Gram Parsons/Flying Burrito Brothers - Gram Parsons Archive, Vol. 1: Live at the Avalon Ballroom 1969

It's very easy to underestimate the importance of Gram Parsons to American music. He never had anything close to a hit, and while he was pivotal in the creation of country-rock, and by rote, alternative country, none of his direct efforts at it (The Byrds' Sweetheart Of The Rodeo, an album and a half with The Flying Burrito Brothers, his own two solo albums) stirred up any kind of mass public acceptance. Yet three decades and on past his death, Parsons' fragile version of what he called "cosmic American music" (a seamless blending of country, blues and rock) continues to make him a both a cult figure and a continuing influence on musicians traveling a similar path and synthesis in the 21st century. Read More