– Customer review on 29/05/2011

If ever there was perfection in ensemble vocals, it is in the recording TRIO, which finds Emmylou Harris, Dolly Parton, and Linda Ronstadt throwing off the shackles of stardom and creating an overall sound that completely transcends their individual sounds. On this recording, decisions have been made more on the basis of vocal suitability rather than on star power, with the opening "The Pain of Loving You" a case in point. Originally written by Dolly Parton and Porter Wagner, this would seem an obvious selection for a Parton lead vocal--but here the lead is supplied by Emmylou Harris, with Parton and Ronstadt providing flawlessly blended backups that avoid overshadowing Harris' less authoritative singing style.
Throughout the recording, the artists play a sort of musical round robin, each taking the lead in turn and each serving the other vocalists with perfectly placed support--with no one artist overshadowing the other, all three speaking with the same musical intent. It is a truly remarkable accomplishment made all the more so through its complete simplicity: there are no complex vocal arrangements, no fussy instrumentals, no studio tricks. This is musicianship pure and simple and flawless in execution.

After a memorable "Making Plans," on which Parton assumes the lead, the ladies move into what is possibly their single most remarkable cut: a country-tinged version of the memorable 1950s pop hit "To Know Him Is To Love Him," in which their voices blend and merge to such a degree that it becomes impossible to say which vocalist has assumed the dominate role in the production. Linda Ronstadt comes to the fore with the 1930s Jimmy Rogers tune "Hobo's Meditation" and a remarkably powerful "Telling Me Lies" and "I've Had Enough;" Parton provides understated and lovely leads on the self-authored "Wildflowers," the slightly bluesy "These Memories," and the traditional "Rosewood Casket;" and Emmylou Harris gives a remarkable beautiful lead on the haunting "My Dear Companion."

While it is extremely difficult to select a favorite from this recording, if pressed I would give my favorite as the closing "Farther Along," a traditional country gospel tune that features each of the ladies in turn to truly remarkable effect. But it is all good. TRIO is goose-flesh music: so perfectly done that each selection in turn makes the hair stand on the back of your neck. You'll not find finer music this side of heaven, and if the angels really do sing in paradise, this is the sound they make. A truly rapturous, miraculous recording that deserves much greater recognition than it has to date received; strongly recommended.