Emmylou Harris

Growing up I never listened to country music. It was simply not listened to in our house, for, what I see now, were prejudicial reasons. I never would have guessed that years later that I would not only be enjoying Emmylou Harris' music, but telling the world about it. The music I'm going to focus on is not her own music, but some collaborations she's done recently.

Daniel Lanois produced Emmylou's 1995 album, Wrecking Ball, and she has returned the favour by guesting on I Love You from his 2003 album Shine, and on a version of Stormy Sky with Lanois and Willie Nelson that was originally recorded for Nelson's album Teatro, but eventually released on Lanois' outtake compilation Rockets.
Download (right click, save)
Daniel Lanois with Emmylou Harris - I Love You
Daniel Lanois, Willie Nelson & Emmylou Harris - Stormy Sky

Emmylou was recruited by Conor Oberst in 2004 to sing backing vocals on the Bright Eyes album I'm Wide Awake It's Morning. I'm not sure how the collaboration came about, but her vocals were perfectly suited to Oberst's songs, and they would be missing something without her contributions. Here are her contributions from that album.
Download (right click, save)
Bright Eyes - We Are Nowhere And It's Now
Bright Eyes - Another Travelin' Song
Bright Eyes - Land Locked Blues

Mark Knopfler and Emmylou Harris recently released their collaboration, All The Roadrunning. They've been recording tracks for the album as time as permitted over the past seven years. I think it's a testament to her vocal ability the fact that she can bring out the best in a song, regardless of who she's singing with; whether it's Knopfler, Oberst, Lanois, or any of the other artists she's collaborated with over the years. Here are three tracks from All The Roadrunning.
Download (right click, save)
Mark Knopfler & Emmylou Harris - Beachcombing
Mark Knopfler & Emmylou Harris - All The Roadrunning
Mark Knopfler & Emmylou Harris - If This Is Goodbye