Album cover. Warner Bros. (9 25491-2) (1987)
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Trio is a collaborative studio album by Dolly Parton, Linda Ronstadt, and Emmylou Harris. It was released on March 2, 1987, by Warner Bros. Records. The album was produced by George Massenburg and recorded primarily in Los Angeles. It was Dolly's first album to be released following her departure from her longtime record label RCA Victor. It peaked at number one on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart number six on the all-genre Billboard 200. The album's four singles, "To Know Him Is to Love Him," "Telling Me Lies," "Those Memories of You," and "Wildflowers," all peaked in the top ten of the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart. The album won Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal at the 30th Annual Grammy Awards. It has been certified Platinum by the Recoding Industry Association of America.
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Track listing
- The Pain of Loving You (Dolly Parton, Porter Wagoner) 2:33
- Making Plans (Johnny Russell, Voni Morrison)3:36
- To Know Him Is to Love Him (Phil Spector) 3:47
- Hobo's Meditation (Jimmie Rodgers) 3:16
- Wildflowers (Dolly Parton) 3:35
- Telling Me Lies (Linda Thompson, Betsy Cook) 4:22
- My Dear Companion (Jean Ritchie) 2:53
- Those Memories of You (Alan O'Bryant) 3:55
- I've Had Enough (Kate McGarrigle) 3:27
- Rosewood Casket (Traditional, arr. by Avie Lee Parton) 3:03
- Farther Along (Traditional, arr. by John Starling, Emmylou Harris) 4:07
Country Music advertisement, March–April 1987 issue.
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BackgroundLongtime friends and admirers of one another, Dolly Parton, Emmylou Harris, and Linda Ronstadt first attempted to record an album together in January 1978. The sessions were abandoned after Dolly brought it to Linda's attention that the project should be more acoustic and less pop.
Some of the fruits of those shelved recording sessions did make it onto the women's respective solo albums. "Even Cowgirls Get the Blues" was included on Emmylou's 1979 album, Blue Kentucky Girl. "Mr. Sandman" and "Evangeline" appeared on Emmylou's 1981 album, Evangeline, and "My Blue Tears" was included on Linda's 1982 album, Get Closer. "Palms of Victory," another track from the aborted 1970s sessions, was included on the Emmylou's 2007 box set, Songbird: Rare Tracks and Forgotten Gems. |
During the mid-to-late 1970s, the ladies made several other musical collaborations together. Dolly, Linda, and Neil Young provided backing vocals on Emmylou's 1975 single, "Light of the Stable." It was later included on Emmylou's 1979 (UK) /1980 (US) album of the same name. Dolly and Fayssoux Starling joined Emmylou on "When I Stop Dreaming," which appeared on Emmylou's 1976 album, Luxury Liner. Dolly and Linda also recorded a version of the traditional ballad "I Never Will Marry," which appeared on Linda's 1977 album, Simple Dreams. Linda was joined by Emmylou on a cover of "I Can't Help It (If I'm Still in Love with You)" for Linda's Heart Like a Wheel album. During this time, Linda and Emmylou also covered a number of Dolly's compositions — Emmylou covered "Coat of Many Colors" and "To Daddy," and Linda recorded "I Will Always Love You" — for inclusion on their various solo albums during the mid-to-late-1970s. Dolly, in turn, covered Emmylou's "Boulder to Birmingham," including it on her 1976 album, All I Can Do. Dolly and Ricky Skaggs joined Emmylou on "Green Pastures" from her 1980 album, Roses in the Snow.
For Emmylou's 1985 album, The Ballad of Sally Rose, Dolly and Linda contributed backing vocals for five tracks: the title track, "Timberline," "Diamond in My Crown," "The Sweetheart of the Rodeo," and "Sweet Chariot."
Finally, a full collaboration album came to fruition in 1986, being produced by George Massenburg.
For Emmylou's 1985 album, The Ballad of Sally Rose, Dolly and Linda contributed backing vocals for five tracks: the title track, "Timberline," "Diamond in My Crown," "The Sweetheart of the Rodeo," and "Sweet Chariot."
