Between Emmylou Harris and her producer Brian Alhren, there seems to be no stone left unturned to ensure that their end product will be absolutely pristine upon completion.

Every song on “Luxury Liner” sparkles like a gem, with an attention to detail that makes their albums stand out above the competition. It’s not just the production but the personnel that they manage to bring along, with some of the most revered names in American music making an appearance here. James Burton, Hank DeVito, Emory Gordy Jr., Glen Hardin, Mickey Raphael, Ricky Scaggs and Albert Lee represent the cream of the crop among country musicians, and then there are the backing vocalists, which include Dolly Parton, Nicolette Larson, Herb Pederson and Dianne Brooks (my apologies for not listing every talent that appears on “Luxury Liner”, but there are simply too many to name them all!).

Harris is not a prolific songwriter, so she relies on her good taste for most of her material. By picking songs written by Gram Parsons, Townes Van Zandt, Rodney Crowell (who also contributes guitar and vocals), The Louvin Brothers, The Carter Family and Chuck Berry, you end up with a veritable and yet seemingly casual greatest hits record. It is timeless in its execution, and it remains stunning to behold.

Featured tracks:

Luxury Liner

Pancho and Lefty

Making Believe

You’re Supposed to Be Feeling Good

I’ll Be Your San Antonio Rose

(You Never Can Tell) C’est La Vie

When I Stop Dreaming

Hello Stranger

She

Tulsa Queen

December 1976 - Billboard Charted #21