Gram Parsons

[readyeddy?]

Who's heard of Gram Parsons? I've been a fan of his since I bought his final album with Emmylou Harris called "Grievous Angel". He overdosed trying to keep up with Keith Richards not long after it was released.
This guy invented Country rock while he was with the Byrds, then founded The Flying Burrito Brothers and kept the ball rolling. This guy was a huge influence on most any alternative country you might be into. I'll seriously have to learn how to do links so I can show you some examples of this guys stuff. Hopefully there's something on Youtube for him.

[readyeddy?]

You know, Country music can be awful lonesome. Something it has in common with this thread.

[KiwiGirl]

I grew up with country music reddyeddy, and even have a resturant here called The Flying Burito Brothers, though have never heard of Gram Parsons. Im more of a Kenny Rogers, Dolly Parton, Tammy Wynette, Conway Twitty and Jim Reeves kinda gal. :)

[T'Chaka]

'Sweetheart of the Rodeo' rules!

[readyeddy?]

I grew up with country music reddyeddy, and even have a resturant here called The Flying Burito Brothers, though have never heard of Gram Parsons. Im more of a Kenny Rogers, Dolly Parton, Tammy Wynette, Conway Twitty and Jim Reeves kinda gal. :)
If you get a chance, go to that restaurant and ask the proprietor(s) if they've ever heard of Gram Parsons. Odds are they're big fans, judging by the name of that restaurant.
When I finally get this link thing figured out,I'll try to find some good representative stuff off of Youtube for you to sample. You might find you like it. I'll put them on this thread so stay subscribed.
Have you heard any Emmylou Harris? She's sort of representative of Gram Parson's legacy.

[readyeddy?]

'Sweetheart of the Rodeo' rules!
Dang it T'Chaka, every time I try to rep you, I've repped you too recently.

[KiwiGirl]

Maybe I'll drag my husband down to the Flying Burito Brothers this weekend for Fathers Day!!! :)

She sounds really really familiar - what songs can you suggest for me to go check out on You Tube?

[readyeddy?]

Maybe I'll drag my husband down to the Flying Burito Brothers this weekend for Fathers Day!!! :)

She sounds really really familiar - what songs can you suggest for me to go check out on You Tube?
I'm feeling a little pissy because I can't find my Flying Burrito Brothers CDs anywhere. Very irritating.
Actually Gram was a man but I can see where you might think it was a female name.
Probably his best known song would be "Return of the Grievous Angel" from his "Grievous Angel" album. He duets with Emmylou Harris and it's very good. You also might want to look for his version of "Love Hurts" also with Emmylou Harris. "In My Hour of Darkness" is good if it's there.
See if you can find "Sin City", "High Fashion Queen". "Hot Burrito #1", "Hot Burrito #2", "Losing Game", "Devil in Disguise" and look for their covers of "Wild Horses" and "Six Days on the Road" for Flying Burrito Bros.
If you can find anything on Youtube from his Byrds days, off of "Sweetheart of the Rodeo" I'm fond of "Hickory Wind" and "You Ain't going Nowhere".
The Flying Burrito Bros put out a pretty good live album after Gram passed away called "Last of the Red Hot Burritos" that can be found in bargain bins here in the States. I must warn you they rock up most of the songs but I really enjoy it. It was mostly done to fulfill contract obligations, but I really like it.
Now if you'll excuse me I'm going to go beat myself up over the apparent disappearance of my CDs. You know if I replace it, it will mysteriously reappear.
Ok, I found it, about twenty seconds before I was likely to put twenty stitches bashing my head against the wall for having lost it.

[AlienFlanders]

Too lazy to find any others

Gram Parsons - Grievous Angel (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hk8bejZ16KU)

Emmylou Harris talks about Gram Parsons (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eHtfhIPhfrM)

[AlienFlanders]

You know all country should allow a couple of days between replies to allow the coyotes and tumbleweeds to pass.

[readyeddy?]

