Last Whippoorwill

Amazon.com
In the wake of 1999's rock-star-studded Gram Parsons tribute album, Return of the Grievous Angel, comes this enjoyably low-key collection of original songs inspired by a sketch pad Parsons left in the possession of fellow International Submarine Band member John Nuese. Coproducers Carl Jackson and Mike Ward are joined by high-profile guests Ricky Skaggs, Marty Stuart, Jim Lauderdale, and James Burton in a program that demonstrates how Parsons's pioneering West Coast country-rock has subtly influenced the Nashville mainstream. The new songs are built around lyric fragments taken from the notebook; sometimes, as with Lauderdale's powerful "Blessing for Being," one line provided all the inspiration needed. There also are covers of a couple of Parsons's personal favorites (the Louvin Brothers' "Cash on the Barrelhead," the Stones' "Dead Flowers") and a bluegrass-flavored version of his best-known song, "Hickory Wind." --Rick Mitchell

Tracks:

Hickory Wind Intro - Carl Jackson
L.A. Customs Blues - Carl Jackson
The Last Whippoorwill - Lona Heins
Blurry Slurry Night - Mike Ward
Cash On The Barrelhead - Carl Jackson
Barefootin' - Mike Ward
Jesus Is More Than A Name - Eddie Cunningham
The Button - Eddie Dunbar
Blessing For Being - Jim Lauderdale
Dead Flowers - Mike Ward
A Song For You - The Woody's
No One Knows I'm Lonesome - Cordle, Jackson & Salley
Hickory Wind - Carl Jackson

Amazon.com

In the wake of 1999's rock-star-studded Gram Parsons tribute album, Return of the Grievous Angel, comes this enjoyably low-key collection of original songs inspired by a sketch pad Parsons left in the possession of fellow International Submarine Band member John Nuese. Coproducers Carl Jackson and Mike Ward are joined by high-profile guests Ricky Skaggs, Marty Stuart, Jim Lauderdale, and James Burton in a program that demonstrates how Parsons's pioneering West Coast country-rock has subtly influenced the Nashville mainstream. The new songs are built around lyric fragments taken from the notebook; sometimes, as with Lauderdale's powerful "Blessing for Being," one line provided all the inspiration needed. There also are covers of a couple of Parsons's personal favorites (the Louvin Brothers' "Cash on the Barrelhead," the Stones' "Dead Flowers") and a bluegrass-flavored version of his best-known song, "Hickory Wind." --Rick Mitchell

Customer Reviews:

As close as you can get without GP.......2004-08-26

Well, everyone will hear this the way they want to, to me, its great, it has the feel that a lot of GP tribute albums lack, it's like GP's musical spirit sat in on this one, if you take away the "GP" influence it's still a strong set worthy to stand on it's on. It is a very sincere effort.

A good piece of work.......2004-08-16

This is certainly a very special tribute to Gram Parsons, because it captures the spirit of his late solo recordings and even uses some of the original back-up musicians like James Burton, Glen D. Hardin etc ("the Elvis band"). Besides some stellar guest appearances it also gives a voice to some of todays less known Nashville singers (the girls really shine, you guys!). Of course no one could expect only previously unreleased Parsons originals here, as some critics obviously do. To finish original lines and turn them into complete new songs (as long as it does not violate copyrights and good taste) is still a more creative approach than simply covering or remaking previously released tunes, like most other tribute albums do. There is definetely a lot more to it than just capitalizing on Parsons' name, which is the most common assumption among critics when it comes to the exploitation of his heritage. However, the cover versions on this album rank among the highlights here: "A Song For You", "Hickory Wind" and "Dead Flowers" really stand out, other highlights being the title song itself, "Blessing For Being", "Barefootin'" or "No One Knows I'm Lonesome". The fact that six years of hard work has been put into this project speaks for itself: it took a lot of love and care to finish it. Who knows, the definite Gram Parsons tribute may be yet to come ...

Oh I must disagree..........2004-04-17

Oh I must disagree with most of these reviews here. This thing took a little while to hook into but after it did, I tend to listen to it more than either original Gram or the '99 tribute (both of which I listen to a lot.) This is a lovely take on GP. A little smoother around the edges but highly listenable. Worth it, if for nothing else, than the heartbreaking little acappella piece of Hicory Wind at the beginning. If you burned through all your Gram and Ryan Adams and whatever and need a fix...this ought to make you happy. Does me.

Pretty dodgy, at best..........2001-12-13

I dunno... It seems weird, a bit dishonest, even, to characterize most of these tunes "Gram Parsons" songs... The enclosed booklet even reprints some examples of the original Parsons doodle/scribbles... and he had written BETTER VERSIONS of the mysteriously revised lyrics that Carl Jackson & Co. recorded! I know the GP cult is all-powerful and all that, but this project really seems to strain our credulity...

a very mixed bag.......2001-05-10

I've listened to it once and "Hickory Wind" is ever gorgeous. Some of the tracks are weak, though, and some are Gospel/Bluegrass treacle. Well, Ricky Skaggs is involved. Not a "must buy."

Music Album:

Music Album