Emmylou Harris once called her 1985 release The Ballad Of Sally Rose, one of the singer’s most personal albums, a country opera. The song cycle is based loosely on her short time with influential singersongwriter Gram Parsons, who died in 1973. Known more for singing songs written by others, this was Harris’ first self-composed album and it remains one of her favourites. Rhino revisits this underrated gem with an Expanded Edition that features a newly remastered version of the original album along with unreleased demos for most songs on the album. For years, Harris used the name Sally Rose as an alias on tour. So when she started writing songs about a singer whose lover and mentor – a hard-living, harddrinking musician – is killed while on the road, the name Sally Rose was a natural fit. Highlights from The Ballad of Sally Rose include the singles White Line – which reached #14 on the country charts – and Rhythm Guitar with Waylon Jennings on lead guitar. In addition, Dolly Parton and Linda Ronstadt sing harmony throughout the album. Two years later, the friends and frequent collaborators would release their first album together, Trio, which sold more than four million copies and won two Grammy Awards. The Expanded Edition’s bonus disc introduces unreleased demo recordings for 10 tracks. Most feature Harris accompanying herself on acoustic guitar, giving these versions a stripped-back intimacy.