The Ballad of Sally Rose

by Emmylou Harris

The Ballad of Sally Rose cover art
  • Type: Album
  • Released: 25 February 1985
  • Label: Warner Bros.
  • Country: United States
  • Length: 36:05
  • Community rating: 3.36/5 from 2 ratings

Album Notes & Community Reviews

Serving as her first album composed entirely of self-penned material, this ambitious project functions as a semi-autobiographical country music opera. 'The Ballad of Sally Rose' narrates the rise and tragic fall of a female country singer, serving as a veiled, deeply emotional tribute to her former mentor, Gram Parsons. The critically acclaimed, narrative-driven record showcased her maturity not just as a legendary interpretive vocalist, but as a masterful songwriter.

Genres

Descriptors: conceptual, christian, death, ballad, storytelling

Tracklist

  1. The Ballad of Sally Rose (2:45)
  2. Rhythm Guitar (3:17)
  3. I Think I Love Him / You Are My Flower (1:07)
  4. Heart to Heart (2:29)
  5. Woman Walk the Line (4:06)
  6. Bad News (1:46)
  7. Timberline (2:51)
  8. Long Tall Sally Rose (1:32)
  9. White Line (3:46)
  10. Diamond in My Crown (2:54)
  11. The Sweetheart of the Rodeo (3:38)
  12. K-S-O-S (2:50)
  13. Sweet Chariot (2:58)

Credits

  • Bessyl Duhon - accordion
  • Albert Lee - acoustic guitar, electric guitar, mandolin
  • Barry Tashian - acoustic guitar
  • Emory Gordy, Jr. - acoustic guitar, arranged by [strings], bass
  • Hank Devito - acoustic guitar, electric guitar, pedal steel guitar, dobro
  • Barbara Cowart - backing vocals
  • Dolly Parton - backing vocals
  • Gail Davies - backing vocals

More from Emmylou Harris: full discography