Emmylou Harris Album: “White Shoes”

I found an Emmylou CD previously unknown to me. I think I was doing the motherhood thing at a 200% clip in 1983, and fell out of my music for awhile. First saw Emmylou in an old St. Paul Minnesota theatre in '76 or '77. I laughed and I cried; the quality of her voice is second to none, and, unlike many other female artists of our generation, she has been unafraid to take chances her whole career. "Wrecking Ball" was a revelation and has been the CD I return to every month since its issue. Learned about "White Shoes" by following Amazon reviewer Matt Coker, who has a way with both words and music (thanks, Matt!)

You have to listen to "White Shoes" 3 or 4 times before you get a real feel for the simple genius it took to weave this collection of songs together. You can rock with Emmylou to "Drivin' Wheel" and her 2 Rodney Crowell covers, "It's Only Rock and Roll" and "Baby, Better Start Turnin' 'Em Down"....all three are show stoppers. Emmylou can rock country like no one else; somehow the voice of an angel becomes a snarling, driving song machine.

As is the custom with a star true to her music, you will experience the best in background instrumentation and vocals, because the musicians who are the best want to work with the best. Most of the Hot Band is back, and the listener is treated to both the electric and acoustic talents of John McFee; outstanding! Bonnie Bramlett joins for background vocals with her gutsy harmony, and we are treated to a new talent, composer Shirley Eikhard, who blends with Harris on the introspective "Good News". Although there are finer songs on "White Shoes", "Good News" is my favorite so far, the one that runs through my head in the car, in the shower, in the...you get the point.

The key piece on "White Shoes" graces the middle of the CD, a haunting version of Moroder's "On the Radio". You will forget that Donna Summer ever sang it, Emmylou makes the song her own.

And, like many Ahern-Harris collaborations, you are left to wonder about the tune "White Shoes". It grows on you to the point that you stop wondering what the song is trying to say and just flow with it. When you lose yourself in the song, you will see why these 2 great musicians chose it to title a collection that is priceless.

No price is too much for "White Shoes"!

I spent several years looking for WHITE SHOES on any format-and was thrilled to find CD versions available online. It was the first order I placed when I had the Internet installed at home. My patience was richly rewarded. WHITE SHOES is an exquisite masterpiece-Emmylou Harris is in top form, and the results are extraordinary! This was the last album Harris recorded with producer and then-husband Brian Ahern. WHITE SHOES is an incredible pop album, the only record Harris has recorded that sounds like a pop/rock release (WRECKING BALL is a completely different experience-one that is superior to any genre classification). Ahern and Harris were pushing farther than they had before and they have a set of remarkably challenging material: including a showtune ("Diamond's Are A Girl's Best Friend), a disco hit ("On The Radio"), and an rock 'n' roll hit ("Pledging My Love"). She also had musical support from past and present Hot Band members: Frank Reckard, Steve Fishell, Barry Tashian, Don Johnson, Wayne Goodwin, Mike Bowden, John Ware, Hank DeVito, Glen D. Hardin, Tony Brown, Don Heffington, and Rodney Crowell. As well as some of the top musicians of the day: T-Bone Burnett, Billy Payne, John McFee, Keith Knudson, Jim Horn, and Mickey Raphael. With an exceptional set of songs, WHITE SHOES is a perfect experience from start to finish. "Drivin' Wheel", which opens the album, was released as a single and peaked at #26. An aggressive uptempo rocker, Harris' vocal performance is perfect. A new instrument is introduced into Harris' catalog; the melobar makes its first and only appearance on an Emmylou Harris record, and is used on several songs. "Pledging My Love" is beautifully performed, three minutes of gorgeous perfection. "Pledging My Love" was originally recorded in the early 1950s, Harris' version is remarkably stunning. "In My Dreams" is a fascinating masterpiece, this #9 hit written by Paul Kennerly, really deserves more attention in her catalog. It's a dazzling performance. Harris is one of the best interpreters in the history of music, which is proved throughout this spectacular album. Her performance of Jack Tempchin's "White Shoes", is proof her ability to make something special out of any kind of song. "White Shoes" isn't on the same level as some of Tempchin's other songs like "Already Gone" or "Peaceful, Easy Feeling", but it is highly enjoyable, highlighted by remarkable singing from Harris. "On The Radio" is a breath-taking feature of this exceptional disc. Harris' transforms Donna Summer's disco hit into a fascinating performance, and brings tremendous impact to the song. "It's Only Rock `n' Roll" is her first Rodney Crowell cover (on an album, excluding singles) since the riveting covers of "I Don't Have To Crawl" and "Ashes By Now" on EVANGELINE. "It's Only Rock `n' Roll" is a straight-ahead rock song, with a tough, ringing vocal performance from Harris. The sparkling version of the Marilyn Monroe show tune "Diamond's Are A Girl's Best Friend" is reminiscent of the version of "Save The Last Dance For Me". The arrangements aren't similar, but the phenomenal arrangements and brilliant singing from Harris make the connection. "Diamond's Are A Girl's Best Friend" goes beyond words, a fascinating instrumental and vocal blend, not to be missed! "Good News" is the second of two songs on the album written in 1983, (the first is "In My Dreams"). A gorgeous ballad, featuring an achingly tender Harris lead vocal and a harmony vocal from the song's author, Shirley Eikhard. It's a beautiful recording. "Baby, Better Star Turnin' `Em Down" is an electrifying performance of a Rodney Crowell song. It's a remarkable contrast with the version Rosanne Cash recorded for her debut RIGHT OR WRONG. Cash approached the song with a stunning blues arrangement, Harris' version is dynamic rock with harmonies by Bonnie Bramlett and Barbara Bennett. Sandy Denny's "Like An Old Fashioned Waltz", which closes the album, is one of Harris' most beautiful performances. The arrangement is gorgeously complex, but comprised only of piano, synthesizer, recorders, and basses. The song was the perfect closing to her recording relationship with Ahern. As the previous reviewer commented, the last note is beautiful and memorable. WHITE SHOES is a fantastic collection. It's especially recommended if you like Harris' voice, but aren't sure if you'd like a country album. This is brilliant pop/rock music, but its of higher quality than most releases in any genre. Her eleventh album of new material, remains one of her most diverse, interesting, and exciting recordings. This is a must-own!!!

My review of "White Shoes" ran in the June 1985 issue of CD REVIEW magazine. The music is great and the fidelity is exceptional. Great band, songs, production. It's probably Harris's most rocking album.

The last album w/Brian Ahern at the helm.

The classic "Hot Band" sound. What made Emmylou Harris famous.

Her take on "Diamonds Are A Girls Best Friend" . . . well!

C'Mon!

It's Emmylou.

You gotta have it!

I am glad to see some of these old gems getting released or made available so that they can be saved onto my hard drive for years of future listening enjoyment. This is the sassy stuff I always loved about the 70's era female singers. Now if only somene could point me towards a CD copy of Asleep at the Wheeks -"Framed" I could die and go to heaven.