Pieces of the Sky (1975)

Emmylou Harris's first major-label album, made after Gram Parsons's death, blends bluegrass, honky-tonk and West Coast country rock on her own terms, with players such as James Burton who would soon form the core of her Hot Band. Her clear, expressive voice brought traditional country forms back from formula, an independent streak that sits comfortably beside the outlaws even without the swagger.