Emmylou - I may share

Emmylou - I may share only one thing with Norm Geras of Normblog; a fascination with Emmylou Harris:

Then on comes Emmylou Harris with the ease and naturalness of a grand old lady of the music, and wearing it without any trace of arrogance or show. She just sings her stuff, both new and old, like it's forever. And that voice, with its distinctive purity; not thin exactly but kind of slender, and coming from somewhere higher up. I don't mean this in a religious sense, not being so inclined. But in a metaphysical sense, maybe. For Emmy stands on stage and she sings at you; it's plain, that's where the voice is coming from. But it sounds like from somewhere higher, as though sliding down from between two very closely aligned forms. Of the Emmylou Harris classics, we heard a marvellous Hickory Wind; and Together Again, and Wheels, and Wayfaring Stranger. And then to finish - in the encore - possibly her two greatest songs: (Townes Van Zandt's) Pancho and Lefty, and Boulder to Birmingham, written by her in memory of Gram Parsons.

Meeting Emmylou was one of the epiphanic moments of my life. And if you don't have a copy of "Roses in the Snow" or "Angel Band" or "Red Dirt Girl", you have only yourself to blame. Run, don't walk.

Posted by Mitch at November 24, 2003 06:01 AM