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.

The bottle may let you down, but Emmylou won’t!!

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!”

How did it take me so long to find the love of my life

Not generally a country boy but I enjoyed the hell out of this album. Gorgeous vocals, rich storytelling, an almost neighborly production feel. Sublime. How have I never heard of Emmylou Harris before?

Beautiful. I am NOT a country music fan but her voice and songwriting is so beautiful

Dolly Parton if she was a baddie and not a creature that belongs on r/bimboification This album is just fucking gorgeous. Within the first minute of the very first song I knew this was getting a 5. I love every bit of this thing. From he vocals, to the instrumentals, to the Dolly Parton imitation. Hell, I don't even really like this genre all too much and I thought this album was incredible. Absolutely no skips. I have fallen in love with Emmylou Harris in one listen. I hope there's more of her on 1001 albums because this was fantastic. Definitely going to be listening to more of her. Favourites: Bluebird Wine, Too Far Gone, Queen of the Silver Dollar, and EVERYTHING ELSE

This is an album that makes me want to pack a bag and a toothbrush and drive out west. I was enjoying the first track, swept off my feet by the second track but as soon as the pedal slide guitar hits (my one and only weakness in this world) during Before Believing I was totally rapt. Whenever you get to know someone and ask them what kind of music they're into and they respond with "oh, anything but rap and country", I'd like to strap them into a chair a la clockwork orange and force them to listen to this. It is always a very special treat when you hear a song that you like be covered in a better way. I love Merle Haggard but I think Emmylou Harris does something with The Bottle Let Me Down that he couldn't, he may have had the pisswreck street cred to pen and sing that song, but something about Harris' delivery elevates it. I hate to blaspheme, but the same is true for Coat of Many Colors, Dolly's version of this song means a lot to me personally and hearing it here moved me a lot. Every track here is masterfully performed with a lot of heart, I cannot fault this album at all except that a physical copy of it hasn't found its way to me yet. Highlights: All of it

If this website has shown me anything it's that "classic" country music is an amazing genre. This album is great.

Voice like a sunny day, resting on a hammock in the shade with a glass of freshly squeezed lemonade 🤌🏽

That voice...

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.

Just a powerful distinctive voice, and this is real country and really beautiful.

If you're going to make a country album, this is the country album to make - outlaw stuff aside. Gorgeous voice, tender lyrics and varied compositions put this head and shoulders above anything else I've heard from this area of the genre! Favourite tracks: Boulder to Birmingham, Before Believing, For No One

Yessir, classic

Pretty good.

That voice!!!

The Bush Administration's involvement with the Bin Laden family, particularly in the immediate aftermath of 9/11, has long been a subject of controversy. Despite the fact Osama bin Laden was the mastermind behind the attacks, members of his wealthy Saudi family—who had longstanding business ties with American elites, including the Bush family—were quickly and quietly flown out of the U.S. in the days following the tragedy, raising questions about preferential treatment. The trauma of 9/11 deeply impacted American culture, and country music became a key outlet for expressing grief, anger, and patriotism. Songs like Toby Keith’s Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue and Alan Jackson’s Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning) captured the national mood, often reinforcing pro-American and militaristic sentiments that aligned closely with the Bush Administration’s subsequent War on Terror. In this way, the political handling of 9/11 and its symbolic associations trickled down into popular culture, with country music serving as both a mirror and amplifier of the era’s nationalist fervor. This is what I wish country could have remained as, but alas, it couldn't. Beautiful songs by a beautiful singer. My Mum adores this album, and I can see why. I'm not exactly going to go as far as say this is good for many replays, personally, but I think Emmylou had a gift, and one she used well. I've saved a couple of tracks on here as the radio for them is GREAT.

A really great singing voice that really elevated what I feel would otherwise be a fairly straightforward album consisting mostly of different cover songs

Crazy Clark’s version of Dolly Parton (positive) insofar as varying slightly in style with a barely noticeable difference in quality. Might be more apt to compare this artist to the Aldi version where the packaging and content is basically identical but just different enough to avoid a lawsuit.Perhaps lesser known than the queen herself but an undeniably enjoyable listen.

This is what real-ass country music used to be, now it's all bros from the suburbs with a giant truck and an oversized hat.