By the time the sold-out crowd left the three-hour-plus musical tribute to Emmylou Harris Saturday, it was almost easy to forget that many question whether Americana such as hers can survive the music industry’s current business model.
The magic of the performances — in the city where the 13-time Grammy Award-winning Ms. Harris made her name — gave music lovers hope that uncommon musical stylings such as hers can still rise from what many see as a homogenization of sound that capitalizes on popular tastes. Yet the mix of legendary and up-and-coming talent that performed — selected by Keith Wortman, the creative and co-executive producer of the tribute, and directed by famed music producers Don Was and Buddy Miller, who also performed in the all-star house band — proved musical passion and virtuosity can still create spiritually resplendent music.
“It is an honor to be here and an honor to pay tribute to my sweet friend of 40 years,” said 20-time Grammy Award-winning country icon Vince Gill from the stage of DAR Constitution Hall. “Emmy is such a great teacher. We don’t have any idea where we’re going if we don’t know where we’ve been, and she has been the most amazing teacher in showing us where this music came from.”
The 29 songs performed at the “The Life & Songs of Emmylou Harris: An All-Star Concert Celebration” perfectly showcased Ms. Harris’ musical innovations and deep influences. Ms. Harris was playing clubs in the Washington, D.C.-area when she met members of the country-rock band The Flying Burrito Brothers. The musicians were so impressed with Ms. Harris’ soprano vocals and heartfelt songwriting, they introduced her to Gram Parsons, who would become her mentor and collaborator. Parsons, who mixed folk, soul, R&B, country, rock and blues, helped sway Ms. Harris’ focus from Joni Mitchell-style folk to a country-rock-bluegrass hybrid that set her apart.
The performers at the tribute, who were either influenced by Ms. Harris or from whom she drew inspiration, underscored her musical breadth. International icons who performed included Kris Kristofferson, Mavis Staples, Alison Krauss, Lee Ann Womack, Lucinda Williams, Sheryl Crow, Martina McBride and Steve Earle. Up-and-comers Shovels & Rope, The Milk Carton Kids, duo Holly Williams and Chris Coleman, and Trampled by Turtles also paid tribute, as did some of Ms. Harris’ earliest champions, including country-rock pioneers Chris Hillman, Herb Pedersen and her frequent duet partner, Rodney Crowell.
Although the artists’ individual styles range from classic country to country-rock to bluegrass — as did Ms. Harris’ — their interpretations of songs in Ms. Harris’ catalog were a perfect swirl of elements that honored her original recordings while making them distinctively their own.
“The challenge is that no one is ever going to sing the songs better than Emmylou did,” said Mr. Was before the tribute. “We have to steer clear of making this [akin to] karaoke, yet we want the songs to resonate with people. That’s the challenge and the fun of it.”
Based on the number of standing ovations given to the artists, Mr. Was, Mr. Miller and the performers more than accomplished that goal. Even newer performers whose introductions elicited titters from the capacity crowd of approximately 4,000 performed with such virtuosity and passion that the audience was soon on its feet.
The crowd greeted Kenneth Pattengale and Joey Ryan, known as the duo The Milk Carton Kids, with near-silence as they walked onto the cavernous stage.
“It is quite an honor to be here,” said Mr. Ryan after telling the audience he and Mr. Pattengale were surprised by the invitation to perform at an event celebrating Ms. Harris, who he said is not just legendary but current and influential. “We figured we are here because she wants you to know she is aware of some bands you have never heard of.”
The comment elicited a roar of approval from the audience, which was on its feet after the duo performed a dazzling rendition of Ms. Harris’ original song “Michelangelo.”
Ms. Harris, elegantly dressed in a flowing black tunic and slacks, performed several songs, including “Blackhawk” with Daniel Lanois, who produced her epic 1995 album “Wrecking Ball.” She also performed “When We’re Gone,” with John Starling, a major influence, supporter and founding member of local bluegrass icons Seldom Scene, and “Boulder to Birmingham,” which she performed with Mr. Pedersen.
“Thank you everyone. I will never forget this night,” said Ms. Harris at the close of the tribute, which was taped for future television broadcast. “I’m so blessed to have so many friends. I must have done something really good in a past life.”
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