I couldn't believe what I was reading with the editorial review by Amazon! This girl is soooo much better than Dolly Parton will ever be. One of the finest voices on the planet today.

This collection of these early works is a very strong cross-section of the immense talent that has been evident in the voice of Emmylou Harris since "Pieces of the Sky" premiered on vinyl in the pre-CD mid-1970's. From this album the Emmylou-penned 'Boulder to Birmingham' stands out along with 'Too Far Gone", 'Before Believing' and the Beatles cover 'For No One'. For those who missed the 1969 "Gliding Bird" and her collaborations with Gram Parsons and Bob Dylan, these jewels were just a hint of the rich gifts to come to the world through the instrument of Emmylou Harris. Throughout the years, Emmylou has distilled the rich emotion of country, bluegrass, roots, folk, rock and roll, and other musical genres while instilling each with an essence unmistakably 'Emmylou'.

This collection begins with the best of her first solo ablum and a strong nod toward the important influence of Gram Parsons in her life and musical sensibility. Emmylou's profound respect for other icons of songwriting such as Dolly Parton, Bill Monroe, Townes van Zandt are clear in her choice of material and her sensitive interpretations of their work.
This 3-CD set could easily be much longer without resorting to "filler" material. Some gems missing from this collection include 'She' from "Luxury Liner" (otherwise well represented), 'I Don't Have to Crawl' and 'Ashes by Now' from "Evangeline". The much-maligned "White Shoes" album is severely underrepresented with only 'In My Dreams' included. For a time it was only available in Europe (like the yet hard to find "Ballad of Sally Rose"). Though, as a "cross-over" album it was not popular, it remains one of her strongest works - AND - it's a lot of fun!

Except for 'Sweet Chariot', "Ballad of Sally Rose" is also missing from this collection as is the powerful "Thirteen". "Sally Rose" is very personal, self-penned album. Find it and buy it for a more complete understanding of Emmylou. "Thirteen" offers a fine helping of Cajun influence and some beautiful pieces including 'Mystery Train', 'My Father's House', 'Just Someone I Used to Know' and 'Your Long Journey'. Again, do yourself a favor and FIND IT!

If you are new to Emmylou... Buy this set for a fantastic introduction to this goddess of the harmonic. Then buy "Ballad of Sally Rose", "Thirteen", and "White Shoes". To understand a little of the magic of Emmylou live, pick up "Last Date" and "Live at the Ryman". This will provide a strong "History of Emmylou".

Then buy what she has called "my weird album" - "Wrecking Ball" and the inspired "Red Dirt Girl" to go even deeper into the soul of this artist. You will never stop playing these. These two albums stand apart and mark the beginning of a, hopefully long, new phase of Ms. Harris' career as an artist of sound, voice and song with the collaboration and influence of Daniel Lanois, Julie and Buddy Miller, Lucinda Williams, Gillian Welch and other essential singer/songwriter/artists of our age. Long live Emmylou Harris, our lives are all richer each time she opens her soul through a song.

Contrary to what Mr. Himes writes on behalf of Amazon.com, Ms. Harris IS a distinctive singer and songwriter. "Boulder to Birmingham" (her signature song) and "Prayer in D" among others display a depth of feeling and vivid imagery that Dolly Parton can never hope to achieve.

This 3-CD set is an extraordinary compilation of her career, spanning almost 2 decades of her recorded work, some of which is released officially for the first time. The tracks on these CDs are not in chronological order (although close), nor do they include more recent efforts (nothing from Wrecking Ball, for instance).

However, the unreleased nuggets of gold, such as duets with her late lover Gram Parsons (in whose memory she wrote "Boulder to Birmingham"), live cuts, and other notable tracks make this compilation as important to Harris fans as the Bootleg Series is to Dylan fans.

Whether you are a fan of Emmylou Harris or a newcomer, this is a "must have."

This box set is worth the money. Emmylou's career has presented us with one of the most eclectic collections I have heard. Every song on these three cd's stands out as classic, at least in my mind. I have never been a country music fan but Emmylou Harris not just country. There is something about the heart of her music that is not easy to explain and that is demonstrated nowhere better than in this set. I personally like "In My House Of Darkness" with Gram Parsons, but I also like "Togather Again" and "You're Still On My Mind." Actually, I like every song. I like to listen to this set when I have time to play all three cd's straight through...then I feel like I have truly been around the world of music. It's wonderful listening!

I have been a fan of Emmy's since I heard "Goodbye to Daddy" played by an AM radio station in Virginia, when I was just a kid riding to the feed store in Daddy's battered old pickup. I have owned various copies of her work, on vinyl, tape, and the blessed CD. This collection brings out some of my favorites from years passed, and some real gems that I had missed out on before. Don't worry about how "complete" this album is, or how representative of her past work. This stands alone just fine. Each song gives a slice of someone's life, a short story, expressions of joy and thanksgiving, or the chilling recognition of someone from your past. In her cover of James Taylor's Millworker, you will hear the unarticulated laments of women who realize they sold themselves short for what they thought was love. Listen to Icy Blue Heart and you hear a good man recoil in horror, but reply with compassion when he is approached by a burned-out barfly seeking refuge. Rollin' and Ramblin' (The Death of Hank Williams)is followed by the perfect companion piece, Casey's Last Ride. The Willie Nelson duet, Gulf Coast Highway, is a tribute to all couples who cling together through thick and thin, an affirmation that there are great loves existing quietly among us. Emmylou shines as always in her spiritual pieces. Angel Band, Calling My Children Home, The Angels Rejoiced Last Night, and others,are mournful and uplifting at the same time - true Appalachian expressionism. Nothing makes us feel better than to cry and sing at the same time. Although it may seem odd to follow a Bill Monroe tune with Bob Dylan, it certainly works here, with the rollicking songs Walls of Time and When I Paint My Masterpiece. This album may have been an unwieldy project to put together simply due to its size, scope and wide musical variety, but if you prefer some parts to others, program your favorites into your CD player and arrange them to suit yourself. Bottom line: If you enjoy Emmylou Harris at all, you will never regret purchasing Portraits.