Emmylou Harris Covers…

This week’s playlists cover Emmylou Harris.

Emmylou is the third artist in our “Queens of Covers” series and is the undisputed Queen of Collaborations. An incredible singer and songwriter on her own, but the ultimate team player, perfectly pairing with any partner or group.

Wikipedia breaks out Emmylou Harris’ appearances with other artist into four separate pages. That’s how many collaborations she’s made through her six decade career. And that’s why this week’s second playlist is 50+ songs and growing. Featuring Emmylou Harris playlist showcases her incredible talent and ability to harmonize.

Of course Emmylou has many ties to last week’s “Queen of Covers,” Linda Ronstadt. A forever friend and frequent collaborator.

Linda Ronstadt has the pitch-perfect power. Our other “Queen of Covers,” Joan Jett, has the rough ‘n’ raspy rock ‘n’ roll voice. Emmylou Harris has the hauntingly angelic voice that soars among her partners and pierces through your soul.

Emmylou was a folkie in the late ’60s who wanted to be like Joan Baez, then met Gram Parsons who was looking for a singing partner. Gram brought her into the orbit of the “cosmic American music” and Emmylou credits him for putting her under the influence of country music. By the late ’70s Emmylou Harris had become a pioneer of the country, rock and pop scene; she continues to evolve the sound, stylings and sensibilities of the music to this day.

Emmylou has always been at the fringes of musical genres including rock and she represented the “country” portion of The Last Waltz playing, on the sound stage, with The Band. A few years later she made that song the title track of an album.

Emmylou also sang on Bob Dylan’s Desire album, adding sweet and eerie echoes to Dylan’s lyrics…though she doesn’t seem very interested based on the photo they chose on the album.

Emmylou adds the perfect blend to any artist she works with, an expansive and impressive list that continues to grow.

She’s played with all the boys. Johnny, Waylon, Willie. She sang with The Johns: Prine and Denver. George Jones, Buck Owens, Roy Orbison. She’s made several albums with Mark Knopfler and has played with other Storytime alum like Little Feat, Neil Young and Warren Zevon.

Emmylou continues to be an inspiration and a model for other female artists. She was part of the inaugural Lilith Fair and toured with the show three of the four years it was active. Emmylou has played with Lucinda Williams, The Chicks, The Judds and gave one of the most hauntingly hypnotic performance with Alison Krauss and Gillian Welch on a Grammy Album of the Year. And of course is one third of the holy Trio.

Emmylou is an incredible interpreter and hovers above her throne. She has a kingdom full of covers so what else would you have added to this week’s playlist? Both playlists were nearly impossible to complete because Emmylou is everywhere. But we’re always looking for more!

Sadly there’s not a full documentary on Emmylou, but we do recommend Emmylou Harris – From A Deeper Well the 2004 BBC hourlong doc.

There’s so much more to say so we created a Queens of Covers Podcast Playlist.

Alright! I think we’re all covered up!