GP / Grievous Angel

 (84 customer reviews)

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,...Read more

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...Read more

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...Read more