Blue Kentucky Girl is the sixth studio album by American country music artist Emmylou Harris, released in 1979. The album features Harris delving into more traditional country than the country-rock sound of her previous releases. Songs include work by Willie Nelson and Gram Parsons. Rodney Crowell's "Even Cowgirls Get the Blues" featured harmonies by Dolly Parton and Linda Ronstadt, and came out of the women's ill-fated 1978 recording sessions, where they first attempted to record a "trio" album (they succeeded in doing so nearly a decade later with their 1987 album Trio).
Critical reception
Jason Ankeny of AllMusic found "In response to criticism that her records weren't "country" enough, Harris recorded Blue Kentucky Girl, one of her most traditional outings. Relying on a more acoustic sound, the album largely forsakes contemporary pop songs in favor of standard country fare."
Bruce Smith of the New York Daily News remarked in his review, "Alabama born Emmylou Harris has abandoned her Malibu blue jeans for Nashville black velvet and white ruffles on this oddly formal country album...Those with an affection for Harris' singing style won't be disappointed by "Blue Kentucky Girl" although her soft rock fans with no taste for straight country might be disappointed."
Adam Sweeting of The Guardian claimed, "There are many brilliant songs...and this bunch showcases Emmy's inherent strengths: her clean, pure voice, impeccable choice of material and gift for picking the right musicians."
Accolades Blue Kentucky Girl won a Grammy for Best Female Country Vocal Performance. In 2006, the album ranked No. 20 on CMT's "40 Greatest Albums in Country Music".
Singles "Beneath Still Waters" became Harris' fourth No. 1 hit; covers of the Drifters' 1960 hit "Save the Last Dance for Me" and the album's title track (originally recorded by Loretta Lynn) were top ten hits on the US country charts.
Track listing
Personnel Brian Ahern – acoustic guitar, high-strung guitar, bass, percussion, 6-string banjo Duke Bardwell – bass Mike Bowden – bass Tony Brown – piano James Burton – electric guitar Rodney Crowell – acoustic guitar, high-strung guitar Lincoln Davis Jr. – accordion Hank DeVito – pedal steel Don Everly – duet vocals Emory Gordy Jr. – bass Glen Hardin – piano, string arrangements Emmylou Harris – vocals, acoustic guitar, electric guitar Ben Keith – pedal steel Albert Lee – acoustic guitar, electric guitar, mandolin Dolly Parton – backing vocals Bill Payne – piano Mickey Raphael – harmonica Linda Ronstadt – backing vocals Ricky Skaggs – fiddle, 5-string fiddle, mandolin, backing vocals Fayssoux Starling – backing vocals Tanya Tucker – duet vocals Ron Tutt – drums John Ware – drums Cheryl White – duet vocals, backing vocals Sharon White – duet vocals, backing vocals
Technical Brian Ahern – producer, engineer Donivan Cowart – engineer Bradley Hartman – engineer Stuart Taylor – engineer
Charts
Weekly charts Chart (1979) Peakposition
Year-end charts Chart (1979) Position US Top Country Albums (Billboard) 22 Chart (1980) Position US Top Country Albums (Billboard) 16
Release history + Release history and formats for Blue Kentucky Girl Region Date Format Label Ref. North America December 28, 1976 Warner Bros. Records
References