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Gram Parsons
The Complete Reprise Sessions
(Rhino/Warner)
Even the truth can be misleading. Take The Complete Reprise Sessions. The title of Rhino's mini-box devoted to country-rock pioneer Gram Parsons implies you're in for a fly-on-the-wall chronicle (think The Stooges' 1970: Complete Funhouse Sessions) or a career-spanning anthology (like Ray Charles' Pure Genius: Complete Atlantic Recordings). It's neither.
Rather, this three-disc set primarily consists of Parsons' two '70s solo LPs, which came after the doomed maverick's short-lived but more influential gigs with The Byrds, Flying Burrito Brothers and Rolling Stones. Not that they aren't pretty swell LPs.
His 1973 debut G.P. is a magnificent set of ragged honkytonk, heartbroken country and even funky R&B, played by Nashville studio rats and Elvis sidemen. More historically, it introduces Parsons' protege -- some young singer named Emmylou Harris, whose duets with Gram send a shiver down your neck and a tear down your cheek.
Next up is 1974's Grievous Angel, cut weeks before Parsons ODed on morphine and tequila at 26. His downward spiral is somewhat reflected in the disc, which has more cover tunes and a less focused feel -- though you gotta love his weepy version of Love Hurts with Emmylou.
The bonus tracks are another matter. The third disc has 15 alternate (but lesser) takes from all the sessions. Three other leftovers and a handful of radio appearances round out the set. Some of it is admittedly a treat -- love the live acoustic versions of Sin City and Love Hurts -- but none sheds much new light on Parsons' music or tragic life.
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Still, you can't quibble about the packaging, which includes mini-LP sleeves and an informative 52-page booklet.
So even though Complete Reprise Sessions may not tell the whole truth, it does a fine job of preserving and presenting the final chapters in the tale of an immortal musical icon.
Track Listing:
Disc 1:
1. Still Feeling Blue
2. We'll Sweep Out The Ashes In The Morning
3. A Song For You
4. Streets Of Baltimore
5. She
6. That's All It Took
7. The New Soft Shoe
8. Kiss The Children
9. Cry One More Time
10. How Much I've Lied
11. Big Mouth Blues
12. GP Radio Promo [Bonus Track]
13. Gram Parsons Interview: How Did You Meet Emmylou Harris?, What Is The Story Behind "A Song For You?", What Is The Story Behind "The New Soft Shoe?", WBCN Interview With Maxine Sartori [Bonus Track]
14. Love Hurts [Bonus Track) -- With Emmylou Harris
15. Sin City [Bonus Track] -- With Emmylou Harris & N.D.Smart
Disc 2:
1. Return Of The Grievous Angel
2. Hearts On Fire
3. I Can't Dance
4. Brass Buttons
5. $1000 Wedding
6. Medley Live From Northern Quebec: Cash On The
7. Barrelhead, Hickory Wind
8. Love Hurts
9. Ooh Las Vegas
10. In My Hour Of Darkness
11. Return Of The Grievous Angel (Instrumental) [Bonus Track]
12. Gram Parsons Interview: Did You Sing "Hickory Wind" At The Grand Ole Opry?, What Differences Do You See Between Pure Country And Country Rock (Bonus Track]
Disc 3:
1. She (Alternate Version)
2. That's All It Took (Alternate Version)
3. Still Feeling Blue (Alternate Version)
4. Kiss The Children -- Duet With Barry Tashian
5. Streets Of Baltimore (Alternate Version)
6. We'll Sweep Out The Ashes In The Morning (Alternate Version)
7. The New Soft Shoe (Alternate Version)
8. Return Of The Grievous Angel #1 (Alternate Version
9. In My Hour Of Darkness (Alternate Version)
10. Ooh Las Vegas (Alternate Version)
11. I Can't Dance (Alternate Version)
12. Sleepless Nights (Alternate Version)
13. Love Hurts (Alternate Version)
14. Brass Buttons (Alternate Version)
15. Hickory Wind (Alternate Version)
16. Sleepless Nights
17. The Angels Rejoiced Last Night