Finally, a full collaboration album came to fruition in 1986, being produced by George Massenburg.
Recording
The album was recorded from January to November 1986 at The Complex in West Los Angeles. Additional recording took place at Woodland Studios in Nashville and Ocean Way Recording in Hollywood.
Dolly had previously recorded "The Pain of Loving You" with Porter Wagoner for their 1971 album, Two of a Kind. She recored the song again with The Grascals for their 2011 album Country Classics with a Bluegrass Spin. Dolly had previously recorded "Making Plans" with Porter Wagoner for their 1980 album, Porter & Dolly. She record it again in 2000 with Johnny Russell (one of its writers) for his Actin' Naturally album. Dolly recorded "Rosewood Casket" again for the 2016 compilation, On Top of Old Smoky: New Old-Time Smoky Mountain Music. She recorded "Father Along" for her 1999 album, Precious Memories.
Dolly had previously recorded "The Pain of Loving You" with Porter Wagoner for their 1971 album, Two of a Kind. She recored the song again with The Grascals for their 2011 album Country Classics with a Bluegrass Spin. Dolly had previously recorded "Making Plans" with Porter Wagoner for their 1980 album, Porter & Dolly. She record it again in 2000 with Johnny Russell (one of its writers) for his Actin' Naturally album. Dolly recorded "Rosewood Casket" again for the 2016 compilation, On Top of Old Smoky: New Old-Time Smoky Mountain Music. She recorded "Father Along" for her 1999 album, Precious Memories.
Release and promotion
The album was released March 2, 1987, on CD, LP, cassette, and 8-track.
Singles
"To Know Him Is to Love Him" was released as the album's first single on January 26, 1987. It debuted at number 48 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart dated February 21. It peaked at number one on the chart dated May 16, its thirteenth week on the chart. The single charted for 19 weeks. The song also peaked at number one in Canada on the RPM Country Singles chart and number 54 in Australia on the Kent Music Report. A music video directed by George Lucas (yes, THAT George Lucas) was released to accompany the single.
The second single, "Telling Me Lies," was released on May 11, 1987. It debuted at number 65 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart dated May 30. It peaked at number three on the chart dated August 8, its eleventh week on the chart. It charted for 18 weeks. It also peaked at number 35 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart. The single peaked at number six in Canada on the RPM Country Singles chart.
The album's third single, "Those Memories of You," was released on August 31, 1987. It debuted at number 56 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart dated September 26. It peaked at number five on the chart dated December 12, its twelfth week on the chart. The single charted for 22 weeks. The song also peaked at number one in Canada on the RPM Country Singles chart. The single was accompanied by the release of a music video directed by White Copeman.
"Wildflowers" was released at the fourth single on March 14, 1988. It debuted at number on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart dated March 26. It peaked at number six on the chart dated June 11, its twelfth week on the chart. It charted for 18 weeks. The single peaked at number eight in Canada on the RPM Country Singles chart.
The second single, "Telling Me Lies," was released on May 11, 1987. It debuted at number 65 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart dated May 30. It peaked at number three on the chart dated August 8, its eleventh week on the chart. It charted for 18 weeks. It also peaked at number 35 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart. The single peaked at number six in Canada on the RPM Country Singles chart.
The album's third single, "Those Memories of You," was released on August 31, 1987. It debuted at number 56 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart dated September 26. It peaked at number five on the chart dated December 12, its twelfth week on the chart. The single charted for 22 weeks. The song also peaked at number one in Canada on the RPM Country Singles chart. The single was accompanied by the release of a music video directed by White Copeman.
"Wildflowers" was released at the fourth single on March 14, 1988. It debuted at number on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart dated March 26. It peaked at number six on the chart dated June 11, its twelfth week on the chart. It charted for 18 weeks. The single peaked at number eight in Canada on the RPM Country Singles chart.
