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In 1985, anyone with even a passing familiarity with Emmylou Harris' work knew that she was one of the strongest and most insightful interpretive vocalists of her generation, capable of bringing a striking beauty and depth of meaning to anything she chose to sing. However, she very rarely wrote her own material, preferring to explore the nooks and crannies of the work of others. That changed with 1985's The Ballad of Sally Rose, an ambitious and semi-autobiographical album in which Harris told the tale of an aspiring singer and the musician who becomes her mentor, champion, and lover during their short time together. The Ballad of Sally Rose was inspired by Harris' years working with Gram Parsons, who discovered her and helped give her a career, and with producer and co-writer Paul Kennerley she created an album that was part grand storytelling, part memoir, and part tribute to her fallen comrade (though in real life, Parsons and Harris were not romantically involved). Considering that the last time she'd cut songs of her own was on her misbegotten (and largely disowned) 1968 debut, Gliding Bird, Harris shows impressive skills as a tunesmith on The Ballad of Sally Rose; studying the work of great writers was clearly not lost on her, and her lyrics on these tunes are consistently thoughtful, incisive, and emotionally intelligent, and the melodies roll with a graceful assurance that matches the understated sadness of many of the tunes. Kennerley's production is rich but never overstated, dressing the songs in what sounds like an updated variation on classic countrypolitan, and with her Trio partners Dolly Parton and Linda Ronstadt adding harmonies, Harris' backing vocalists sound every bit as skillful as she does. The lack of an obvious single on The Ballad of Sally Rose prevented it from making much of a commercial impact when it was first released, and it was widely regarded as a dud, but the album later developed a loyal following among Harris' fans, and with good cause. It still sounds like one of Emmylou Harris' most heartfelt and personal works, and it opened the door for such late-career triumphs as Wrecking Ball and Red Dirt Girl.
© Mark Deming /TiVo
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John Jarvis, Keyboards - Barry Tashian, Acoustic Guitar - Hank DeVito, Acoustic Guitar, Electric Guitar, Pedal Steel Guitar, Dobro - Ray Flacke, Electric Guitar - Linda Ronstadt, Harmony Vocals - Emmylou Harris, Producer, Acoustic Guitar, Vocals, Writer, MainArtist - Steve Cash, Harmonica - Russ Kunkel, Drums - Vince Gill, Guitar, Harmony Vocals - Paul Kennerly, Producer, Guitar, Writer - Albert Lee, Acoustic Guitar, Electric Guitar, Mandolin - Dolly Parton, Harmony Vocals - Gail Davies, Harmony Vocals - Shane Keister, Keyboards - Tom Roady, Percussion - Larrie Londin, Drums, Percussion - BOBBY THOMPSON, Banjo, Acoustic Guitar - Gary Scruggs, Harmonica - Emory Gordy Jr., String Arranger, Bass Guitar, Bass - Buddy Spicher, Violin - Bessyl Duhon, Accordion - Phillip Donnelly, Slide Guitar - Barbara Cowart, Vocals
2011 © 1985 Warner Records Inc. ℗ 1985 Warner Records Inc.
John Jarvis, Keyboards - Paul Kennerley, Writer - Barry Tashian, Acoustic Guitar - Hank DeVito, Guitar, Electric Guitar, Pedal Steel Guitar, Dobro - Ray Flacke, Electric Guitar - Linda Ronstadt, Harmony Vocals - Emmylou Harris, Producer, Acoustic Guitar, Vocals, Writer, MainArtist - Steve Cash, Harmonica - Russ Kunkel, Drums - Vince Gill, Guitar, Harmony Vocals - Paul Kennerly, Producer, Guitar - Albert Lee, Acoustic Guitar, Electric Guitar, Mandolin - Dolly Parton, Harmony Vocals - Gail Davies, Harmony Vocals - Shane Keister, Keyboards - Tom Roady, Percussion - Larrie Londin, Drums, Percussion - BOBBY THOMPSON, Banjo, Acoustic Guitar - Gary Scruggs, Harmonica - Emory Gordy Jr., String Arranger, Bass Guitar, Bass - Buddy Spicher, Violin - Bessyl Duhon, Accordion - Phillip Donnelly, Slide Guitar - Barbara Cowart, Vocals
2011 © 1985 Warner Records Inc. ℗ 1985 Warner Records Inc.
