My Greatest 100 (or so) Albums...

GP/Grievous Angel (Warner 1973 and 1974) Gilded Palace of Sin/Burritos Deluxe (A+M 1969 and 1970) by Gram Parsons and the Flying Burrito Brothers, respectively. Essentially, these 4 original albums are have been paired up on two different CD's and I think you should have them all (both) anyway. So this is an entry about Gram Parsons, another tortured genius type who checked out way too soon.

After leaving the Sweethearts of the Rodeo era Birds, GP formed The Flying Burrito Brothers with two former Birds (Chris Hillman and Michael Clarke) and pedal steel guitar ace Sneeky Pete Kleinow and starting making achingly beautiful and gritty country rock albums. Their first two are paired here, feature great original songs like Hot Burrito #2 (I'm Your Toy) and rebranded covers like The Dark End of the Street, and the definitive version of the Stones' Wild Horses. Future Eagle Bernie Leadon joined the Brothers on Deluxe. It's amazing how soulful their and really Gram's country rock hybrid was. Every song on this double is sorta perfect.

After the Brothers split up Gram Parker made two great solo albums (though Emilou Harris played a big part in both) backed up by Elvis Presley's band including legendary guitarist James Burton. These albums carried the Parsons' brand and featured several great duets with Harris. They were the Marvin and Tammi of country rock , and that is no small compliment.

Anyway, this is absolutely crucial music for all of you still in possession of your souls. Check `em out!