music Awards (th-cam.com/video/_KmlTpZl7kc/w-d-xo.html). So where she says she will walk from Boulder to Birmingham, the 'you' she is referring to there is Gram. Emmylou Harris's voice just lifts you up to a place that is indescribable. People say that her voice makes you feel like you can touch heaven, but I believe her voice is heaven itself. That when you hear her sing, you are taken to heaven for that time. Very few voices has ever touched me as deeply as hers and to this day I can say her voice is amazing. Some of her best songs IMO are the deep cuts and B-sides. One of the saddest songs of hers is 'Bang the Drum Slowly' that she wrote ten years after her father passed away. He had been a pilot and a POW and the questions she asks him in that song just breaks my heart. You can never go wrong with any of her songs. An interesting fact about her natural silver hair - she went gray early and after an unfortunate incident with Henna, she decided to stop colouring her hair.
I Went to school in Boulder! University of Colorado. Coach Prime and the Buffaloes! Woohoo! the walk from Boulder to Birmingham would be an arduous one, through prairie and desert. In 1975 EmmyLou Harris collaborated with piano player Glen Hardin, drummer Ronnie Tutt and electric guitarist James Burton - all musicians who played in Elvis Presley's band, to create one of the most expansive country albums ever.
I have heard several reactors call a mandolin a banjo. You can make a mandolin sound a bit like a banjo, but usually they sound quite different. The song is a tribute to her mentor, Gram Parsons, who appears to be the love of her life - since she refers to him in many of her songs. He was a musical genius who died way before his time of a drug overdose in Joshua Tree, CA. She refers to this often in her songs.
Emmylou was known for her exquisite choice of cover material, but this is one of a handful of self-penned tunes, about the untimely death of her friend and mentor (and maybe lover) Gram Parsons. So when she sings the lines "I would rock my soul in the bosom of Abraham, I would hold my soul in his saving grace" (repent my sins ) and "I would walk all the way from Boulder to Birmingham if I thought I could see your face" (pilgrimage), I think she is being semi-literal. She would do anything, anything to see him again. About the line "the last time I felt like this, I was in the wilderness, and the canyon was on fire," there are two events to consider. One, a few years before Parson's death, his home in the Coldwater Canyon section of LA burned down. He subsequently told friends he wanted to to be cremated ... so after his death some (high?) friends actually stole his body and burned it in the Joshua Tree area of the Mojave Desert. No, the rich and famous are not like you and me. Anyway, that line is supposed to be inspires by one or both events.
Finally, Finally, Finally!!!! I am so glad you caught on to Emmylou!!! When ever I think of angels singing I see her lovely face and hear her incomparable voice. I am so glad you listened to her. You really should do a deep dive on her catalog, I'd start with "Red Dirt Girl" and "One More Bottle of Wine!" - I love your reactions Britt! :)
As well as harmonising with Gram Parsons, who this song is about, she did the same sort of harmonising with Bob Dylan on his wonderful Desire album from the latter part of the 1970’s, before Dylan’s highly brilliant controversial (at the time) Christian albums. Emmylou is wonderful, different and certainly on the same level as Dolly.
Emmy Lou was brought out of the small club circuit and on to the national stage by a man named Gram Parsons. Country rock was, for the most part, his brain child in the late 60s, and he suffered significant ridicule for it at the time. After bringing Emmy into the band around 1971 they collaborated, and some say more, on his next 3 albums. They had a seriously loving relationship and it was apparent when you saw them together, or listen to their duets, especially on Emmy’s part. She mentioned in interviews how much respect and admiration she had for him. But alas, she finally had to go her own way because she couldn’t put up with his drug problem. He became erratic and irrational. He soon died of a drug overdose at Joshua Tree CA. She went on to launch a highly successful solo career after that. This song, Boulder to Birmingham, was written as a tribute to him. He was, one might say, one of the early loves of her life. Here’s a link to one of the more famous songs off of Gram’s first album in a duet with Emmy. And I think it’s probably her first album as well. The song is Love Hurts. th-cam.com/video/LUr9X3mic_U/w-d-xo.html And here’s a link to a song by First Aid Kit. A Swedish bluegrass sister duo who wrote a tribute song to Emmy and Gram, and Johnny and June. It’s a really sweet award winning song. Have your towel ready. th-cam.com/video/Y3TzP-o4vhs/w-d-xo.html
All good except that Emmylou did not go out on her own until after Gram died. She has said that her only plan at the time was to keep singing with him. She felt he was conquering his demons and planned to tell him she loved him the next time she saw him. Alas, that never happened. It was on her album The Ballad of Sally Rose that the heroine left her "singer."