Too lazy to find any others

Gram Parsons - Grievous Angel (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hk8bejZ16KU)

Emmylou Harris talks about Gram Parsons (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eHtfhIPhfrM)
You picked Some good ones, there Mark. You had me going with that Dropkick Murphys link. Then I realized it was part of your signature.

By the way; from that first link you can access other Gram Parsons songs pretty easily, including "Christine's Tune", which is also known as "Devil in Disguise". A great tune.

Should anybody conclude they'd like to find a copy of "Sweetheart of the Rodeo" I'd like to recommend you find the extended version. It'll cost a little more but it gives alternate takes of the songs sung by Gram instead of Roger McGuinn.

Now if I could just get people to respond to my jazz thread.

[readyeddy?]

You know all country should allow a couple of days between replies to allow the coyotes and tumbleweeds to pass.
You're thinking of the cowboy tunes like when you discuss the Marshall Tucker Band.

[readyeddy?]

Maybe I'll drag my husband down to the Flying Burito Brothers this weekend for Fathers Day!!! :)

She sounds really really familiar - what songs can you suggest for me to go check out on You Tube?
Let me know how that turns out. i'll be surprised if he(she) are unfamiliar with Gram Parsons or at the least the band.

[BudPalmer]

I'm a huge gram fan.

Here's my best of mix:

1-She - GP
2-Drug Store Truck Drivin’ Man (live) - GP
3-Sin City - FBB
4-Do Right Woman - FBB
5-Streets Of Baltimore - GP
6-Hickory Wind - Byrds
7-How Much I’ve Lied - GP
8-Juanita - FBB
9-Blue Eyes - ISB
10-You’re Still On My Mind - Byrds
11-The Christian Life - Byrds
12-Cody Cody - FBB
13-Devil In Disguise (Christine’s Tune) - FBB
14-Las Vegas - FBB
15-Big Mouth Blues - GP
16-You Ain’t Going Nowhere - Byrds
17-Life In Prison - Byrds
18-One Hundred Years From Now - Byrds
19-Hild Horses - FBB
20-Hot Burrito #1 - FBB
21-Brass Buttons - GP
22-I Shall Be Released (unfinished) - FBB

It covers Gram's work from The International Submarine Band (the only song I felt was a keeper off that album), The Byrds, The Flying Burrito Brothers, and his solo stuff in the end. The I Shall Be Released ends with Gram asking if we'd miss his guitar if he didn't play. Seemed like a fitting way to end the mix. Anyone want a copy? Shoot me a PM.

[BudPalmer]

How did everyone hear about him? I first learned about his stuff from The Lemonheads. Their lead singer used to use Gram Parsons covers as B-Sides to all their singles. I eventually went looking for the source.

[readyeddy?]

I actually purchased his Grievous Angel album on a whim in 1974. After that I found the "Last of the Red Hot Burritos" album and enjoyed that. It wasn't til the Nineties before I was able to collect most of his other work.

[KiwiGirl]

Let me know how that turns out. i'll be surprised if he(she) are unfamiliar with Gram Parsons or at the least the band.

Well, I make no promises that well be getting there, DTM can be a bit of a recluse when it comes to going out to eat :), but if we ever get there, Ill be sure to ask and let you know.

[readyeddy?]

Well, I make no promises that well be getting there, DTM can be a bit of a recluse when it comes to going out to eat :), but if we ever get there, Ill be sure to ask and let you know.
Wait, DTM's your husband? Well ain't this a juicy piece of gossip, I had no idea. Well as a guy who clearly is interested in music and music lore explain to him why he should investigate this restaurant. Odds are the proprietor is a huge fan of Gram Parsons because I can't think of any other explanation as to why they chose that name.
Did you check out those links that Alien Flanders set up? As soon as I master this arcane art, I'm going to load this thread with everything I can find from Gram Parsons' body of work. I noticed the first link made it quite easy to check out other stuff from Gram Parsons as well.

