Pieces of the Sky is the second studio album by American country music artist Emmylou Harris, released in February 1975 through Reprise. Although she had released the obscure folk-styled Gliding Bird five years earlier, Pieces of the Sky became the album that launched Harris's career and is widely considered to be her début. In those intervening years she forged a musical relationship with Gram Parsons that altered the musical direction of her career. The album includes Harris's first high-charting Billboard country hit, the #4 "If I Could Only Win Your Love," and the relatively low-charting #73 "Too Far Gone" (originally a 1967 hit for Tammy Wynette). The overall song selection was varied and showed early on how eclectic Harris's musical tastes were. In addition to her own "Boulder to Birmingham" (written for Gram Parsons, who had died the previous year), she included the Merle Haggard classic "The Bottle Let Me Down," The Beatles' "For No One," and Dolly Parton's "Coat of Many Colors." (Parton, in turn, covered "Boulder to Birmingham" on her 1976 album All I Can Do.) On Shel Silverstein's "Queen Of The Silver Dollar," Harris's longtime friend and vocal collaborator, Linda Ronstadt, sings harmony. Pieces of the Sky rose as far as the #7 spot on the Billboard country albums chart. Pieces of the Sky was included in Robert Dimery's 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die.
I’m beginning to realize I don’t dislike country. I dislike the modern hybridization of pop and country.
Emmylou Harris is somehow an underrated country legend. When it's all said and done, she'll forever be on the Mount Rushmore of female country artists, along with Loretta Lynne, Tammy Wynette, and Dolly Parton. None of those country legends have a voice like Emmylou Harris. And the puzzling thing is that it seemingly took years for Nashville to truly embrace her. She'd consistently put out album after album, all of them great, but the early knock on Emmylou was that she never wrote her own songs. This, her debut country album, is mainly covers, including one from the aforementioned Dolly and even a deep cut from The Beatles. But the real gem from this album is the one song Emmylou wrote, and it became her signature song. "Boulder To Birmingham" is one of the greatest sad songs ever put on record, and it wrecks me every time I hear it. Just listen to the words of "Boulder To Birmingham". You feel the pain and sorrow she has over losing her mentor Gram Parsons. She can't understand why he's gone, and more importantly, she can't fathom why no one else feels like she does over his death. Emmylou's tastes were clearly too eclectic and ahead of her time for Nashville (and there may have been some hesitancy to fully embrace her because of her previous association with Parsons, another vanguard in their opinion). But Emmylou focused on keeping the spirit of Gram Parsons alive. She'd solidify her legacy (and write many more great songs) on future albums, but this one clearly puts her on the map. Props for getting former Eagle and Flying Burrito Brother Bernie Leadon, along with many other musicians in Parsons' orbit, to play on this gem of an album. To my ears, Emmylou is the true First Lady of Country Music.
Damn, I knew her, kind of, but it hasn't really hit me until now how breathtaking her voice is. She really communicates a depth of emotion. I'm tempted to complain that she didn't write most of these songs, but in a way it's interesting that she does write some, yet chooses to record others' music. It's like admitting, there are songwriters as good or better than me, so why not sing their songs instead? And the one she wrote (Boulder to Birmingham) is a stunner.
Angelic. Simply gorgeous.
The alt country queen! I love Emmylou, but this genre is hit or miss for people. Personally I love it, so this is a 5 star for me.
I know several of the songs on this album - but performed by other artists. Emmylou Harris does them justice. I love the variety on this album. Favorite songs include Boulder to Birmingham, For No One, and Queen of the Silver Dollar. But the whole album is really a pleasure.
Love that LADY
Feels like the heart of Americana, thoroughly enjoyed this surprise of an album
This was great. Country can be a bit hit and miss and I can't listen to it for too long but I really liked this album. Although it's got a few covers on it, it's not a covers album but Emmylou Harris only has a writing credit for one song. Interesting stuff.
Baby brought me in out off the highway Made me put my money in the bank, bank Straightened out my crooked way of thinking Made it purely pleasure when I drank - bluebird wine
Such a beautiful voice, great lyrics
Really beautiful.
My favorite voice in country music, just exquisite. I know her work with others more than her own albums, so this was a welcome find. Some beautiful songs esp. Boulder To Birmingham and the Beatles cover. No doubt the wonderful Dylan album "Desire" is on this list, but if not it's a required listen if you love her voice as much as I do.
