Beyond the studio releases, the Live 1973 album is great. The band is not the same caliber as the studio releases, but they give a different flavor to the material, the vocals are superb, and the recording is very high quality. Finally, there is Sleepless Nights, and Cosmic American Music.

Albums detail below
The Complete Reprise Sessions 
G.P./Grievous Angel
Live 1973 
Sacred Hearts and Fallen Angels: The Gram Parsons Anthology
Sleepless Nights 
Cosmic American Music 
Gram Parsons Archive, Vol. 1: Live at the Avalon Ballroom 1969 (Flying Burrito Brothers)
Emmylou Harris

I included most of the personnel below from the liner notes of The Complete Reprise Sessions.

Personnel

GP credits

Gram Parsons Guitar, Vocals
Emmylou Harris Vocals
Barry Tashian Guitar, Vocals
James Burton Guitar
Al Perkins Pedal Steel
Buddy Emmons Pedal Steel
Byron Berline Violin
Glen D. Hardin Keyboards
Rick Grech Bass
Jack Conrad Bass
Ron Tutt Drums
John Guerin Drums
Sam Goldstein Drums

With 
Alan Munde Banjo
Harold Battiste Saxophone

Still Feeling Blue
Alan Munde Banjo

Cry One More Time
Harold Battiste Saxophone

Kiss the Children
Background vocals

Ron Hicklin 
Lewis Morford 
Mitch Wrigley 
Tom Bahler 

Grievous Angel personnel

Gram Parsons Guitar, Vocals
Emmylou Harris Vocals
James Burton Guitar
Al Perkins Pedal Steel
Glen D. Hardin Keyboards
Ron Tutt Drums
Emory Gordy Bass

With
Bernie Leadon on:
Grievous Angel - guitar
Hearts On Fire - Lead Guitar
In My Hour of Darkness - Dobro

Byron Berline - Fiddle
Grievous Angel, In My Hour of Darkness, Cash On The Barrelhead / Hickory Wind
Mandolin 
Cash On The Barrelhead / Hickory Wind

Steve Snyder - Vibes 
Hearts On Fire

N.D. Smart II - drums
Hearts On Fire
In My Hour Of Darkness

Linda Rondstat - backing vocals
In My Hour Of Darkness

The better value is G.P./Grievous Angel 
but the alternate versions from disc three are often different enough from the original album versions making this box set well worth it, further, the sound is better on the box-set.

Band personnel

Disc: 1 (56:04)
1. Still Feeling Blue
2. We'll Sweep Out The Ashes In The Morning
3. A Song For You
4. Streets Of Baltimore
5. She
6. That's All It Took
7. The New Soft Shoe
8. Kiss The Children
9. Cry One More Time
10. How Much I've Lied
11. Big Mouth Blues
12. GP Radio Promo [Bonus Track]
13. Gram Parsons Interview: 
14. How Did You Meet Emmylou Harris?, 
15. What Is The Story Behind "A Song For You?", 
16. WBCN Interview With Maxine Sartori 
Bonus tracks (No band)
17. Love Hurts -- With Emmylou Harris
18. Sin City  With Emmylou Harris & N.D.Smart

Disc: 2 (44:26)
1. Return Of The Grievous Angel
2. Hearts On Fire
3. I Can't Dance
4. Brass Buttons
5. $1000 Wedding
6. Medley Live From Northern Quebec: Cash On The Barrelhead, Hickory Wind
7. Love Hurts
8. Ooh Las Vegas
9. In My Hour Of Darkness

Bonus tracks
10. Return Of The Grievous Angel (Instrumental) - take 3

Gram Parsons interviews
11. Gram Parsons Interview: Did You Sing "Hickory Wind" At The Grand Ole Opry?
12. What Differences Do You See Between Pure Country And Country Rock

Disc: 3 
GP - alternate takes
1. She 
2. That's All It Took 
3. Still Feeling Blue 
4. Kiss The Children -- Duet With Barry Tashian
5. Streets Of Baltimore 
6. We'll Sweep Out The Ashes In The Morning 
7. The New Soft Shoe 

Grievous Angel - alternate takes
8. Return Of The Grievous Angel #1 
9. In My Hour Of Darkness 
10. Ooh Las Vegas 
11. I Can't Dance 
12. Sleepless Nights 
13. Love Hurts 
14. Brass Buttons 
15. Hickory Wind 

Previously released on Sleepless Nights
outtakes for Grievous Angel 

16. Brand New Heartache
17. Sleepless Nights
18. The Angels Rejoiced Last Night 

A two-fer, both albums are essential and they come together on one CD. 