John Jarvis, Keyboards - Paul Kennerley, Writer - Barry Tashian, Acoustic Guitar - Hank DeVito, Guitar, Electric Guitar, Pedal Steel Guitar, Dobro - Ray Flacke, Electric Guitar - Linda Ronstadt, Harmony Vocals - Emmylou Harris, Producer, Acoustic Guitar, Vocals, Writer, MainArtist - Steve Cash, Harmonica - Russ Kunkel, Drums - Vince Gill, Guitar, Harmony Vocals - Paul Kennerly, Producer, Guitar - Albert Lee, Acoustic Guitar, Electric Guitar, Mandolin - A.P. CARTER, Writer - Dolly Parton, Harmony Vocals - Gail Davies, Harmony Vocals - Shane Keister, Keyboards - Tom Roady, Percussion - Larrie Londin, Drums, Percussion - BOBBY THOMPSON, Banjo, Acoustic Guitar - Gary Scruggs, Harmonica - Emory Gordy Jr., String Arranger, Bass Guitar, Bass - Buddy Spicher, Violin - Bessyl Duhon, Accordion - Phillip Donnelly, Slide Guitar - Barbara Cowart, Vocals
2011 © 1985 Warner Records Inc. ℗ 1985 Warner Records Inc.
John Jarvis, Keyboards - Barry Tashian, Acoustic Guitar - Hank DeVito, Guitar, Electric Guitar, Pedal Steel Guitar, Dobro - Ray Flacke, Electric Guitar - Linda Ronstadt, Harmony Vocals - Emmylou Harris, Producer, Acoustic Guitar, Vocals, Writer, MainArtist - Steve Cash, Harmonica - Russ Kunkel, Drums - Vince Gill, Guitar, Harmony Vocals - Paul Kennerly, Producer, Guitar, Writer - Albert Lee, Acoustic Guitar, Electric Guitar, Mandolin - Dolly Parton, Harmony Vocals - Gail Davies, Harmony Vocals - Shane Keister, Keyboards - Tom Roady, Percussion - Larrie Londin, Drums, Percussion - BOBBY THOMPSON, Banjo, Acoustic Guitar - Gary Scruggs, Harmonica - Emory Gordy Jr., String Arranger, Bass Guitar, Bass - Buddy Spicher, Violin - Bessyl Duhon, Accordion - Phillip Donnelly, Slide Guitar - Barbara Cowart, Vocals
2011 © 1985 Warner Records Inc. ℗ 1985 Warner Records Inc.
John Jarvis, Keyboards - Paul Kennerley, Writer - Barry Tashian, Acoustic Guitar - Hank DeVito, Guitar, Electric Guitar, Pedal Steel Guitar, Dobro - Ray Flacke, Electric Guitar - Linda Ronstadt, Harmony Vocals - Emmylou Harris, Producer, Acoustic Guitar, Vocals, Writer, MainArtist - Steve Cash, Harmonica - Russ Kunkel, Drums - Vince Gill, Guitar, Harmony Vocals - Paul Kennerly, Producer, Guitar - Albert Lee, Acoustic Guitar, Electric Guitar, Mandolin - Dolly Parton, Harmony Vocals - Gail Davies, Harmony Vocals - Shane Keister, Keyboards - Tom Roady, Percussion - Larrie Londin, Drums, Percussion - BOBBY THOMPSON, Banjo, Acoustic Guitar - Gary Scruggs, Harmonica - Emory Gordy Jr., String Arranger, Bass Guitar, Bass - Buddy Spicher, Violin - Bessyl Duhon, Accordion - Phillip Donnelly, Slide Guitar - Barbara Cowart, Vocals
2011 © 1985 Warner Records Inc. ℗ 1985 Warner Records Inc.
