Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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55 of 58 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Classic albums stand test of time, March 7, 2004
At the time these two albums were released, there was little interest in them. Neither country fans nor rock fans appreciated Gram's attempts to create a hybrid country-rock music back then. Yet, within a few short years, Gram became a revered figure - a status he still retains. The extent of his influence is hard to assess, but he made an important contribution via one album with the Byrds (Sweethearts of the rodeo), two albums with the Flying Burrito brothers (Gilded palace of sin, Burrito deluxe) and the two solo albums that make up this set. All five albums are better appreciated now than they were when first released. It helps that these albums provided the breakthrough for Emmylou Harris, who lends vocal support on several songs. Emmylou helped the legacy of Gram by covering several of his songs including Ooh Las Vegas, Hickory wind and She (all featured here) as well as some of his earlier songs from his time with the Flying Burrito brothers.The other thing that strikes me, listening to these albums now, is that they sound much nearer to traditional country than rock music. This may in part be due to the changes in country music over the thirty years since. Several instruments used on these albums would find a hard time getting on a contemporary country album - in particular, steel guitars are a rarity these days where once they were standard. Of course, if you compare this to a truly traditional country album, you'll hear the difference easily enough - but then listen to a rock album or a contemporary country album and you'll hear a much bigger difference. The songs here are a mix of originals and covers. Hickory wind is both - it was written by Gram but first recorded for the Byrds album, Sweethearts of the rodeo, so the version here is a cover. Cash on the barrelhead is a cover of a Louvin Brothers song. This very song was later covered by Dolly Parton and appeared on her classic album, Grass is blue, while Emmylou was clearly impressed - she later covered several Louvin songs. Other covers include I can't dance (Tom T Hall), Streets of Baltimore (Tompall and the Glaser brothers), That's all it took (George Jones), Love hurts (originally recorded by the Everly brothers, it provided Jim Capaldi with a British top five hit in 1975) and Cry one more time (J Geils band). The final track, In my hour of darkness, features Linda Ronstadt as well as Emmylou, so this is the first time they recorded together. So, what is Gram's legacy, apart from his own recordings? He helped Emmylou into the big time and also introduced her to Linda. He introduced Emmylou to the music of the Louvin Brothers. He was an influence on the Eagles, Dwight Yoakam and what is now known as the alt-country movement. All of these are important, but some might have happened anyway. Some accord Gram a God-like status, while others dismiss him as a no-hit irrelevance. The truth lies somewhere in between. In any case, the two albums paired on this CD are worth listening to in their own right, regardless of their historical significance.
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59 of 63 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Music Has Never Sounded Better Than This, June 29, 2000
Both GP and GRIEVOUS ANGEL redefined what music meant. GP/GRIEVOUS ANGEL define the true meaning of "Cosmic American Music"; what Parsons called his genre creation. On this CD you get twenty of the most extraordinary songs ever recorded. Music has never sounded better than "A Song For You", "Return Of The Grievous Angel", "That's All It Took", "Hickory Wind", or "Love Hurts". The presence of the ultra-talented Emmylou Harris enhances each track she performs on. The sound of Gram Parsons and Emmylou Harris together is divine; there's no predecessor and there hasn't been anything as perfect since. Gram Parsons' exceptional talent as a composer is the biggest highlight of these two classic albums. The album opens with his "Still Feeling Blue", a successful attempt to write a traditional country song. "A Song For You" is a gorgeous ballad about Parsons' views on life and his beliefs. Parsons' extraordinary genius is present on the powerful songs "She", "The New Soft Shoe", "Brass Buttens", and "$1,000 Wedding". "Return Of The Grievous Angel" is classic, my favorite song on the album. "Hickory Wind", Gram Parsons signature song, is more poignant here than on SWEETHEART OF THE RODEO. (Though I prefer that version). "How Much I Lied", "Big Mouth Blues" and "Ooh Las Vegas" are Country/Rock at its' best. The marvelous duo of Parsons & Harris write and perform "In My Hour Of Darkness" together, the inspiration finale to the album. Gram Parsons and Emmylou Harris recorded outstanding interpretive duets. "We'll Sweep Out The Ashes In The Morning", "That's All It Took", "Hearts On Fire", and "Love Hurts" are superior moments, enjoyable beyond belief. Gram Parsons was an incredible singer, and his versions of "Streets Of Baltimore", "Kiss The Children", "Cry One More Time", "I Can't Dance", and "Cash On The Barrelhead" are extraordinary. If you love great music this CD is essential. GP/GRIEVOUS ANGEL is superior to any of the music made by his other bands, even though the albums by the Flying Burrito Brothers, the Byrds, and the International Submarine Band was lightyears ahead of the rest of the music world. Few visions are as bold, and little music is as good as what Gram Parsons recorded during his too brief career. It is a tragedy that Gram Parsons died at 26, and was never able to see how he changed the world. He did, and his vision carried by Emmylou Harris lives on.
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28 of 30 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Do you like good music?, December 22, 1999
This cd comprises the music originally on Gram Parsons' 2 studio LPs. It is fabulous! The music ranges from the rollicking (Ooh Las Vegas, Cash on the Barrelhead and Big Mouth Blues) to the tender (Hickory Wind, How Much I've Lied and She). During the 1960s, Gram Parsons (& friends such as the International Submarine Band, the Byrds, and the Flying Burrito Brothers) established/elaborated a new style of music (Cosmic American Music)which fused folk, country, rock & roll and rhythm & blues. His composing and performing talents reach a peak on the GP/Grievous Angel set, and his capable band (including the wonderful voice of Emmylou Harris)contributes an effort that made these songs legendary. They've been covered by many artists (e.g., Steve Earle, Elvis Costello, Emmylou, Lucinda Williams, etc.) during the past 26 years since Parsons died. If you like those performers, you should buy this disc to hear the pioneer, the one who showed them how to do the things they're doing now... Peace.
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