Emmylou chats about career, project

The singer is happy to be doing what she’s doing, and feels blessed doing it.

By JOHN BENSON

VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT

Over the past four decades, Emmylou Harris has continually evolved as a country and folk artist.

Among the Alabama native’s dozens of releases are two No. 1 country albums (1975’s “Elite Hotel” and 1977’s “Luxury Liner”) and countless other treasured efforts. In addition to being ranked No. 5 on CMT’s “Greatest Women in Country Music,” Harris has been prominent in the rock world. During the ’70s she contributed vocals to albums by Bob Dylan, The Band, Roy Orbison and more.

Aside from exploring her own songwriting, such as the critically acclaimed 2003 effort “Stumble Into Grace,” Harris has remained a hot commodity in the backing vocalist arena for contemporary acts. She recorded with Ryan Adams on his 2000 debut effort “Heartbreaker” and appeared on Bright Eyes’ 2005 album “I’m Wide Awake, It’s Morning.”

Currently, Harris and friends Patty Griffin, Shawn Colvin and Buddy Miller are teaming up as “Three Girls & Their Buddy” for a number of live concert dates, including Thursday at the Allen Theater in Cleveland and Friday at the Homestead Carnegie Library Music Hall in Pittsburgh.

The Vindicator talked to Harris during a tour stop in Chapel Hill, N.C., about this unique songwriting tour, her all-star collaborations and her diverse and storied career.

Q. How did the “Three Girls & Their Buddy” tour come about?

A. My manager mentioned this to me a while back and I just jumped. I didn’t even worry about when it was or if it’s going to conflict. I didn’t ask how much I was going to make. I just said it sounded almost like a dream vacation being able to be out with these people and being able to make music with them. I love this kind of format — the singer-songwriter, in-the-round we call it — where everybody is on stage sitting and it’s very relaxed.

Q. For diehard fans of alternative country, the loose format is definitely enticing.

A. We kind of know what we’re going to do but we don’t really know. I think one of the beauties with this format is it’s constantly changing. And I think audiences come to see that kind of spontaneity, the fact that it kind of unfolds before their eyes and ears. It kind of unfolds for us, too. For example, I have this song ‘Love and Happiness.’ Shawn is also a mom, and the song is about being a parent. So I had asked her would she sing this with me as a duet, and it’s a lovely moment for me to hear her singing those lyrics, putting her personal stamp on it not only emotionally but just stylistically. 

Q. Talk about being in a dream, in recent years you’ve teamed up to record and tour with the likes of Elvis Costello, Mark Knopfler and Neil Young. That’s quite a streak you have going.

A. Yes, I know, I think it’s all of these years of faithful service to the music industry (laughs). All of these people are musical heroes to me and then being able to get to know them and hang with them, it’s been pretty great. I have no complaints. In fact I wonder what I must have done in a past life. I must have been Mother Teresa or something to be getting all of these great things falling into my lap.

Q. In looking back at your career arc, is there one moment in time that stands out as being significant to your longevity?

A. I suppose (1995’s) “Wrecking Ball” was a huge turning point for me. I think I might have been at sort of a logjam, but “Wrecking Ball” really kind of got rid of that and opened up whole new sounds and rhythms, and whole different people to work with coming from the world of (U2’s) Larry Mullen, (Neville Brothers’) Tony Hall and of course (producer) Daniel Lanois from his own world. I was very lucky to have that. It got me really excited about music all over again and I think that’s where I am. I’m still there, although I’ve had all of these other incredible collaborative opportunities that have really come in handy when you turn 60. It’s been a real blessing for me.