John Jarvis, Keyboards - Barry Tashian, Acoustic Guitar - Hank DeVito, Guitar, Electric Guitar, Pedal Steel Guitar, Dobro - Ray Flacke, Electric Guitar - Linda Ronstadt, Harmony Vocals - Emmylou Harris, Producer, Acoustic Guitar, Vocals, Writer, MainArtist - Steve Cash, Harmonica - Russ Kunkel, Drums - Vince Gill, Guitar, Harmony Vocals - Paul Kennerly, Producer, Guitar, Writer - Albert Lee, Acoustic Guitar, Electric Guitar, Mandolin - Dolly Parton, Harmony Vocals - Gail Davies, Harmony Vocals - Shane Keister, Keyboards - Tom Roady, Percussion - Larrie Londin, Drums, Percussion - BOBBY THOMPSON, Banjo, Acoustic Guitar - Gary Scruggs, Harmonica - Emory Gordy Jr., String Arranger, Bass Guitar, Bass - Buddy Spicher, Violin - Bessyl Duhon, Accordion - Phillip Donnelly, Slide Guitar - Barbara Cowart, Vocals
2011 © 1985 Warner Records Inc. ℗ 1985 Warner Records Inc.
John Jarvis, Keyboards - Paul Kennerley, Writer - Barry Tashian, Acoustic Guitar - Hank DeVito, Guitar, Electric Guitar, Pedal Steel Guitar, Dobro - Ray Flacke, Electric Guitar - Linda Ronstadt, Harmony Vocals - Emmylou Harris, Producer, Acoustic Guitar, Vocals, Writer, MainArtist - Steve Cash, Harmonica - Russ Kunkel, Drums - Vince Gill, Guitar, Harmony Vocals - Paul Kennerly, Producer, Guitar - Albert Lee, Acoustic Guitar, Electric Guitar, Mandolin - Dolly Parton, Harmony Vocals - Gail Davies, Harmony Vocals - Shane Keister, Keyboards - Tom Roady, Percussion - Larrie Londin, Drums, Percussion - BOBBY THOMPSON, Banjo, Acoustic Guitar - Gary Scruggs, Harmonica - Emory Gordy Jr., String Arranger, Bass Guitar, Bass - Buddy Spicher, Violin - Bessyl Duhon, Accordion - Phillip Donnelly, Slide Guitar - Barbara Cowart, Vocals
2011 © 1985 Warner Records Inc. ℗ 1985 Warner Records Inc.
John Jarvis, Keyboards - Paul Kennerley, Writer - Barry Tashian, Acoustic Guitar - Hank DeVito, Guitar, Electric Guitar, Pedal Steel Guitar, Dobro - Ray Flacke, Electric Guitar - Linda Ronstadt, Harmony Vocals - Emmylou Harris, Producer, Acoustic Guitar, Vocals, Writer, MainArtist - Steve Cash, Harmonica - Russ Kunkel, Drums - Vince Gill, Guitar, Harmony Vocals - Paul Kennerly, Producer, Guitar - Albert Lee, Acoustic Guitar, Electric Guitar, Mandolin - Dolly Parton, Harmony Vocals - Gail Davies, Harmony Vocals - Shane Keister, Keyboards - Tom Roady, Percussion - Larrie Londin, Drums, Percussion - BOBBY THOMPSON, Banjo, Acoustic Guitar - Gary Scruggs, Harmonica - Emory Gordy Jr., String Arranger, Bass Guitar, Bass - Buddy Spicher, Violin - Bessyl Duhon, Accordion - Phillip Donnelly, Slide Guitar - Barbara Cowart, Vocals
2011 © 1985 Warner Records Inc. ℗ 1985 Warner Records Inc.