Band personnel

G.P.
1. Still Feeling Blue   
2. We'll Sweep Out The Ashes In The Morning   
3. A Song For You   
4. Streets Of Baltimore   
5. She   
6. That's All It Took   
7. The New Soft Shoe   
8. Kiss The Children   
9. Cry One More Time   
10. How Much I've Lied   
11. Big Mouth Blues   

Grievous Angel 
12. Return Of The Grievous Angel   
13. Hearts On Fire   
14. I Can't Dance   
15. Brass Buttons   
16. $1000 Wedding   
17. Medley Live From Northern Quebec: (A) Cash On The Barrelhead/(B) Hickory Wind   
18. Love Hurts   
19. Ooh Las Vegas   
20. In My Hour of Darkness 

1. We'll Sweep Out The Ashes
2. Country Baptizing
3. Drug Store Truck Drivin' Man
4. Big Mouth Blues
5. The New Soft Shoe
6. Cry One More Time
7. Streets Of Baltimore
8. That's All It Took
9. Love Hurts
10. California Cottonfields
11. Six Days On The Road
12. Encore Medley: Bony Moronie/Forty Days/Almost Grown

Personnel
Gram Parsons, lead vocal, acoustic guitar
Emmylou Harris, harmony vocal, acoustic guitar, tambourine
N.D. Smart II, drums
Kyle Tullis, electric bass
Neil Flanz, pedal steel guitar
Jock Bartley, electric guitar

A solid band performing Parson's material and covers. The renditions are looser than the studio renditions. I like the guitarist's, Jock Bartley, style and tone quite a bit. The pedal steel player, Neil Flanz, is dominate throughout, where I would have preferred a more balanced sharing of the solos with Jock.

Gram and Emmylou sing so sweetly together. There is a lot of talking in between songs, which can be detracting, after hearing it once. 

Around half of the material is from Gram's first album, and the rest are covers, including "Love Hurts," which was on Gram's second album.

The liner notes of Sleepless Nights, Emmylou Harris describes part of the Fallen Angels tour, "We set out to play country music and some rock & roll in the better hippie honky tonks of the nation (some didn't they were honky tonks till Gram brought it to their attention). That was my apprentice into the music of Gram Parsons. The Louvin Brothers, Buck Owens, Webb Pierce, Charlie Pride, and Merle H, not to mention Chuck Berry -- swam through my ears like one of those learn-while-you-sleep recordings. 

Later Emmylou reveals,  "And they came to see this young man and to hear the voice that would break and crack but rise pure and beautiful and full of sweetness and pain." 

His two disc Anthology is an exceptional chronological overview of all the bands Parsons played in. The three main drawbacks to this are:
1. The version of "Grievous Angel" is not the awesome version that appeared on the album named after the song. In fact, the box set has three versions of the song better than this one.
2. There are some great songs on Sweetheart of the Rodeo not sung by Gram that you won't get on this release.
3. After a few listens, you'll want more of Grams singing. 

