Customer Reviews

Return Of The Grievous Angel: A Tribute To Gram Parsons

5 star:		(53)
4 star:		(13)
3 star:		(8)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

Isn't it a little outragious that we now have not only this wonderful tribute Album but three others to choose from after spending untold years combing through Import Bins to find yet another elusive Gram Parsons or Burrito Bros Track? All the sudden there is a Gram-Glut, but.. you don't hear me complaining! If you are new to your Gram-Fandom, this here is the first Tribute Album you should buy for several reasons: First, this one gathers together a unique blend of the most memorable Gram tunes performed by a group of artists who inherited the mantle he passed on. Other Tribute recordings have a more varied mix of performers and the renditions of the songs do not always sound "Gram-like" or even true to the origins of the material. The second reason to start with this one is that it is the only one Produced by Emmylou Harris, Gram's singing Partner in life and star in her own right. She brings an honesty to the production and hearing her familiar harmonies with other singers on Gram Standards lends a very authentic feel. The third reason is simply the recording quality. The sound on this CD is pure and clear. I found the others to be a little less so and muddy at times with the quality from track to track varying wildly. Not so here, each track shines on its own. I was very surprised by Emmylou and Beck's version of SIN CITY since it varied so greatly from Emmylou's earlier rendition on one of her own albums. This time she opts to sing an alto harmony. Very nice. As someone who collects all versions of SIN CITY, suffice it to say, I am a connosieur of this song and this version is one of the best I have heard. I now rank it my number two fave version after the original. My third fave version is Emmylou's original and my fourth is Dwight Yoakum and kd lang's. I could go on but I won't. Start here and you won't be sorry. This is a standout.

I eagerly awaited the release of this album and now that I have been kicking it around for a couple of months, I feel that the time is right for a few comments. Ahem, here goes...

Unlike the other Gram tribute on the market (Conmemorativo - A Tribute to Gram Parsons, Rhino Records 1993, go have a browse, it's sure to be here somewhere), the versions of Parson's songs are mostly faithful readings of the originals. Sometimes that works, (Sheryl Crow's and Emmylou's Juanita is spine-tingling); sometimes it is just karaoke. (Mr Dando, please stand up). Wilco's version of 100 Years From Now is fabulous. It shows the quality of the song; if in doubt, slip on Sweetheart of the Rodeo and listen to the original alongside it. (Incidentally, if you have not heard Conmemorativo, it is worth getting just for Something Happens' version of Brass Buttons)

One of Gram's strengths was his delivery, the way he sang his own songs or inpterpreted others. I have heard many different versions of I'm Your Toy, but nothing comes near the original. Why try to improve on perfection? Sin City has by now been covered to death, and the version on Gilded Palace of Sin is still the best.

If this album introduces more people to the delights of Gram's music, it will have done a fine job.

It was midnight and I stumbled upon a show called West 57th Sessions, from New York and unbeknown to me, what I was watching was a live performance of this tribute CD, "Return of the Grievious Angel." I managed to record the remaining 5 or 6 songs and hope to see it on video one day.

With little familiarity to Gram Parsons, I was so taken by this tribute that was so well done, with fine musicians. Emmylou Harris, who sang with him before he died in the 70s so young, has kept his music alive and introduced him to new generations of music lovers.

On the show, I was introduced to Beck, I thought to myself..."who is this guy who sounds like Parsons?"

A favorite of mine, is Steve Earle and Chris Hillman on "High Fashion Queen. " The group consisted of Lucinda Williams, Gillian Welch, Cowboy Junkies, Elvis Costello, Wilco, David Crosby, Whiskeytown, etc. How wonderfuls the tribute of "In My Hour of Darkness" by the Rolling Creekdrippers.

Emmylou Harris and Sheryl Crow duet to "Juanita", the mixture of solid sweet voice of Crow and that soothing cracking voice of Emmylou blend so perfectly.

If ever there is a presence of Gram Parsons, it is here! This is truly more that a tribute, it is as haunting as Gram Parson was, a young man who died too young, too hard!

If you want to hear Gram Parsons and Emmylou Harris duets, she has a 3 CD box set that features duets with Parsons, probably the best part of her CD collection. ....MzRizz

I am an old time fan of Gram Parsons and his type of music. I bought this with a few other albums that I really like. I find I love this one so much that I haven't been able to really listen to the others yet. Buy it and enjoy.

"In my hour of darkness, in my time of need, Oh Lord, grant me vision, Oh Lord, grant me speed."

