Emmylou Harris

Luxury Liner, the third album from Emmylou Harris, is another watermark. Taking the country-rock paradigm created by her former singing partner Gram Parsons with the Flying Burrito Brothers, Harris and her Hot Band made good on the promise that traditional country music could sidle alongside modern rock in the 1970s and make something timeless and true. This is also the place where Harris began recording the works of contemporary outsider songwriters in earnest. While the title track and "She" were written by Parsons, another pair of the album's highlights were the first recorded cover of Townes Van Zandt's "Pancho & Lefty" (which remains a stellar version of the song) and Susanna Clark's stunningly beautiful "I'll Be Your San Antone Rose," as well as Hot Band member Rodney Crowell's "You're Supposed to Be Feeling Good." Harris juxtaposed these new works against country music hallmarks such as A.P. Carter's "Hello Stranger" and the Louvin Brothers' "When I Stop Dreaming," as well as Jimmy Work's classic "Making Believe." Harris also recorded Chuck Berry's "You Can Never Tell," which comes down on the stomping honky tonk side of rock. Berry was blown away by her version. [The 2004 remastered and expanded edition of the album includes a pair of session tracks that didn't make the final cut: Laurie Hyde Smith's "Me and Willie" and a duet version of Johnny Mullins' "Night Flyer." In addition, there is a well-considered liner essay by Rolling Stone contributor Parke Puterbaugh.] ~ Thom Jurek, All Music Guide