In 1977 Emmylou Harris was at the first of many high points in her career. ‘Luxury Liner’ had come out the previous year and work had started on ‘Quarter Moon in a Ten Cent Town’. While the latter has been accused of having ‘over careful’ production it remains a favourite for me because it was the first album I heard by Harris. It also featured the members of the second version of her Hot Band playing here, with Albert Lee taking on the lead guitar spot from the legendary James Burton.
For a song that blends country and rock and roll to near perfection look no further than this version of the Chuck Berry song. Whether you know it as ‘You Never Can Tell’, ‘C’est La Vie’ or ‘Teenage Wedding,’ this has an infectious bounce that puts it up at the top level of happy song. Driven along by Emory Gordy’s bass and Hank DeVito’s pedal steel, the highlight is Lee’s understated guitar solo. The roll call for the rest of the Hot Band, John Ware, Glen D Hardin, and Rodney Crowell, guarantees a song that is worth playing whenever you feel in need of a bit of a lift.
Emmylou Harris was in Stockholm in 2015, as the latest recipient for the Polar Music Prize, instigated by Stig Anderson, manager and collaborator with ABBA. That alone was a high achievement, placing her in a pantheon of influential music makers that included Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, Joni Mitchell, Paul McCartney,…
A classic for this week's retro slot, with Emmylou live in 1977 and a gorgeous version of "Making Believe". The Hot Band included an astonishing array of talent including Albert Lee, Rodney Crowell, Emory Gordy and Hank DeVito. Have a great weekend everyone. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZFEeWQQ3TPQ
My first opportunity to contribute to the 'Classic Clips' feature finds me returning to the same artist that was the subject matter for my first, 'Classic Americana Album' article back in March of this year, the wonderful Jesse Winchester. Championed by the royalty of the American singer-songwriter scene from the…
Fantastic! I remember watching this first time around. I was lucky enough to see Emmylou on her first tour over here with Burton on guitar.
Great choice Tim!
Thanks John, the whole show is just fab