Return Of The Grievous Angel: A Tribute To Gram Parsons CD

A portion of the album's proceeds will go toward the Vietnam Veterans of America Foundation's "Campaign For A Landmine-Free World."

Unlike many hastily thrown together tribute albums, GRIEVOUS ANGEL has the distinction of having the heavy involvement of someone who was personally involved with the artist. In this case, that would be Gram Parsons' musical soulmate, Emmylou Harris. Her participation goes beyond mere executive producer duties as she duets with the Pretenders (a shimmering "She"), Beck (straightforward strum and twang on "Sin City") and Sheryl Crow (an ethereal "Juanita").

Although the Cosmic Cowboy's love of country music could be reverential (as evidenced by Elvis Costello's gentle reading of "Sleepless Nights" and the emotive Evan Dando/Juliana Hatfield take on "$1,000 Wedding"), the native Floridian also had a more fun-loving side to his persona. Former Byrd and Burrito-mate Chris Hillman proves this by teaming up with Steve Earle on the country shuffle "High Fashion Queen" as do Wilco who turn the rollicking number "One Hundred Years From Now" into a stomper overflowing with gnarly guitar and Wurlitzer runs.

Parson's death at such a young age lends a spiritual quality to this album. This feeling is mirrored in the gospel-soaked "In My Hour Of Darkness" by the Rolling Creekdippers, an ad hoc group consisting of Buddy & Julie Miller, Jim Lauderdale, Victoria Williams and Marc Olson.

Includes liner notes by Bud Scoppa.

Pretenders,Cowboy Junkies,Mave Ricks,Elvis Costello,Wilco ++

Personnel: Gillian Welch (vocals, guitar, drums); Ryan Adams (vocals, guitar); Raul Mato (vocals, acoustic guitar, electric guitar); Sheryl Crow (vocals, acoustic guitar, violin); Chris Hillman, Emmylou Harris, Julie Miller, Lucinda Williams, Steve Earle, Beck (vocals, acoustic guitar); Buddy Miller (vocals, 12-string guitar, melodica); Victoria Williams (vocals, banjo); Elvis Costello (vocals, piano, celesta, vibraphone); David Rawlings (vocals, organ); Chrissie Hynde, David Crosby, Jeff Tweedy, Jim Lauderdale, Mark Olson (vocals); Ethan Johns (guitar, electric guitar, mandolin, drums, percussion); Jay Bennett (guitar, piano, Wurlitzer organ, background vocals); Adam Seymour, John Jorgenson, Michael Timmins, Smokey Hormel, Tim Smith (guitar); Evan Dando (acoustic guitar, electric guitar); Steve Donnelly (acoustic guitar); Jeff Trott, Michael Henderson , Nick Kane, Bernie Leadon, Brad Rice (electric guitar); Jay Dee Maness (steel guitar); Greg Leisz (lap steel guitar, mandolin); Gurf Morlix (lap steel guitar); Ed Foote (hurdy-gurdy); Gabe Witcher (fiddle); Richard Causon (accordion, piano); Skip Edwards (piano); Spooner Oldham (electric piano); Benmont Tench (organ); Jerry Dale McFadden (Wurlitzer organ, keyboards); Robert Reynolds (electric bass); Roy Babbington (bass guitar); Ken Coomer (drums, background vocals); Fran Breen, Pete Thomas , Dale Baker, Willie Ornelas, Gregg Williams , Joey Waronker, Paul Deakin, Peter Timmins, Martin Chambers (drums); Dave Houghton (percussion); David Trumfio, John Stirratt (background vocals).

Audio Mixers: Chris Lord-Alge; Ethan Johns; Glyn Johns; Jay Bennett; Allen Sides; Mike Bradley; Trina Shoemaker; Bernard Matthews; Buddy Miller.

Liner Note Author: Bud Scoppa.

Recording information: Chemical Sounds, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Fort Apache Studios, Boston, MA; Oceanway Studios, Los Angeles, CA; SoundShop.

Photographers: Ron Keith; Raeanne Rubenstein.Rolling Stone (7/8-7/22/99, p.154) - 4 stars (out of 5) - "...the artists on this collection...concoct the sonic stew that Parsons called 'cosmic American music'....There's not a bad track among the thirteen here....Parsons fans won't be disappointed..."
Spin (8/99, p.152) - 8 (out of 10) - "...Because many of the acts on ANGEL share parson's love for country tragedy along with his remove from it...they take the same freedoms with his songs that he took with his source material..."
Entertainment Weekly (7/23/99, p.67) - "...plays it straight, with most contributors confident enough to just play the songs, not reinvent them..." - Rating: B+
CMJ (6/14/99, p.26) - "...a beautifully orchestrated collection of some of [Gram Parsons'] most influential songs, covered by artists who owe much to his powerful yet subtle brilliance..."
Dirty Linen (12/99-1/00, pp.70-1) - "...once the list of the top 10 tribute albums of the decade is tallied up this one has a good chance of making the list."