@@margaretross9150 I thought that’s what I said. That she didn’t launch her solo career until after Gram died. Apparently I didn’t make myself as clear as I thought I did.
🔥🔥🤍🎼🤍🔥🔥 . Oh helllllll yes !!!!!! Finally .. one from the Silver haired songstress, the stunning Emmylou !!! Nice choice Britt , her voice is so special. I would appreciate a few more reactions from her. Wonderful surprise here , TY 🧡🧡🎼⭐️🎼🧡🧡
I saw her in a small venue in Houston back in the 80's. She was perfection! She said she had played at Gilley's the year before & that it was like a huge gift shop with a band haha. I saw her at a club that held a few hundred people & i had the second best table in the house! Wonderful memory. Thanks Britt.
I truly appreciate your observation of things like (Emmylou's) mouth shape, lyrical poignancy and her (seemingly) ease of ability to "belt". Most of these things either go unnoticed or not commented on. Great job! ✌
Now you know why the trio albums are soo good. Emmylou, Linda & Dolly know how to sing as separate artist. Then you get their voices together. It's like Angels are tickling your ears. I have never heard them sing a bad song together or separate. Have you ever noticed how great singers have a tiny body & then this huge beautiful voice comes out of them? Haven you done Brenda Lee yet? Same with Kathy Bailey from Bailey and the boys, The Forester Sisters, The McCarter Sisters, The Gatlin Brothers, The Carter Family, The Girls Next Door, The Statler Brothers, The Oak Ridge Boys, The Judds & so many others. All have amazing harmonies together. Country Music is full of duos, trios & groups of all kinds of artists who know how to sing.
Oh wow! I fell in love with her in the sixties. She was doing folk music in California. Such beautiful clear voice besides being beautiful herself. When one her songs is announced I just stop and listen. Everything else can just wait. It's hard to believe I still get to listen to her 60 some years later and still just go WOW.
Thanks Britt, I feel vindicated! Emmylou started out as a folk singer when she met Gram Parsons , who was looking for a female harmony singer for his new country band. Two albums and a long tour later Gram checked out on Jack Daniels and morphine. Linda invited Emmylou to come stay with her in Los Angeles after Gram died. They found out Dolly was moving west from Nashville and arranged to meet her. The guitars came out and the singing started. They were all under contract to different labels so they didn't get to record much, just the two Trio albums and few tv shows.
Emmylou is one of my female singer goddesses, along with Linda Ronstadt and Angelina. The 'Trio" albums, with Emmylou, Linda and Dolly Parton are among my favourites. You want to hear harmonies? 😎
I think you would like to hear/see the Swedish sister duo, First Aid Kit, sing their tribute song, "Emmylou", that they composed because they felt inspired by her music, never thinking that they would ever have the chance to perform it in front of her. They did, & it's on the tube. My favorite tracks of hers are: "One of These Days" "Poncho & Lefty" "Even Cowgirls Get the Blues" "Save the Last Dance for Me" "Boy From Tupelo"
Right up there with Dolly in terms of being universally loved and respected. There’s a persistent sense of sadness in her music, for me-and it makes me think of her wistfulness for the times with Gram. I think that was one of those love stories that never got a chance to flower, and those memories just won’t go away. Country music, real country music, is always about people and their relationships, and her voice just runs thick with it.
Glad you finally got to Emmylou, Britt. Love Dolly and Linda but she's my favorite. Fell in love with her decades ago and still think she's the best female singer in the world. I recommend everything on her album Roses in the Snow.
If you want to see her when she was very young, Emmy Lou, was in Honey Suckle Rose- movie, with Willie Nelson. " So you think your a Cowboy" precious song ..