Most of the songs here are either standards turned into country songs, country covers or some covers outside of country origin. But that does not mean her versions are bad. Quite the opposite actually as her voice is absolutely gorgeous and multiple renditions are improved versions of the originals. The album features lush arrangements and instruments that take inspiration from all around the country world (USA). One thing is certain though: Some songs are absolutely incredible and top-tier country song while others are very lackluster and boring. The album opens with 'Bluebird Wine', a very nice up-beat Bluegrass song that showcases her voice and ability to perform. I think you could not have choosen a better intro for this album as it really puts you in a mood for some country. The instruments also work great, especially the banjo. The follow up 'Too Far Gone' is much calmer and laid back, mainly focusing on a sentimental piano and guitar playing. It stands in big contrast to the opener without leaving you desiring more of what made Track 1. Another big highlight on the album. 'If I Could Only Win Your Love' is a duet with Herb Pedersen who complements Emmylou's vocals very well. The harmonies just work and his voice is perfect for the song. I also really enjoy the acoustic guitar solo. The only song she wrote herself was 'Boulder to Birmingham' and it's kind of sad that she didn't write more as this is without a doubt a great country song. Her vocal performance is incredible, as is the build-up tension and the chorus. Side A closes with 'Before Believing' and this is kind of the point where the album slowly looses its greatness. The song feels much less genuine or forced and it is also way to long. It does end the first half pretty fittingly but it does it in a way where you miss the greatness of the start very fast. It is not a bad song... it's just that I don't care for it at all as it isn't carrying a lot of emotional weight or interest with it. 'Bottle Let Me Down' is opening the second half with a very Honky Tonk sounding instrumental and I mean the subject matter is alcohol... which is as Honky Tonk as it gets. It's an alright song, nothing too crazy but a little bit more interesting than the song before. A similar problem has 'Sleepless Nights': not bad, it just doesn't matter much. Neither to me nor the structure of the album. The greatness of the start does return with the next two songs. 'Coat of Many Colors', which was a legendary Dolly Parton song, is a really good rendition of that song and a much more contemporary piece than its predecessors. The Beatles cover 'For No One', originally off of Revolver, is much different in its structure than the original classic but she delivers it in a beautiful and outstanding way. While it does not get close to the original, it is one of the best songs on this album. Especially the strings add so much to this one. The closing track 'Queen of the Silver Dollar' is much less perfect. Way too long, the build-up is weird and doesn't really work. The chorus is groovy though but that makes the rest feel very weak and uninteresting. It's better than some of the rest on here but it isn't in the stronger half. favourites: Bluebird Wine, Boulder to Birmingham, For No One, Too Far Gone, If I Could Only Win Your Love least favourites: Sleepless Nights, Before Believing, Queen of the Silver Dollar Rating: light to decent 8 https://rateyourmusic.com/~Emil_ph for more ratings, reviews and takes
Beautiful voice, modern-ish country, amazing and emotional ballads (Boulder obviously, but also others), excellent Beatles cover. Very good album.
I can’t write another review of a country record that focuses on my inability to connect with country music. It wasn’t something I wasn’t raised with and I’ve never really had many people in my life that were country music fans. I’m 43, and not to diminish our propensity as humans to grow and change, but I don’t see country music ever being an art form that really engages me. Emmylou Harris’ “Pieces of the Sky”, while more enjoyable than most of the country records I’ve heard - and maybe not as “overtly” country, if that makes sense, doesn’t really change that for me. It was good, very good even, but it didn’t grab me and make me want more. Conversely, I haven’t been able to stop listening to the song “Starry Eyes” by The Records. My god, what a song…pure power pop excellence. I guess that’s where I’m at these days.
"Pieces of the Sky" by Emmylou Harris is a country music classic that showcases her angelic voice and talent as an interpreter of songs. Released in 1975, it marks her debut solo album and the beginning of a storied career. Tracks like "Bluebird Wine" and "Boulder to Birmingham" are notable for their emotional depth and Harris's haunting vocals. The album's production, led by Brian Ahern, is polished and tasteful, with a mix of traditional country and folk influences. While "Pieces of the Sky" is an impressive debut, it doesn't quite reach the same heights as some of Harris's later work. Some listeners might find it a bit uneven, with a mix of original compositions and covers. However, it's a foundational album that laid the groundwork for her subsequent success in the country and folk genres, earning it a solid 3/5 rating.
