Pieces of the Sky
Encyclopedia
Pieces of the Sky is an album by Emmylou Harris
, released in February 1975. It was effectively her debut.
Although she had released the obscure folk
-styled Gliding Bird
five years earlier, Pieces of the Sky was the album that really launched the career of Emmylou Harris
, and is widely considered to be her début. In those intervening years she had forged a musical relationship with the late Gram Parsons
that would forever alter the musical direction that her career would take. The album includes Harris' first high-charting Billboard country hit, the #4 "If I Could Only Win Your Love", and the relatively low-charting #73 "Too Far Gone" (originally a 1967 hit for Tammy Wynette
). The overall song selection was varied and showed early on how eclectic Harris' musical tastes were. In addition to her own "Boulder to Birmingham" (written for former singing partner Gram Parsons
who had died the previous year), she included the Merle Haggard
classic "Bottle Let Me Down", the Beatles' "For No One
", and Dolly Parton
's "Coat of Many Colors
". (Parton, in turn, covered "Boulder to Birmingham" on her 1976 album All I Can Do.) On Shel Silverstein's "Queen Of The Silver Dollar", her good friend Linda Ronstadt
sings harmony.
The album rose as far as the #7 spot in the Billboard country albums chart.
Emmylou Harris
Emmylou Harris is an American singer-songwriter and musician. In addition to her work as a solo artist and bandleader, both as an interpreter of other composers' works and as a singer-songwriter, she is a sought-after backing vocalist and duet partner, working with numerous other artists including...
, released in February 1975. It was effectively her debut.
Although she had released the obscure folk
Folk music
Folk music is an English term encompassing both traditional folk music and contemporary folk music. The term originated in the 19th century. Traditional folk music has been defined in several ways: as music transmitted by mouth, as music of the lower classes, and as music with unknown composers....
-styled Gliding Bird
Gliding Bird
Gliding Bird is an album by Emmylou Harris, released in 1970.Before she met mentor Gram Parsons and became a famous country singer, Harris began singing folk music; yet Gliding Bird, her obscure début album, displays an eclecticism that is found in her later work...
five years earlier, Pieces of the Sky was the album that really launched the career of Emmylou Harris
Emmylou Harris
Emmylou Harris is an American singer-songwriter and musician. In addition to her work as a solo artist and bandleader, both as an interpreter of other composers' works and as a singer-songwriter, she is a sought-after backing vocalist and duet partner, working with numerous other artists including...
, and is widely considered to be her début. In those intervening years she had forged a musical relationship with the late Gram Parsons
Gram Parsons
Gram Parsons was an American singer, songwriter, guitarist and pianist. Parsons is best known for his work within the country genre; he also mixed blues, folk, and rock to create what he called "Cosmic American Music"...
that would forever alter the musical direction that her career would take. The album includes Harris' first high-charting Billboard country hit, the #4 "If I Could Only Win Your Love", and the relatively low-charting #73 "Too Far Gone" (originally a 1967 hit for Tammy Wynette
Tammy Wynette
Virginia Wynette Pugh, known professionally as Tammy Wynette , was an American country music singer-songwriter and one of the genre's best-known artists and biggest-selling female vocalists....
). The overall song selection was varied and showed early on how eclectic Harris' musical tastes were. In addition to her own "Boulder to Birmingham" (written for former singing partner Gram Parsons
Gram Parsons
Gram Parsons was an American singer, songwriter, guitarist and pianist. Parsons is best known for his work within the country genre; he also mixed blues, folk, and rock to create what he called "Cosmic American Music"...
who had died the previous year), she included the Merle Haggard
Merle Haggard
Merle Ronald Haggard is an American country music singer, guitarist, fiddler, instrumentalist, and songwriter. Along with Buck Owens, Haggard and his band The Strangers helped create the Bakersfield sound, which is characterized by the unique twang of Fender Telecaster guitars, vocal harmonies,...
classic "Bottle Let Me Down", the Beatles' "For No One
For No One
"For No One" is a song written by Paul McCartney that originally appeared on The Beatles' seventh album, Revolver. A baroque pop song about the end of a relationship, it was one of McCartney's most mature and poignant works upon its release...
", and Dolly Parton
Dolly Parton
Dolly Rebecca Parton is an American singer-songwriter, author, multi-instrumentalist, actress and philanthropist, best known for her work in country music. Dolly Parton has appeared in movies like 9 to 5, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, Steel Magnolias and Straight Talk...
