REVIEW: Various Artists, Return Of The Grevievous Angel: A
Tribute To Gram Parsons
- John Davidson
Whether or not you give Gram Parsons credit for inventing country rock, he certainly was doing it long before it was popular. Oh sure, bands like the Eagles came along and picked up the reins he left dangling after losing a bout with drugs, but his original vision of "Cosmic American" music was laced with a lot less sheen and a lot more razor blades. And, like so many musical luminaries, he died too young to see his legacy, a body of work that continues to inspire almost thirty years later.
Parsons, a "subversive Harvard-educated hillbilly," had the goods very early. He joined the Byrds in 1968, and despite being only 21, he led the notoriously strong-willed band off into a country direction. As lead Byrd Roger McGuinn puts it, "We hired a piano player, and he turned out to be Parsons - a monster in sheep's clothing." Nonetheless, his days with the Byrds didn't even last a year before he left to form the Flying Burrito Brothers. Two albums into that ensemble, Parsons struck out on his own, leaving behind GP and the seminal Grievous Angel before succumbing to an overdose at the age of 26.
Return picks from nearly every facet of Parsons' recording career, which makes a nice overview for anyone new to his music. The lineup may seem a tad disparate at first, what with Evan Dando resurfacing and sharing the same platter with Gillian Welch, but what becomes clear is that all the artists involved all hold such strong regard for Parsons' formidable songwriting skills. Perhaps the only real surprise is the lack of more alt-country acts involved; after all, it's they who have carried his torch as loudly as anyone. Still, Return delivers on some big names that reinforce the vitality of his music.
The strength in this album rests in the gentle but modern interpretations of Parsons' originals. Unlike other tribute albums full of "creative" re-workings, Return contains only modest adaptations that serve to embolden his vision rather than make it unrecognizable. Some artists, such as the more traditional country purveyors like The Mavericks and Steve Earle, keep the songs pretty straight up, only letting their voices elaborate Parsons' lyrics. Emmylou Harris, one of Parson's early collaborators, appears on three tracks, her classic voice now showing experience but still as inviting as ever. One band taking a chance is the Cowboy Junkies, who put a full, cosmic sound to "Ooh Las Vegas" and turn a sleepy twanger into a brooding classic. However, probably the biggest departure in style is provided by Wilco, who bury their alt-country roots a mile deep in their upbeat, popped-up version of "One Hundred Years From Now."
Return is perfect for anyone who has heard of Gram Parsons but hasn't known where to begin. More than just a roadmap of his work, it serves to recognize the talent of a man who was not only influencial enough to bring the Rolling Stones to "Honky Tonk Woman", but also a creative force to many modern day artists like Beck and Elvis Costello. While the country vibe is occasionally strong, Return never annoys in a 90s-Nashville sort of way, and overall, it should appeal to just about any kind of music fan.
