The Ballad of Sally Rose
Encyclopedia
The Ballad of Sally Rose is an album by Emmylou Harris
released in May 1985. It marked a significant departure for Harris, as all the songs were written by her and her husband Paul Kennerley
. Additionally, it is a concept album
, loosely based on Harris's relationship with the late Gram Parsons
. The album tells the story of a character named Sally Rose, a singer whose lover and mentor, a hard-living, hard-drinking musician, is killed while on the road. Dolly Parton
, Linda Ronstadt
and Gail Davies
sing harmony on several of the songs. Many of the songs flow into one another to create a continuous momentum.
Prior to this album, only Harris' 1970 debut Gliding Bird
had more than two of her own compositions, a feat she would not repeat until Red Dirt Girl
in 2000. Harris has described the album as a "country opera".
The Ballad of Sally Rose was nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Female Country Vocal Performance
.
Emmylou Harris
Emmylou Harris is an American singer-songwriter and musician. In addition to her work as a solo artist and bandleader, both as an interpreter of other composers' works and as a singer-songwriter, she is a sought-after backing vocalist and duet partner, working with numerous other artists including...
released in May 1985. It marked a significant departure for Harris, as all the songs were written by her and her husband Paul Kennerley
Paul Kennerley
Paul Kennerley is an English singer-songwriter, musician and record producer working in the American contemporary country music industry. His works include the concept albums, White Mansions and The Legend of Jesse James...
. Additionally, it is a concept album
Concept album
In music, a concept album is an album that is "unified by a theme, which can be instrumental, compositional, narrative, or lyrical." Commonly, concept albums tend to incorporate preconceived musical or lyrical ideas rather than being improvised or composed in the studio, with all songs contributing...
, loosely based on Harris's relationship with the late Gram Parsons
Gram Parsons
Gram Parsons was an American singer, songwriter, guitarist and pianist. Parsons is best known for his work within the country genre; he also mixed blues, folk, and rock to create what he called "Cosmic American Music"...
. The album tells the story of a character named Sally Rose, a singer whose lover and mentor, a hard-living, hard-drinking musician, is killed while on the road. Dolly Parton
Dolly Parton
Dolly Rebecca Parton is an American singer-songwriter, author, multi-instrumentalist, actress and philanthropist, best known for her work in country music. Dolly Parton has appeared in movies like 9 to 5, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, Steel Magnolias and Straight Talk...
, Linda Ronstadt
Linda Ronstadt
Linda Ronstadt is an American popular music recording artist. She has earned eleven Grammy Awards, two Academy of Country Music awards, an Emmy Award, an ALMA Award, numerous United States and internationally certified gold, platinum and multiplatinum albums, in addition to Tony Award and Golden...
and Gail Davies
Gail Davies
Gail Davies is an American country music singer-songwriter. She is the daughter of country singer Tex Dickerson....
sing harmony on several of the songs. Many of the songs flow into one another to create a continuous momentum.
Prior to this album, only Harris' 1970 debut Gliding Bird
Gliding Bird
Gliding Bird is an album by Emmylou Harris, released in 1970.Before she met mentor Gram Parsons and became a famous country singer, Harris began singing folk music; yet Gliding Bird, her obscure début album, displays an eclecticism that is found in her later work...
had more than two of her own compositions, a feat she would not repeat until Red Dirt Girl
Red Dirt Girl
Red Dirt Girl is an Emmylou Harris album from 2000, which reached #3 on the Billboard country album charts and won the Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Folk Album in 2001. The album was a significant departure for Harris, as eleven of the twelve tracks were written or co-written by her. She was...
in 2000. Harris has described the album as a "country opera".
Reception
In a BBC Radio 2 programme recounting her career in 2006, Harris related how the album was a commercial "disaster" upon its release, its relative failure meaning she had to work "for money" again. Two singles from the album performed disappointingly by Harris' standards, although the single "White Line" was a reasonable success, reaching No. 14 on the country charts.The Ballad of Sally Rose was nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Female Country Vocal Performance
Grammy Award for Best Female Country Vocal Performance
The Grammy Award for Best Female Country Vocal Performance was first awarded in 1965, to Dottie West. The award has had several minor name changes:*From 1965 to 1967 the award was known as Best Country & Western Vocal Performance - Female...
.
Track listing
All tracks composed by Emmylou Harris and Paul Kennerley; except where indicated- "The Ballad of Sally Rose" – 2:48
- "Rhythm Guitar" – 3:18
- "I Think I Love Him/Instrumental: You Are My Flower" (Harris, Kennerley, A.P. Carter) – 1:07
- "Heart to Heart" – 2:31
- "Woman Walk the Line" – 4:08
- "Bad News" – 1:46
- "Timberline" – 2:51
- "Long Tall Sally Rose" – 1:32
- "White Line" – 3:46
- "Diamond in My Crown" – 2:55
- "The Sweetheart of the Rodeo" – 3:41
- "K-S-O-S/Instrumental Medley: Ring of FireRing of Fire (song)"Ring of Fire" or "The Ring of Fire" is a country music song popularized by Johnny Cash and co-written by June Carter Cash and Merle Kilgore. The single appears on Cash's 1963 compilation album, Ring of Fire: The Best of Johnny Cash...
