Pieces of the Sky
Pieces of the Sky is Emmylou Harris’s 1975 major-label debut — her second studio album, but the one that launched her career. Produced by Brian Ahern, it features her voice as the central, unadorned instrument, backed by acoustic guitar, pedal steel, and bass. Its song selection is eclectic: originals like ‘Boulder to Birmingham’ (written for Gram Parsons), plus covers of Merle Haggard, the Beatles, and Dolly Parton. ‘If I Could Only Win Your Love’ became her first country hit — No. 4 in the US, No. 1 in Canada. The album reached No. 7 on Billboard’s country LPs chart and No. 45 on the Billboard 200. It is certified gold. It established her country rock sound, initiated her long collaboration with Ahern, and laid groundwork for the Hot Band and the Americana genre.