The thought of a Gram Parsons tribute CD inspires fear. Who in Nashville or Los Angeles today could take Gram Parsons' songs and give them the same raucous, romantic spirit he did? The match of Parsons and some popular but far less gifted musicians today did not seem promising. In fact, the best possible person to produce a Gram Parsons tribute took on the task: Emmylou Harris. She picks Parsons' greatest songs and a group of supremely talented contemporary artists. This CD features Harris--and that's always a wondrous thing. But it also gives us singers who capture Parsons' spirit beautifully. Who would have thought of Elvis Costello on "Sleepless Nights"? Hear it once, and you'll know it was an inspired choice. I nominate Harris for Music-Citizen-of-the-Year for bringing a lively, loving touch to this collection. Anyone responsible for bringing Parsons' "In My Hour to Darkness" to new audiences deserves great praise. A terrific tribute to Gram Parsons by a gifted group of musicians! I think he would be proud!

This cd really introduced me to Gram Parsons and I will never look back. I now own ALL of his solo works and his foray into country-rock with the Byrds.

Why this cd? To me, this is truly the best tribute/compilation cd I have ever heard! My husband and I wrestled over our only copy until one day it could not be found for a moment. I think it was the next day that we justified a second copy. We could not be without it!

First though, I will start with the disappointing Cowboy Junkies' rendition of "Oooh Las Vegas"...Why? For me it is really the low spot on this cd. They confusingly trade in their rootsy haunting stylings for a "modern" take on the song which fails, unfortunately.

The rest of the cd more than makes up for it with Emmylou, the Grande Dame of this genre (who sometimes co-wrote with Gram and was and still is his female version musically) taking part in many of the songs. She joins Beck on a fittingly traditional "Sin City," the Pretenders on "She," and Sheryl Crow for the sorrowful "Jaunita."

What I love most on this cd are the artists. Not many are linked to the country sound you might expect and I really think those artists help to breathe fresh life into the songs again, while mostly retaining the original feeling Gram might have had in mind when he wrote them.

Other highlights include alternative radio darlings Evan Dando of the Lemonheads and Julianna Hatfield doing a great version of "$1,000 Wedding", and Chris Hillman (who co-wrote this song and so many others) and Steve Earle channeling Dwight Yoakam's signature sound on "High Fashion Queen."

It is the return of "Cosmic American Music" by the ill fated but brilliant original alternative country boy. If you like critical faves Ryan Adams, Lucinda Williams, and Wilco, then you MUST understand the beauty of Gram Parsons work. This is a fine place to start.

This is one of the better tribute albums I've heard in a long time. The LP starts out strong with the Chrissy Hynde/Emmylou Harris take on "She" and doesn't lose much steam throughout. The Beck/Emmylou turn on "Sin City" is OK but I prefer the Dwight Yoakum/KD Lang version on Dwight's own greatest hits record from the 1980s. Given the number of people and bands that might have participated in this project it seems they got some good ones. It would be interesting however to hear a second album with covers by the likes of John Hiatt, Prine, Joe Ely and other people who have worked the same region as Parsons did.

Quite unusual for someone my age (17), I came across this recent album as a result of my love for Gram Parsons's work with the Byrds and with the Flying Burrito Brothers rather than my acquiantence with the artists who perform on the tribute. This album was recomended to me by a friend who shares some of my tastes in music. I am satisfied with it and more. It is currently in the CD player in my car, and I see no plans in the foreseeable future of removing it, except maybe when I receive my copy of GP/Greivous Angel. The tracks are varied yet they fit together well. My favorite is probably "She" with the Pretenders and Emmylou Harris, or maybe "Return of the Greivous Angel," or maybe... (the list goes on...)

This album is a must for anyone who loves Gram Parsons's music, and highly recomended for anyone who's never heard of him. This is truly what Gram Parsons meant when he coined the term "cosmic American music."

If the music sounds familiar, that's because it is. Gram Parsons' sound has been as influential as any in contemporary "country rock."

This is music for driving late at night, for wallowing in (or mending) a broken heart. If you can listen to Lucinda Williams' rendition of the title track without feeling the hair stand up on the back of your neck, you've either shaved 'way too close or aren't living close enough to the bone.

I bought copies of this for music friends ranging in age from 20 to 57. I'm broke, but they're enjoying either learning about Gram for the first time, or remembering him in the fondest ways.

You done good, Emmylou.

Tribute albums are usually, with the exception of a cut or two, a disappointment - however well intentioned. This is an outstanding exception. With Emmylou Harris's loving oversight, the musicians have done immense justice to the songs and the spirit of Gram Parsons.