Gram Parsons (1982) liner notes

Sleevenot to a Gram Parsons compilation

There are those better qualified than I to tell Gram Parson`s story. But as a fan of the man , I think you should own this record....this is why.

In the Byrds and the Flying Burrito Brothers , Gram Parsons had helped create a Frankenstein`s Monster - country rock. But his first Warner Brothers album "G.P." paid no allegiance to this style. With an impressive back-up band it was a traditional sounding album , mercifully free of gimmicks like fuzz-tone steel guitar. The songs are of lost or stolen love , crossed only occasionally with an R`n`B beat. But most importantly it featured some of the finest duet singing ever put on record. There is something about the combination of Parson`s frail and not always perfect pitching and Emmylou Harris`s pure and true voice. It it should fail to move you - then you have a big problem. I would say that Emmylou Harris`s solo verse on " We`ll Sweep Out The ashes In The Morning " matches anything in her excellent solo catalogue.

Of course for the followers of `Frankie`s Monster in California and the Formula Kings of Nashville , this was much too close to real emotion and sales did not fare well.

On " Return Of The Grevious Angel " , Parsons , the co-billed Harris and the soon-to-be Hot Band continued their devastating duets - most notably "Hearts On Fire " and the much crucified "Love Hurts". But Parsons also returned to the mysterious , almost philosophical tones of his " Sin City" days. The title track "$1000 Wedding" and " In My Hour Of Darkness" have a dense and ominous sound. Gram Parsons died soon after making these tracks.

I`d be the last to romanticise his death , and I wish he had avoided his apparent self-destruction and continued to make music as great as this.

But it`s hard to deny the irony of hearing the beautiful " Hickory Wind " accompanied by the mock-adulation of a phony audience track - a bitter little comment on scant commercial success. It will be doubly ironic if you stop reading this sleeve note and actually buy the record. I promise you will not be disappinted.

Elvis Costello , February 1982