You know how cats look when they’re basking in the warm sun shining through a window and it seems like all their bones melted away into a puddle of bliss? That’s me listening to Emmylou.
I bought this on recommendation a few years ago and never got round to listening to it. The sound of the record is exquisite and, to my ears, unusual: there’s so much going on, it often is a wall of sound, , but one where you can easily make out each individual element. The songs are frequently beautiful, but oppressively tasteful. Harris’s voice is outstanding, perfect and distinctive, the experience of hearing her sing these covers is like watching an exceptional actor play a classic role. Lovely, but not haunting. Unfairly, Souled American’s handful of skeletal covers jump to mind as the victorious counter argument. After writing that I listened to their take on “Little Bessie, and let faint terror in. I’m not asking for a Lo-fi slowcore Emmylou Harris album, but some grit and flaw would have lifted this record up. S, this morning I saw a brown bear on the way to the nursery - O shouted “DAHG!”
"Well, you really got me this time And the hardest part is knowing I'll survive"
What a beautiful voice. I'm not a die-hard country fan but this is what I think of when I think of 'real' country music, great storytelling. Highlights are Before Believing, Sleepless Nights & Bluebird Wine.
The steel guitar only detracts a little from this masterpeice. Incredible honest storytelling over beautiful well executed music.
fuck es isch wie wenn fleetwood mac chli meh country und ich ha gern country fuck ich ha gern oyeah. too far gone isch gad sehr cheesy aber es hittet en spot. mit de slide gitarre und ihri stimm isch jo hammmer. boulder to birmingham au suuper de shit isch soo schön ufgnoh. tomight the bittle let me down seehr country standard. aber ebe guet. coat of many colors het d dolly scho tschuttet. und die version isch etz nöd irgendwie viel besser aber de song isch halt super. ha no denkt ich kenn for no one. duh isch beatles. huuuere schöööön d gitarrelicks ufff. boooh meeega nice. und s gitarresolo hooopala wie geil. bin seeehr nöch amne füfi. super super schöne hammer gspielte country mega geili songs mega tasty alles.
It's mostly covers, but wow they are well done. The emotion in her voice is pure. I'm always a sucker for "Coat of Many Colors" too.
Thank god they didn’t stack another stinker on me after Ryan Adams
Absolutely loved it. Was vaguely aware of her before, but will absolutely give her more of a listen to. This album is why I love this process. Finding gems like this.
Penis = hard
I really liked the album, it was nice soft country music that was very calming. I especially liked Bluebird Wine, Boulder to Birmingham, Sleepless Nights and California Cotton Fields.
Awesome album. I listened to this on many a family road trip as a kid. Great covers from an incredible vocalist throughout. “Boulder to Birmingham” is one of the most beautiful, tender songs ever conceived. *****
Instant classics on almost every track. Harris find traditional music and weaves in into country and the emerging folk-rock scene to creat Americana.
Wow, what an amazing work of art! I was vaguely familiar with Emmylou Harris as that folksy country singer with the amazing high glass-like smooth voice, but I hadn't really heard much of her music before this. Every track was amazing to listen to, but I especially loved For No One -- one of the best covers I've ever heard of it. Emmylou's voice is like Dolly Parton crossed with Joni Mitchell for me, just really great! So good I had to listen to it twice. Five stars easily.
I didn't enjoy this as much as I thought I would, there's something about the instrumentation that doesn't support her voice quite as well as I would have liked but towards the back half of this it started to mold into something that I really enjoyed, very angelic. Also contains a cover of the best beatles song so automatically gets points lol
I love Emmylou. I wish she did more originals. She's done some iconic covers but also didn't have much to add to, for example, the Beatles original work. Bluebird Wine is a banger though.
Gorgeous voice, great arrangements, nice variety of fast fun songs and slower more emotional ballads. As good as country gets for me! 5/5.
i think if i had been a little more tortured today this would have made me cry
Guess I do like country. This got my attention right from Bluebird Wine and was pretty great. Emmylou has an awesome voice and i liked the music here a lot. I've heard a couple mid 70s country albums here and so far they've all been pretty good. My favorites here are Bluevird Wine, Gone Too Far, Bottle Let Me Down, and Hank and Lefty.
Great country album!
No one told me country could be this good.