John Jarvis, Keyboards - Barry Tashian, Acoustic Guitar - Hank DeVito, Guitar, Electric Guitar, Pedal Steel Guitar, Dobro - Ray Flacke, Electric Guitar - Linda Ronstadt, Harmony Vocals - Emmylou Harris, Producer, Acoustic Guitar, Vocals, Writer, MainArtist - Steve Cash, Harmonica - Russ Kunkel, Drums - Vince Gill, Guitar, Harmony Vocals - Paul Kennerly, Producer, Guitar, Writer - Albert Lee, Acoustic Guitar, Electric Guitar, Mandolin - Dolly Parton, Harmony Vocals - Gail Davies, Harmony Vocals - Shane Keister, Keyboards - Tom Roady, Percussion - Larrie Londin, Drums, Percussion - BOBBY THOMPSON, Banjo, Acoustic Guitar - Gary Scruggs, Harmonica - Emory Gordy Jr., String Arranger, Bass Guitar, Bass - Buddy Spicher, Violin - Bessyl Duhon, Accordion - Phillip Donnelly, Slide Guitar - Barbara Cowart, Vocals
2011 © 1985 Warner Records Inc. ℗ 1985 Warner Records Inc.
John Jarvis, Keyboards - Barry Tashian, Acoustic Guitar - Hank DeVito, Guitar, Electric Guitar, Pedal Steel Guitar, Dobro - Ray Flacke, Electric Guitar - Linda Ronstadt, Harmony Vocals - Emmylou Harris, Producer, Acoustic Guitar, Vocals, Writer, MainArtist - Steve Cash, Harmonica - Russ Kunkel, Drums - Vince Gill, Guitar, Harmony Vocals - Paul Kennerly, Producer, Guitar, Writer - Albert Lee, Acoustic Guitar, Electric Guitar, Mandolin - Dolly Parton, Harmony Vocals - Gail Davies, Harmony Vocals - Shane Keister, Keyboards - Tom Roady, Percussion - Larrie Londin, Drums, Percussion - BOBBY THOMPSON, Banjo, Acoustic Guitar - Gary Scruggs, Harmonica - Emory Gordy Jr., String Arranger, Bass Guitar, Bass - Buddy Spicher, Violin - Bessyl Duhon, Accordion - Phillip Donnelly, Slide Guitar - Barbara Cowart, Vocals
2011 © 1985 Warner Records Inc. ℗ 1985 Warner Records Inc.
John Jarvis, Keyboards - Paul Kennerley, Writer - Barry Tashian, Acoustic Guitar - Hank DeVito, Guitar, Electric Guitar, Pedal Steel Guitar, Dobro - Ray Flacke, Electric Guitar - Linda Ronstadt, Harmony Vocals - Emmylou Harris, Producer, Acoustic Guitar, Vocals, Writer, MainArtist - Steve Cash, Harmonica - Russ Kunkel, Drums - Vince Gill, Guitar, Harmony Vocals - Paul Kennerly, Producer, Guitar - Albert Lee, Acoustic Guitar, Electric Guitar, Mandolin - Dolly Parton, Harmony Vocals - Gail Davies, Harmony Vocals - Shane Keister, Keyboards - Tom Roady, Percussion - Larrie Londin, Drums, Percussion - BOBBY THOMPSON, Banjo, Acoustic Guitar - Gary Scruggs, Harmonica - Emory Gordy Jr., String Arranger, Bass Guitar, Bass - Buddy Spicher, Violin - Bessyl Duhon, Accordion - Phillip Donnelly, Slide Guitar - Barbara Cowart, Vocals
2011 © 1985 Warner Records Inc. ℗ 1985 Warner Records Inc.