's "Coat of Many Colors
Coat of Many Colors
-Personnel:*Dolly Parton – vocals, guitar*Billy Sanford – guitar*Dave Kirby – guitar*Jerry Shook – guitar*George McCormick – guitar*Pete Drake – pedal steel guitar*Bobby Dyson – bass*Jerry Carrigan – drums*Buck Trent – banjo*Mack Magaha – fiddle...
". (Parton, in turn, covered "Boulder to Birmingham" on her 1976 album All I Can Do.) On Shel Silverstein's "Queen Of The Silver Dollar", her good friend Linda Ronstadt
Linda Ronstadt
Linda Ronstadt is an American popular music recording artist. She has earned eleven Grammy Awards, two Academy of Country Music awards, an Emmy Award, an ALMA Award, numerous United States and internationally certified gold, platinum and multiplatinum albums, in addition to Tony Award and Golden...
sings harmony.
The album rose as far as the #7 spot in the Billboard country albums chart.
Track listing
- "Bluebird Wine" (Rodney CrowellRodney CrowellRodney Crowell is a Grammy Award-winning musician, known primarily for his work as a singer and songwriter in country music....
) – 3:18 - "Too Far Gone" (Billy SherrillBilly SherrillBilly Sherrill is a record producer and arranger who is most famous for his association with a number of country artists, most notably Tammy Wynette...
) – 4:05 - "If I Could Only Win Your LoveIf I Could Only Win Your Love"If I Could Only Win Your Love" is a single by American country music artist Emmylou Harris. Released in June 1975, it was the second single from her album Pieces of the Sky. The song peaked at number 4 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart. It also reached number 1 on the RPM Country Tracks...
" (Charlie Louvin, Ira LouvinLouvin BrothersThe Louvin Brothers were an American country music duo composed of brothers Ira Lonnie Loudermilk and Charlie Elzer Loudermilk , better known as Ira and Charlie Louvin. They helped popularize close harmony, a genre of country music.-History:The brothers adopted the name Louvin Brothers in the...
) – 2:36 - "Boulder to BirminghamBoulder to BirminghamBoulder to Birmingham is a track from the 1975 album Pieces of the Sky by Emmylou Harris. The song was written by Harris and Bill Danoff. It has served as something of a signature tune for the artist and recounts her feelings of grief in the years following the death of country rock star and mentor...
" (Emmylou Harris, Bill DanoffBill DanoffBill Danoff is an American songwriter and singer. His best known song as a performer is "Afternoon Delight", which Danoff performed as a member of the Starland Vocal Band...
) – 3:33 - "Before Believing" (Danny FlowersDanny FlowersDanny Flowers is an American songwriter, recording artist, and guitarist who is best known for his own songs that have been hits for other musicians...
) – 4:44 - "Bottle Let Me Down" (Merle HaggardMerle HaggardMerle Ronald Haggard is an American country music singer, guitarist, fiddler, instrumentalist, and songwriter. Along with Buck Owens, Haggard and his band The Strangers helped create the Bakersfield sound, which is characterized by the unique twang of Fender Telecaster guitars, vocal harmonies,...
) – 3:16 - "Sleepless Nights" (Felice and Boudleaux BryantFelice and Boudleaux BryantFelice Bryant and Boudleaux Bryant were an American husband-and-wife country music and pop songwriting team best known for songs such as "Rocky Top," "Love Hurts" and numerous Everly Brothers hits, including "All I Have to Do Is Dream" and "Bye Bye Love".-Beginnings:Boudleaux was born Diadorius...
) – 3:25 - "Coat of Many ColorsCoat of Many Colors-Personnel:*Dolly Parton – vocals, guitar*Billy Sanford – guitar*Dave Kirby – guitar*Jerry Shook – guitar*George McCormick – guitar*Pete Drake – pedal steel guitar*Bobby Dyson – bass*Jerry Carrigan – drums*Buck Trent – banjo*Mack Magaha – fiddle...
" (Dolly PartonDolly PartonDolly Rebecca Parton is an American singer-songwriter, author, multi-instrumentalist, actress and philanthropist, best known for her work in country music. Dolly Parton has appeared in movies like 9 to 5, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, Steel Magnolias and Straight Talk...
) – 3:42 - "For No OneFor No One"For No One" is a song written by Paul McCartney that originally appeared on The Beatles' seventh album, Revolver. A baroque pop song about the end of a relationship, it was one of McCartney's most mature and poignant works upon its release...