The most powerful lyric here, IMHO, is "Well you really got me this time, and the hardest part is knowing I'll survive." Stated as one who has come to the realization of what has happened. Wow.
For context, Emmylou wrote this song for her long time collaborator Gram Parsons after his death due to overdose. Walking from Boulder to Birmingham seems to be a small feat for resurrection.
I would suggest that you hear this by "The Starland Vocal Band". I believe it was written Emmylou and Bill Danoff who was in "The Starland Vocal Band".
Whew... the deep end! When she arrived in the early '70s and took off in the mid-70s, she was this black-headed beauty with a prettier voice and grand songs. You'll have to dig for another couple of years before you discover Karla Bonoff, from 1977 on.
I've been a fan of hers since I was a toddler. if I didn't want to go somewhere, my parents could always say: "Emmylou Harris might be there".😂 It didn't matter where in the World we were, I fell for it each time. I learnt about Dolly Parton and Linda Ronstadt AFTER.
I would rock my soul in the bosom of Abraham I would hold my life in his saving grace. I would walk all the way from Boulder to Birmingham If I thought I could see, I could see your face.
You should really check out Allison krauss "ghost in this house" live with Jamie Johnson another great artist. She reminds me of Emmy Lou for some reason but her voice is the closest thing to angelic you'll ever hear. Also I love you catch all the references in the older music, I'm younger than you but not by much. Not many people understand good music nowadays or understand its meaning
EmmyLou is my favorite female artist. You should check out the song “To Know Him is to Love Him” by EmmyLou, Linda Ronstadt, and Dolly Parton. It’s on their “Trio” album.
You should check out her song One of These Days! It's on the same album that From Boulder to Biringham is on. ( I can't remember the album's name right off hand)
Their is a video that talks about the collaboration with Dolly, Linda and Emmy Lou .. it's a little long but it really tells how they all got started and then teamed up... You should watch it no matter if you react to it or not
This song is about her feelings after the death of her friend and collaborator Gram Parsons. Their duets were another level ❤
LOL I didn’t know that but I picked up on it right away, tho Emmylou often makes me think of Gram. It comes through so easily.
Emmylou’s voice is what a clear mountain stream would sound like singing. There is no more beautiful voice anywhere.
I agree.
I definitely agree. I grew up with the old-school country and Emmylou's voice has always been my safe haven.
The song is about her friend musician and singer Gram Parsons who died in 1973. Their duet of Love Hurts is my absolute favorite version of that song. Return of the Grievous Angel is another good one.
Emmylou was born in Birmingham, and the first concert she played with Graham Parson was in Bolder. She still gives Graham credit for starting her career. The reference to "watching it burn" in the first verse refers to the incident where Graham's friends stole his casket from the air line, took it to Joshua Tree Park and cremated his body in the wilderness, according to his wishes.
Those "banjo chords" you mentioned was actually the mandolin played by Sam Bush. His previous band Newgrass Revival is definitely something worth checking out. Also, his live solo music is great, he's known as the Father of Newgrass and the King of Telluride. The Nash Rambler on guitar is John Randall Stewart who wrote the song "Whiskey Lullaby" sung by Brad Paisley and Alison Krauss.
Yes! 😂
I saw New Grass Revival several times in the 80's. Excellent musicians all and John Cowan's voice was another great instrument.
Emmy Lou is quite the artist and I loved her harmonies with Dolly and Linda. Britt, I also adore your charm and charisma.
The legendary Emmylou Harris. This is one of my favorite songs of hers. No disrespect to Dolly Parton, but for me Emmylou is the queen of country music.
I remember when the album "Quarter Moon in a Ten Cent Town" came out in 1978. I just turned thirteen, and I fell in love with her on the spot. Both the vocals and her photos on the record liner and the back of the album... well, it was too much for a little country boy like myself to handle. Then in 1998, I took my six year old son to a concert in DC to help fund the removal of landmines around the world. It was Willie, Steve Earle, Lucinda Williams, and MCed by Emmylou (Sheryl Crow wasn't on the bill, but showed up and did an acoustic set). When Emmylou came out to start the show, my son stood up and said, in a long drawn out and mesmerized voice "whoooo issss thhaaaat?". He fell in love with her at six, and is still a fan to this day.
