Pieces Of The Sky

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.

"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.

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.

Love to discover old school country music. Having never heard much of the infamous modern stuff, my limited experience with this genre has been really positive. Emmylou delivers here lovely performances, and the whole record sounds, at times, like you're attending a gig at the coolest bar in town.

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!”

This is a beautiful recording. I'll admit a fondness for Emmylou Harris, Joni Mitchell and Joan Baez. Amazing artists! I guess at the end of the day I appreciate originality and musicianship over everything else. This record has that in spades.

Beautiful vocals, right up my alley kind of country, pleasant surprises. This one i might need to buy for my collection.

I think I got an immediate crush on her voice on track one. Stunning. Plus a Merle Haggard cover and a Beatles cover? What a treat

Awesome, great country

Now that's real country music! Her voice is angelic, and the arrangements and lyrics are fantastic. I listened to it 3 times in a row and I was left wanting more! Incredible and wonderful! 5 stars!

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

I thought the album had ended and Dolly came on when Coat of Many Colors played. Excellent album. Beautiful voice. Great guitar, steel guitar, and banjo on the album.

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.

Gorgeous voice and amazing harmonies. ‘Too Far Gone’ and ‘Boulder to Birmingham’ are so rich and emotional. The album is overproduced with arrangements that detract from some of the songs. Fortunately, Emmylou Harris transcends these limitations of 1970s Nashville.

Wonderful

Not much of a country fan, but I liked this. It's more like the old C&W that my dad listened to.

Beautiful set of pipes, felt like i was listening to dolly at times

Her voice is incredible. Not my style of country, but, for what it is, 4 stars.

Her voice is clear and sweet and raw.

Not really my genre but pleasant and nice to listen to

7/10

I’m a bit surprised how much I enjoy this. Harris has a great voice, and she’s a pretty interesting guitarist, too. That gives her a Midas Touch ability to mold anything to her “signature style.” That’s also what makes this (mostly) glorified covers album actually interesting. While I wouldn’t say any of these songs surpass their original versions, she brings her own personality to them, even while they remain largely the same compositionally. She is always a value-add on every track here; I never wish I could switch to the original, because I’m enjoying listening to Emmylou Harris’ version. Not that I adore every song here, though. There’s a handful of tracks that are so saturated with ‘70s country clichés, they feel as dusty, grimy, and kitsch as the old clown portrait hanging in your grandparent’s house. I wouldn’t call them unlistenable, but I wouldn’t say I’m engaged when they’re on. Even though it’s only 2ish songs, it’s just enough to hold me back from fully embracing Pieces of the Sky. But the more unfortunate issue is how desperately I want to actually hear original material from Emmylou Harris, and how little I’m given. I’m not going to say that “Boulder to Birmingham” is the best song on an album with covers of a A+-tier Parton song and an A-tier Lennon-McCartney song, but like….debatably??? Between the lyrics, the message about her feelings around her mentor Gram Parsons, and the fucking emotional power of it, there’s an argument to be made. It’s so good and showcases how wonderful Harris is as a songwriter, and yet, it stands alone here. Maybe that adds to its power, but I can’t help wondering whether this would be an even better record if it had more of her songwriting front-and-center. Looking through her general discography, though, it seems like she never gets that opportunity. And while I know that country is a covers-centric genre, there’s a small “what could’ve been” moment to be found if you imagine Harris with a Parton-esque career. In general, though, Pieces of the Sky threads the folk-country needle with finesse and is a pleasant listen by a very talented musician. Its biggest fault is that it leaves me wanting more, which may be a feature, not a fault. So now I guess I’m going to have to check out Wrecking Ball after all these years.

Chill country vibes

I love her voice and the arrangements were simple but perfect. I like this kind of country, fun selection of covers as well

first listen they just don't make country like the 70s anymore

This is a go to album for sitting out in the yard sipping a cold drink on a breezy spring day. Love it

Just about 10 albums ago I had Dolly's Coat Of Many Colors, and now I get to hear another iconic female country artist cover the incredible title track. I understand these songs are mostly covers though I only recognized one other, The Beatles' For No None. She approaches that song with such delicacy and forlorn weariness. And she wrote one hell of a song for her late mentor, Gram Parsons. Boulder to Burmingham is heartbreaking. Whether singing her own songs or someone else's, her voice is always lovely and so emotive. This has been a fantastic introduction to Emmylou; I quite like this album.

Much better than the other Emmylou Harris album.

This album was great. A solid 4.5/5.

The Good: We are given pieces of the sky! The Bad: Sometimes, the sky, is vast and even a piece is too much… The Ugly: When one starts choking on the pieces… To think that I worked for a company which made a signature guitar for this lady, and I never did bother listening to any of her music… So, now I have. And I can state that, though her voice is purdy to say the least, it is too much honk-ee-tonk for me. Should one have a little party, this could serve more than ample as background music though… So, straight down the middle, as I don’t want to pull the lady down. 3* Edited… all of a sudden Boulder to Birmingham starts playing… damnit. 4*

Very nice