The Return Of The Grevious Angel (A Tribute To Gram Parsons)

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.|