Harmony .....

         Everyone knows I'm different.  Most tolerate that about
me and thankfully a slim few even like that my drum is maybe
a little sharper and my ways a little different than most everybody
else in the world.  Like me or hate me it's going to be up to you
to make the adjustment and put up with me or abandon me. *mass
exit stage left*   I simply can't conform.
        Now... about this post.. One of my quirks in music is I love to
hear the harmony parts or background singers almost more than the
stars or lead singers.  I've mentioned this in a few other posts.
So as you would expect my 'A' list is a bit different than most peoples.
It forces me to seek out songs featuring great back-up singers such as
Carmella Ramsay.. Albert Lee and such that nobody has ever heard of.
Most went on to play and sing with many famous bands and such but
just never stepped into the forefront for whatever reason.
       One exception that has been my salvation lately is a lady I came
about quite by accident.  I had always liked her early music for reasons
I will get into later so she was not a total surprise.  I didn't realize that
she sang backup for so many others till one day I was listening to one
of my (as all should know) favorite 70's singers Linda Ronstadt and heard
and saw Emmylou Harris singing harmony.   I was in Love.  (remember,
not a term I use loosely)  I've listen to the song a hundred times over the
past month though I really dislike the song,the video and the way it was
presented by Linda.   But there is just something I couldn't explain about
the way I felt when watching it.  As I searched for other songs I came up
with a video by a group called 'The Band'  They were sort of a Cajun music
type of band with hits like..The Weight and Up on Cripple Creek and such.
I remember the songs but don't think I ever saw the group preform.  Maybe
that was a good thing.  Even for the 70's they were a rascally looking group.
and that's being kind.   But in the song 'Evangeline' I was able to look past
that to hear Emmylou singing harmony to perfection.  This despite the fact
that she was wearing a Loretta Lynn type of dress and sticking in a little
more twang than I care to hear..lol    I finally figured out that although she
can sing, the things that attracted me to her were her simple down home looks
early in her career .  Now before you label me as shallow let me explain.
Early in her career she reminded me so much of my wife at that age.  A bit
insecure and shy.  Every thing from her long straight dark hair to her skinny
legs to even that nervous hair flip at the end of every song.  To me  the music
was just a bonus.   Later she became very popular and turned into another
typical country show girl.  But I still see the old insecure Emmylou in my eyes.
      Since I have never been able to successfully link anything to this blog I
will use this opportunity to attempt to link a couple  songs to this blog.
I don't expect anybody to actually watch them, just consider it a test of my
never growing skills...lol


Ok.. well that was another total failure..  Just as well since most of my favorites
are from the 70's and there are a lot of  steel guitars, sequined suits and twangin'
going on not many would like them anyway.   I must have spoiled tastes because
it melts my heart to hear her sing.  (I know.. lock me in a rubber room)
    This post has been setting here or three or four weeks waiting for me to try
and link songs that nobody wants to listen to.. That has to tell you something
about my state of mind lately  lol   So all I can say is if your the least bit curious
visit You Tube and check out her videos .  Remember nothing past 1979 though...