Category:
Roots

Try if you like:
Gram Parsons, Julie Miller, Townes Van Zandt

I've always had a soft spot for Emmylou Harris. She's one of those artists whose voice just sends shivers up my spine every time I hear it. All I Intended To Be is a bit of a shift from Emmylou's more atmospheric feel she's had on the last few of her albums. She heads right back into more of the roots and country that she came from. If you've never heard Mrs. Harris, which I highly doubt, think along the lines of Sarah McLachlan singing country and you come pretty close to the grounds on which she walks. I find that her voice is so original that you could pinpoint it from a mile away. Anyone who's anyone in country music has done a duet with her angelic voice.

One of the best tracks is her original "Broken Man's Lament". It's got that wonderful classic country storytelling to it. And if you aren't aware of the ability of Emmylou to pull at the heartstrings, have a listen to "All That You Have Is Your Soul". She's got one of the most powerful and emotive voices of any woman.

She even makes the wonderful choice of cover songs her own. On Billy Joe Shaver's "Old Five and Dimers Like Me" she manages an almost perfect duet with John Starling. Also covered are Patty Griffin's "Moon Song" and Merle Haggard's "Kern River". Two songs she penned with Kate and Anna McGarrigle, "How She Could Sing the Wildwood Flower" and "Sailing Round The Room", some nice additions to the Harris catalog.

All I Intended To Be is not Harris' best but it shows a woman growing old more gracefully than most. Keep it up as long as you can Emmylou. This is some wonderful music.