Gram Parsons: Grievous Angel (50th anniversary, Rhino High Fidelity series) [RHINO]

Why you'll love it

Kevin Gray cut this Rhino High Fidelity edition from the original analog master tapes, pressed on 180g vinyl in a heavyweight gatefold with an obi and an insert featuring Polly Parsons and Emmylou Harris. Rolling Stone ranked the album No. 425 on its 2012 list of the 500 greatest albums of all time.

This edition

• Rhino High Fidelity series
• 50th anniversary edition
• 180g vinyl
• Cut from the original analog master tapes by Kevin Gray
• Limited numbered edition of 5,000
• Gatefold jacket
• Obi strip
• Insert with notes from Polly Parsons and Emmylou Harris
• Stereo mix

About the album

Gram Parsons had a name for what he did, Cosmic American Music, and Grievous Angel is where it comes closest to the dream. In the summer of 1973 he gathered Emmylou Harris, members of Elvis Presley's TCB band including James Burton and Glen Hardin, and friends like Linda Ronstadt and Bernie Leadon at Wally Heider's studio in Hollywood, producing the sessions himself.

Harris is everywhere, and her harmony with Parsons gives every song its glow. "Return of the Grievous Angel" sets lyrics by Boston poet Thomas Brown, "In My Hour of Darkness" was arranged by Harris, "Brass Buttons" dates from Parsons' days as a Harvard folk singer, and "$1000 Wedding" is pure, aching country. "Cash on the Barrelhead" and "Hickory Wind" arrive as a mock live medley, canned applause and all, and "Las Vegas" rattles along with a grin.

Parsons died that September, and the album arrived the following January to great critical acclaim. It has since become a cornerstone of country rock, and that studio applause on side one remains the warmest reception any studio has ever given itself.

Also at Kops: more Gram Parsons on vinyl · browse Country

Tracklist

Listen

On Reprise / Rhino (cat# RHF1 2171), a reissue of the 1974 album.