The Ballad of Sally Rose

The Ballad of Sally Rose
Studio album by
ReleasedFebruary 25, 1985
Recorded1984
StudioTreasure Isle Recorders, Nashville, Tennessee
GenreCountry
Length36:12
LabelWarner Bros. Nashville
ProducerPaul Kennerley
Emmylou Harris chronology
White Shoes
(1983)
The Ballad of Sally Rose
(1985)
Thirteen
(1986)
Singles from The Ballad of Sally Rose
  1. "White Line"
    Released: February 1985
  2. "Rhythm Guitar""
    Released: June 1985
  3. "Timberline""
    Released: October 1985

The Ballad of Sally Rose is the eleventh studio album by American singer Emmylou Harris released in February 1985. It marked a significant departure for Harris for two reasons. First, all the songs were written by her and her then-husband Paul Kennerley, while her previous albums had consisted mostly of others' material. Secondly, it is a concept album, loosely based on Harris' relationship with Gram Parsons. The album tells the story of a character named Sally Rose, a singer whose lover and mentor, a hard-living, hard-drinking musician, is killed while on the road.[1] Dolly Parton, Linda Ronstadt and Gail Davies sing harmony on several of the songs. Many of the songs flow into one another to create a continuous momentum.

Prior to this album, only Harris' 1969 debut Gliding Bird had more than two of her own compositions, a feat she would not repeat until Red Dirt Girl in 2000. Harris has described the album as a "country opera".

  1. ^ Hurst, Jack (March 10, 1985). "More Than A Hint Emmylou Harris Comes Out In 'Ballad Of Sally Rose'". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved May 11, 2011.