Grievous Angel

An earnest, big hearted record which, as much as it makes me feel bad, does little to grab my attention. Though part of me is attracted to the longing sound of heartbreak and nostalgia over all too brief romance, Gram Parson’s take on these themes is simply not very exciting and far too lounge-like for me. Completely lacks a pulse.

A rootsy country rock record. It's a shining example of what country used to be before it was corrupted by record execs+the ghost of 2000s butt rock. It has great vocals harmonies and good, rootsy instrumental playing.

Pretty solid, really great harmonies between Gram Parsons and Emmylou Harris.

Some fun countryfied rock and roll. I would listen again, but not quite in my top tier.

2.5 nothing stood out

I didn't know James May played country music!

Honestly this is really good, and I don't even like country music. Good songwriting (other than Love Hurts, which is only painful because of how bad of a song it is), good lyrics, short album.

3.5/5.0: Very Good

not the type of country id normally listen to but it was enjoyable.

Maybe I'm just in a great mood this week, but I really dug this. It's more country than I thought I liked, but the songwriting earnestness of his singing really caught me.

definitely counting this as an Emmylou Harris album

nope

i get that its influential and that there are a couple of songs that are recognizable.

nope

One more vote for EmmyLou Harris. "Love Hurts" is indeed a killer track. "I Can't Dance" is amusing. Gram Parsons (no relation to Alan Parsons?) writes compelling songs, just needs a little more... passion, I guess is the word. Some good stuff on here, nothing that really made me want to go back and listen again except for the two I mentioned. And interesting that the first album I've ever heard from Gram Parsons is also his last album.

Another live fast die young guy, what is the issue? Too much pressure at too young an age?

3.33

The Good: It is Angelic?
The Bad: No it’s not?
The Ugly: Anything grievous is, as the dictionary will tell us, no fun thing…

I had never listened to anything from Gram Parsons, yet I had read his bio a while back while I was listening to Emmylou Harris’s album Pieces of the Sky, which is also on this hear 1001 list.

Anyway, to me, this sounds country, but very acceptable, almost easy-listening.
My ears perked up when I heard “Love Hurts”, which I thought was written by Nazareth, but turns out that this was written by a husband/wife duo who’d I’d never heard about either, which lead to another visit to wikipedia…

All in all, though I don’t want to like the album that much, I fear that a 4* is in order… does that turn me into a redneck?

Also, RIP Gram Parsons, your grievous angel finally came a calling I guess...

Gram Parsons. Another very familiar name that i don’t think I had ever listened to before. Very California-style country-rock. I thought for sure it was Linda Ronstadt singing with him, but nope, Emmylou Harris. Very pretty. Hearts on Fire is my favorite track. Overall mellow and enjoyable.

Nothing very exciting, but not bad at all

Country - the annoying kind

Solid Parsons, although a little on the slower side. Like the addition of Emmylou. 3/5

Pretty solid for country rock which admittedly isn't my favorite. The lyrics approach cliche at points but do enough to stick out that it isn't a deal breaker for me.

Aw gee shucks, more good ol' country. He's got a nice voice at least, I'll give him that.

What on earth -- Emmylou Harris is this old!??!?! I thought she was like, 28. Maybe I mixed her up with the Vance Joy song 'Emmylou'. That's pretty bad if so. Well, this enterprise continues to be extremely educational.

As for the main man: I had never heard of Gram Parsons before. More country. But sad duet country! (With Emmylou!) That's the pinnacle of the genre. However, pinnacle of the genre still gets a 3. Sorry.

Highlights: '$1000 Wedding', 'Love Hurts' (another cover)