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Gram the Introduction

A few months back I wrote a paper on Gram Parsons. Here is the Introduction:

Gram Parsons was a pioneer of Country Rock / Alt (Alternative) Country. Like most pioneers he died at young age. On the outside it appeared he had an easy life, born into a wealthy family Gram was never in need of money, but his life was filled with tragedy and missed chances. He played in many bands during his youth, but his first break came when he started The International Submarine Band. Shorty after that he joined The Byrds, and then formed The Flying Burrito Brothers. He was a huge influence on many musicians including The Rolling Stones, The Eagles, Linda Ronstadt, and Emmylou Harris to name a few.

Gram Parsons wrote in a letter to his baby sister Avis saying “The best thing we can do is learn from the past and live our lives the right way so, in time, when we can do something to change things, we will be real people not sick and haunted by what life has done to us. Above all – believe in yourself and other people – they’re the one thing that is real. I’ll try to write as often as I can. Until then – live your life as you see it – as best you can – give it a solid foundation for the future”. There is only one other person who Gram felt could possibly understand his childhood, and that would be his sister.

It has been said the money is the root of all evil, and the tragedy that surrounded Gram Parsons and his family as a result of money and access is further proof. Gram Parsons never achieved commercial success, but was highly influential to many success artists. He is now known at the King of country-rock, but much of his recognition came after his death. There have been a number of biographies written about him as well as tribute albums, annual tribute concerts, and even a BBC documentary. He was a storyteller, and like most raconteurs many parts of his life have three sometimes four different versions depending on who you ask, putting together the pieces of his short life can be difficult, using many different sources to try and accurately portray his life, his faith, and how his love for country music changed rock and roll.

June Playlist

In the car:

We Barbarians "There's This There's That"
John Meeks "Old Blood"

At home on the turntable:

Warren Zevon "Warren Zevon"
Linda Ronstadt "Heart Like a Wheel"
Poco "Deliverin'"
The Souther Hillman Furay Band "The Souther Hillman Furay Band"
The First Edition "Somethings Burning"
Chris Hillman "Clear Sailin'"
Tom Waits "Rain Dogs"

What about you?

My current day dream

I want to get an old blue VW bus, and get a couple dharma jumpsuits. One will be for Isaac (his patch will say Lapidus) and we will drive around blasting "Make your own kind of music" by Mama Cass, and a six pack of dharma beverages in the bus fridge.

When we get in the van Isaac will say "Hands and feet inside the vehicle! Let's go for a ride!", or "We are not going to Guam, are we?".

Bob Dylan

I have not had much time lately for this blog, but I do think about it, and I've been listening to alot of Bob Dylan lately so... I thought I would blog about him.

It was his Birthday last week, and they were playing some of his stuff on the radio on my Monday morning drive from San Diego to Long Beach. Then on the way home they played the entire Side 1 of Highway 61 Revisited. I went home and listened to some Blonde on Blonde (Mono) and Nashville Skyline.

I remember my first Bob Dylan record, Highway 61 Revisited, it was a Christmas gift from a previous roommate. Even tho I rarely talk to that fellow anymore, it reminds me of him every time I hear it, and how he really made my Christmas that year, not just for the record, but for being a friend. Going though my other roommates record collections a few days later I find that all three of us own Highway 61 Revisited, kind of a funny bond.

This picture I choose is of Dylan and The Byrds. Recently I saw Chris Hillman talk about his days in The Byrds, doing a residency at Ciro's (now The Comedy Store), and Dylan coming on stage and singing Mr. Tambourine Man with them.

I have to go, I'll try and check in again soon! Thanks for letting me ramble.

Update 13 hours later...

Right after I left work I realized that I did not tie Bob Dylan into any form of Long Beach, and if you read my post, I do that quite often, so...

Check out this cool poster of Dylan playing Wilson High:

Chris Hillman, John Meeks, Pappy and Harriets

What a busy couple days. Thursday night I went to the Grammy Museum to see Chris Hillman. I highly suggest seeing anyone at the Grammy Museum, they have great sound and there is not a bad seat in the house. The easiest way to describe the event is it was like "In the Actors Studio" with songs. The Museum curator interviewed Chris, then he did a Q&A, followed by a few songs. He talked mostly about his early bluegrass days, mentioning a band he was in with the Gosdin Brothers called The Golden State Boys who use to play in Long Beach! Highlight for me was the music, he played a new song off his upcoming record on Rounder that sounded great. Looking forward to hearing the record.

After Chris played I booked it down to The Prospector to catch John Meeks. I really enjoyed his set, and look forward to seeing him again in the future. They had a very good Violin / Lap Steel player who I'm pretty sure also plays with The Album Leaf and The Black Heart Procession. I got a copy of his new CD which features Jimmy Lavelle from The Album Leaf, and Paul Jenkins from Three Mile Pilot / The Black Heart Procession. Parts remind me of Calexico, but it has its own vibe.

Last night I decided to go out to Pappy and Harriets in Pioneertown, and ran into friends celebrating a birthday! Ended up staying out there for the night, woke up to a beautiful desert morning, a cup of coffee, and a mix featuring Jessica Lee Mayfield, The Avett Brothers, AA Bondy and more.

Happy Anniversary to Poco's "Pickin' Up The Pieces"

Today, May 19, 41 years ago Poco released "Pickin' Up The Pieces". While I will admit that I have not heard every Poco record, but from the 10 or so records I have heard of theirs, this one is my favorite. I purchased it at a used record store in Philadelphia back in February of 2009. Just a few months later I saw them at Stagecoach, which was quite a rare show because original members, Richie Furay and Jim Messina, played in the reunited Poco. Some fun facts about this album are:

1) It was the first debut album every to get a perfect score in Rolling Stone magazine.

2)Every song was written or co-written by Richie Furay.

3)These songs were formed out of the breaking up of Buffalo Springfield, which both Richie Furay and Jim Messina were members of.

3b)Buffalo Springfield performed their last show at the Long Beach Arena as a farewell to their hometown.

4)Steel Guitar Player, Rusty Young, was born in Long Beach.

5)Bass Player, Randy Meiser, left the band before the album was released, and they replaced his image on the album cover with a dog, don't worry Randy turned out ok, he ended up forming another band that did quite well called The Eagles.

This album feels good and puts a smile on my face. I'm gonna go home and listen to it, around nine, come over if you want to join me.