Disc: 1
The International Submarine Band
Safe at Home
1. Blue Eyes 
2. Luxury Liner 
3. Do You Know How It Feels To Be Lonesome? 
4. I Must Be Somebody Else You've Known
5. Miller's Cave 
6. Knee Deep In The Blues 

The Byrds
Sweetheart of The Rodeo (w bonus tracks)
7. Hickory Wind
8. You're Still On My Mind
9. The Christian Life
10. You Don't Miss Your Water 
11. One Hundred Years From Now

The Flying Burrito Brothers
The Gilded Palace of Sin
12. Christine's Tune (Devil In Disguise) 
13. Sin City 
14. Do Right Woman
15. Dark End Of The Street 
16. Wheels
17. Juanita
18. Hot Burrito #1 
19. Hot Burrito #2 

Burrito Deluxe
20. High Fashion Queen
21. Older Guys 
22. Cody, Cody 
23. Wild Horses

The liner notes call "Sing Me Back Home" and "To Love Somebody" practice tapes, we were just goofin' around.

24. Sing Me Back Home 

Disc: 2
The Flying Burrito Brothers
1. To Love Somebody

Gram Parsons 
GP
2. Still Feeling Blue
3. We'll Sweep Out The Ashes In The Morning 
4. A Song For You
5. Streets Of Baltimore 
6. She 
7. The New Soft Shoe
8. Kiss The Children 
9. How Much I've Lied

Gram Parsons & The Fallen Angels 
Live 1973
10. Drug Store Truck Drivin' Man
11. That's All It Took 
12. California Cotton Fields 

Grievous Angel
13. Return Of The Grievous Angel (Remix)
14. Hearts Of Fire 
15. Brass Buttons
16. $1000 Wedding
17. Love Hurts
18. Ooh Las Vegas
19. In My Hour Of Darkness

Sleepless Nights
20. Brand New Heartache 
21. Sleepless Nights
22. The Angels Rejoiced Last Night

Un-numbered track 
Radio Ad for Parsons solo albums

Sacred Hearts and Fallen Angels: The Gram Parsons Anthology Press Release 

Dubbed the "Father of Country-Rock," Gram Parsons' influence can be heard in virtually every alt-country band strumming a guitar these days (not to mention the Rolling Stones and the Eagles). Parsons' mystique has only grown since his untimely death in 1973, and Rhino Entertainment is proud to announce the release of the first comprehensive overview documenting a career that was tragically cut short.

SACRED HEARTS & FALLEN ANGELS: THE GRAM PARSONS ANTHOLOGY is the first-ever collection to feature Gram Parsons' best works -- a repertoire spread out over a half dozen different record labels. Starting with the legendary International Submarine Band, through the "Sweetheart Of The Rodeo"-era Byrds, The Flying Burrito Brothers, his solo albums on Reprise, and selected tracks from the Fallen Angels Tour, SACRED HEARTS & FALLEN ANGELS is a history lesson in the evolution of country-rock.

Due May 15, the 46-song, two-CD package clocks in at more than 150 minutes. The collection pays tribute to the legend of country-rock in a package that contains extensive liner notes by Grammy-nominated author/journalist Holly George-Warren, track-by-track comments by Grammy-nominated Hits magazine managing editor Bud Scoppa (with first-hand insight provided by original Byrds Chris Hillman and Roger McGuinn), rare photos, and unique memorabilia. Black Crowes lead singer Chris Robinson contributes a heartfelt tribute, and Emmylou Harris, Gram's duet partner and singing soulmate, shares her personal thoughts of the legendary singer.

Tracks from Parsons' days with the International Submarine Band include "Blue Eyes," "Luxury Liner," and the previously un-issued track "Knee Deep In The Blues," as well as "Miller's Cave" and the Merle Haggard-penned "I Must Be Somebody Else You've Known." Parsons' stint with The Byrds is represented with "Hickory Wind," "The Christian Life," a cover of William Bell's R&B hit "You Don't Miss Your Water," and others.

The Flying Burrito Brothers, founded by Parsons and former Byrds member Chris Hillman, are documented with "Sin City," "Hot Burrito # 1," "Hot Burrito # 2," and their version of the Rolling Stones' country classic "Wild Horses" (inspired by Parsons' relationship with the Glimmer Twins), among many others.

Parsons went solo in 1972 and was introduced to a then-unknown singer by the name of Emmylou Harris. The two went on to record such gems as "We'll Sweep Out The Ashes In The Morning," "Return Of The Grievous Angel," and "In My Hour Of Darkness," all of which appear on this collection.