I've had a crush on her my entire life, I'm 78.
I'm right there with you. All it took was her voice on 'Tulsa Queen'. Pure heart-torn love. I learned 'Wayfaring Stranger" from Emmylou. I learned 'Leaving Louisiana in the Broad Daylight' and 'Queen of the Silver Dollar' and so many more. Emmylou is who we have to thank for Willie and Merle singing 'Pancho & Lefty' and I would not want to live in a world where I had not heard that song.
Considering Emmylou is born and bred in Alabama, this song rings with authenticity when she sings it. She's a true southern belle. That's a mandolin the guy is playing. If you really want to get chills watch her live rendition of "Hickory Wind" written by her late partner and country rock legend, Gram Parsons.
Emmylou’s hair turned gray early, when she was in her 20’s, and she just embraced it. ❤️ Her voice is like a musical instrument.
Fantastic voice.
She is stunning. Worth going deep into her catalogue
Thank you for doing this... What a great song.. She is a Godess of Country...❤❤
Emmylou's farewell to Gram Parsons. Magnificent.
This song was my introduction to her music about 50 years ago. And I was hooked. It doesn't take more than 2 notes to know you're listening to EmmyLou.
She always has the best band, treats them like family, and always introduces them individually and credits them and their hard work together for their success. She writes beautiful music, has an otherworldly voice, leads her own amazing band, and seems tough, sweet, smart, and vulnerable at the same time. Every man falls in love with Emmylou. How could we not? She defines beauty.
Emmylou is an angel. She has one of my favorite voices of all time. I feel purified by it. She's up there with Aretha with soulfulness. 2 More Bottles Of Wine and Orphan Girl are a couple more to check out, and she does my favorite version of Pancho And Lefty.
Emmylou, while being a great singer in her own right, has been everybodies “go-to” for singing harmonies on their records, for years and years. She is exceptional at singing harmonies. One of my favourite collaborations of hers was with Mark Knopfler, formerly of a Dire Straits. Their album “All the Roadrunning” was just beautiful. One track “If this is good-bye” was written from the imagined point of view of a passenger on the hijacked 9/11 flight, that never quite reached the target. The passengers were believed to have fought back and perhaps brought the plane down early as a result. It’s a last message home, from someone fully expecting to die. Try listening to that one without getting emotional. That’s not my favourite song on the album but it does have that story to give it added “blubbing” factor.
One of those passengers was a gay rugby player from San Fransisco.
Every couple years somewhere in the world gay rugby teams gather to play a tournament in his honor.
If the passengers revolted I'm sure he was in on it.
EmmyLou Harris is and incredible singer musician and song writer, She sings folk blue grass counrty and rock. She is a Beautiful lady. Huge Talent.
Emmylou Harris is truly one of the greats. In every meaning of the words. She was known in the early 70's for her collaborations with Gram Parsons, and after his untimely death she definitely bore a lot of grief over losing such a close friend. Since then, she's become renown as one of the greatest women in country music history.
One of the best singers ever. The man on the left was playing the mandolin. Beautiful instrument! 😊
She's exquisite and this song is one of my favorites. So moving.
One of my very favorite artists. Her voice sounds like angels to me ❤
Excellent. You now have the full set from the Trio and can see that these other two ladies, were not just there making up the numbers, with Dolly.
I know she did Whiskey Lullaby with Brad Paisley. But yes, Alison Krauss, Linda Ronstadt, and Emylou Harris deserve much Exploration.
Her voice is so clear and beautiful!
Every bad day gets turned right around when you get to hear Emmylou's voice. Britt that was the great Sam Bush on mandolin. Many great stars played in Emmylou's bands. Mostly before they were big stars, but some after having made it big.
Emmylou is so underrated and under respected that it's criminal! I saw that you did Don William and he and Emmylou did a duet on Emmylou's "Cimarron" album called "If I Needed You" which shows off both their soft side! But one of my anthems in life is "Born to Run" by Emmylou and another beautiful song is "Another Lonesome Morning" which shows some power in Emmylou's voice. Can't go wrong with Emmylou!
