Red Dirt Girl

( 7 )

Editorial Reviews

Barnes & Noble - Kerry Dexter
After building a legendary three-decade career with her distinctive interpretations of material by the most thoughtful songwriters of country, folk, and pop, seminal alt-country icon Emmylou Harris set herself a new challenge: She decided to write the songs herself. The result is Red Dirt Girl, a stunning collection of self-penned tunes that ranks with Harris's best work. The album's title track is a soulful evocation of the south, the 1960s, and the collisions between dreams and reality. "Michelangelo" paints a vivid portrait of a searcher framed in a haunting melody and evocative images of pain and redemption, while "Bang the Drum Slowly" is a stately, wistful elegy ...
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Editorial Reviews

Barnes & Noble - Kerry Dexter
After building a legendary three-decade career with her distinctive interpretations of material by the most thoughtful songwriters of country, folk, and pop, seminal alt-country icon Emmylou Harris set herself a new challenge: She decided to write the songs herself. The result is Red Dirt Girl, a stunning collection of self-penned tunes that ranks with Harris's best work. The album's title track is a soulful evocation of the south, the 1960s, and the collisions between dreams and reality. "Michelangelo" paints a vivid portrait of a searcher framed in a haunting melody and evocative images of pain and redemption, while "Bang the Drum Slowly" is a stately, wistful elegy to Harris's late father and the questions she never asked him. The artist bring things full circle on the album's closing cut, "Boy from Tupelo," which includes lyrical and melodic references to her 1985 tune "Sweetheart of the Rodeo." The 12-song disc's lone cover is Patty Griffin's "One Big Love," whose danceable pop groove meshes surprisingly well with the album's more bittersweet material. Griffin also makes a guest appearance on the album, along with Bruce Springsteen, Patti Scialfa, Buddy and Julie Miller, and Dave Matthews, who sings a poignant duet with Emmylou on "My Antonia."
All Music Guide - Zac Johnson
On her 29th album, Emmylou Harris continues the evolution from innocent folkie to present day renaissance woman. Alternately sparse and lush, Red Dirt Girl can be seen as a companion piece to 1995's Wrecking Ball with the production credits going to Malcom Burn who previously worked with Harris engineering and mixing Wrecking Ball. Here, drum loops and middle eastern melodies nestle in comfortably next to warm guitar work and Harris' gently wavering voice. Her extensive guest work on dozens and dozens of recent releases showing up on albums by everyone from Guy Clark to Midnight Oil pays off with great help from Bruce Springsteen, Patti Scialfa, Buddy and Julie Miller, Guy Clark, Kate McGarrigle, and even alt-rock upstarts Dave Matthews and Luscious Jackson's Jill Cunniff. The diverse production only adds to Harris' earthy songwriting, adding interest to what could otherwise be lulls during the more subdued songs, and really showcases the understated lyrics that the singer has slowly become recognized for. The teary dirge "Bang the Drum Slowly" written for her father who died in 1993 wrings with emotion and ethereal atmosphere, while "J'ai Fait Tout" co-written with Cunniff is an upbeat and jangly pop song, complete with hip-shakin' tambourine. While this is a big departure from her rootsy '70s releases like Blue Kentucky Girl and Roses in the Snow, it still burns with an honest intensity and clear voice that Harris is known for 20 years later.
Entertainment Weekly - Beth Johnson
Full of love in all its aching permutations ­ unrealized, abandoned, unspoken ­ Girl shimmers with poetic imagery and soul.