[KiwiGirl]

Yeah! Just listening to the links as I type and Im really enjoying them. Its funny Id never heard of him before. A lot of my Country music listening was done when I was growing up and my parents would throw parties (almost every weekend...lol) and play their old 45's and we'd all sit around and have turns playing our favourites. When I talk to my Mum today I'll ask her if she has heard of him and send her the links!
And yep, I am lucky enough to have DTM as my husband! :) Did I say lucky?? - I meant aka HELP ME!!! lol
I heard Emmy Lou Harris say that Gram died very young. What happened? (I suppose I could look it up on Wikipedia but I am being lazy heh heh)

[readyeddy?]

Yeah! Just listening to the links as I type and Im really enjoying them. Its funny Id never heard of him before. A lot of my Country music listening was done when I was growing up and my parents would throw parties (almost every weekend...lol) and play their old 45's and we'd all sit around and have turns playing our favourites. When I talk to my Mum today I'll ask her if she has heard of him and send her the links!
And yep, I am lucky enough to have DTM as my husband! :) Did I say lucky?? - I meant aka HELP ME!!! lol
I heard Emmy Lou Harris say that Gram died very young. What happened? (I suppose I could look it up on Wikipedia but I am being lazy heh heh)
I'm not surprised you haven't heard of him as he died before he could make a real impact on the general public.
The problem for him was essentially Keith Richards. The Stones discovered him and they started hanging out. Keith Richards and his iron constitution impacted Gram unfavorably. Gram tried to keep up with Keith Richards' excesses and paid the ultimate price for it. Makes ya kinda glad Chuck Berry punched Richards out once.
You'll notice they have the Flying Burrito Brothers cover of "Wild Horses" on You Tube. I think I saw his and Emmylou's version of "Love Hurts" as well. That was recorded well before Nazareth recorded it. You may or may not be familiar with that version. It was Nazareth's biggest hit in the Seventies. I kind of doubt Nazareth would have even thought about doing that song if they hadn't heard Gram's version. By the way some guy named Boudleaux Bryant wrote it. I couldn't tell you a thing about that guy.

[KiwiGirl]

I am familiar with the Narareth version of Love Hurts and really like it- I looked up the Gram & Emmy Lou Harris version and enjoyed it too. Though to be honest I prefer Nazareths version of it better.
While I was looking it up on You Tube, I noticed that Keith Richards and Norah Jones also did a version as a tribute to Gram which I found interesting after reading what you told me about their days together. I didnt really care too much for their version though! :)

http://youtube.com/watch?v=inc3d2LudEA&mode=related&search=

[readyeddy?]

Well, I'm not saying Keith Richards is deliberately responsible for Gram's death and he undoubtedly didn't want it to happen, but Richards' phenomenal ability to abuse his body with just about any kind of drug known to man (and probably some he invented) didn't translate well for Gram. It didn't help that the Stones were huge stars and Gram was a star in the making. People can do some mighty foolish things when they think they have to impress somebody.

I have no doubt that Gram would have been one the biggest names in music if he had survived. If he were alive today he'd probably be huge in the mainstream of country music.

[readyeddy?]

let's try these:

Christine's Tune (Devil in Disguise)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BITiY8M_oDo

Sin City
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RCqxq6xqoXI

Lazy Day
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cdW8xQfC7JQ

[KiwiGirl]

Ahh those links worked perfectly! I see you spent a bit of quality computing time with your daughter!! :)
I enjoyed listening to the links. Particularly liked Sin City and Lazy Day (cause I love my lazy days !!!)

[readyeddy?]

Ahh those links worked perfectly! I see you spent a bit of quality computing time with your daughter!! :)
I enjoyed listening to the links. Particularly liked Sin City and Lazy Day (cause I love my lazy days !!!)
Actually, I'm still not getting the cut and paste thing down. She was called to work early and was too irritable to be patient with Dad. What I'm doing is typing the whole link out and going back and correcting my errors. More time consuming then I'd like.
Glad you liked the links. I was hoping there'd be more stuff available, perhaps if I can overcome some skip glitch problems I'm having when I try to transfer my CDs to ITunes I can burn you a CD and mail a copy. I plan on burning some stuff for Alien Flanders as well, eventualy.

