Grievous Angel (studio album) by Gram Parsons

Gram was not a great singer, though he could sell a song even when his intonation betrayed him. But no matter-- he's joined on this by one of the greatest singers of all time.

From Rug 02/20/2022 04:28

In some ways, it feels like Gram might be a tad overrated. What he was was an excellent curator of country and folk songs and musicians, and this record is the pinnacle of Gram bringing material and personnel together- his performances on their own don't necessarily blow me away, but the whole package is worth the price of admission.

Tras una trayectoria tan breve como brillante, es en su álbum póstumo donde Parsons alcanza su máximo nivel.

It's a good album for many reasons, not least of these is the presence of the amazing Emmy Lou Harris. To my ears, she takes it to the next level.

twangy out of tune vocal

Thought I’d hate it honestly considering it inspired so much pop country but unlike that very commercial genre there is a surprisingly nice level of authenticity here.

An all too familiar sounding type of music that evokes a nostalgia I’ve never known before. & yet it humbly deviates from the norm with its unapologetic showcase of fervent emotion.

I also want to commend buzzdainer on a beautifully written review.

Beautiful!

From buzzdainer 12/01/2019 16:22

It's a genuine achievement when an artist can be innovative and influential while at the same time creating something that feels familiar and timeless. Gram Parsons is one of those artists. He wrote songs that felt unironically straight out of a decades-old Nashville country tradition, yet managed to carve out for himself a unique niche in the history of both rock and country music. His songs are respectful of the conservative and Christian roots of the bluegrass and country artists who came before him, yet he really felt more at home among the innovators of the Bay Area scene of the late sixties and early seventies. If you've never heard of Gram Parsons, you'll immediately recognize most any track on Grievous Angel, particularly the oft-covered "Return of the Grievous Angel"--or at least, you'll insist you've heard it someplace before.

Favorite Tracks:Brass Buttons, Medley Live From Northern Quebec