Grievous Angel

Mostly, this blog focuses on electronic, hip-hop, indie, noise, or experimental music. I'm going to take a break from that and take us back to the 70s for a true American music legend. For the past month or so, I haven’t listened to much new music. I’ve consistently listened to the new James Blake, and like it more than Raj I think, but for the most part the past few weeks have been filled with either Gram Parsons or Neil Young. Today’s mix is mostly dedicated to the first of the two, a man who died young and left quite an impression on the worlds of Country and Rock, though neither of the two labels can really accurately capture the essence of his music, which he labeled as “American Cosmic Music.” A Harvard dropout, guru to Emmylou Harris, and consumer of way too many drugs, and victim of a nasty morphine overdose, the man led a brief but dense life. Perhaps it’s that I often have the desire to give up on my Ivy League education and go pursue some sort of life out in the country, or just that I’d like to wear the suits that the Burrito Brothers wear in their music videos for Christine’s Tune, but Gram’s music has meant a lot to me. Enjoy.

Luxury Liner - Gram Parsons and the International Submarine Band (Safe At Home)
Parson’s first post-Harvard dropout band, I think.

A Song For You - Gram Parsons & Emmylou Harris (G.P.)
Take me down to yerrr daaaaaaancehalllllll

Hot Burrito 1 & 2 - The Flying Burrito Brothers (The Gilded Palace of Sin)
Passion.

Return of the Grievous Angel - Gram Parsons & Emmylou Harris (Grievous Angel)
My mother prefers my brother Jacob’s version of this song to Gram’s.

You’re Still On My Mind - The Byrds (Sweetheart of the Rodeo)
Great.

Wild Horses - The Flying Burrito Brothers (Burrito Deluxe)
Little known fact that this version was released before the Rolling Stones’ version. Gram convinced Mick Jagger to let them cover it, and the Burritos ended up releasing it in 1970 on Burrito Deluxe, the year previous to the Stones on Sticky Fingers. I do prefer the Burrito’s version, it’s a bit grittier, and well, Gram Parsons and Chris Hillman just kill it.

Codeine - Gram Parsons (Another Side of This Life: The Lost Recordings of Gram Parsons, 1965-1966)
A very different sound, but another testament to his storytelling skills.

She - Gram Parsons (G.P.)
Why’d you have to go, Gram? Why’d you have to go.

http://www.mediafire.com/?0yj5aua3z6953pz
(you might have to arrange the tracklisting by yourself.)