‘The Trio: The Complete Collection’ Adds Outtakes, Unreleased Recordings To Iconic Collaboration

Thirty years ago, Dolly Parton, Emmylou Harris, and Linda Ronstadt made musical history with the release of the Grammy-winning Trio album, which included the hit “To Know Him Is To Love Him,” in addition to “Those Memories Of You,” “Wildflowers,” and the Grammy-winning “Telling Me Lies.” The success and reach of the album demanded follow-up, Trio II, released in 1999.

On Friday, Sept. 9, Rhino Records released The Complete Trio Collection, a three-disc set that includes remastered versions of the 1987 and 1999 albums, with a third disc that boasts a 20-cut collection of outtakes and unreleased tracks from the original sessions.

“It’s nice to have it all together,” said Parton. “I just think we all take such pride in this. I know that for me, this will always stand as one of the greatest musical things that I’ve done in my entire life. I’ve never been prouder of anything else. I love these girls like sisters, but what we did as ‘The Trio’ will stand up long after we’re all gone.”

Disc one is a remastered version of the original Trio album. Released in the spring of 1987, the set went on to sell over four million copies. Produced by the George Massenburg, Ronstadt says the trio selected the perfect producer for the project.

“He was just great at listening and at carrying out a whim,” said Ronstadt. “The music ideas would come from us, and he would keep us from getting into a muddle and going off in twenty-nine different directions. He has the best way of recording acoustic instruments—where they still sounded natural, but they sounded at their best. He was really an invaluable partner, in that he really didn’t interfere with us. He let things develop, and just kept things organized.”

Harris also recalls hearing the music collectively. “When I heard it, I remembered we did that, but I had forgotten how great it was. It was like a Christmas present that you forgot to open, and you finally get to discover.”