Trio: The Complete Trio Collection

Dolly Parton, Emmylou Harris, Linda Ronstadt

2016 - Rhino Entertainment Company.  In 1987, the music industry was floored when three of it’s greatest entertainers came together to create an album called Trio.  Dolly Parton, Emmylou Harris and Linda Ronstadt recorded an album that contained tight harmonies mixed with pure creative genius.  One that Emmylou Harris dubbed as “It was a glorious sound.”  The fans agreed as the album flew off the shelf and earned this trio of talented women many notable accolades and Top 10 hits.  Most thought that it was a fluke, believing that the album was only a one time deal.  A decade later, these three women came together once again to release another album called Trio II.  Once again the industry as well as the fans were elated to the songs released. Now eighteen years later, we are delighted to hear that Dolly, Emmylou and Linda have released a three-disc box set called The Complete Trio Collection.  First and foremost, it is so nice to hear these three beautiful ladies together again; even though this box set is only a newly remastered version.  The first disc is the identical twin to the original release as it includes all eleven songs.  These songs consist of “The Pain of Loving You,” “To Know Him Is To Love Him,” “Rosewood Casket,” “I’ve Had Enough,” and the ever popular “Wildflowers.”  The second disc is too an identical remastered version of their album Trio II.  This disc includes ten songs like “Do I Ever Cross Your Mind,” “You’ll Never Be The Sun,” “Feels Like Home,” and “When We’re Gone, Long Gone.”  It’s the third disc that gets us excited! This disc is a collection of unreleased and alternate takes as well as other things.  This disc features twenty cuts that include an alternate version of “Wildflowers.”  It also features other alternate versions of songs including “Lover’s Return,” “My Dear Companion,” “Making Plans,” “I’ve Had Enough,” “Do I Ever Cross Your Mind,” and “Farther Along.”  Further more it contains the song “Waltz Across Texas Tonight” which was written by Harris and Rodney Crowell.  Within the chorus of this song you will definitely hear the tight harmonies that these three vocalists created.  It’s the ten unreleased songs that fans will treasure the most about this set.  Amongst the unreleased songs you will find a beautiful version of “Softly And Gently” in which Emmylou opens with as an cappella.  Other unreleased covers include an a cappella version of Doyle Lawson’s “Calling My Children Home,” an incredible version of Gary Lewis & The Playboy’s 1967 hit “Where Will The Words Come From,” an A.P. Carter song called “Are You Tired of Me,” and one of the most riveting versions of The Chordettes ever popular 1954 hit song “Mr. Sandman.”  Amongst these newly issued songs you will find one that will hit our list of Top Songs of 2017, while earning a nomination for the Spirit Award’s Song of The Year.  “My Blue Tears,” written by Dolly, this is a simple and elegant composition.  Another that is worth noting is “Pleasant As May.”  This is another Dolly Parton composition performed in an elegant and gentle representation.  What is most important about this box set is the fact that these three talented women were able to set aside their own individual careers to create a collection of highly-listenable and sculptural songs.  Other than the covers, my only complaint is the fact that Dolly Parton, Emmylou Harris and Linda Ronstadt will never tour together in support of this box set.  Around 2013, Linda was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease which caused her to fully retire from the music industry as she is unable to sing. However, as one takes a look at this set, one can not help but appreciate the true artistic beauty that began way back in the mid 1970’s when three women came together in the name of music.  This is a must have for any music collection as it features the best of what music should be—artistry.  $$$$+

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