Dolly Parton, Emmylou Harris, and Linda Ronstadt – Live

Dolly Parton, Emmylou Harris, and Linda Ronstadt on Late Show, March 24, 1999.

“Trio II” was recorded in 1994 but not released until 1999, when Emmylou Harris, Dolly Parton, and Linda Ronstadt appeared on Late Show to perform Neil Young’s “After the Gold Rush.” The Glass Harmonica (or Armonica) was played by Dennis James, who remembers the performance in an interview with Rich Bailey in 2002:

Rich Bailey: I remember when you appeared with her on Letterman and you discussed the Armonica a bit. How was that?

Dennis James: Well, it was a great surprise. A sort of unspoken message in the air to me before the broadcast was “Do not say anything on the air!”. After all, these things are Linda’s appearances. When David L. leaned over his desk and directed a question to me I simply froze- on playback of the dub I can see myself caught and unable to speak. I received a glance from Linda that said to me it was OK and so when he tried again I called back a flip one liner and on things went from there.
— Don Giller

This performance should never be lost. It is timeless, magnificent, pure! They took Neil Young’s tune to another level!

No ego, just pure talent in harmony. You could sense that the trio was both happy and proud to be singing together. The result is music that’s heaven on earth.