Really enjoyed it. Like kind of sad, very good country music. 9/10
Great early post gram Parsons weepy country.
Wow the vocals alone are a 5!
OMG I grew up on this album. My mother loved folk music and my dad like bluegrass. Emmylou is the perfect mix of both.
Song: Boulder to Birmingham Wow. This song is so stunning, and it nearly brought me to tears. Emmylou Harris's voice is absolutely beautiful, so pure and sweet, and she sings with so much emotion that I just got swept up in the song. I could listen to that on repeat for hours.
Sweet voice. Always a pleasure.
Well, damn. I'm diggin' rap AND country now? I can't find a single thing to criticize. I couldn't help but hear a little Dolly Parton, and then she goes and covers "Coat of Many Colors" to make me feel like I might know WTF I'm talking about. The Beatles' cover ranks among the best I've heard — not of that song specifically, but a general statement that she did an expert job translating the song and bringing something personal and new. Great arrangements, harmonies, instrumentation, playing... I mean, what else do you listen to music for?
Great! Cool covers. I especially liked For No one
country music is great and this proves it
Emmylou Harris' style of music is country folk. It sounds like a female John Denver. Her voice is beautiful. She does a fantastic job of covering Dolly Parton's song Coat of Many Colors. Overall, a fantastic album. Perfect for a lazy Sunday. Favourite songs: Queen of the Silver Dollar, Bluebird Wine, Bottle Let Me Down, Coat of Many Colors, Hank and Lefty, California Cotton Fields, Boulder to Birmingham, If I Could Only Win Your Love, Least favourite songs: Sleepless Nights, For No One 5/5
I love her voice so much. Most of these songs are covers but that doesn't bother me. Queen of The Silver Dollar is one of my favorite country songs. All in all I probably enjoy this at the 4 level, but its absolutely criminal that the current community rating is barely over 3. It needs a 5.
A country music classic
second emmylou harris album and wow i love country music again
Glorious, beautiful, soaring. 5 stars.
Marvellous
Wonderful country/bluegrass album. Great songs, great voice.
Hauntingly beautiful voice. ever ever heard of her and immediatly fell in love. country usually isn't my thing (minus ts debut or any dolly parton bc duh), but she made me realize that I actually do like the country-folk mixture she does.
Genuinely heartbreaking country ballads. Gorgeous arrangements. An incredibly talented singer.
Album: Pieces of the Sky Artist: Emmylou Harris Year: 1975 Album #: 72 (listened after album 274) first impressions: usually not super excited to listen to country but this sounds pretty surprisingly contemporary and not...crusty and whiny. after listening through: what an emotional and musical rollercoaster!! i'm exhausted but also excited to dig further into her catalog. post-reading reviews/wiki: curious what contemporary musicians will end up like Ms Harris 50 years from now, if any. recommended for: Dolly Parton fans
I LIKED THIS
Sublime. Beautiful vocals, excellent playing, American music at its absolute finest.
Best Song: Boulders to Birmingham or Queen of the Silver Dollar. Timeless, beautiful voice. Great gospel/country/folk vocal melodies. I'm sure this album has been very influential to many female singer-songwriters.
Oh, I was needing this. Absolutely lovely, and sounding both old fashioned and very modern (both in good ways). It made me laugh ("Queen of the Silver Dollar") and cry ("Coat of Many Colors"). I love hearing a talented voice sing a wonderful variety of songs by amazing artists (Merle Haggard, Lennon-McCartney, Shel Silverstein, and Dolly Parton!) with backup by Linda Ronstadt! Speaking of Dolly Parton and Linda Ronstadt... I'm still waiting!
Here is the warm fuzzy blanket that I could have used yesterday!
Sublime. More like this please!
What a throwback that was.
One of my favourite country albums so far on this list. Harris’s voice gave goosebumps on at least a few occasions. September 19, 2022
Stunning
flowery and kind of boring
Unreal vocals. Quintessential country music right here
010122 14:42 4.5
I'm not a big country fan. However, I do like what I consider to be REAL country: not the countrified-rock crap that is put out today. Emmylou's voice is amazing, and this album was a gem from start to finish.
Emotional and honest, love the story telling and the vibe of the old school country
Love.
Very nice
awesome album! I am a softy for good country music!
She does a good job covering Dolly Parton. (Unless it’s the other way round) either way I’m a fan. I love coat of many colours it’s my favourite Dolly song.