Full of love in all its aching permutations ­ unrealized, abandoned, unspoken ­ Girl shimmers with poetic imagery and soul.
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Product Details

  • Release Date: 9/12/2000
  • Label: Nonesuch
  • UPC: 075597961621
  • Catalog Number: 79616
  • Sales rank: 7,086

Tracks

Disc 1
  1. 1 The Pearl - Buddy Miller (5:02)
  2. 2 Michelangelo (5:14)
  3. 3 I Don't Wanna Talk About It Now - Jill Cunniff (4:47)
  4. 4 Tragedy (4:24)
  5. 5 Red Dirt Girl - Buddy Miller (4:19)
  6. 6 My Baby Needs a Shepherd - Darryl Johnson (4:39)
  7. 7 Bang the Drum Slowly - Darryl Johnson (4:51)
  8. 8 J'Ai Fait Tout - Kate McGarrigle (5:31)
  9. 9 One Big Love - John Deaderick (4:33)
  10. 10 Hour of Gold - Darryl Johnson (5:00)
  11. 11 My Antonia - Buddy Miller (3:43)
  12. 12 Boy from Tupelo - Kate McGarrigle (3:48)
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Album Credits

Performance Credits
Emmylou Harris Primary Artist, Acoustic Guitar, Guitar (Electric Baritone)
Bruce Springsteen Vocal Harmony
Julie Miller Vocal Harmony
Patti Scialfa Vocals
Malcolm Burn Bass, Guitar, Piano, Electric Guitar, Tambourine, 12-string Guitar, fender rhodes
Rene Coman Track Performer
Patty Griffin Vocal Harmony
Ethan Johns Acoustic Guitar, Drums, Electric Guitar, Ebo, Mandocello, Omnichord
Darryl Johnson Bass, Percussion, Drums, Electric Guitar, bass pedals, Guitar (Electric Baritone), Vocal Harmony
Buddy Miller Pedal Steel Guitar, Electric Guitar, Mando
Carlo Nuccio Drums
Jim Watts fender rhodes
Jill Cunniff Bass, Electric Guitar, Vocal Harmony
Kate McGarrigle Piano, Accordion, Vocal Harmony
John Deaderick fender rhodes
Technical Credits
Malcolm Burn Producer, Contributor, drum programming
Joe Gastwirt Mastering
Jim Watts Engineer
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Customer Reviews

Average Rating 4.5
( 7 )
Rating Distribution

5 Star

(6)

4 Star

(0)

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2 Star

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1 Star

(1)

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Sort by: Showing all of 7 Customer Reviews

  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    Piquant

    A contemplative compilation from a contemplative songwriter and singer, Harris is at the top of her professional game in this one. Eliptical from start to finish. I play the song "Bang the Drum Slowly" over and over again. "Michalengeo" is a haunting and evoking song of power and clarity of an artist near his end. Maybe is a parallel to Ms. Harris's career.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    My first Emmylou music

    I've always loved her music but never bought any till now. This is such a great CD. I've played it over and over and it's truly a bargain with every track being my favorite! I never get tired of listening to this. I guess this is a departure from her early stuff but if that is true it only proves that she is like a fine wine in that she just keeps getting better and isn't afraid to try new things. But really, could Emmylou ever sing a bad song? Yes, I suppose she could but somehow she would make it great. Her duet with Dave Matthews on "Antonia" is haunting and touching. I can't get it out of my head. It's so seldom you buy a CD to find that it was worth every penny...this is one of those CD's.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    like good scotch! ! !

    RED DIRT GIRL IS GREAT. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT TO ANY AND ALL. THE LADYS VOICE AND LOOKS ARE JUST LIKE A GOOD SCOTCH ''AGED TO PERFECTION'' !!!!! I HAVE ENJOYED THIS FINE LADY EVER SINCE I HEARD THAT SWEET SOPRANO VOICE SINGING ''QUEEN OF THE SILVER DOLLAR'' WAY BACK IN THE EARLY 70''s

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  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    Pleasing to the senses

    As usual, another great album. this Lady can clear her throat and win awards. I love her and I love her music. BRAVO!!!

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  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    An Angels Voice

    She is still the brightest of the stars. I don't know how she does it but I am thankful that she does. The voice only seems to grow in character and luminescence. She is one artist that never disappoints.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    Emmylou never disappoints

    Red Dirt Girl is awesome--I'm now listening to it for the second time and may listen to it again immediately. Her voice is as great as ever, the lyrics are poignant, and the production is perfect. Even Dave Mathews sounds good on this album.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted August 27, 2010

    No text was provided for this review.

Sort by: Showing all of 7 Customer Reviews