Blue Kentucky Girl is the sixth studio album by American country music artist Emmylou Harris, released in 1979. The album features Harris delving into more traditional country than the country-rock sound of her previous releases. Songs include work by Willie Nelson and Gram Parsons. Rodney Crowell's "Even Cowgirls Get the Blues" featured harmonies by Dolly Parton and Linda Ronstadt, and came out of the women's ill-fated 1978 recording sessions, where they first attempted to record a "trio" album (they succeeded in doing so nearly a decade later with their 1987 album Trio).
Jason Ankeny of AllMusic found "In response to criticism that her records weren't "country" enough, Harris recorded Blue Kentucky Girl, one of her most traditional outings. Relying on a more acoustic sound, the album largely forsakes contemporary pop songs in favor of standard country fare."
Bruce Smith of the New York Daily News remarked in his review, "Alabama born Emmylou Harris has abandoned her Malibu blue jeans for Nashville black velvet and white ruffles on this oddly formal country album...Those with an affection for Harris' singing style won't be disappointed by "Blue Kentucky Girl" although her soft rock fans with no taste for straight country might be disappointed."
Adam Sweeting of The Guardian claimed, "There are many brilliant songs...and this bunch showcases Emmy's inherent strengths: her clean, pure voice, impeccable choice of material and gift for picking the right musicians."
Blue Kentucky Girl won a Grammy for Best Female Country Vocal Performance. In 2006, the album ranked No. 20 on CMT's "40 Greatest Albums in Country Music".
"Beneath Still Waters" became Harris' fourth No. 1 hit; covers of the Drifters' 1960 hit "Save the Last Dance for Me" and the album's title track (originally recorded by Loretta Lynn) were top ten hits on the US country charts.
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