Cowgirl's Prayer

Cowgirl's Prayer

ASIN: B000002HE4

Track Listings

1. Ways to Go

2. Light

3. High Powered Love

4. You Don't Know Me

5. Prayer in Open D

6. Crescent City

7. Lovin' You Again

8. Jerusalem Tomorrow

9. Thanks to You

10. I Hear a Call

11. Ballad of a Runaway Horse

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Emmylou Harris has aged more gracefully than any other country artist (with the exception of Willie Nelson). 1993's Cowgirl's Prayer showcases this maturity in a collection of songs that share wisdom, offer forgiveness, make amends, and explore spirituality. As always, Harris's voice is angelic and sad, her phrasing languid and lonesome. Lucinda Williams's "Crescent City" glows with tragic barroom neon while the classic "You Don't Know Me" takes on a deeper meaning, as if sung perhaps to an old friend or a lost relative? And while spoken-word delivery often falls flat, "Jerusalem Tomorrow" tells such a compelling story--and Harris's delivery is so knowing--that it haunts you long after it's over. --Alexandra Russell

Tracks:

A Ways To Go
The Light
High Powered Love
You Don't Know Me
Prayer In Open D
Crescent City
Lovin' You Again
Jerusalem Tomorrow
Thanks To You
I Hear A Call
Ballad Of A Runaway Horse

Amazon.com

Emmylou Harris has aged more gracefully than any other country artist (with the exception of Willie Nelson). 1993's Cowgirl's Prayer showcases this maturity in a collection of songs that share wisdom, offer forgiveness, make amends, and explore spirituality. As always, Harris's voice is angelic and sad, her phrasing languid and lonesome. Lucinda Williams's "Crescent City" glows with tragic barroom neon while the classic "You Don't Know Me" takes on a deeper meaning, as if sung perhaps to an old friend or a lost relative? And while spoken-word delivery often falls flat, "Jerusalem Tomorrow" tells such a compelling story--and Harris's delivery is so knowing--that it haunts you long after it's over. --Alexandra Russell

Customer Reviews:

Emmylou Harris gives meaning to the phrase "Voice of a Angel" ."........2007-03-30

I have been a huge fan of Emmylou for many,many years. She came onto the Country Music scene in 1971 ,plucked from folk music obscurity by Gram Parsons.Some have said here that this is her best album,or such and such is her best song; . I don't know about that, because I love everything she has ever done. To retain her position in Country Music,for over 30 years shows her greatness. Whether it is a song she has written herself,something written for her by another,or an old classic;Emmylou takes that song and makes it her own. The great artists have a way of doing that, and seemingly with ease.Sinatra,Cash,Charles,Nelson, Nana
Moscouri,Bennet,Parton,and of course Emmylou are real masters. Many great artists have recorded the classic "You Don't Know Me" and made it their own. When Emmylou sings it on this disc;it makes you think that it is the first time you've ever heard it.The same can be said about Ray Charles.
There are a lot of songs on this album that were new to me and proves that Emmylou continues to excel.
A very good feature of this album is the inclusion of a booklet with every word to every song. I find this great for following along particularly when listening to songs for the first time and even later on.
On this album,Emmylou,pours out her feelings,sings her way right into your soul;but then isn't that what she,s all about in the end.
Another wonderful album from Emmylou!

very professionally done.......2007-02-09

I have been listening for religious references in music in 2007. In this case, it's a good thing. I don't listen to music enough to keep track of what I already have, but I knew the "Jerusalem Tomorrow" on this CD was one song I had to hear. I had forgotten how effectively Emmylou just talks through the verses of that song, only singing for an "Ah, Oh, woe" at the very end. The music is great, telling the story as well as she does. It is a great story. The other songs have a good range of themes with some religious images popping up occasionally, but "Jerusalem Tomorrow" is so totally religious, the urge to tag along with an attitude of "What could go wrong?" appeals so strongly to all of us.

A lifelong fan.......2006-11-11

I have this album on LP vinyl and had to have the CD. It is one of her classic albums.

reliable emmylou.......2005-10-18

I've always admired Emmylou, but only lately began purchasing the albums that I love best...but problem is I'm spending a fortune because they're all my favorites. Cowgirl's Prayer is amazing....two hit me emotionally...Crescent City since Katrina hit and Jerusalem Tomorrow...had never heard it before and would have bought album for it alone. All the songs are amazing. Emmylou never fails me.

Full of grace and beauty.......2005-02-05

This gem of an album opens with the most moving song A Ways To Go, a deeply spiritual number with a gripping melody. The Light, a slow, sad love song with an ultimate message of hope, follows it. Then on to High Powered Love, a brilliant blend of witty lyrics and vocal passion and You Don't Know Me, an achingly beautiful number that sounds almost devotional in its tenderness. This one reminds me of one of Joan Baez's early folk songs, Lady Mary, on one of her 1960s albums.

Prayer In Open D, one of Harris' own compositions, is a spiritual masterpiece exploring the dark valleys of the soul, but with a comforting undertone of mercy and redemption. Sort of like a more intellectual Green Pastures (on Roses In The Snow), it is real gooseflesh stuff. Emmylou gives Lucinda Williams' Crescent City a splendid, lilting treatment to create a fuller, more evocative sound without sacrificing the original's poignant mood of yearning and nostalgia.

Another brilliant story song is Lovin' You Again with its captivating plot and authentic emotion, a mature and poetic love ballad. In the spoken track Jerusalem Tomorrow, Emmylou narrates a powerful and wistful tale over moody, atmospheric music. This unusual number proves that her talking is as appealing as her singing. Thanks To You has a jerky rhythm and a bluesy feel, whilst I Hear A Call is a soulful song of transcendence, one of my favourites on Cowgirl's Prayer. The playing and arrangement are sheer genius as they perfectly carry and frame her vocals.

Her haunting version of Ballad Of A Runaway Horse shows what a sympathetic interpreter of Leonard Cohen she can be. I wish Emmylou would do it more often. The inflections of her voice and her phrasing are just perfect for Cohen's music. On her Western Wall: Tucson Sessions album with Linda Ronstadt, there is a lovely version of Sisters Of Mercy.

The style on Cowgirl's Prayer is mostly traditional country as this album predates the innovative Wrecking Ball, but this is consistently captivating music, memorable and lovingly performed. It explores a wide spectrum of situations and emotions in songs of wisdom and depth. I would rate this album slightly below Wrecking Ball, Red Dirt Girl and Stumble Into Grace, but it still deserves five stars. All the music of Emmylou Harris just improves with time.

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