Flying Burrito Brothers, Gram Parsons - Archives Vol. 1: Live at the Avalon Ballroom 1969
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Free Music Notes for Archives Vol. 1: Live at the Avalon Ballroom 1969
Free Music Review: Flying Burrito Brothers, Live in 1969
Hit: 5 Stars
This double CD (not 1 disc as indicated in Amazon product description) documents two live performances at the Avalon Ballroom, San Francisco, in April 1969. Track list:
Disc 1 (April 4th):
1. Close Up the Honky Tonks
2. Dark End of the Street
3. Undo The Right/Somebody's Back In Town
4. She Once Lived Here
5. We've Got to Get Ourselves Together
6. Lucille
7. Hot Burrito #1
8. Hot Burrito #2
9. Long Black Limousine
10. Mental Revenge
11. Sin City
12. Thousand Dollar Wedding (bonus track, not from live concert)
13. When Will I Be Loved (ditto)
Disc 2 (April 6th):
1. Undo The Right/Somebody's Back In Town
2. She Once Lived Here
3. Mental Revenge
4. We've Got to Get Ourselves Together
5. Lucille
6. Sin City
7. You Win Again
8. Hot Burrito #1
9. Hot Burrito #2
10. You're Still On My Mind
11. Train Song
12. Long Black Limousine
13. Sweet Dream Baby
14. Do Right Woman
These performances, recorded just a few weeks after FBB's groundbreaking studio album "Gilded Palace of Sin," provide a fascinating window into their live sound then. The sound quality is good, if a bit bass-heavy. As another reviewer mentioned, the guitars seem to be missing from the mix. But it's not a big issue. The resulting stripped-down, clean mix highlights Sneaky Pete Kleinow, who was a killer pedal steel guitarist. It also brings to the forefront FBB's calling card, the vocal harmonies of Gram Parsons (just 22 at the time) and Chris Hillman.
If you close your eyes during the bluesy, loose-jointed rhythms of "We've Got To Get Ourselves Together" and "Train Song" (a Parsons-Hillman composition), you might imagine that you're listening to the Grateful Dead. This is no coincidence, as the Burritos were opening for the Dead, and the tape was made by the Dead's sound engineer, Bear. But it does connect some mental dots -- the Grateful Dead certainly exemplified Gram Parsons' concept of Cosmic American music.
"Long Black Limo" and "Mental Revenge" are rousing highlights of the April 4th concert. "You Win Again" by Hank Williams, from the April 6th evening, is another standout. Both Hank and Gram were sons of the South; neither saw their 30th birthday, owing to overdoses of opiates and alcohol. As Pamela des Barres and producer Dave Prinz allude to in the liner notes, it was fairly outrageous for the Burritos to be playing such country-fried songs for the "chemically imbalanced" (Gram's words during one of the intros) flower children of San Francisco, in 1969. But history has amply validated his judgement.
Five of the songs on "Gilded Palace of Sin" appear on this live set. Curiously, "Christine's Tune" (a signature song of the Burritos) does not. It's probably just as well, as the acoustic guitar riff which opens the song is essential, and would not have been very audible on this recording.
If you're wondering about buying "Archives Volume 1," there's a reason why people dig up 38-year-old recordings of the Flying Burrito Brothers from the Grateful Dead's vault. The Burritos left a deep, indelible, original mark on American music, which will not fade away. Others followed, but they were there first. The title "Volume One" offers hope that Amoeba Records may have more to share with us.
