A One-Disc Primer on All that is Good in Country Music

Emmylou Harris has always had a gift for choosing the perfect songs. For recent evidence of this gift, check out Wrecking Ball, which features songs from Steve Earle, Jimi Hendrix, and more. To see this gift in its early stages, one need look no further than Elite Hotel, one of her first few records following the death of her mentor, Gram Parsons.

The songs of Parsons are among the gems covered here. From his days with the Flying Burrito Brothers, Harris has gleaned "Wheels" and "Sin City". "Ooh Las Vegas", from Parsons' solo work, is also featured here, and all of them reflect the profound understanding Harris has for Parsons' catalogue. The songs are beautiful, especially "Wheels". When the Burritos played it, it wasn't clear that the song was about more than motorcycles, but in Harris' hands, it can be heard at face value. (If you have no idea what I'm talking about, check the song out on the Burrito Brother's anthology, or just buy Elite Hotel and check it out).

Harris makes it clear that she is more than a tribute act, however, covering songs that reflect the breadth of her interpretive skills. "Here, There, and Everywhere", the Beatles ballad, is thouroughly owned by Harris.
"Jambalya", a song adapted by Hank Williams from a cajun tune, is one of the upbeat songs from the album. Although Harris' voice is far more suited to ballads, she holds her own on the fast ones, and her Hot Band (more on them later) pulls in any slack.

Other fast tracks "Amarillo" and "Feelin' Single, Seein' Double". Harris didn't write either of these, but it's hard to tell--she sings them with authority. They are both reminiscent of the wilder, honky-tonk sorts of country, with squealing fiddles and whining steel guitars. They are sure to please the hard-core country fans, and, consequently, may deter the countryphobes from the album. If you have an aversion to twang, I advise you skip these tracks and listen to the rest of the album. Sooner or later, you'll go back to them to fill you hunger for Harris.

As I've said, I prefer Harris' ballads, which recieve a good deal of play here. In addition to the Parsons and Beatles tunes, she does Buck Owens' "Together Again" heartbreakingly sung, with none of the aw shucks yokelities of the original. Finally, the two near-originals on the album, written by Hot Band guitarist and harmony singer Rodney Crowell, are inexplicably not classics in the country canon. They are amazing songs, and should be regularly played and heard on country radio. "Til I Gain Control Again" could be a Parsons' song, with an intense view at the human spirit in defeat. The slightly more upbeat and optomistic "One of These Days" is in the same vein.

As a whole, the album works. Besides having great songs, they are put together and paced perfectly, without ever getting old. Just when you're balladed out, one of the swinging tunes comes on. Very rarely will a record of covers sound so complete and well-conceived.

Finally, the Hot Band deserves mention. Until recently, all of Emmylou's bands bore this moniker, but this was the band at its peak. Featuring James Burton, Elvis Presley's and Grams Parsons' guitarist, as well as Albert Lee and Rodney Crowell, among others, the Hot Band is an all-star backup group that seamlessly flows from style to style and tempo to tempo on this diverse album. This record is worth a listen just to hear what the perfect backup group is supposed to sound like.

I highly recommend this album to anyone with folk or country leanings. A word of warning--it will very likely lead to the purchase of more country music. I have bought several CDs just because they featured a name I saw on one of Emmylou Harris' albums. You've been warned.