John Jarvis, Keyboards - Carl Montgomery, Writer - Barry Tashian, Acoustic Guitar - Hank DeVito, Guitar, Electric Guitar, Pedal Steel Guitar, Dobro - Ray Flacke, Electric Guitar - Linda Ronstadt, Harmony Vocals - Emmylou Harris, Producer, Acoustic Guitar, Vocals, MainArtist - Steve Cash, Harmonica - June Carter, Writer - MERLE KILGORE, Writer - Russ Kunkel, Drums - Vince Gill, Guitar, Harmony Vocals - Paul Kennerly, Producer, Guitar - Albert Lee, Acoustic Guitar, Electric Guitar, Mandolin - A.P. CARTER, Writer - Dolly Parton, Harmony Vocals - Gail Davies, Harmony Vocals - Shane Keister, Keyboards - Tom Roady, Percussion - Larrie Londin, Drums, Percussion - BOBBY THOMPSON, Banjo, Acoustic Guitar - Gary Scruggs, Harmonica - Emory Gordy Jr., String Arranger, Bass Guitar, Bass - Buddy Spicher, Violin - Bessyl Duhon, Accordion - Earl Green, Writer - Phillip Donnelly, Slide Guitar - Barbara Cowart, Vocals
2011 © 1985 Warner Records Inc. ℗ 1985 Warner Records Inc.
John Jarvis, Keyboards - Paul Kennerley, Producer, Guitar, Dobro - Barry Tashian, Acoustic Guitar - Hank DeVito, Guitar - Linda Ronstadt, Harmony Vocals - Emmylou Harris, Producer, Guitar, Vocals, Writer, MainArtist - Steve Cash, Harmonica - Russ Kunkel, Drums - Vince Gill, Guitar, Harmony Vocals - Paul Kennerly, Writer - Albert Lee, Guitar, Mandolin - Dolly Parton, Harmony Vocals - Shane Keister, Keyboards - BOBBY THOMPSON, Banjo, Acoustic Guitar - Emory Gordy Jr., Bass Guitar - Bessyl Duhon, Accordion
2011 © 1985 Warner Records Inc. ℗ 1985 Warner Records Inc.
Album review
In 1985, anyone with even a passing familiarity with Emmylou Harris' work knew that she was one of the strongest and most insightful interpretive vocalists of her generation, capable of bringing a striking beauty and depth of meaning to anything she chose to sing. However, she very rarely wrote her own material, preferring to explore the nooks and crannies of the work of others. That changed with 1985's The Ballad of Sally Rose, an ambitious and semi-autobiographical album in which Harris told the tale of an aspiring singer and the musician who becomes her mentor, champion, and lover during their short time together. The Ballad of Sally Rose was inspired by Harris' years working with Gram Parsons, who discovered her and helped give her a career, and with producer and co-writer Paul Kennerley she created an album that was part grand storytelling, part memoir, and part tribute to her fallen comrade (though in real life, Parsons and Harris were not romantically involved). Considering that the last time she'd cut songs of her own was on her misbegotten (and largely disowned) 1968 debut, Gliding Bird, Harris shows impressive skills as a tunesmith on The Ballad of Sally Rose; studying the work of great writers was clearly not lost on her, and her lyrics on these tunes are consistently thoughtful, incisive, and emotionally intelligent, and the melodies roll with a graceful assurance that matches the understated sadness of many of the tunes. Kennerley's production is rich but never overstated, dressing the songs in what sounds like an updated variation on classic countrypolitan, and with her Trio partners Dolly Parton and Linda Ronstadt adding harmonies, Harris' backing vocalists sound every bit as skillful as she does. The lack of an obvious single on The Ballad of Sally Rose prevented it from making much of a commercial impact when it was first released, and it was widely regarded as a dud, but the album later developed a loyal following among Harris' fans, and with good cause. It still sounds like one of Emmylou Harris' most heartfelt and personal works, and it opened the door for such late-career triumphs as Wrecking Ball and Red Dirt Girl.
© Mark Deming /TiVo
About the album
- 1 disc(s) - 13 track(s)
- Total length: 00:35:57
- Main artists: Emmylou Harris
- Label: Warner Records
- Genre: Blues/Country/Folk Country
2011 © 1985 Warner Records Inc. 2011 ℗ 1985 Warner Records Inc.
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