Free Music Review: Return of the Grievous Angel
Hit: 5 Stars
Gram and the Burritos from the "Gilded Palace of Sin" have always held a special place that no other band could quite replicate. This live recording, which follows that truly unique and groundbreaking recording, is that missing piece of country rock's formative years that was never satisfied by subsequent Burrito efforts (or those the group inspired). Only Gram's solo LPs reminded us of his unique talent and vision, captured exquisitely in his perfect exit, "Grievous Angel." These live recordings from the Avalon are especially kind to the Burrito's strengths: those wonderful vocals and the late Sneaky Pete's hot pedal steel. While the performances and recording are a bit ragged here and there, it's offers some nice and unexpected insite into this pivotal band. What an interesting song selection, even if gems like "Juanita" weren't on the set list either night. I was lucky enough to see Gram and the Burritos a month before his demons forced his bandmates to sever ties. He had it together that night in May 1970, in front of a sparse, $3-per-person crowd in a St. Paul college gymnasium. He would have been just 23 at the time, but he held himself with the kind of poise and sophistication that makes a strong case for reincarnation. (Hank? Was that you?) As these live shows remind us, Gram got it, had it, and in the end, blew it. They provide great insight into the vision of this seminal figure, even if this thing could have been titled in a way that gave the band more credit. But maybe this time, a Burritos recording will inspire a new generation--one that won't be as willing to take their lead straight down the path to Lite FM.Free Music Review: GRAM'S LATEST: 39 YEARS IN THE MAKING . . .
Hit: 5 Stars
The new Gram Parsons CD is actually the new Flying Burrito Brother CD. It's a double disc set, beautifully packaged with great photos and liner notes. In April of '69 the FBB opened for the Grateful Dead for 3 nights. Two of those performances are presented here after sitting in the vaults for 39 years. Hats off to Amoeba Records for a job well done!
The sound is surprisingly clear, miles better than the old bootlegs circulating of a few of these tracks. (I can't help but wonder if the guitars somehow didn't make it to the soundboard though -- plenty of tasty steel guitar, drums, bass and keyboard, but not an acoustic guitar in sight.)
Performance-wise, it's vintage Gram/FBB -- spirited, expressive, fun and a little sloppy. Great harmonies (thanks to Chris Hillman) and great songs, many not available by Gram anywhere else. Highlights include Sweet Mental Revenge, Long Black Limousine, Undo The Right and Lucille, as well as the FBB's own Sin City and Hot Burrito #1.
A great bonus is two unreleased demos: Gram alone at the piano working on Thousand Dollar Wedding with some different lyrics (the "young bride PASSED away" instead of went away!), and a very loose workout on When Will I Be Loved from '67 with Gram and other unidentified voices (the Int'l Sub Band?)
If you're a Gram fan, this is an obvious must have, five-star release. For the merely Gram-curious it probably isn't the place to start. But either way it's a look back at special time that ended way too soon. Thanks Gram.
Free Music Review: Another Gram 'gem'!
Hit: 5 Stars
When I first heard this CD was going to be released/available by November, I couldn't wait for time to pass.
Once I finally owned it, of course, I had to give it a few listenings to give an honest opinion, being a huge Gram/FBB fan since the late 60's.
And to further my honesty, these LIVE recordings not only meet my expectations, they exceed them!
Being from the East Coast [Baltimore], I was only able to see Gram perform LIVE since his Emmylou years. So, I missed seeing Gram Parsons and his Flying Burrito Bros. LIVE in their early years.
Every tune on this nicely packaged set is certainly timeless. The Mel Tillis tune 'Mental Revenge' is the best version I've heard, even better than Linda Ronstadt's off her 'Silk Purse' LP from 1970, a year later.
While it's impossible to outdo Roy Orbison, Gram still does a fine version of 'Dream Baby'. And he may not outdo Little Richard w/ his version of 'Lucille' either, but does add an interesting and lovable touch. Also I noticed Bonnie Bramlett adding a 'yeah' to his cover of the Delaney & Bonnie tune, 'We've Got To Get Ourselves Together'. Nice touch. Highly recommended to any Cosmic American Music fan! A 'Must Have', no doubt.
Free Music Review: Great music, packaging could be improved
Hit: 5 Stars
Two great concerts from the original Burritos lineup opening for the Grateful Dead in the Dead's home territory. The rhythm guitars are mixed down too low, but it doesn't really detract from hearing Gram during his best period as a Burrito. I know there's been a tape from a radio broadcast of the Burritos at the Family Dog (I think) that I would like to hear come out on CD.
The packaging could be better. Having the discs in cardboard sleeves instead of plastic holders should be corrected in the next release of the Gram Archives. Too many CDs are issued in this manner.
Overall, a great release that should please the many Gram fans out there and maybe generate some new ones. It's worth it just to hear Sin City live plus the classic Waylon Jennings' Mental Revenge. There are no songs here that could be considered filler.