Amazon.co.uk Review: Stumble into Grace is a sublime affirmation of all the qualities that have made Emmylou Harris the pre-eminent American songstress of her generation. Having by now left the narrow confines of "Country" far behind, this album speaks eloquently of Harris's continuing quest to explore the essence of contemporary American folk: deeply felt lyrics and thoughtful musical accompaniment recall the best of Bob Dylan and Neil Young, but the achingly beautiful melodies are uniquely all her own (a charming rendition of "Plaisir d'Amour" excepted). After experimenting with dense over-production that occasionally overwhelmed her on the crossover Wrecking Ball and the soul-searching Red Dirt Girl, Harris and producer Malcolm Burn have finally got the balance exactly right. That seemingly fragile, half-whispered voice--threatening at any moment to splinter into crystalline fragments--is heard here in its naked glory, imbuing these reflective songs with a touch of, well, grace. By the time the listener reaches the extraordinary "Lost unto This World"--surely a spark of the divine in musical form--it will have become abundantly clear that after more than three decades in the business Emmylou Harris is now making some of the finest music of her career. --Mark Walker
Customer Reviews
Average Rating:
Rating: - I've stumbled back to earth
Rarely has music moved me as much as Emmylou Harris' last two albums, "Red Dirt Girl" and the sublime "Wrecking Ball". Listening to these albums became almost a spiritual experience, the music is that good; beautiful, uplifting, heart-breaking. So it is with a great deal of disappointment that i must admit just how inferior Emmylou's latest offering is. The problem isn't however with the song writing, but the over-precious, over-the-top production, which is at best too glossy and at worst plain cheesy. ... Read More
Rating: - Better and better
Comparing Wrecking Ball, Red Dirt Girl and Stumble into Grace, and I come up with the last as the best. Emmylou's song writing improves all the time, even straying into something that could be called almost up-tempo! The arrangements are gorgeous, not hurt by the guest reappearance of Daniel Lanois on 3 tracks, and each song is delivered with, well, grace.
An utterly beautiful album, which no doubt the Nashville red necks still refuse to listen to because it isn't twangy enough. More fool them ... Read More
Rating: - I'm Not A Fan, But...
I bought this on personal recommendation. Frankly, I didn't take to two thirds of the album: whatever I play the CD on, the sound quality is poor. Dare I suggest that Harris is actually muttering in a couple of places. That being said, for me the album is worth listening to even if only for "Oh Evangeline", the song from which the album derives the words for its title: I have trouble not playing that track over and over. "Plaisir D'amour" has been covered a fair number of times: this version is ... Read More
Rating: - Another jewel in her crown
Although it differs in tone from her masterpieces Wrecking Ball and Red Dirt Girl, Stumble Into Grace is another treasure trove of her post-country magic. It may be more intimate and lack the sweeping ballads like Blackhawk or Michelangelo from those two albums, but the melodies and the poetry remain enchanting.
Both I Will Dream and Little Bird were co-written by Kate and Anna McGariggle; the first is graced with the backing vocals of Jane Siberry, one of my favourite female vocalists, and the second ... Read More
Rating: - Another instant-classic & a highlight of 2003.....
Very few artists make revolutionary records in the latter stages of their career- Emmylou Harris is an exception to that rule. Though she had written/co-written many a classic song (e.g. Boulder to Birmingham) she didn't really start writing albums till the Ballad of Sally...- a fictional take on her relationship to Gram Parsons, which pre-empted Reed/Cale's Songs for Drella in approach. But it was 95's classic Wrecking Ball that was the year zero, Emmylou with Daniel Lanois & Malcolm Burn (familiar from Dylan's ... Read More
- 
- 
-