Gram Parsons

Gram Parsons

Dave Prinz, owner of the best record stores on the planet (California's three Amoeba warehouses), struck an unlikely deal with notoriously guarded Grateful Dead soundman Owsley "Bear" Stanley, recovering these long-fabled Flying Burrito Brothers shows from the Dead's vault. Documenting performances from April 4 and 6, 1969, opening for the Dead at San Francisco's Avalon Ballroom, the 2-CD set is superbly recorded and presents Gram Parsons' only known versions of songs ranging from Hank Williams' "You Win Again," Little Richard's "Lucille," and two gently supple takes on country standard "Long Black Limousine." Though both sets cull similar songs, the second proves the looser affair through comparative versions of "Sin City" and a romping reworking of Mel Tillis' "Mental Revenge." Yet while Parsons' voice, tremulously sweet on "Hot Burrito #1" and "Dark End of the Street," supplies the obvious draw, the true standout is Burrito backbone "Sneaky" Pete Kleinow's pedal steel. "Oh, Sneaky," Parsons exclaims euphorically as the cosmic steel pioneer rends George Jones' "She Once Lived Here" with an entirely new heartache. An easy, loping version of "Train Song" suggests the roots to Workingman's Dead, while "Hot Burrito #2" spices up both sets. The highlight of the entire collection is an added demo of "Thousand Dollar Wedding," stunningly stripped to only Parsons at the piano. Taken from Byrds and Burritos tour manager Jimmi Seiter's home recordings, the song reveals a spectacular taste of what future volumes may promise.