Harris' recording career had actually begun back in 1970, with her Gliding Bird album, but she has since come to disown it. Her next album would have to wait until 1975, but by then many important things had happened to her. First she divorced her folk singer husband Tom Slocum, and then she worked as part of a trio with Gerry Mule and Tom Guidera. It was then she was discovered by Chris Hillman of The Flying Burrito Brothers, who briefly considered asking her to join the band, but instead reccomended her to his old bandmate (and original Burrito Brothers founder) Gram Parsons. She thus appeared on Parsons' debut solo album, and went on to tour with him as part of his band, The Fallen Angels (see Live 1973). Parsons gave her a study in country music, and under his tutelage she found her identity. When Parsons died in 1974, she was left at a crossroads.Her new direction became apparent with 1975's Pieces Of The Sky, released on Reprise records, where she strove forward with the country-rock sound Parsons had introduced her to. Alongside her own tribute to Parsons, "From Boulder To Birmingham", were covers of songs by country artists such as Merle Haggard, The Louvin Brothers and Dolly Parton, plus a version of The Beatles' "For No One". Among the high profile backing musicians featured were guitarists James Burton, Herb Pederson, Bernie Leadon and Amos Garrett, fiddle player Byron Berline, keyboard players Bill Payne and Glen D Hardin, and pedal steel guitarist Ben Keith.
The album was a massive success, and effectively kick-started Harris' career as a country singer. It got to #7 on the country albums chart, and "If I Could Only Win Your Love" became a #4 hit country single.
Gliding Bird (1970) <|> Elite Hotel (1975)
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