CD Reviews

Gram Parsons

Archives Vol. 1 | Amoeba

By JEFF TAMARKIN | January 7, 2008

3.0 Stars

Recorded at San Francisco’s Avalon Ballroom in April 1969, these two discs of live material by Gram Parsons with the Flying Burrito Brothers go a long way toward supporting the notion that Parsons was a pivotal player in the rise of country rock. Parsons had already taken the Byrds in that direction as the creative force behind that group’s Sweetheart of the Rodeo, and the Flying Burrito Brothers amounted to a Byrds spinoff at first: Parsons, guitarist/harmony vocalist Chris Hillman, and drummer Michael Clarke had all bolted from that band, then hooked up with Sneaky Pete Kleinow on pedal steel and Chris Ethridge on bass to explore a mix of what would morph into alt-country. The Avalon shows, recorded by the legendary Owsley “Bear” Stanley, the Grateful Dead’s soundman (the Burritos were opening for the Dead on these nights), are excellent in sound quality, and though they don’t reveal anything new about Parsons and the Burritos, this live set — largely songs borrowed from both country (Hank Williams) and rock (Little Richard), with a handful of originals tossed in (the exquisite “Sin City”) — is a valuable addition to the Parsons discography.

Related: Turn the beat around, Missionary man, 18 big hits, More

Topics: CD Reviews , Entertainment, Music, Music Reviews, More

| More

ARTICLES BY JEFF TAMARKIN

NEW YORK DOLLS | DANCING BACKWARDS IN HIGH HEELS | March 17, 2011
The new New York Dolls have now been around longer - and released more albums (three) - than the old New York Dolls, and they're commemorating that new longevity by letting go of any compulsion they may have still harbored to honor their designation as "punk-rock progenitors."

BLACK JOE LEWIS & THE HONEYBEARS | SCANDALOUS | March 09, 2011
The soul revival has been going on long enough now that maybe it's a not a bad idea to stop calling it a revival at all.

BRYAN FERRY | OLYMPIA | October 19, 2010
From the Kate Moss cover pic to the A-list of guest stars to the reunion with original Roxy Music members Brian Eno, Phil Manzanera, and Andy Mackay, Olympia screams, "EVENT!"

OLD 97'S | THE GRAND THEATRE | October 12, 2010
When Old 97's are on — which they are most of the time on their eighth studio album — they're very, very on.

DAR WILLIAMS | MANY GREAT COMPANIONS | October 05, 2010
The companions of the title are Dar Williams's songs, which the singer-songwriter revisits here two different ways.