Written in the aftermath of the death of her boyfriend and the man who discovered her, Gram Parsons…..read Grams biography “Ten Thousand Roads” it’s a brilliant book about his life. He died at 27 from a drug overdose.
Saw her in concert last summer. She can still sing in her 70s and is still
Breathtakingly beautiful!
She IS STILL beautiful!!!! You are right!
And no bigger than a bug. We had one of those moments minutes before her concert in Chicago when Wrecking Ball came out, where she was coming down the stairs (from the sound booth) and I was going up, and we both stopped and gave each other the once over. I don’t mean to brag but, I’ve been called handsome. 😝
I remember thinking, she looks just like Emmylou, but she can’t be because she’s so tiny!
I’m gay, so it didn’t go anywhere 😉 but she’s even more stunning in person and up close.
Band Aid did one. And the title was Emmylou. They sang it in front of Emmylou's presence when she was given the Polar Music Award a few years back.
Emmylou was in tears as she watched and listened to Band Aid's performance.
One of the great lines..."You really got me this time. And the hardest part is knowing I'll survive."
The Song is a tribute to her friend and mentor, Graham Parsons. He died after a drug overdose. Watching the canyon burning is a reference to Parson's botched creamation in Joshua Tree National Park. His friends stole his dead body using a privately owned hearse and telling some lies. Not a Banjo! It's a Mandolin. A banjo is a uniquely American instrument. Think of something that looks like a large tambourine with a guitar like neck attached
Everyone was in love with Emmylou back in the day, there were even songs written about her.
First Aid Kit did one.b
That's a very special song. It came from the aether by the Grievous Angel.
A song born of heartbreak. She wrote this shortly after Gram Parsons died.
Emmylou beautiful woman and spirit. She's got a beautiful voice. Now she did a cover of patsy cline sweet dreams. It's beautiful.
I have LOVED her since the first time I seen her, in 1974 I was 11 and I thought she was the most Beautiful girl I ever seen and still do, No woman has aged as well as her. She is also my favorite Female singer
Emmylou and Suzy Bogguss. My two favorites. th-cam.com/video/6fM_jnS-MjY/w-d-xo.html
You just keep your eyes off of MY Emmylou !
She started going gray in her late 20s. Rather than cover it up with dye she embraced it. It made her even more beautiful in my eyes.
I'm new to your channel but have watched all of your videos over the last few days. Seeing someone discover, appreciate and fall in love with the music of my heart is beautiful! The fact that you like knowing the stories behind the songs makes my heart all fluttery inside my chest. So here goes:
I haven't read all the comments so if I'm repeating something someone said, I apologise. Gram Parsons helped Emmylou discover her voice within the music and his sudden death due to an overdose ripped Emmylou apart. Linda Ronstadt, one of her best friends, had her stay with her in Malibu and it was during that time that Emmylou grieved Parsons' death and Linda brought her on-stage with her. This song was written for Gram Parsons and it never fails to hit me right in the feels. A great cover of this song is by the Swedish singer Jill Johnson, specifically her performance where Emmylou was a Laurette at the Polar Music Awards (th-cam.com/video/_KmlTpZl7kc/w-d-xo.html). So where she says she will walk from Boulder to Birmingham, the 'you' she is referring to there is Gram.
Emmylou Harris's voice just lifts you up to a place that is indescribable. People say that her voice makes you feel like you can touch heaven, but I believe her voice is heaven itself. That when you hear her sing, you are taken to heaven for that time. Very few voices has ever touched me as deeply as hers and to this day I can say her voice is amazing.
Some of her best songs IMO are the deep cuts and B-sides. One of the saddest songs of hers is 'Bang the Drum Slowly' that she wrote ten years after her father passed away. He had been a pilot and a POW and the questions she asks him in that song just breaks my heart. You can never go wrong with any of her songs. An interesting fact about her natural silver hair - she went gray early and after an unfortunate incident with Henna, she decided to stop colouring her hair.
