Emmylou Harris has been breaking musical barriers for over four decades now, and she continues to do so in the twenty first century. She first got her start singing with the late Gram Parsons. After his untimely death, Emmylou had to set forth as a solo artist and she hasn't slowed down since.
Known for her "folk" style music, that is blended with country and rock, there is no telling what you will hear. Over the years, her "Hot Band" has included The Whites, Ricky Skaggs, Rodney Crowell, and that's just to name a few. Over the span of her career, Emmylou has won numerous awards, including eleven Grammy's. One of the most successful projects that she has been a part of was the release of the album Trio, which featured Emmylou with Dolly Parton and Linda Ronstadt.
When Emmylou became a member of the Grand Ole Opry on January 25, 1992, she said "Music is like food, sustenance. You certainly don't do it for the spotlight. You do it for the amazing exhilaration of singing, the feeling of the music going through you." Now, as the one of the newest members of the Country Music Hall of Fame, she's still going strong and the music is still going through her. Throughout her career, she has never "sold out" or decided to change with the times. Emmylou is still just as popular as she was when she was with Gram Parsons. If nothing else, she's getting better with time.
When artists release new albums, usually there is a single tune that's pitched to radio. I don't think Emmylou Harris even attempts to focus on singles, she focuses on albums. No matter what CD you have of hers, you will hear stories from start to finish, and nothing has changed on this one.
"Shores Of White Sand" starts off this awesome album. Her raw, acoustic sound shines bright, but the organ music is bone chilling. When listening to Emmylou's music, I find myself closing my eyes and absorbing the music. This does not happen often, but her music tells a story and paints a picture. By the end of a song, you have a full visual of everything going on.
A personal favorite is "How She Could Sing The Wildwood Flower." Singing harmony with Emmylou is Kate and Anna McGarrigle, and together, they created a song about a woman and a man's relationship all the way to the end. The only way to describe this tune is "magic."
Billy Joe Shaver joined Emmylou on "Old Five And Dimers Like Me." Folks, it doesn't get any "countrier" than this. These two legendary performers give this song a breath of life and it will live forever.
Bringing the album to an end, "Beyond The Great Divide." This falls into the gospel and country genre more than anything. Simply singing about how great things are on the other side, they will be together forever when they are "Beyond The Great Divide."
Emmylou Harris is a country music legend. If you are looking for something great to listen to, go get All I Intended To Be. You won't regret it.
Release Date: June 10, 2008 - Nonesuch Records
All I Intended To Be Track List:
- Shores Of White Sand
- Hold On
- Moon Song
- Broken Man's Lament
- Gold
- How She Could Sing The Wildwood Flower
- All That You Have Is Your Soul
- Take That Ride
- Old Five And Dimers Like Me
- Kern River
- Not Enough
- Sailing Round The Room
