06 Aug "Various Artists' Return of the Grievous Angel: A Tribute to Gram Parsons'"
University Wire
by Karen Probes
(Independent Florida Alligator) (U-WIRE) GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Gram Parsons possessed a musical ingenuity most could only dream of. In the mid ’60s, he created the genre many refer to as “country-rock” or “alt-country.” With the Byrds and the Flying Burrito Brothers, he refined the original purpose of his work.
But in a tragic drug overdose at the young age of 26, he left us. Still, the music of this Harvard-educated country boy lives on.
Return of the Grievous Angel is a tribute to the legendary man who influenced so many musicians. Among those featured on the CD are Beck, Elvis Costello, Sheryl Crow, Steve Earle, Emmylou Harris, Gillian Welch, Whiskeytown, Wilco and Lucinda Williams.
With careful reverence, these artists have recreated his songs while maintaining the endless quality and depth they will always hold. This 13-track tribute includes songs from the Byrd’s and Burrito’s albums as well as Parsons’ two solo albums.
Proceeds from the sale of this album benefit the “Campaign for a Landmine-Free World” sponsored by the Vietnam Veterans of America Foundation.