The Ballad of Sally Rose

Performer: Emmylou Harris
Artist: Dolly Parton; Linda Ronstadt; Waylon Jennings; Vince Gill; Gail Davies
Engineer: Donivan Cowart
Producer: Emmylou Harris; Paul Kennerley
Distributor: WEA (Distributor)

Notes: Personnel: Emmylou Harris (vocals, acoustic guitar); Hank DeVito (acoustic & electric guitars, pedal steel guitar, dobro); Paul Kennerley (acoustic & electric guitars); Barry Tashian, Bobby Thompson (acoustic guitar, banjo); Emory Gordy, Jr. (acoustic guitar, bass); Albert Lee (guitar, mandolin); Vince Gill (electric guitar, background vocals); Ray Flacke (electric guitar); Philip Donelly (electric slide guitar); Waylon Jennings (guitar); Buddy Spicher (fiddle); Steve Cash, Gary Scruggs (harmonica); Bessyl Duhon (accordion); Shane Keister, John Jarvis (keyboards); Larrie Londin (drums, percussion); Russ Kunkel (drums); Tom Roady (percussion); Gail Davies, Barbara Cowart, Dolly Parton, Linda Ronstadt (background vocals). Recorded at Treasure Isle Studios, Nashville, Tennessee. This is one of the most intriguing albums of Emmylou Harris' career, and that is saying a lot. It marked the first album where she wrote or co-wrote all the songs, and the strength of the songwriting makes one wonder why she had never attempted it before. One can tell that this album is truly a labor of love, as it is a semi-autobiographical concept album that she also co-produced. It tells the story of a girl from a small town who gets taken under the wing of singer that takes her (and her angelic voice) out on the road. (The story mirrors her relationship with Gram Parsons, although it is a fictional account of the life of another woman.) As a concept album, it only partly holds together; one must read the liner notes to get a true feeling for the story. However, Emmylou Harris sounds particularly inspired, and the songs themselves are strong both musically and lyrically. As expected, she truly shines on the slower ballads such as "Diamond in My Crown" and the closer "Sweet Chariot." While not essential for casual fans, it is an interesting album worth tracking down for Emmylou Harris fans. ~ Vik Iyengar

Mojo (Publisher) (12/00, p.41) - "...Lucid, tough songs..."

Emmylou Harris first came to public attention as Gram Parsons's singing partner, but her solo career took off after his passing. Throughout the 1970s and '80s, she was a major force in progressive country, championing the works of great songwriters like Townes Van Zandt and Paul Siebel. By the '90s, the eclecticism that she'd always practiced came to full bloom in the hands of producer Daniel Lanois, especially on her milestone 1995 album, WRECKING BALL.

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