Elite Hotel

Amazon.com
After introducing her country-rock recipe on Pieces of the Sky, Emmylou Harris returned later in 1975 with a strikingly similar sophomore effort that continued to blend traditional and contemporary elements. Here she revisits three tunes from the pen of old friend Gram Parsons, including "Sin City" and "Wheels," two of his most enduring compositions. However, she really struck it big by interpreting two of country music's most recognizable standards--Buck Owens's "Together Again" and Don Gibson's "Sweet Dreams" (a huge hit for Patsy Cline)--riding them both to the top of the country charts. Not many artists could handle both a Beatles ballad and a Hank Williams honky-tonker--not many would even want to--but Harris's diamondlike voice can be beautiful and translucent or sharp and cutting. --Marc Greilsamer

Tracks:

Amarillo
Together Again
Feelin' Single-Seein' Double
Sin City
One Of These Days
Till I Gain Control Again
Here, There And Everywhere
Ooh Las Vegas
Sweet Dreams
Jambalaya
Satan's Jewel Crown
Wheels
You're Running Wild
Cajun Born

Amazon.com

After introducing her country-rock recipe on Pieces of the Sky, Emmylou Harris returned later in 1975 with a strikingly similar sophomore effort that continued to blend traditional and contemporary elements. Here she revisits three tunes from the pen of old friend Gram Parsons, including "Sin City" and "Wheels," two of his most enduring compositions. However, she really struck it big by interpreting two of country music's most recognizable standards--Buck Owens's "Together Again" and Don Gibson's "Sweet Dreams" (a huge hit for Patsy Cline)--riding them both to the top of the country charts. Not many artists could handle both a Beatles ballad and a Hank Williams honky-tonker--not many would even want to--but Harris's diamondlike voice can be beautiful and translucent or sharp and cutting. --Marc Greilsamer

Customer Reviews:

Elite Hotel - Emmylou Harris.......2007-06-08

I recently drove 200 miles from NJ to Baltimore, MD just to see Emmylou Harris in concert. This is one of her many 'Best' CD's. Not a 'best of'
collection but simply a CD with all keepers for songs. I strongly recommend this CD.
It was delivered in 2 days with free shipping(I purchased her first five CD's).

Drinkin' and thinkin' country.......2007-05-01

For sure, her first album is incredible but this one, seemingly similiar, has EXTRA PUSH.

The quantum confidence is easily discerned in comparing Harris' two Revolver covers. "For No One" succeeds AS country, an accomplishment of no little mettle, but, adding little conceptually, it takes a bit too long to "communicate" what Mac's simple tune has to say. The following album's "Here, There & Everywhere" (a more challenging composition) illuminates, expands upon, thoroughly transcends the original; breathtaking! (That bridge is ungodly clever.)

I'm one of those hardened (rock) hearts Harris aimed to reach with her pellucid, "intelligent" country - and my heart has been won. The music is "country" - that is, it's rich in emotionally direct metaphors, relating expansive universals of love & loss & recklessness - yet Harris' (and Brian Ahern's) presentations are reticient, cunning X-rays of human experience. Imagine the maternal sagacity of Dolly Parton, only with the highbrow understatement of (early) Judy Collins. Perfectionism throughout.

Big tracks include "Sin City" (amazing mandolin support), "Amarillo" & "Feelin' Single - Seein' Double" (sweet rockin' novelties) and "Together Again" (luminescent saloon torcher).

Real free-blowin' stuff, with smarts.

Exquisite!

Top Notch Second Album!.......2007-04-23

Emmylou Harris is one of my "Top Three" along with Patsy Cline and Tammy Wynette. When you hear any of the three, you know who you are listening to. Elite Hotel, from 1975, was her second solo album after being with the late Gram Parsons. During the period of the mid-late 70's Emmylou's voice was at it's peak, and her "Hot Band" was full of top-notch musicians, two who played in Elvis' band, and several up-and-comers, including Rodney Crowell and Ricky Skaggs, who plays on later recordings.

I love this album because it has various styles of music. My personal favorites on this CD include: Together Again (wonderful instrumentation), One of These Days, Satan's Jewel Crown, and Wheels. My #1 song would have to be Rodney Crowell's "Till I Gain Control Again". You have to be in a certain mood, but it's just a killer song.

Her best recording bar none.......2006-12-22

I've been a fan for 30 years and this was it as far as I'm concerned. Start to finish this plays like a great roadhouse jukebox pumped full of quarters in the mid-70's. She was never so twangy or more tender. The Hot Band was never hotter. Combine this with Bob Dylan's "Desire" where she sings harmony on five tracks and Linda Ronstadt's "Heart Like A Wheel" with a great duet on "I Can't Help It If I'm Still In Love With You" and you have what I consider classic Emmylou.

plnwmn18 review.......2006-12-20

If you are a country rock and an Emmy Lou fan, you need to add this cd to your collection. The selection of songs is great. For once, I can't find anything to grip about.

Average customer rating:

Elite Hotel - Emmylou Harris
Drinkin' and thinkin' country
Top Notch Second Album!
Her best recording bar none
plnwmn18 review

Elite Hotel
Emmylou Harris
Manufacturer: Warner Bros / Wea
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Country | Styles | Music

Honky-Tonk | Country | Styles | Music

Outlaw & Progressive Country | Country | Styles | Music

General | Traditional Country | Country | Styles | Music

Folk Rock | Rock | Styles | Music

Country Rock | Rock | Styles | Music

Country Folk | Country | Indie Music | Stores | Music
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Pieces of the Sky
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ASIN: B000002KDE
Release Date: 1990-10-25