/Wildwood FlowerWildwood Flower"Wildwood Flower" is an American song, best known through performances and recordings by the Carter Family. However, the song predates them. The original title was "I'll Twine 'Mid the Ringlets"...
/Six Days on the RoadSix Days on the Road"Six Days on the Road" is an American song written by Muscle Shoals Sound Studio songwriter Carl Montgomery and Earl Green, made originally famous by country music singer Dave Dudley...
" (Harris, Kennerley; June Carter, Merle KilgoreMerle KilgoreWyatt Merle Kilgore was an American singer, songwriter, and manager.-Early life:Although born in Chickasha, Oklahoma, Merle Kilgore was raised in Shreveport, Louisiana. He was the son of Wyatt and Gladys B. Kilgore...
, A.P. Carter, Earl Greene, Carl Montgomery) – 2:50 - "Sweet Chariot" – 2:58
Personnel
- Steve Cash: Harmonica
- Barbara Cowart: Backing Vocals
- Gail Davies: Backing Vocals
- Hank DeVito: Acoustic Guitar, Electric Guitar, Pedal Steel, Dobro
- Phillip Donelly: Electric Slide Guitar
- Bessyl Duhon: Accordion
- Ray Flacke: Electric Guitar
- Vince GillVince GillVincent Grant "Vince" Gill is an American neotraditional country singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. He has achieved commercial success and fame both as frontman to the country rock band Pure Prairie League in the 1970s, and as a solo artist beginning in 1983, where his talents as a...
: Electric Guitar, Backing Vocals - Emory Gordy, Jr.Emory Gordy, Jr.Emory Gordy, Jr., born December 25, 1944, in Atlanta, Georgia, is an American musician and music producer. Since 1989, he has been married to country music artist Patty Loveless. Gordy was inducted into the Georgia Music Hall of Fame in 1992...
: Acoustic Guitar, Bass, String Arrangements - Emmylou Harris: Vocals, Acoustic Guitar, Backing Vocals
- John Jarvis: Keyboards
- Waylon JenningsWaylon JenningsWaylon Arnold Jennings was an American country music singer, songwriter, and musician. Jennings began playing at eight. He began performing at twelve, on KVOW radio. Jennings formed a band The Texas Longhorns. Jennings worked as a D.J on KVOW, KDAV and KLLL...
: Electric Guitar - Shane KeisterShane KeisterShane Keister is an American musician. He is known for his work as a studio musician, writer, arranger and producer. He plays synthesizer, piano, Hammond B3, Synclavier, Fairlight, Fender Rhodes, and others.-History:...
: Keyboards - Paul KennerleyPaul KennerleyPaul Kennerley is an English singer-songwriter, musician and record producer working in the American contemporary country music industry. His works include the concept albums, White Mansions and The Legend of Jesse James...
: Acoustic Guitar, Electric Guitar - Russ KunkelRuss KunkelRussell Kunkel , also known as Russ Kunkel, is an American drummer and producer who has worked as a session musician with a number of well-known artists.Kunkel was born in Pittsburgh, PA...
: Drums - Albert LeeAlbert LeeAlbert William Lee, born 21 December 1943 in Leominster, Herefordshire, England, is an English guitarist known for his fingerstyle and hybrid picking technique. Lee has worked both in the studio and on tour with some of the most famous musicians which stretch through a very wide of genres...
: Acoustic Guitar, Electric Guitar, Mandolin - Larrie LondinLarrie LondinRalph Gallant, better known by his stage name Larrie Londin , was an American drummer and session musician. Londin played with a wide range of artists including Journey and Steve Perry....
: Drums, Percussion - Dolly PartonDolly PartonDolly Rebecca Parton is an American singer-songwriter, author, multi-instrumentalist, actress and philanthropist, best known for her work in country music. Dolly Parton has appeared in movies like 9 to 5, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, Steel Magnolias and Straight Talk...
: Backing Vocals - Tom Roady: Percussion
- Linda RonstadtLinda RonstadtLinda Ronstadt is an American popular music recording artist. She has earned eleven Grammy Awards, two Academy of Country Music awards, an Emmy Award, an ALMA Award, numerous United States and internationally certified gold, platinum and multiplatinum albums, in addition to Tony Award and Golden...
: Backing Vocals - Gary Scruggs: Harmonica
- Buddy SpicherBuddy SpicherBuddy Spicher is an American fiddle player.Spicher started in the late 50s as part of the backing band for Audrey Williams, the widow of Hank Williams, later with Hank Snow, the Charles River Valley Boys....
: Fiddle - Barry Tashian: Acoustic Guitar
- Bobby Thompson: Acoustic Guitar, Banjo
Technical Personnel
- Donivan Cowart: Engineer
- Tom Harding: Second Engineer
- Emmylou Harris: Producer
- Paul Kennerley: Producer
- Keith Odle: Second Engineer
Chart performance
| Chart (1985) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| U.S. Billboard Top Country Albums | 8 |
| U.S. Billboard 200 | 171 |