Emmylou Harris, the beloved country/folk singer-songwriter, was born on this date 75 years ago. In recognition of her birthday, this edition of Saturday Stream presents a playlist comprised of 25 memorable collaborations Harris has recorded over her long and successful career.
Born in Alabama on April 2, 1947, Harris grew up in North Carolina and Virginia. She studied music in college and in the late 1960s relocated to New York City. Harris’ debut album, the folk-leaning Gliding Bird (featuring five original songs), was released in 1969.
One of Harris’ early collaborators was Gram Parsons, whom she met in 1971 after being introduced by former The Byrds member Chris Hillman of The Flying Burrito Brothers. Harris appeared on Parsons country-rock debut album, 1973’s GP and toured as part of his backing band. Parsons tragically died in September 1973. The album Grievous Angel, which was recorded with Harris in 1973, was posthumously released in 1974. Several additional Parsons recordings made with Harris appeared on subsequent posthumous releases.
Parsons is among many musicians closely associated with Emmylou Harris. The 75-year-old consistently collaborated with other musicians both on her solo work and by appearing on their records. Among the musical luminaries who have appeared alongside Harris in the studio and on stage include such singer-songwriter luminaries as Bob Dylan, Townes Van Zandt, Willie Nelson, Guy Clark, John Prine, Warren Zevon and Steve Earle, as well as Neil Young (who be heard on Spotify via the playlist on a cover of a Lucinda Williams song that was produced by Daniel Lanois).
Harris contributed to Lucinda Williams’ 1998 acclaimed LP, Car Wheels On A Gravel Road. In 1987, Harris, Dolly Parton and Linda Ronstadt released the album, Trios, which was followed in 1999 by Trios II. Harris has frequently worked alongside Rodney Crowell, Mark Knopfler and Buddy Miller as well as Sam Bush who was part of Harris’ impressive backing groups the Hot Band and The Nash Ramblers.
Harris’ signature songbird vocals can also be heard alongside Bonnie Raitt, Beck, Alison Krauss, Gillian Welch, Luscious Jackson, John Denver, Sheryl Crow, Margo Price, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, The War & Treaty and others. The playlist below features each of the above-named musicians performing with Emmylou Harris. Stream the collaborative playlist below:
