Being a big Keith Richards fan I was always aware that he spent time with Gram Parsons and I kind of thought, oh well, whatever. This year I started downloading music by Gram Parsons and it is so good. Why is he all but forgotten, his dead flowers is incredible and hour of darkness, brings tears to my eyes..........Keith, you should have acknowledged him a little more over the years,,,,,,,,try it, you'll like it..........

Forgotten? Not in certain circles. I know some people who think he put the moon, stars, and sun in the sky. I'm a big fan of Parsons' music, but he gets WAY TOO MUCH CREDIT for the country-rock thing. Here's an example: A good friend of mine
talked to Chris Hillman once about Parsons. Hillman said, "Gram wrote about six or seven good songs...but Gene Clark wrote dozens and dozens of great songs."

Thanks Tomk

As someone who remembers Gram in the same room a little bit of him went a long way. A few good songs and a talent he abused to death.

Beautiful Cat - Gram Parsons... with Flying Burritos' Altamont - Robert Altman



ROCKMAN

Joshua Tree made Gram a legend, but it's his voice I listen to. Could be I wouldn't if it weren't for the myth and Keith-connection, but hey, that's just music business for you: it's mostly happy (or tragic) coincidents that determine who gets noticed.
Sure he didn't invent country rock or manage to realise his vision of Cosmic American Music but he's not the only over-hyped artist there is.

<A good friend of mine
talked to Chris Hillman once about Parsons. Hillman said, "Gram wrote about six or seven good songs...but Gene Clark wrote dozens and dozens of great songs.">

Good point. But sometimes the great songs are not enough. Gram had that aura, the x-factor, the star quality that made him a legend, imo.

But as a Gram-fan, I do not agree with Hillman. Gram wrote far more than 6 or 7 good songs...

$1000 Wedding = sublime

Brass Buttons

Return of the Grievous Angel - also from the a-side of Grievous Angel!



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2009-08-04 14:45 by Child Of Clay.

Gram co wrote a lot of the songs he's known for. Chris Hillman and Chris Ethridge collaborated with him on many songs. One of his best known songs, 'Hickory Wind', was co written with Bob Buchanan.

check out "Commemorativo" A Tribute to Gram Parsons (on Rhino Records, 1993)

great compilation of interpretations of GP songs, with good bio information.

"She" is not too bad either...

Quote
tomk
Forgotten? Not in certain circles. I know some people who think he put the moon, stars, and sun in the sky. I'm a big fan of Parsons' music, but he gets WAY TOO MUCH CREDIT for the country-rock thing. Here's an example: A good friend of mine
talked to Chris Hillman once about Parsons. Hillman said, "Gram wrote about six or seven good songs...but Gene Clark wrote dozens and dozens of great songs."

Dead on. As much as I love Gram's work, Hillman's (overly) dismissive view is a worthwhile corrective on the latter-day deification of Parsons.

Meanwhile, Gene Clark's role in the development of LA folk, county and pop musics is criminally underrated. The Fantastic Expedition of Dillard & Clark and Through The Morning, Through The Night are two of the best Americana albums ever. Just ask Robert Plant, Allison Krauss and T-Bone Burnett...

I'm a big fan from GP!

Last week I have ordered the 3CD-box from Rhino.

Do you think there is more.............?

Quote
forligan
Being a big Keith Richards fan I was always aware that he spent time with Gram Parsons and I kind of thought, oh well, whatever. This year I started downloading music by Gram Parsons and it is so good. Why is he all but forgotten, his dead flowers is incredible and hour of darkness, brings tears to my eyes..........Keith, you should have acknowledged him a little more over the years,,,,,,,,try it, you'll like it..........

All but forgotten? First I've heard of it. Considering he wasnt THAT commercially successful in his lifetime, when any artist is still getting lots of magazine space, having a tribute concert turned into a DVD, having an acclaimed and much repeated BBC documentary made about them and being the subject of Hollywood movies some 35-40 years later then they're doing pretty well.

The proble with Hillman is that his take on Parsons is tainted by his own bitterness about being forgotten in the Burrito's story. Having read the recent book about the Burritos that he participated in, his slant is so overwhelming that you can't take his opinions seriously. I mean, for him to say that Gram didn't write or sing anything worthwhile after Gilded Palace of Sin is silly and pretty petty.

I think the true story of Parsons fits nicely between the sainted myth and Hillman's opinion.

thought Stanley Booth had plans for a GP bio..?

That first Chris Hillman - Desert Rose Band album was a classic ....
Spent many a day livin' with that one .......He's Back & I'm Blue slays...





ROCKMAN

good call Rockman - that's a fantastic album

" forgotten " !!! if it wasnt for the fact that he was so damn good, there would be a case for him being overrated. Chris Hillman makes a very good point about Gene Clark, theres a guy with a larger back catalogue than Gram, and probably wrote more great songs, but he didnt die the romantic death in the desert.
I love both of them, its allowed you know. just like you can love the beatles and teh stones.