We have reached #2 in the top 10 singers to listen to in the folk/bluegrass/country genre. (These are in no certain order except who I think to put on the list). Artist number 2 is EmmyLou Harris.
I don’t know a time in my life where I have not known and listened to EmmyLou Harris. I think my first memory of her music goes back to about 1983 and I don’t really remember anything before that. In 1990 with the release of the first trio album I grew to like EmmyLou’s voice even more and in 1993 with the release of ‘High Powered Love’ EmmyLou became a regular in my music collection. I have almost 150 songs in my iTunes collection of EmmyLou and that grows regularly as I find older albums that I do not have.
It is impossible for me to pick a favorite album there are just too many I love. There are a few that stand out though ‘Red Dirt Girl’ will always be considered one of her best albums, but ‘Stumble Into Grace’ is also an amazing album.
As far as a favorite song there are so many to chose from but I absolutely love ‘ Lost Unto This World’ from ‘Stumble Into Grace’:
I was once some mother’s darlin’
Some daddy’s little girl
More precious than the ruby
More cherished than the pearl
My heart was full of mercy
And my forehead full of curl
Now I am nothing and am lost unto this world
I am lost unto this world…They herded me like cattle
Cut me down like corn
Took me from my babies
Before they could be born
You can blame it on the famine
You can blame it on the war
You can blame it on the devil
It don’t matter anymore
I am lost unto this world…I was tortured in the desert
I was raped out on the piain
I was murdered by the high way
And my cries went up in vain
My blood is on the mountain
My blood is on the sand
My blood runs in the river
That now washes thru their hands
I am lost unto this world…
Can I get no witness this unholy tale to teil
Was God the only one there watching
And weeping as l feil
O you among the living
Will you remember me at all
Will you write my name out
With a single finger scrawl
Across a broken window
In some long forgotten wall
That goes stretching out forever
Where the tears of heaven fall
I am lost unto this world…
In concert Emmylou is an amazing songbird. I have had the opportunity to see her a handful of times and have enjoyed every one. My favorite show was one that took place in San Fransisco during the ‘Strictly Hadley Bluegrass’ festive. Here are a few pictures from that event:
Emmylou is also an activist for animal rights (something I hold very close to my heart). She founded and helps run Bonaparte’s Retreat a foster care organization for animals that have reached their time in shelters and would be killed. http://www.emmylou.net/br.html
To find out more about EmmyLou: http://www.emmylouharris.com/
Technorati Tags: Emmylou Harris, Humaine Society, Animal Rights, Nashville, No Kill Shelter, Folk, Songwriter