I Went to school in Boulder! University of Colorado. Coach Prime and the Buffaloes! Woohoo! the walk from Boulder to Birmingham would be an arduous one, through prairie and desert. In 1975 EmmyLou Harris collaborated with piano player Glen Hardin, drummer Ronnie Tutt and electric guitarist James Burton - all musicians who played in Elvis Presley's band, to create one of the most expansive country albums ever.
I have heard several reactors call a mandolin a banjo. You can make a mandolin sound a bit like a banjo, but usually they sound quite different. The song is a tribute to her mentor, Gram Parsons, who appears to be the love of her life - since she refers to him in many of her songs. He was a musical genius who died way before his time of a drug overdose in Joshua Tree, CA. She refers to this often in her songs.
First of all....she wrote this beautiful song. And sang the freaking hell out of it.
Emmylou was known for her exquisite choice of cover material, but this is one of a handful of self-penned tunes, about the untimely death of her friend and mentor (and maybe lover) Gram Parsons.
So when she sings the lines "I would rock my soul in the bosom of Abraham, I would hold my soul in his saving grace" (repent my sins ) and "I would walk all the way from Boulder to Birmingham if I thought I could see your face" (pilgrimage), I think she is being semi-literal. She would do anything, anything to see him again.
About the line "the last time I felt like this, I was in the wilderness, and the canyon was on fire," there are two events to consider. One, a few years before Parson's death, his home in the Coldwater Canyon section of LA burned down. He subsequently told friends he wanted to to be cremated ... so after his death some (high?) friends actually stole his body and burned it in the Joshua Tree area of the Mojave Desert. No, the rich and famous are not like you and me. Anyway, that line is supposed to be inspires by one or both events.
Try "Red Dirt Girl," a beautiful song about friendship, love and loss. (That's a song you'll want to have the lyrics handy.) EmmyLou is the best!
Yes! That whole album is great!
nice reaction Britt. Happy to see this. She is special Soulful voice and overall a very sweet tenderly kind woman.
I love Emmy Lou Harris. I saw her in concert - and I rarely go to concerts.
Finally, Finally, Finally!!!! I am so glad you caught on to Emmylou!!! When ever I think of angels singing I see her lovely face and hear her incomparable voice. I am so glad you listened to her. You really should do a deep dive on her catalog, I'd start with "Red Dirt Girl" and "One More Bottle of Wine!" - I love your reactions Britt! :)
As well as harmonising with Gram Parsons, who this song is about, she did the same sort of harmonising with Bob Dylan on his wonderful Desire album from the latter part of the 1970’s, before Dylan’s highly brilliant controversial (at the time) Christian albums.
Emmylou is wonderful, different and certainly on the same level as Dolly.
Emmy Lou was brought out of the small club circuit and on to the national stage by a man named Gram Parsons. Country rock was, for the most part, his brain child in the late 60s, and he suffered significant ridicule for it at the time. After bringing Emmy into the band around 1971 they collaborated, and some say more, on his next 3 albums. They had a seriously loving relationship and it was apparent when you saw them together, or listen to their duets, especially on Emmy’s part. She mentioned in interviews how much respect and admiration she had for him. But alas, she finally had to go her own way because she couldn’t put up with his drug problem. He became erratic and irrational. He soon died of a drug overdose at Joshua Tree CA. She went on to launch a highly successful solo career after that. This song, Boulder to Birmingham, was written as a tribute to him. He was, one might say, one of the early loves of her life.
Here’s a link to one of the more famous songs off of Gram’s first album in a duet with Emmy. And I think it’s probably her first album as well. The song is Love Hurts. th-cam.com/video/LUr9X3mic_U/w-d-xo.html
And here’s a link to a song by First Aid Kit. A Swedish bluegrass sister duo who wrote a tribute song to Emmy and Gram, and Johnny and June. It’s a really sweet award winning song. Have your towel ready. th-cam.com/video/Y3TzP-o4vhs/w-d-xo.html
All good except that Emmylou did not go out on her own until after Gram died. She has said that her only plan at the time was to keep singing with him. She felt he was conquering his demons and planned to tell him she loved him the next time she saw him. Alas, that never happened. It was on her album The Ballad of Sally Rose that the heroine left her "singer."