So good. My favourite we've had so far.
I’ve been transformed into a young farmer’s daughter who’s grown unhappy with her small town and longs for bigger things out of life. Seriously though, what ever happened to THIS Country (music…but also…)? When did the target audience grow tired of seeping melodies over heartbreaking lyrics and lush production in favor of “BBQ stains on my t shirt?”
Harris bridges traditional country and folk-rock sensibilities, her crystalline voice illuminating both classic covers and original gems with haunting grace.
Emmylou’s voice is pure and her phrasing is perfection. The song choices on Pieces of the Sky are not for me, but the album is excellent. Not only is she one of the best in country music, she’s as intelligent as she is beautiful. Her later work is some of her best.
The first song caught my attention, so far so good. Will listen to the rest later today. I liked the album!
Really liked this one a lot. I will be saving it and listening to it again in the future.
Country es quizá el género que evité siempre, aunque si explote a Parton y Kenny Rogers, Ktistoferson y algún otro famoso del momento, pero Emmylou me parece bastante diferente en sus diferentes temas. Buena sorpresa en esa voz y los arreglos musicales muy creativos. Excelente
The early records are closer straight-up country and work very well in that realm. Her voice was stronger and clearer at this time and just about prettier than anyone else. And she wasnt so inclined to the brittle-wavery sounds of the later (and slightly overproduced and oversung) records. This is more pristine and free-range sounding and its good thing the voice is so good because there's not a ton else going on here. "Sweet Old World" (by Emmylou's near double Lucinda Williams) is an all-time bittersweet song, appropriate for deathbed listening or in any moment where music's unique ability to provide solace needs to be called upon.
Straight up Country Americana with the sonorous voice of Emmylou - what’s not to like?
Nettes, abwechslungsreiches Folk Album….7/10
Beautiful singing and feels very authentic. Almost hard to give notes. It's a great country album. Listen to it. Appreciate what it is doing and understand that world some more.
She obviously has an amazing voice and vocal choices. She made every song her own. I did not care for the male vocalists that popped up on a couple of the tracks. A very listenable album that showcases country music nicely.
Classic country. I had originally thought "Too Far Gone" would be the Neil Young song, not the Tammy Wynette one. I enjoyed her cover of "For No One," I thought it was an interesting song to pick. "Coat Of Many Colors" was good, but I do not think it added anything to the Parton original. No Eagles pun, but listening to the album gave me a peaceful, easy feeling. It felt very stripped down, and I appreciated it a lot. Top songs: "For No One," "The Bottle Let Me Down," "Boulder To Birmingham"
God, she's amazing. She gives a masterclass in vocal emotion.
I really liked this. I can hear the influence such as for someone like Helena Deland. I did get fatigued by the end though…
Great voice and delivery. Decent material.
bluebird wine ischmer echli zu fest schnelle country aber sie singt megaaa mengisch ghörtmer au chli das jodel ding, wo d stimm halbe "überschlaht" di nächste 2 lieder sind suuuper, mega schön aber jz au nöd unnötig kitschig oder so ouh ich bin chli abglenkt gsi will ich über de scheiss TRUMP han müsse lese weg dem het jz für mich alles chli ähnlich tönt, mengisch chli meh country und mengisch chli weniger queen of the silver dollar isch so naja ok es isch aber schön wie d backgroundsängerin harmoniert mit ihre und s klavier outro isch so schön verspielt ich schwanke zwüscheme 3 undeme 4i
4/5
Such lovely melodies - and that Beatles re-make of For No One needs a warning for the emotionally-sensitive. Wowsers. Bonus star for a Shel Silverstein song credit. This album surprised me.
Pretty good
Where this excels as opposed to other country and western albums is that it explores the genre rather than fitting its niche. Emmylou has an exquisite voice, like other female country artists, but she really leans into the production value in this record and takes you to high peaks and sad lows. It’s beautiful and extravagant.
I was amazed at the vocals. Harmonized right through the key changes. Incredible voice.
Lovely country music. She is an absolutely delight on this.
Emmylou Harris has the voice of an angel - very similar to Dolly. I wonder if that's why Emmylou has managed to be more of an 'underground' country artist, in a sense. Interesting arrangement of covers and originals - no doubt a sensible choice for a major label debut album, but for me it holds the album at a 4/5 instead of a 5/5.
Probably like top 10 country singers of all-time