Gram Parsons was born in Florida, raised in Georgia and died two months short of his 27th birthday, outside L.A. in 1973. His body was stolen by his road manager and cremated at Joshua Tree National Memorial before the autopsy was done. Friends say he overdosed in the desert.
Parsons spent his short life trying to bridge the gap between the country music of his youth and the rock music of the hippy generation. He was in the Byrds for three months and, though his parts were removed from Sweetheart of the Rodeo, (and later remixed in for the CD re-issue) that album is often cited as being the birth of country rock.
Parsons started Flying Burrito Brothers with ex-Byrd Chris Hillman, but only appears on the first two LPs. His best work is considered to be on his solo LP Grievous Angel. Parsons opened the door for acts such as the Eagles, Alabama and Jackson Browne.
The songs on this CD are generally well done but lack the heart and soul and immediacy of Parson's originals which, of course, were unique and challenging in their own time, but now are just really good country rock tunes. Highlights include "Cody, Cody," a sweet country-folk harmony remin iscent of early Fairport Convention, performed by The Musical Kings (aka Peter Buck and Kevin Kinney); "Blue Eyes" on which Uncle Tupelo is faithful to the texture of the original; "Still Feelin' Blue," which Finger nails with big guitars and John Howie's driving beat; and "Hickory Wind," a very cool Bob Mould and Vic Chestnutt duet. Well worth your time. (Bill Burton)