Fifty years after Emmylou Harris and the Hot Band first played Dublin at the Carlton Cinema, tonight marks her final visit to Ireland as part of her Farewell European tour. Since 1976, she has performed in Dublin many times, selling out venues such as Bord Gáis Energy Theatre, The National Concert Hall, The Olympia Theatre, The National Stadium, and this venue when it was previously known as The Point. Outside the capital, she appeared at The Lisdoonvarna Music Festival and The Midlands Festival. Tonight’s performance equalled, if not surpassed, those memorable earlier shows.
After a warmly received welcome, she opens with Jesse Winchester’s My Songbird. Mid-song, her current five-piece ‘hot band’ join her. The band are regular Irish visitor Eamon McLoughlin on mandolin and fiddle; Chris Donohoe on bass; Phil Madiera on keys and accordion; drummer Brian Owens; and guitarist Kevin Key, who was only playing his second date with Emmylou.
From the outset, it’s clear that Emmylou, now approaching seventy-nine years old, has lost none of her distinctive vocal power. Throughout a twenty-three song setlist, she showcases both early career classics like Luxury Liner, originally performed with Gram Parsons, and newer material such as Michelangelo, introducing it humorously as ‘a new song, as it’s only a quarter of a century old.’
She pays tribute to her late friend and Nashville neighbour Nanci Griffith with Gulf Coast Highway, and to Steve Earle with Goodbye. Emmylou reveals her shift from folk to country was thanks to Gram Parsons, then performs country classics, Don Gibson’s Sweet Dreams (‘we only played this at soundcheck for the first time’) and George Jones’ One Of These Days (‘my mother's favourite country song’).
The song selections cover the full range of roots music she has recorded and performed over five decades, with bluegrass represented by Ralph Stanley’s Green Pastures and Bill Monroe and the Bluegrass Boys, Get Up John. She also delivers a stunning a cappella version of the traditional Appalachian gospel hymn Bright Morning Stars. Best known for covering other artists’ work, her alt-country leanings are characterised by Red Dirt Girl, one of eleven self-written songs from her album of the same name.
Other highlights are Wheels and Boulder to Birmingham, the latter written about the loss of her soul mate and guiding star, Gram Parsons, and Rose of Cimarron, the title track of Poco’s 1976 album. Two encores close the show, Pancho and Lefty ('I've been doing this song since 1976') and a rousing take on Chuck Berry's You Never Can Tell.
A bittersweet event insofar as it’s the final opportunity to witness the angelic vocals of Emmylou Harris on our shores. However, it’s a fitting and unforgettable experience from country music loyalty, in such a great voice and in such buoyant form, supported by a collection of fine musicians.
Opening the evening’s entertainment is another regular visitor to our shores, Jim Lauderdale. Dressed in his customary dazzling ‘Nudie-type’ suit, Emmylou joins him on stage for the Gram Parsons-inspired King of Broken Hearts, written by Jim in honour of George Jones. His set also includes Hummingbird, his latest single, Artificial Intelligence, and Headed for the Hills, the latter one of his collaborations with the late Robert Hunter of Grateful Dead fame.
Review and photography by Declan Culliton
P.S: Many thanks to Jim Lauderdale, who, during his set, kindly named-checked us at Lonesome Highway, with particular mention for our founding members, the late and much-loved Sandy Harsch, and our team leader, Steve Rapid.