Do you realize you're stomping a mudhole in me in Rock Wars? It's----it's traumatic I tell ya.

[readyeddy?]

Later, when I have more energy and more time, I'll post some links to some Long Ryders songs, an Eighties band from the U.S. that made it big overseas but was virtually ignored at home. A shame because the band had some great songs and you can definitely hear Gram's influence on them. They predated Wilco and Son Volt by about ten years.

[AlienFlanders]

Here are some Long Ryder links,

Looking for Lewis & Clark (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0saf-DKQoM8)
I Want You Bad (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eb-B0Q8ESpQ)
Gunslinger Man (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d58mn7ZTZvg)
I Had a Dream (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iI1RLVEywRk)

from what I can tell, and I might be late, but a DVD might be coming out documenting their story.

[readyeddy?]

Here are some Long Ryder links,

Looking for Lewis & Clark (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0saf-DKQoM8)
I Want You Bad (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eb-B0Q8ESpQ)
Gunslinger Man (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d58mn7ZTZvg)
I Had a Dream (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iI1RLVEywRk)

from what I can tell, and I might be late, but a DVD might be coming out documenting their story.
If you keep this up, I'm going to be forced to pay you a salary.

[T'Chaka]

he is the voice that lies within

[AlienFlanders]

I don't lie all the time, I just don't always tell the truth.:laugh:

[Hatut Zeraze]

Other than maybe hearing his name mentioned in articles I'd read, I knew absolute zip about Gram Parsons until I got Return of the Grievous Angel, the Parsons tribute album. I bought the album because I was interested in a lot of the artists who contributed. I had no idea how talented and interesting Parsons' music was.

[readyeddy?]

Other than maybe hearing his name mentioned in articles I'd read, I knew absolute zip about Gram Parsons until I got Return of the Grievous Angel, the Parsons tribute album. I bought the album because I was interested in a lot of the artists who contributed. I had no idea how talented and interesting Parsons' music was.
Welcome aboard. Hope we hear more from you on these threads.
Did you check out the links we've given? It shouldn't be too hard to track down some best of collections of the Flying Burrito Brothers and even Best Buy usually has "Sweetheart of the Rodeo" by the Byrds in stock. If you've got the scratch, spring for the extended version with various outakes with Gram instead of Roger McGuinn singing a few of the songs.

[VelvetGuru9]

You'll like this RE; I was reading my Rolling Stone for Sept. 20th and got to the reviews section and the second one in on Downloads was this:
Flying Burrito Brothers
Long Black Limousine
AMOEBA.COM

It's inherently haunting to hear a famous dead dude sing a song about death - especially when it's a pristine, unheard for four decades recording like this one. This live cut - from an upcoming album - captures Gram Parsons and Chris Hillman's country-rock pioneers opening for the Grateful Dead at San Francisco's Avalon back in 1969, highlighting the strength of former Byrd Hillman's delicate harmonies and Sneaky Pete Kleinow's sweet pedal steel. On this cover of a country classic (closer to Merle Haggard's vesion than to Elvis Presley's), Parsons delivers an affecting but ragged lead vocal.

[readyeddy?]

I tried to go to Amoeba.com to see what you're talking about and couldn't find this, but I'm a little challenged when it comes to navigating my computer sometimes. Is this something that might be available on disc eventually?
You're right though, I would probably like it.

[AlienFlanders]

If you go here Amoeba freedownloads (http://www.amoeba.com/freedownloads), it is available as a free download.

[VelvetGuru9]

If you go here Amoeba freedownloads (http://www.amoeba.com/freedownloads), it is available as a free download.
D'oh! Stupid Flanders - beat me to it ;)

You must spread some Reputation around before giving it to AlienFlanders again.

[readyeddy?]

The Download wouldn't work for me. I'll just have to keep an eye out for it's release.

Oops, wait a minute I got it going, schweet! It's on my ITunes list, I even downloaded that other girl. Do they do this a lot? I'm going to have to keep an eye on this stuff.
I'll still keep an eye out for the CD release.