" (Lennon/McCartneyLennon/McCartneyThe Lennon–McCartney songwriting partnership is one of the best-known and most successful musical collaborations in history...
) – 3:40 - "Queen of the Silver Dollar" (Shel SilversteinShel SilversteinSheldon Allan "Shel" Silverstein , was an American poet, singer-songwriter, musician, composer, cartoonist, screenwriter and author of children's books. He styled himself as Uncle Shelby in his children's books...
) – 5:14
Bonus tracks
A 2004 CD reissue added two previously unissued bonus tracks:- "Hank and Lefty" (Dallas FrazierDallas FrazierDallas Frazier is an American country musician and songwriter who had success in the 1950s and 60s.-Biography:Frazier was born in Spiro, Oklahoma but was raised in Bakersfield, California...
, Doodle OwensArthur Leo OwensArthur Leo Owens , born November 28, 1930 in Waco, Texas; died October 4, 1999 in Nashville, Tennessee, was an American country music songwriter and singer...
) – 2:50 - "California Cottonfields" (Dallas Frazier, Earl Montgomery) – 2:47
Personnel
- Brian Ahern: Acoustic Guitar, High-Strung Guitar, Super 400 Acoustic Guitar, Bass
- Bruce Archer: Acoustic Guitar
- Duke Bardwell: Bass
- Byron BerlineByron BerlineByron Berline is an American fiddle player.-Biography:Berline started playing the fiddle at age five and quickly developed a talent for it. In 1965, he recorded the album Pickin' and Fiddlin with the Dillards...
: Fiddle, Mandolin - James BurtonJames BurtonJames Burton is an American guitarist. A member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame since 2001 , Burton has also been recognized by the Rockabilly Hall of Fame...
: Electric Guitar, Gut-String Guitar, Dobro - Mark Cuff: Drums
- Rick Cunha: Acoustic Guitar, High-Strung Guitar
- Nick DeCaro: String Arrangements
- Amos GarrettAmos GarrettAmos Garrett is a Juno Award-winning American-Canadian musician, performer, and author. He holds dual citizenship and was raised in Toronto and Montreal...
: Electric Guitar - Richard Greene: Fiddle
- Tom Guidera: Bass
- Glen D. Hardin: Piano, Electric Piano, String Arrangements
- Emmylou Harris: Vocals, Acoustic Guitar
- Ben KeithBen KeithBennett Keith Schaeufele , better known by his stage name Ben Keith, was an American musician and record producer...
: Pedal Steel - Bernie LeadonBernie LeadonBernard Mathew "Bernie" Leadon, III is an American musician and songwriter, best known as a founding member of the Eagles. Prior to the Eagles, he was a member of two pioneering and highly influential country rock bands, Dillard & Clark and the Flying Burrito Brothers...
: Acoustic Guitar, Bass, Banjo, Dobro, Backing Vocals - Bill PayneBill PayneBill Payne is a founding member of American rock band Little Feat. He is considered by many other piano rock musicians, including Elton John, to be one of the finest American piano rock and blues music artists...
: Piano - Herb PedersenHerb PedersenHerb Pedersen is an American musician, guitarist, banjo player, and singer-songwriter who has played a variety of musical styles over the past forty years including country, bluegrass, progressive bluegrass, folk, folk rock, country rock, and has worked with numerous musicians in many different...
: Acoustic Guitar, 12-String Guitar, Banjo, Backing Vocals - Danny Pendleton: Pedal Steel
- Ray Pohlman: Bass
- Linda RonstadtLinda RonstadtLinda Ronstadt is an American popular music recording artist. She has earned eleven Grammy Awards, two Academy of Country Music awards, an Emmy Award, an ALMA Award, numerous United States and internationally certified gold, platinum and multiplatinum albums, in addition to Tony Award and Golden...
: Backing Vocals - Ricky SkaggsRicky SkaggsRickie Lee "Ricky" Skaggs is a country and bluegrass singer, musician, producer, and composer. He primarily plays mandolin; however, he also plays fiddle, guitar, and banjo.-Early career:...
: Fiddle, Viola - Fayssoux Starling: Backing Vocals
- Ron Tutt: Drums
Technical Personnel
- Brian Ahern: Producer, Engineer
- Chris Skene: Engineer
- Paul Skene: Engineer
- Fran Tate: Engineer
- Stuart Taylor: Engineer
Reference
- Emmylou Harris Pieces of the Sky liner notes