609. Trio - Emmylou Harris, Dolly Parton and Linda Ronstadt

Country is not really my thing, but I do know that these three artists are quite big deals, so it was intriguing to see what they would bring as a group.

This is as pure a country record as I could imagine. It is all acoustic guitars, banjos, tinny percussion, and songs about love, loss and travelling. However, that formula has obviously been constructed over the years for a reason, and it would be hard to actively dislike this album. The Pain of Loving You, for example, is sweet and light, with just the hint of bitterness at the edge. Making Plans is slightly plodding, and Hobo's Meditation takes that to the next level. 

Vocally, the three complement each other well. There isn't much but treble here, with their voices crystal clear, yet maintaining a richness that is full of character. Parton stands out slightly in Chloe's eyes, but I enjoyed the elements they each bring, such as Emmylou on My Dear Companion. 

As a pleasant set of songs that don't try to make me feel too much, yet do not offend me, this album succeeds. Clearly I look for more in a collection of songs, but it worked well enough in that context. 

Chloe's album rating: 6
Chloe's favourite track: 5. Wildflowers
Olly's album rating: 6
Olly's favourite track: 6. Telling Me Lies

Next week is 283. Grievous Angel by Gram Parsons.