[VelvetGuru9]

The Download wouldn't work for me. I'll just have to keep an eye out for it's release.

Oops, wait a minute I got it going, schweet! It's on my ITunes list, I even downloaded that other girl. Do they do this a lot? I'm going to have to keep an eye on this stuff.
I'll still keep an eye out for the CD release.
I've never used amoeba for downloads yet. I'll have to check it out.

[readyeddy?]

Hey Velvetguru9, I'm still waiting for you to accept your title. I dubbed you the Earl of Omniscience, if you think that's too over the top we can change it to the Earl of Information. I thought you wouldn't mind running with the joke.

[VelvetGuru9]

Earl of Omiscience it is...although I think Hail may know even more than I do.

[readyeddy?]

Earl of Omiscience it is...although I think Hail may know even more than I do.All right, as for Hail Eris, I don't think he's bothered with these country threads so you don't have to worry about a threat to your title. Just think, you're the same rank as the guy who invented the sandwich.

[KiwiGirl]

Im glad Velvet finally accepted your title Eddy! And, it suits him too!

[readyeddy?]

Im glad Velvet finally accepted your title Eddy! And, it suits him too!
yeah, but Bud Palmer has officially declined the role of court jester so I have to think of something else for him, on the other hand we now have a Count, Count Canuck. Lensnart is the newest member of the court.

[BudPalmer]

yeah, but Bud Palmer has officially declined the role of court jester so I have to think of something else for him, on the other hand we now have a Count, Count Canuck. Lensnart is the newest member of the court.


I never declined I just stipulated that I wasn't gonna take pies in the face! If that breaks the deal, then yeah I declined!

[readyeddy?]

I never declined I just stipulated that I wasn't gonna take pies in the face! If that breaks the deal, then yeah I declined!
Oh, well as Court Jester it's your job to entertain the court. Since we would be unable to truly appreciate a virtual pie in the face anyway, you'll have to do it by other means. Glad to see you've accepted the position. I was having trouble thinking of a different title for you anyway. I was trying to find something with Baron in it. Now I can move on to other kingly matters.

[VelvetGuru9]

Glad to see Bud's in too ::hides a cream pie behind back:: where is he? I want to congratulate him.

[readyeddy?]

Glad to see Bud's in too ::hides a cream pie behind back:: where is he? I want to congratulate him.Whoa, don't do that, I don't want him to resign that quick. You know what royalty had to do with people who quit on them.

[BudPalmer]

Whoa, don't do that, I don't want him to resign that quick. You know what royalty had to do with people who quit on them.

Buy them thier very own castle? :grin:

[readyeddy?]

Buy them thier very own castle? :grin:
I think it was a little more of a terminal solution.

[BudPalmer]

Buy them their own train? Wait, they didn't have trains then! :confused:

[readyeddy?]

Well, as my filipino wife might say, they would earn a filipino haircut. You know, the kind Henry the VIII gave a couple of his wives and the French thought Marie Antoinette deserved for suggesting everybody have some cake?

[readyeddy?]

Getting back on track before I cause my new court jester to think I'm a homicidal maniac, here's some cool new links for Gram Parsons. Check 'em out KiwiGirl. Oh, and if DTM beats me in Rock Wars make him watch them with you.

Wild Horses
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=07oufBC_JjQ

Older Guys
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XV41SF8esXk

Six Days on the Road
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uQMJUhlxR3M

Dark End of the Street
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2VYxdqt4k3A

Drug Store Truck Drivin' Man
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m2jJleGwC94

Big Mouth Blues
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6koAGZYyL_w

Gram Parsons?The Legends
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4MleIb0Pa6I

The International Submarine Band
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8G1KckWvOos

Gram Parsons Documentary
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6dTyf2kUdcQ

Emmylou Harris interview
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lvZackpkRRU

Gram Parsons Tribute
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_xX5XY49dSU

An Angel Grieves again
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lKngXFoV2Dk

[readyeddy?]

