Just finished Twenty Thousand Roads. Really interesting and detailed. I enjoyed the book and learned some things. I don't think I like the author. He was all too eager to express his own personal feelings about people and other bands (why the intense hate-fest for the Eagles?).
I came to the conclusion that GP did in fact have soul. The scene that really brought it home to me was the funeral for Clarence White, where Gram interrupted the preacher and this sterile Catholic service at the gravesite and started singing. It sounds like many of the musicians at the service wanted something with more soul, but it took Gram to make it happen. And one by one they joined in with him.
No doubt that Parsons produced a pretty slim amount of, well anything relative to his talent. But the early death of both parents, his drug use, and his wealth sure explains a lot. I really appreciate the reference. It was a fun read.
Mike,
Glad you enjoyed the book. I agree about belittling other musicians; I think his attitude is that the Eagles, took the ball and ran; although they atered it some make it more mainstream. I like some of the early Eagles material and some of the later as well. They simply "FMed" it. I have ever thought much of Don Henley; he is a little too proud of himself.
If you haven't already, read Shakey by JImmy McDonough, Neil Young's biography.
I thought the Don Felder/Joe Walsh era Eagles were pretty good, but the early Eagles with Bernie Leadon were great. Desperado is still a great record from start to finish. It has a mood, or feeling to it that is hard to find..."21 and strong as i can be..." There's great three-part harmony, decent playing, and well-crafted songs. What's not to like?
I realize that this is blasphemy, but I think The Big Lebowski is by far the worst movie the Coen Brothers ever made (and I really like the Coen brother's movies). I actually walked out the first time I tried to watch it. When it achieved cult status, I rented it and suffered through the whole thing. Never again. Inane and pointless.
Take Bakersfield and write a song and call it country. Everyday thing. What gives? You would think that the first would be ironic. It's not. It's still country because IT SOUNDS COUNTRY. Labels are stupid. There should be a labelizer in our head which labels things for us automatically. I think there is. It's run by the Bush family. They're the labelizers. Or if you wanta go country, call 'em the STampers. Never give a inch. Pure country.
The Stampers, soon to become The Stamper.
You can take the city kid and make him country. You can take a country boy and turn him into some Rhinestone Cowboy.
Sometimes I lives in the country
Sometimes I lives in town
Sometimes I haves a great notion
To jump into the river an’ drown
I like Gram's idea. Rich as hell and still gotta be something else.
Barrow Gang
Sometimes I lives in the country
Sometimes I lives in town
Sometimes I haves a great notion
To jump into the river an’ drown
Here's a snapshot of the real CW and his peer group. Too much Haiku.
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