Gram Parsons
 

No thread for what I understand is the country-rock Jesus? Psh

http://www.geocities.com/peroirena133/gram-parsons.jpg

Gram Parsons was an American singer/songwriter (duh) responsible for co-writing the Byrds' landmark Sweetheart of the Radio album, heavily influencing the Rolling Stones in their Let It Bleed era (allegedly writing 'Honky Tonk Women'), and forming the Flying Burrito Brothers.

To this day he holds for many the fascination of any prodigious talent who died young, having only completed two albums of solo material before his overdose in 1973 at the age of 26.



Nevertheless these two albums influenced a generation of country music (both are accredited perfect 5 ratings on allmusic.com) and are one of my few forays into this area of country - they sound to my ears like the archetype of country rock as I know it, with the classic Emmylou Harris harmonies and pedal steel etc... but with enough stylistic variation to keep me interested.

Any takers? Which do y'all prefer GP or Grievous Angel?

I've been meaning to get something by him, what would you pick?

I was actually thinking of starting a thread like this myself.

I'd say that along with the Byrds' Sweetheart Of the Rodeo either one of his albums are the best starting point for anyone looking to get into country rock. True, I don't exactly know an awful lot about the stuff, but he's definitely my favourite of the classic country rock bunch (followed closely by Emmylou Harris).

Picking a favourite's difficult, but I'd probably go with Grievous Angel (despite my putting his debut in my top 100). End-to-end great stuff - as you mentioned it's the stylistic variation which keeps you intrigued.

It's been sitting on my hard drive for months now, I just can't seem to find the energy to listen to it.... *sigh*

that's no good :nono:

report back when you've given him a chance

fav gram song,....

YouTube - Gram Parsons - Hickory Wind - Byrds

^^still don't have that album, I'm a huge Byrds fan and all too...

At this moment my favourite of the two albums is GP

The song I'm digging 'Streets of Baltimore' at the momo. Apparently it's a cover and I think it's definitely a drug song, at least it could be interpreted that way.. Decide for y'rself
copy and paste time :D

Well I sold the farm to take my woman where she used to be
We left our kin and all our friends back there in Tennessee
And I bought those one way tickets she had often begged me for
And they took us to the streets of Baltimore
Well her heart was filled with gladness when she saw those city lights
She said the prettiest place on earth was Baltimore at night
Well a man feels proud to give his woman what she's longing for
And I kinda liked the streets of Baltimore

When I got myself a factory job, I ran an old machine
And I bought a little cottage in a neighborhood serene
And every night when I'd come home with every muscle sore
She'd drag me through the streets of Baltimore
Well I did my best to bring her back to what she used to be
Then I soon learned she loved those bright lights more than she loved me
Now I'm a going back on that same train that brought me here before
While my baby walks the streets of Baltimore
While my baby walks the streets of Baltimore

I like the pedal steel in this tune.

Christine's Tune - Flying Burrito Brothers

I think Gram Parsons put out some good music. He ranks among the minor country stylists. He didn't have a great voice, but created a fine, emotive country sound.
I think his myth has exagerated his importance, & I think emmylou Harris has done more than anyone else to perpetuate that myth
the work gram did with emmylou is probably her best- her heavenly harmonies are a perfect complement to his sound

I love this track. I think I first heard it & a few other Flying Burrito tracks on John Peels shows back when I was a teenager
Great sound