Gram Parsons - Fallen Angel (2006)

Sam Graham, Bogus Editorialist

I take serious umbrage with Sam Graham's drive-by shooting, disguised as an Amazon editorial, of Gram Parsons - Fallen Angel Sam, before you write this review off as a typical fan rant, maybe you should think about what you are actually contributing to the art of valuable criticism.

Alright, maybe you never knew about the strange facts surrounding Parson's death and ensuing funeral pyre. But to aggrandize that over the great contributions Parsons made to the genre is something I would expect from an editorial coming from Fox Network or some other bogus, sensationalistic outlet - certainly NOT from an Amazon editor.

Your introductory statement ("Cynics have suggested that death....") was a thing of beauty. Unfortunately, you felt compelled to follow it with "Although undeniably talented, Parsons never had a hit and made just six albums, and only one of them.... is a bona fide classic. That's one reviewer's opinion, anyway." Since when is 'That's one reviewer's opinion, anyway" considered professional criticism? Isn't that already implied by the fact the you are an official Amazon reviewer, and presumably paid for this tripe you are spewing?

If your definition of a 'bonafide classic' is tied to album sales and popularity, then your ability to discern and recommend (or not) must seriously be called into question. This sophomoric piece of writing is something we would expect from a community college student's term paper, certainly NOT from an Amazon *editor*. May 2, 2008

Great history of Gram.

I loved this DVD. A lot of footage I had never seen. Gives you a real feel for who he was. It is tragic that his life ended so soon. One is left to wonder what other genius work he would have produced. If you love Gram Parsons, you will love this!
March 23, 2008

Watch this after you already know about Gram Parsons

If you are already familiar with Gram and his music, this DVD is a must for you. I have spent much of my adult life a GP fan, and this movie kept me spellbound and sent me on an emotional ride, just like Gram's songs. If you're not already a GP fan, you won't really 'get' this movie. I recommend that before watching this movie, you read a Gram Parsons biography as well as listen to The Best of the Flying Burrito Brothers and GP's self-titled album. Then, the context of the movie and its characters will come to life for you. I disagree with the reviews which state that some of the movie's interviews are unnecessary fillers. If you know about GP, you'll recognize all of the interviewees as significant contributors to Gram's career, life, and the events that followed. My only negative criticism is that I wish there'd been more discussion about Gram's first wife and more interviews with his daughter, Polly. I would also like to have seen coverage of the ongoing tributes of his music that take place each year, of which his musical daughter is a big part even though she was only a toddler when he passed away. Overall, however, this movie is not to be missed by any Gram Parsons fan. March 6, 2008

A great account of HIS story!

Although there are biographies about Gram Parsons, and if you need a quick fix on exactly who Gram Parsons is, get this DVD. Back in his days, I never heard of Gram Parsons, nor the Flying Burrito Brothers, because his music never did hit smalltown mainstream rock and roll radio. But, several years ago, hearing him on an anthology of Emmy Lou Harris, I kept asking... who is this guy??? They dueted beautifully and she pays a lot of respect toward him.

You will hear more details from close friends, like Keith Richards from the Stones, Chris Hillman previously from the Byrds, and bandmates. But the voices and faces of his family and very close friends provide details of his saddened, dysfunctional but wealthy family. Unlike many rock stars, Parsons started his career with money in hand, more like .. struggled in the music business with nice financial security!

Watching this DVD, you will fully understand how he began, his unique rockabilly, honky-tonk, sound, his fashion, including much on the "nudie suits" that became such a statement. And, of course, the ever present drug scene, the train tour, and what's more, there are musical performances of Parsons, but not a whole lot. You will get plenty of detail on that dreaded "stealing of the body" story.

There is a tribute performance to Gram Parsons, however, Emmy Lou and Chris Hillman are not present, not even mentioned! Return to Sin City - A Tribute to Gram Parsons.

Plus, an excellent tribute was paid to him that did include Emmy Lou, Chris Hillman, Steve Earle, Lucinda Williams and more. I cannot find it on DVD, but it is a full show, "Sessions at West 54th" 1999. It is a deserving tribute, well done!
....Rizzo
February 15, 2008

Gram Parsons - The E True Hollywood Story

Of course, Gram Parsons is a major influence on modern American music, but you wouldn't know it from this lurid and sensational documentary. As Emmylou Harris remarks in this DVD, "People should remember Gram by his music, not the way he died." Or the way he lived, I would add.

There is little about Gram's music on here, which is very frustrating. Chris Hillman makes a few remarks about Gram's songs, and they show short clips from the Flying Burrito Brothers videos. Especially frustrating was that they showed more of the Eagles "Take It Easy" than of any of the Burritos' videos. Ugh, the Eagles.

Another problem with this documentary is that there are only the interviews - there is no narrative of any kind, even though it claims to have been "written" by Sid Griffin and the director. This makes for a disjointed film. Anyway, one good thing came from watching this - I've been listening to Gram's music a lot lately, since so little of it is present in the DVD. November 14, 2007

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