mail: daniel_fjall@hotmail.com
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wrecking ball stumble into grace
Wrecking Ball Wrecking Ball is an incredible atmospheric album. Usually that is just a re-write for no melodies, but generally a nice mood generally surrounding the songs. That’s not the case here. Borrowing some of the finest songs from the very best songwriters of modern times, yet neither overplayed or sickening familiar tunes, Harris ensembles a freightingly effective collection of first rate material. If you add Daniel Lanois’ precise, drowsy and airy production along with one of most affecting voices ever recorded, you are bound to end up with a winner. Harris’ astonishing voice moves easily and seemingly effortlessly on top of the dreamy, but still earthy, arranged songs, squeezing out every emotion possible. Despite the fact that she only has two co-write credits, the pureness and honesty of the performance is hard to question. The listener could care less if it is a Hendrix original or a Steve Earle penned song. She makes each and every number her own. Lanois and Harris creates the sounds of a single candle burning in the dark, a person standing below a lonely street lamp, the wind touching your hair at night. It is beautiful and gentle. Powerful and roaring. Quietly.
Stumble Into Grace There is something classy about Emmylou Harris. Something in her voice that is affecting and pure. Graceful. Stumble Into Grace finds Harris walking down the path the Daniel Lanois-produced Wrecking Ball, guided her to. With her country background, it is interesting to hear Harris tackle these less country-ish arrangements that relies more on traditional folkmusic, with a airy and atmospheric touch. Already during the opening track you know that you’re in for a treat. As it is a very even album, it is hard to mention any song over another, but “Can You Hear Me Now” and “I Will Dream” are really heartbreaking and affecting in a way only the truly great artists can move you. Produced by Malcolm Burn whom previously worked with Daniel Lanois on Dylan’s Oh Mercy (in fact, a lot of the musicians seems to have played on Oh Mercy), which explains why Stumble Into Grace follows the pattern of Wrecking Ball. It could also be worth mentioning that Lanois appears here on pedal steel and co-wrote “Lost Unto This World” with Harris, a nice, bitter ballad with a memorable chorus. This collection of modern produced folkmusic inspired songs, sounds timeless. Nearly in the same way as Dylan’s Time Out of Mind, if not as dark. Which probably is a good thing. Highly recommended.
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