@@margaretross9150 I thought that’s what I said. That she didn’t launch her solo career until after Gram died. Apparently I didn’t make myself as clear as I thought I did.
🔥🔥🤍🎼🤍🔥🔥 . Oh helllllll yes !!!!!! Finally .. one from the Silver haired songstress, the stunning Emmylou !!! Nice choice Britt , her voice is so special. I would appreciate a few more reactions from her. Wonderful surprise here , TY 🧡🧡🎼⭐️🎼🧡🧡
I saw her in a small venue in Houston back in the 80's. She was perfection! She said she had played at Gilley's the year before & that it was like a huge gift shop with a band haha. I saw her at a club that held a few hundred people & i had the second best table in the house! Wonderful memory. Thanks Britt.
I truly appreciate your observation of things like (Emmylou's) mouth shape, lyrical poignancy and her (seemingly) ease of ability to "belt". Most of these things either go unnoticed or not commented on. Great job! ✌
Now you know why the trio albums are soo good. Emmylou, Linda & Dolly know how to sing as separate artist. Then you get their voices together. It's like Angels are tickling your ears. I have never heard them sing a bad song together or separate. Have you ever noticed how great singers have a
tiny body & then this huge beautiful voice comes out of them?
Haven you done Brenda Lee yet? Same with Kathy Bailey from Bailey and the boys, The Forester Sisters,
The McCarter Sisters,
The Gatlin Brothers,
The Carter Family,
The Girls Next Door,
The Statler Brothers,
The Oak Ridge Boys,
The Judds & so many others. All have amazing harmonies together. Country Music is full of duos, trios & groups of all kinds of artists who know how to sing.
“Two more bottles of wine” is a great one of hers
I've heard her sing with the trio she's really good.
She sounds like she has a bluegrass voice.
That is one long stroll. Emmylou is the ultimate!
My favorite singer ever.
There is a video of her singing Pancho and Lefty at the old grey whistle stop that is just amazing
Her version, which is spectacular, inspired the version sung by Willie & Waylon. She is the best!
I love her version of this song!
Wisdom and delight--you are now my favorite reactor.
Emmylou’s song “Heaven Only Knows” is really good too.
Oh wow! I fell in love with her in the sixties. She was doing folk music in California. Such beautiful clear voice besides being beautiful herself. When one her songs is announced I just stop and listen. Everything else can just wait. It's hard to believe I still get to listen to her 60 some years later and still just go WOW.
Thanks Britt, I feel vindicated!
Emmylou started out as a folk singer when she met Gram Parsons , who was looking for a female harmony singer for his new country band. Two albums and a long tour later Gram checked out on Jack Daniels and morphine. Linda invited Emmylou to come stay with her in Los Angeles after Gram died. They found out Dolly was moving west from Nashville and arranged to meet her. The guitars came out and the singing started. They were all under contract to different labels so they didn't get to record much, just the two Trio albums and few tv shows.
Have loved Emmylou for a long long time 🎶🎶
Emmylou is one of my female singer goddesses, along with Linda Ronstadt and Angelina. The 'Trio" albums, with Emmylou, Linda and Dolly Parton are among my favourites. You want to hear harmonies? 😎
Emmylou, Linda, Dolly, and Joan Baez are true giants.
Thank you so much, love QLD Australia thank you so very much.
I think you would like to hear/see the Swedish sister duo, First Aid Kit, sing their tribute song, "Emmylou", that they composed because they felt inspired by her music, never thinking that they would ever have the chance to perform it in front of her. They did, & it's on the tube.
My favorite tracks of hers are:
"One of These Days"
"Poncho & Lefty"
"Even Cowgirls Get the Blues"
"Save the Last Dance for Me"
"Boy From Tupelo"
Emmylou is a classic. Great reaction
Right up there with Dolly in terms of being universally loved and respected. There’s a persistent sense of sadness in her music, for me-and it makes me think of her wistfulness for the times with Gram. I think that was one of those love stories that never got a chance to flower, and those memories just won’t go away. Country music, real country music, is always about people and their relationships, and her voice just runs thick with it.
