Reviewer: Gerry Gunnigan from
Dublin , Ireland
I eagerly awaited the release of this album and now that I have
been kicking it around for a couple of months, I feel that the
time is right for a few comments. Ahem, here goes... Unlike the
other Gram tribute on the market (Conmemorativo - A Tribute to
Gram Parsons, Rhino Records 1993, go have a browse, it's sure
to be here somewhere), the versions of Parson's songs are mostly
faithful readings of the originals. Sometimes that works, (Sheryl
Crow's and Emmylou's Juanita is spine-tingling); sometimes it
is just karaoke. (Mr Dando, please stand up). Wilco's version
of 100 Years From Now is fabulous. It shows the quality of the
song; if in doubt, slip on Sweetheart of the Rodeo and listen
to the original alongside it. (Incidentally, if you have not
heard Conmemorativo, it is worth getting just for Something Happens'
version of Brass Buttons)One of Parson's strengths was his delivery,
the way he sang his own songs or inpterpreted others. I have
heard many different versions of I'm Your Toy, but nothing comes
near the original. Why try to improve on perfection? Sin City
has by now been covered to death, and the version on Gilded Palace
of Sin is still the best. |
"Return of the Grievous Angel"