Personal, genuine and emotional! With good backing from famous artists as Bruce Springsteen, Patti Scialfa, Buddy Miller, Kate McGarrigle and Julie Miller, Emmylou Harris gives a strong contribution to the country music.
She is well known as an excellent interpreter of artists as Jimi Hendrix, Bob Dylan, Steve Earl, Neil Young, Townes Van Zandt and David Olney. The best cover versions are in my opinion the song Tougher than the rest (Bruce Springsteen) from her Brand New Dance album (1990), and the Goin` Back to Harlem (Anna McGarrigle) from the Wrecking Ball album (1995).
On the album Red Dirt Girl Emmylou Harris has composed most of the material herself. It is the first time she has done this since 1985's Ballad of Sally Rose.
Photo: Cover from Emmylou Harris` album Red Dirt Girl.
It is 5 years since she released the fantastic album "Wrecking Ball". Emmylou Harris is now 53 years old, and she is still going strong. Red Dirt Girl album is her 20th studio album. Her presence is stronger than ever on this album, and it also more typical country music than the former album. As mentioned she has composed all the songs her selves except one.
In addition to her incredible beautiful voice she plays baritone, electric guitar and acoustic guitar. Her near and personal stories give a deep impression, especially on the "Bang The Drum Slowly". Here she expressed her strong feelings about how much she misses her father. The refrain, both the melody and text, is something I never forget:
"Bang the drum slowly, play the pipe lowly
To dust be returning, from dust we begin
Bang the drum slowly, I`ll speak of things holy
Above and below me, world without end"
This is definitely the best song. Other highlights are the romantic song "My Antonia" where she does a duet waltz with Dave Matthews, and "Boy From Tupelo", which sends her thoughts to Elvis.
This album comes close up to what I will call a masterpiece, but I still find her album from "Wrecking Ball" from 1995 better.
In a way the queen of the country showed here a new and modern side of the country music. It is no like the country music you associate with Nashville, which is more traditional. Emmylou Harris continues in her own way here and makes the country music more pop.
Perhaps it takes little longer to absorb the music on this album, but take your time, and I am sure you will like it too. Without any doubt, I will strongly recommend Emmylou`s new album. Don't forget: Bang the drum slowly!
Stein Morten Lund, 25 September 2000
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