Personnel: Emmylou Harris (vocals, guitar); Vince Gill (vocals, guitar, mandolin); Emory Gordy (vocals, guitar, bass); Carl Jackson (vocals, guitar);

Mike Aldridge, Jerry Douglas (dobro); Mark O'Connor (fiddle, viola, mandola).

Engineers include: Donivan Cowart, Joe Scaif, Paul Goldberg.

Recorded at The Barn, Brentwood, Tennessee and The Music Mill, Nashville, Tennessee.

On this 1987 recording, Emmylou Harris focuses on country ballads with a Christian bent. Many traditional songs arranged by Harris are heard here, including "If I Be Lifted Up," "Bright Morning Stars," "We Shall Rise," "Drifting Too Far," and the title track, "Angel Band." Songs by Paul Kennerly and Ralph and Carter Stanley are also featured.

Lyrically, the songs on ANGEL BAND revolve around the pursuit of redemption, forgiveness, and joy in a world of heartbreak and loss. Musically, the group, consisting of country greats Vince Gill, Jerry Douglas, and Mark O'Connor among others, is sensitive, subtle and melodically compelling. The highlight of the album is the uplifting "When They Ring Those Golden Bells," which features fine instrumental work in addition to Harris's beautiful vocal performance.

Mojo (Publisher) (12/00, p.41) - "...Home-made white gospel....The yearning beauty of a clapboard chapel in an empty ocean of parry, Sunday morning, the hymn-singing carried on the wind from miles away..."

NME (Magazine) (2/14/00, p.42) - 8 out of 10 - "...The spartan acoustic backdrop allows [her] to really throw herself into traditional material....as succinct an affirmation of her immense vocal talents as you could hope for."