Critical reception
Billboard published a review in the issue dated March 14, 1987, which said, "If the "new traditionalists" in country music still have a body of work to draw from, it's largely because these three celestial songbirds kept it alive and vibrant throughout the adulterated '70s. But the members of the trio are not resting on their reputations here; their album is stunningly beautiful on every cut. Crossover is certain and will most likely be instantaneous, fueled by Ronstadt's current ride atop the Hot 100–in a duet with James Ingram–with "Somewhere Out There."
In the March 14, 1987 issue of Cashbox, a review was published that said, "The long-awaited collaboration of three of country/pop’s greatest voices is an unqualified success. The near-perfect song selection gives the three ample room to develop subtleties and nuance that in places is heart rending (listen to "Telling Me Lies"). These three singular voices blend together in seamless harmony, floating over the sweetest country melodies and poignant understated lyrics. Augmented by an assemblage of some of the best sidemen available, including Albert Lee and Mark O’Connor among them."
Mark Deming of AllMusic rated the album 4.5 out of 5 stars. He called the album "a truly inspired idea." He said that the most pleasing part of the record is "when the three harmonize, with their distinct but equally impressive voices melding into a whole that's more than the sum of its parts." The review closed by saying that "Trio is that rare example of an all-star collaborative effort that truly shows everyone involved to their best advantage, and it ranks with the best of all three headliners' work."
In the March 14, 1987 issue of Cashbox, a review was published that said, "The long-awaited collaboration of three of country/pop’s greatest voices is an unqualified success. The near-perfect song selection gives the three ample room to develop subtleties and nuance that in places is heart rending (listen to "Telling Me Lies"). These three singular voices blend together in seamless harmony, floating over the sweetest country melodies and poignant understated lyrics. Augmented by an assemblage of some of the best sidemen available, including Albert Lee and Mark O’Connor among them."
Mark Deming of AllMusic rated the album 4.5 out of 5 stars. He called the album "a truly inspired idea." He said that the most pleasing part of the record is "when the three harmonize, with their distinct but equally impressive voices melding into a whole that's more than the sum of its parts." The review closed by saying that "Trio is that rare example of an all-star collaborative effort that truly shows everyone involved to their best advantage, and it ranks with the best of all three headliners' work."
Billboard review, March 14, 1987.
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Cashbox review, March 14, 1987.
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Commercial performance
The album debuted at number 16 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart dated March 28, 1987. It peaked at number one on the chart dated May 2, its sixth week on the chart, where it remained for four additional weeks. The album charted for 84 weeks. It also peaked at number six on the Billboard 200. The album peaked at number four in Canada on the RPM Top Albums chart. It also peaked at number four in Australia on the Kent Music Report. The album saw success in Sweden also, where it peaked at number 29 on the Sverigetopplistan Swedish Albums chart. It peaked at number 60 on the UK Albums chart.
The album charted at number 10 on the Billboard Top Country Albums year-end chart for 1987, and number 20 on the chart for 1988. It also charted at number 62 on the Billboard 200 year-end chart for 1987.
The album charted at number 10 on the Billboard Top Country Albums year-end chart for 1987, and number 20 on the chart for 1988. It also charted at number 62 on the Billboard 200 year-end chart for 1987.
Accolades
The album won Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal at the 30th Annual Grammy Awards in 1988 and was also nominated for Album of the Year. It won Album of the Year at the 23rd Academy of Country Music Awards in 1988. The album was nominated for Album of the Year at the 21st Annual Country Music Association Awards in 1987 and won Vocal Event of the Year at the 22nd Annual Country Music Association in 1988. The album won Vocal Collaboration of the Year and Album of the Year at the 1988 CMT Music Awards (known as the Music City News Awards at the time). In December 2020, Trio was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.
The album was simultaneously certified Gold and Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of American on July 14, 1987, for shipment of 1,000,000 copies. The album was certified Gold by Recorded Music New Zealand on August 9, 1987, for shipment of 7,500 copies.
The album was simultaneously certified Gold and Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of American on July 14, 1987, for shipment of 1,000,000 copies. The album was certified Gold by Recorded Music New Zealand on August 9, 1987, for shipment of 7,500 copies.
Personnel
Credits are adapted from the album liner notes.
Performance
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Production
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Other personnel
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