Either I’m smart as hell or dumb as hell, come to find out this is apparently about her and Gram lol
Glad you finally got to Emmylou, Britt. Love Dolly and Linda but she's my favorite. Fell in love with her decades ago and still think she's the best female singer in the world. I recommend everything on her album Roses in the Snow.
Emmylou is closer to my mom's age than mine, and I have a HUGE crush on her.
I had a huge crush on her growing up ! Needless to say Major fan !
If you want to see her when she was very young, Emmy Lou, was in Honey Suckle Rose- movie, with Willie Nelson. " So you think your a Cowboy" precious song ..
ELH is an absolute legend. Greatest for me.
The most powerful lyric here, IMHO, is "Well you really got me this time, and the hardest part is knowing I'll survive." Stated as one who has come to the realization of what has happened. Wow.
Next listen to "My Songbird". So, so beautiful & sad.
You should do a dive into her 1970s music.
This song is to Gram Parsons who had his manager burn his body in the desert after he overdosed. Great story if you wanna check it out.
For context, Emmylou wrote this song for her long time collaborator Gram Parsons after his death due to overdose. Walking from Boulder to Birmingham seems to be a small feat for resurrection.
I think you have become an Emmylou fan! Good taste!
You may like "Emmylou Harris: Pancho & Lefty - Living on the road my friend" I think it is GREAT...
I would suggest that you hear this by "The Starland Vocal Band". I believe it was written Emmylou and Bill Danoff who was in "The Starland Vocal Band".
Whew... the deep end! When she arrived in the early '70s and took off in the mid-70s, she was this black-headed beauty with a prettier voice and grand songs. You'll have to dig for another couple of years before you discover Karla Bonoff, from 1977 on.
I've been a fan of hers since I was a toddler. if I didn't want to go somewhere, my parents could always say: "Emmylou Harris might be there".😂 It didn't matter where in the World we were, I fell for it each time. I learnt about Dolly Parton and Linda Ronstadt AFTER.
I would rock my soul in the bosom of Abraham
I would hold my life in his saving grace.
I would walk all the way from Boulder to Birmingham
If I thought I could see, I could see your face.
EmmyLou Co-Wrote this with Bill Danoff of The Starland Vocal Band. Bill also Co-Wrote Country Roads with John Denver
Glad to know someone is up to speed on this fabulous song! I liked Starland Vocal Band's version of this, but Emmylou's voice is better!
I've heard SVB sing it, but I didn't know about the co-writing part! Awesome! 👍
From Boulder to Birminham if I "thought" I could see your face. Because he died, that's why.
For another blissful harmony, try " Every Time You Leave ". Emmy Lou with Don Everly.
She wrote this upon loosing the love of her life- Graham Parsons, at a tragically young age.
"Red Dirt Girl" is a great song/album.
With all due respect to Loretta, Dolly, Patsy, et al, Emmylou is just the best. The aching yearning in her voice just breaks my heart.
Emmylou is on a level few ever see let alone reach. Simply amazing woman.
You should really check out Allison krauss "ghost in this house" live with Jamie Johnson another great artist. She reminds me of Emmy Lou for some reason but her voice is the closest thing to angelic you'll ever hear. Also I love you catch all the references in the older music, I'm younger than you but not by much. Not many people understand good music nowadays or understand its meaning
For another fun (but totally different) song about walking a long way for love, check out the Proclaimers' song "I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)"
You must absolutely check out Gulf Coast Highway by Emmy and Willie...top five all time
Emmylou is a song’s best friend.
Great choice!!
EmmyLou is my favorite female artist. You should check out the song “To Know Him is to Love Him” by EmmyLou, Linda Ronstadt, and Dolly Parton. It’s on their “Trio” album.
You do this very well Britt!
You should check out her song One of These Days! It's on the same album that From Boulder to Biringham is on. ( I can't remember the album's name right off hand)
The hair went all grey in the 90’s she’s 77 now
Their is a video that talks about the collaboration with Dolly, Linda and Emmy Lou .. it's a little long but it really tells how they all got started and then teamed up...
You should watch it no matter if you react to it or not