Tuesday, June 3, 2014

Some Cosmic American Music...



Today's post over at  Charity Chic has put me in the mood for a bit of the pioneer of country rock himself, Mr Gram Parsons. His Cosmic American music still has a huge influence on so many musicians today. It is almost impossible now to imagine most of the current Americana scene, so beloved of Uncut, without thinking of Gram.

He lived hard and died young but in that short time he managed to leave behind a lasting musical legacy that has influenced generations of rock and country legends. He didn't invent the wheel but Parsons was a true innovator taking the old time country music he loved and mixed it with what was happening musically at the time and made something brand new.

In My Hour Of Darkness is a eulogy as well as a celebration for three of his closest friends whom he had lost and, for me, is one of his finest recordings.

In My Hour Of Darkness

7 comments:

  1. Great song Scott and great suit!

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  2. This is a very nice introduction to his music for me, Scott. I wasn't paying very much attention during the '70s. Thanks. Do you happen to know who the backup singers/musicians are?

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  3. CC - probably only Gram could carry it off ,a bit like the George Jones on your blog one from a few weeks back
    Marie - not sure about the musicians but the female vocals are by the wonderful Emmylou Harris who provides vocals on most of the "Grievous Angel" album. I may be wrong in this but I have a recollection of Linda Ronstadt also being on this particular track.

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  4. I like a bit of Gram. FBB especially.

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  5. I am quite partial to a bit of FBB Adam. He could never be thought of as a great vocalist but he had soul which is far more important..

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  6. I'll need to take issue with you on this one Scott - a great vocalist and an even better harmoniser

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  7. CC, I love Gram's voice but technically he would never be considered a " great vocalist" in the same way that someone like Sinatra would be, but he sang every word like he meant it. I would agree that he was a great harmoniser, particularly with Emmylou.

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