If for some strange reason you only had room for one Americana album in your life you could do much worse than picking up the CD that contains both GP and Grievous Angel the only two solo albums by Gram Parsons.
Albums like these are the reason that this genre and series exist.
I thought of featuring that CD but that would not have been in the spirit of the rules which state one album per act.
I've gone for Grievous Angel his second solo album from January 1974 (released posthumously after his death in September 1973 at the age of 26 following a drug and alcohol overdose)
He didn't record that much during his short lifetime but boy what a legacy he left.
This is his second appearance here after featuring with The Byrds. Who knows he may well feature again.
The album is only 36:14 long consisting of 9 tracks all of which are pretty much essential. Described by the man himself as Cosmic American Music.
There are conflicting reports as to whether he was totally out of it on heroin during the recording of the album or whether he was just about functioning with support from Emmylou Harris.
Whatever, it is a work of genius.
Another genius next week.
Gram Parsons - Return Of The Grievous Angel
Gram Parsons - In My Hour of Darkness
This is the 10th album in this series. For some strange reason George requested that I post a list after every ten. Sorry George but I can't be bothered. That's what the search facility is for
A great Gram album. I loved his Flying Burrito Brothers albums too.
ReplyDeleteYep, I'd expect FBB to a make an appearance here. In the mid 90s on a trip to London we spent some of a Sunday morning wandering round Greenwich market. A stall holder was selling an original copy of this album. This was just before everything was re- released on CD. I regretted not buying it for ages. Still do a little.
ReplyDeleteI have this one on vinyl which is one of the reasons I chose it over GP
DeleteInstead of counting paper-clips at work and endless games of free cell you could easily have listed those ten today.
ReplyDeleteI can't get Free Cell anymore. Thinking of taking out a grievance.
DeleteI should maybe say that it's not me personally but everyone
Give them an ultimatum: "if there is no Free Cell I'm leaving in 17 months time"
DeleteThat’ll learn them!
DeleteAnd a very fine country album you suggest today. Isn't In My Hour Of Darkness a great song???
ReplyDeleteNever mind this americana nonsense, "A new box set Ultimate Dollar offers albums, rarities and videos from early 80s pop duo Dollar." with SIX cds and a DVD.
ReplyDeleteDidn't the bloke from Dollar stand as a Tory in a General Election? By all accounts he was a bit of an ar*eho*e.
DeleteHard to top that.
ReplyDeleteBreathtaking.
ReplyDelete