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Emmylou Harris — Boulder To Birmingham (live)
Album: Real Live Roadrunning (w/ Mark Knopfler)
Avg rating:
7

Your rating:
Total ratings: 589









Released: 2006
Length: 3:29
Plays (last 30 days): 0
I don't want to hear a love song
I got on this airplane just to fly
And I know there's life below
But all that it can show me
Is the prairie and the sky

And I don't want to hear a sad story
Full of heartbreak and desire
The last time I felt like this
It was in the wilderness and the canyon was on fire
And I stood on the mountain in the night and I watched it burn
I watched it burn, I watched it burn.

I would rock my soul in the bosom of Abraham
I would hold my life in his saving grace.
I would walk all the way from Boulder to Birmingham
If I thought I could see, I could see your face.

Well you really got me this time
And the hardest part is knowing I'll survive.
I have come to listen for the sound
Of the trucks as they move down
Out on ninety five
And pretend that it's the ocean
coming down to wash me clean, to wash me clean
Baby do you know what I mean

I would rock my soul in the bosom of Abraham
I would hold my life in his saving grace.
I would walk all the way from Boulder to Birmingham
If I thought I could see, I could see your face.
Comments (21)add comment
I believe Emmylou wrote this after the death of Gram Parsons. 
A voice that makes me weep. 
 LaurieinTucson wrote:

the forced breathiness is really grating
 

I don't know what you're hearing as 'forced breathiness', but perhaps being 60 years old at the time of this live recording has something to do with it? 
Musically, at least an 8.  Spiritually and emotionally?  Umm, a 32? 
{#Sleep}
 neastly wrote:

As she ages, her voice changes, but it is still so SO beautiful. Check out her earlier work; the original version of this song will bring you to tears.

 
Amen to that. She's been simply exquisite at all stages of her life. A gift from the heavens.
But I gush............................. 

the forced breathiness is really grating
 TerryS wrote:
Took a while to love the crystalline ELH tones, but Wrecking Ball started the slide and now I'm starting to forgive her the lapses in tone, diction and direction.... besotted I am.

 
As she ages, her voice changes, but it is still so SO beautiful. Check out her earlier work; the original version of this song will bring you to tears.
Emmylou Harris - such a voice. This is her "best", in my opinion.
I was at their concert at the Greek Theater in Berkeley when they were touring in support of the studio version of this album.   I remember Emmylou Harris's story about when she got the phone call from Knopfler to ask her if she'd be interested in collaborating.  She said, "That so made up for high school." 
Angel's voice
I would like to rate this 10 to the power 2.
 
Godlike.  
Took a while to love the crystalline ELH tones, but Wrecking Ball started the slide and now I'm starting to forgive her the lapses in tone, diction and direction.... besotted I am.
Too much country for me.
I've loved Emmylou's voice, her style, her song selection, her insight, her phrasing, her charm and elegance for as long as I can remember.  Paired with MK's guitar is sublime, transcendent excellence.
She's one of the three people, living or dead, who I would love to have dinner with. 

she can sing no wrong.. {#Good-vibes}
On first hearing, this is a fine piece of music. I suppose too much of this stream of music could become excessive, but for a first listening, I am impressed. And followed by a Townes Van Zandt song that was later done by Emmylou. Perfect programming!






{#Kiss} ........ love Emmylou a lot and liking this  {#Notworthy}





Saw them play (during this tour) in the Ahoy in Rotterdam. Too bad the acoustics of that venue are terrible, but a great evening nonetheless...
Not familiar with these particular version but Emmylou has always knocked my socks off with this song. My favorite of her very extensive catalog.
Another fine rendition of the song that helped put Emmylou--America's National Treasure--on the musical map.
About Gram Parsons, of course.