Songbird: Rare Tracks and Forgotten Gems


Songbird: Rare Tracks & Forgotten Gems is a 2007 box set of songs personally selected by Emmylou Harris: "I've selected not greatest hits, but personal favorites that, with a few exceptions, have never appeared on any other compilations, but were important gems in the string of pearls that each album strives to become. Also included are special collaborations, unreleased live and demo tracks, as well as contributions to tribute projects, which I may now gather into this fold.”
Discs one and two serve as a retrospective of Emmylou's solo career, including at least one song from each of her previous studio and live albums, and two cuts from her time with Gram Parsons. Discs three and four consist of collaborations with other performers, tribute album tracks, and unreleased material. Overall, 13 of the 78 tracks were previously unreleased. The DVD collects 9 videos filmed between 1975 and 2005, plus a public service announcement for Animal Rescue.

Packaging

The 5-disc set is packaged in a multi-fold cardboard sleeve bound to mimic a photographic album. A 200-page liner-notes and biography booklet, liberally graced with photos, is also bound to mimic a photographic album. Both faux miniature photo albums are housed in a CD-sized cardboard slipcase.

Track listing

Source:
  • previously unreleased material

DVD

  1. "Together Again" – with The Hot Band, featuring James Burton
  2. "Making Believe" – with The Hot Band, featuring Albert Lee, from the BBC's The Old Grey Whistle Test
  3. "Blue Kentucky Girl" – from PBS' Soundstage
  4. "Satan's Jewel Crown" – from PBS' Soundstage
  5. "Mr. Sandman" – Promotional video
  6. "I Don't Have to Crawl" – Promotional video
  7. "I Ain't Living Long Like This" – with Spyboy
  8. "Love Hurts" – at The Grand Ole Opry, with Elvis Costello
  9. "Imagine" – from CMT's Crossroads
  10. "PSA: Emmylou Harris On Animal Rescue"

Personnel

Disc 1

Bernie Leadon, Albert Lee, Gram Parsons, Herb Pedersen, Frank Reckard, Tony Rice, Ricky Skaggs, John Starling, Barry Tashian

Disc 2

Chris Leuzinger, Kate McGarrigle, Buddy Miller, Al Perkins, Kevin Salem
Dolores Keane, Mary Ann Kennedy, Daniel Lanois, Anna McGarrigle, Kate McGarrigle, Julie Miller, Al Perkins, Pam Rose, Jane Siberry, Jon Randall Stewart

Disc 3

Kate McGarrigle, Dolly Parton, Michele Pepin, Lou Reid, Linda Ronstadt
Jeff Hanna, Beck Hansen, Smokey Hormel, Ethan Johns, Paul Kennerley, Daniel Lanois, Greg Leisz, Scott Neubert, Mark O'Connor, Michele Pepin,
David Rawlings, Tony Rice, Randy Scruggs, Adam Seymour, Tim Smith, Verlon Thompson, Jeff Trott, Kenny Vaughan
Bob Mummert, Will Rigby, Joey Waronker, Greg Williams

Disc 4

Buddy Miller, Al Perkins, Emily Robison, Pam Rose, Randy Scruggs, John Starling, Jon Randall Stewart
Steve Turner, John Ware
Jon Randall Stewart