By Emmylou Harris and Rodney Crowell (2013, Nonesuch Records catalogue in UK 7559-79599-9). One of my first 2013 CD purchases and rather good it is too! Ms Harris and Mr Crowell first came together when she hired him to join her Hot Band back in the 1970s. He stayed for a few albums before branching out into a solo career. I’ve got a few of his albums and a lot of hers so it’s pleasing to hear them together again. You can hear how well they know how each other sings and plays through experience (rather more so than the less natural-sounding Emmylou Harris/Mark Knoplfer collaboration). Production is by Brian Ahern (Emmylou’s former husband) who also produced their earlier work.This is very much a Country album. The outstanding tracks for me include the least countrified ‘Spanish Dancer’ (by Patti Scialfa)(a.k.a. Mrs Springsteen), ‘Hanging Up My Heart’ by another Hot Band alumnus (Hank DeVito) and a couple of Crowell compositions, ‘Bull Rider’ and a jaunty re-working of ‘Bluebird Wine’ which Emmylou first recorded in 1975. It’s hardly worth saying that she sings like an angel since she does on pretty much everything!
nicely out of tune 