God's Own Singer: A Life of Gram Parsons

by Jason Walker

Gram Parsons pushed the Byrds into country-rock territory on Sweethearts of the Rodeo , and then quit to form the acclaimed Flying Burrito Brothers. Parsons’ second solo record, Grievous Angel, is a haunting masterpiece of country soul. By the time the album was released, Parsons had been dead for four months. He was 26 years old. Jason Walker has conducted hundreds of hours of new interviews with Gram’s fellow musicians, friends and associates to paint a vivid portrait of the beautiful, doomed Southern rich kid who brought Nashville to rock ‘n’ roll.

Genres: Music, Biography, Nonfiction

224 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 2002

Reviews

[Charles James · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read because I wanted to now more about Gram Parsons. I had been aware of his work with the Byrds and his two solo albums . Found the book heavy going . Parsons on the basis of this book appears to have been a rich kid with self destructive tendencies with little regard with those he interacted with .Difficult to have empathy with someone who is described as having so few redeeming features other than producing some very good music , albeit it limited by his inability to finish projects . The book likens him to Elvis , however the book ignores the fact Elvis Presley was successful for twenty years prior to his severe decline . On the plus side i listened to some good tracks by the Flying Burrito Brothers I would not have otherwise heard .

[Marianne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very well written, thorough narrative of Gram Parson's life. Answers the questions other writers may not realize are generated in a reader's mind. Although the writer was in diapers when Gram first came onto the scene, he knows how to write like only a diehard fan can about his favorite subject. This is a new addition with additional interviews of one who was there at the scene. Definitely recommend this book!

[David Melbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is probably nowhere a better biography. . . One of a handful of musicians of that era that 'mellowed' my opinion of country music.

Today's country is nothing more than 'rock 'n' roll singin' outa the side of yer mouth!'

Sorry. I will always be a rocker. . . --From A Reader's Journal, by d r melbie.