BRAND NEW DANCE is so over-burdened with criticism that it is too often ignored. Yes, BRAND NEW DANCE is not LUXURY LINER or BLUE KENTUCKY GIRL but few albums by any artist come close. Part of the problem is the album is misunderstood, because several key phases of Emmylou Harris' career aren't represented on CD. Too many people lost touch with Emmylou Harris after her "Five Classic Country-Rock Albums Period". Warner Bros. Records deserves a generous amount of criticism for this. Only five of her eleven 1980s albums are printed on Domestic CD. ROSES IN THE SNOW, PROFILE II, ANGEL BAND, BLUEBIRD, and DUETS are all that remain from a major period in Emmylou Harris' artistic crusade. The out-of-print records are very important because with them BRAND NEW DANCE seems a lot more important than most critics make it out to be. First and foremost, her career was not on a downslide, she was experimenting with different projects, suceeding artistically, but unfortuantely, not always commercially. BRAND NEW DANCE is not her best, but she doesn't have a worst. It fits all the qualifications for an Emmylou Harris album. 1)All the songs have an impact. 2)All the songs are consistant. 3)Several songs have a major artistic statement. There are a lot more. "Wheels Of Love" is a majestic opening track, it flawlessly performed, with terrific harmonies. She presents a marvelous version of Bruce Springsteen's "Tougher Than The Rest", it has country flavoring, but still retains its rock feel. "In His World" to me drags the flow of the album down, but does have a bouncy dream feel. "Sweet Dreams Of You" is excellent, a very enjoyable song. "Easy For You To Say" is a gorgeous country ballad. "Rollin' And Ramblin'" is a major artistic statement, and a brilliant display of a piece of Country Music history. Emmylou Harris brings the song alive, making it an irresistible number. "Better Off Without You" is a beautiful song of heartbreak, about walking a way from a dysfunctional romance. She delievers a sensational version of the Rock 'n' Roll classic "Never Be Anyone Else But You", she makes the song her own. "Brand New Dance" is an exceptional song. "Red Red Rose" is a wonderful love song. If you're not famliar with Emmylou Harris, you're better off starting with BLUE KENTUCKY GIRL, ELITE HOTEL, WRECKING BALL, BLUEBIRD, or LUXURY LINER. Don't write BRAND NEW DANCE off, but it would sound a lot different if we had copies of the old recordings (i.e. CIMARRON, THIRTEEN, LAST DATE, etc.) to refer to.

Many hail Emmylou Harris' 1990 album BRAND NEW DANCE, her worst album. I think it is an unfair comparison. To compare this album against albums like RED DIRT GIRL, WRECKING BALL or ROSES IN THE SNOW, is simply unfair. This album has its own flow and beauty, and its own appeal. It opens with the single "Wheels of Love", and is followed by Bruce Springsteen's "Tougher Than The Rest". "In His World" is a beautiful, almost magical song. THe title track is an album highlight, as is the album closer "Red, Red Rose". True, it is not her strongest effort, but there are some true gems to be found if you listen to this album. Other highlights include "Better Off Without You", "Never Be Anyone Else But You" and "Easy For You To Say". Don't believe all the negativity, don't believe what you read, listen and form your own opinions about BRAND NEW DANCE, you might be surprised.

BRAND NEW DANCE is so over-burdened with criticism that it is too often ignored. Yes, BRAND NEW DANCE is not LUXURY LINER or BLUE KENTUCKY GIRL but few albums by any artist come close. Part of the problem is the album is misunderstood, because several key phases of Emmylou Harris' career aren't represented on CD. Too many people lost touch with Emmylou Harris after her "Five Classic Country-Rock Albums Period". Warner Bros. Records deserves a generous amount of criticism for this. Only five of her eleven 1980s albums are printed on Domestic CD. ROSES IN THE SNOW, PROFILE II, ANGEL BAND, BLUEBIRD, and DUETS are all that remain from a major period in Emmylou Harris' artistic crusade. The out-of-print records are very important because with them BRAND NEW DANCE seems a lot more important than most critics make it out to be. First and foremost, her career was not on a downslide, she was experimenting with different projects, suceeding artistically, but unfortuantely, not always commercially. BRAND NEW DANCE is not her best, but she doesn't have a worst. It fits all the qualifications for an Emmylou Harris album. 1)All the songs have an impact. 2)All the songs are consistant. 3)Several songs have a major artistic statement. There are a lot more. "Wheels Of Love" is a majestic opening track, it flawlessly performed, with terrific harmonies. She presents a marvelous version of Bruce Springsteen's "Tougher Than The Rest", it has country flavoring, but still retains its rock feel. "In His World" to me drags the flow of the album down, but does have a bouncy dream feel. "Sweet Dreams Of You" is excellent, a very enjoyable song. "Easy For You To Say" is a gorgeous country ballad. "Rollin' And Ramblin'" is a major artistic statement, and a brilliant display of a piece of Country Music history. Emmylou Harris brings the song alive, making it an irresistible song. "Better Off Without You" is a beautiful song of heartbreak, about walking a way from a dysfunctional romance. She delievers a sensational version of the Rock 'n' Roll classic "Never Be Anyone Else But You", she makes the song her own. "Brand New Dance" is an exceptional song. "Red Red Rose" is a wonderful love song. If you're not famliar with Emmylou Harris, you're better off starting with BLUE KENTUCKY GIRL, ELITE HOTEL, WRECKING BALL, BLUEBIRD, or LUXURY LINER. Don't write BRAND NEW DANCE off, but it would sound a lot different if we had copies of the old recordings (i.e. CIMARRON, THIRTEEN, LAST DATE, etc.) to refer to

BRAND NEW DANCE is a fantastic album that was largely dismissed by critics, who deemed it "overproduced" and "formula", but this album is one of the high points of Emmylou Harris' recording career, and that's saying a lot! The most noble quality credited to Emmylou Harris is that she is willing to experiment with diffferent styles and musical ideas. She doesn't tie herself to one genre or one musical mindset. The only thing truly consistent about her is her integrity, and by 1990, she'd already gone all through traditional country (BLUE KENTUCKY GIRL) bluegrass (ROSES IN THE SNOW), country rock (EVANGELINE), gospel (ANGEL BAND), and SALLY ROSE, which could best be described as a "country opera", yet she had never really tried a conventionally-produced country album. DANCE may seem like a timid effort at the onset, but as always, Emmy assembles an ecclectic selection of songs, ranging from a Springsteen tune to work by folksinger Dave Mallett, to the country standard "Never be Anyone Else", and everything else just seems to fall into place. Her vocals are breathtaking, and while the backing isn't her illustrious Hot Band, they're nonethelsss a talented bunch (mostly studio players, I assume) who know exactly what a given song requires, and give what they've got. In short, one more amazing pit stop on Emmylou's brilliant musical journey.

I bought this CD seeking for folk-type singer like Iris, Nanci, or Lucinda. Emylou is really super, and this CD is super. I play it again and again since I've received it.