'Sweetheart of the Rodeo' rules!
T'Chaka. I'm assigning you to be Country Music's Black Knight. Let me know if you accept.

[KiwiGirl]

Thanks for all these links eddy! I really enjoyed them. I didnt force Dan to watch them with me but he did ask from the other room who I was listening to and not in a bad way either. :)

[KiwiGirl]

ps I cant believe that they actually kept their pact and burned his body under The Joshua Tree like that! ewwww :)

[readyeddy?]

Thanks for all these links eddy! I really enjoyed them. I didnt force Dan to watch them with me but he did ask from the other room who I was listening to and not in a bad way either. :)But he beat me! I have to have some kind of revenge. By the way there's some good Emmylou Harris links on that thread for you to check out.

[readyeddy?]

ps I cant believe that they actually kept their pact and burned his body under The Joshua Tree like that! ewwww :)
History lessons aren't always pretty.:cheeky:

[VelvetGuru9]

History lessons aren't always pretty.:cheeky:
Yeah, just ask Mussolini ;)

[readyeddy?]

So it's been a while since these threads have been visited. KiwiGirl did you ever get around to investigating that restaurant? I think if I ever got around to visiting New Zealand I would have to add that to my itinerary.

So I guess there's a new Flying Burrito Brothers CD out there because of some newly discovered live material. I'll have to try to remember to look for it. I've been a little busy trying to balance things going on in my life to remember to look for it. That cut off the Amoeba Music link is an example of that. We need to revive these Country discussions here. I've got a new hard drive so I'm sort of back in business. but I'm working six days a week right now so it's slowing me down.

[readyeddy?]

Here are some Long Ryder links,

Looking for Lewis & Clark (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0saf-DKQoM8)
I Want You Bad (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eb-B0Q8ESpQ)
Gunslinger Man (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d58mn7ZTZvg)
I Had a Dream (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iI1RLVEywRk)

from what I can tell, and I might be late, but a DVD might be coming out documenting their story.
Here's a couple more links for the Long Ryders

Lights Of Downtown
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TjFqWCaM5cE

See the Lights
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AA8DXXG4Yz4

I meant to elaborate on these guys some more but got derailed by who knows what. I've been adding my Long Ryders Anthology CD to my iTunes library and I was reminded of a track of theirs that unfortunately, is not available on Youtube. It's called Christmas In New Zealand and once I've restored my iTunes library satisfactorily I'll try to make a CD to send KiwiGirl. I think she'd get a kick out of it. I'll throw in plenty of Gram Parsons, Flying Burrito Brothers and maybe some Emmylou Harris songs as well.

[readyeddy?]

There's a warts and all biography due out (if it isn't out already) called "Twenty Thousand Roads" by David N. Meyer detailing the events of Gram Parsons life and death. I imagine it's just in hardcover for now.

[readyeddy?]

I'm listening to "Archives Volume One". It contains two live cds of two different performances at the Avalon Ballroom in San Francisco April, 1969.

It's interesting that they cover a Mel Tillis song "Mental Revenge". I've never really listened to Mel Tillis so the first time I ever heard the song, it was performed by the Long Ryders. Of course this cover occured long before the Long Ryders ever got around to it. It makes me wonder if the Long Ryders did it because the Burrito Brothers did it earlier. It's obvious they were heavily influenced by G.P. and the F.B.B.

I still have to listen to the second CD but I was pleasantly surprised to see versions of Hot Burrito #1 & #2 are on both CDs.

[MaxFortune]

It's interesting that they cover a Mel Tillis song "Mental Revenge". I've never really listened to Mel Tillis so the first time I ever heard the song, it was performed by the Long Ryders.

Waylon Jennings got a hit out of it (IIRC), and I have a version of Pam Tillis (Mel's daughter) singing it kicking around somewhere. So it's been covered a fair little bit. Rightly so -- great lyrics!

[readyeddy?]

Here's a link to an interesting interview with his daughter.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fv7ovdcbud4