*Duets with Emmylou Harris (Grievous Angel sessions) - Also released on Gram Parsons: The Complete Reprise Sessions and Sacred Hearts and Fallen Angels: The Gram Parsons Anthology.

The other tracks are with the Flying Burrito Brothers from 1970.
When recording the material included on this release, they were playing honky-tonk pure county album.

Flying Burrito Brothers
Several of the Flying Burrito Brothers songs from Sleepless Nights were also released on Hot Burritos! The Flying Burrito Bros. Anthology 1969-1972

Gram Parsons - Guitar (Rhythm), Keyboards, Vocals
Chris Hillman - Mandolin, Guitar (Rhythm), Vocals
Bernie Leadon - Guitar, Banjo
Sneaky Pete Kleinow - Pedal Steel Guitar
Michael Clarke - Drums

Track Listing
1. Song for You
2. Kentucky Blues
3. Streets of Baltimore
4. Folsom Prison Blues
5. Lovesick Blues
6. New Soft Shoe
7. How Much I've Lied
8. Still Feeling Blue
9. Still Feeling Blue
10. Ain't No Beatles, Ain't No Rolling Stones
11. Medley: How Can I Forget You/Cry One More Time
12. Song for You
13. Streets of Baltimore
14. That's All It Took
15. Somebody's Back in Town
16. More and More
17. Teaching Emmy to Sweep Out the Ashes
18. Daddy's Fiddle
19. We'll Sweep out the Ashes in the Morning
20. Cold, Cold Heart
21. That's All It Took
22. Song for You

Disc 1 (April 4th):

1. Close Up the Honky Tonks
2. Dark End of the Street
3. Undo The Right/Somebody's Back In Town
4. She Once Lived Here
5. We've Got to Get Ourselves Together
6. Lucille
7. Hot Burrito #1
8. Hot Burrito #2
9. Long Black Limousine
10. Mental Revenge
11. Sin City
12. Thousand Dollar Wedding (bonus track, not from live concert)
13. When Will I Be Loved (ditto)

Disc 2 (April 6th):

1. Undo The Right/Somebody's Back In Town
2. She Once Lived Here
3. Mental Revenge
4. We've Got to Get Ourselves Together
5. Lucille
6. Sin City
7. You Win Again
8. Hot Burrito #1
9. Hot Burrito #2
10. You're Still On My Mind
11. Train Song
12. Long Black Limousine
13. Sweet Dream Baby
14. Do Right Woman

The discs have pretty good sound, but they do not bounce with fidelity. To me, the Flying Burrito Brothers greatest charm is the vocals. That part of the sound is fairly intact, with some hiss. What the recordings lack is the richness tone (especially the bass) some separation and general clarity. We're talking about 2 track recordings from 1969 that weren't recorded for the purpose of a live release. However, the recordings came out of the Grateful Dead vault, and I'm confident they would have sounded a bit better if the Grateful Dead had the task of remastering and producing them. The sound is not poor, I just wanted to set expectations; it is not near the quality of Gram's live 1973 release. 

What is interesting is that in 1971, the Grateful Dead's music was more similar to this. They didn't use a pedal steel, but at times, Garcia made his guitar sound like one. Though in other side Jerry Garcia bands, Jerry played pedal steel guitar, especially with the New Riders of the Purple Sage. The Flying Burrito Brothers would have been more complimentary in 1971.

My preference is the second disc. It includes versions of key tracks not on the Aug. 4 show: "Do Right Woman," "You Win Again," and "Long Black Limousine."

Disc one offers two non-live bonus tracks; I find them less enjoyable than the live show. The liner notes explain these are from Jimmi Seiter's vault and indicate there is more and future archives releases are being planned. The liner notes also hint at a probable Old and in the Way box set (a band that includes David Grisman, Vassar Clements, Jerry Garcia, and others.

While Gram Parsons Archive, Vol. 1: Live at the Avalon Ballroom 1969 isn't a substitute for their studio albums, it is as enjoyable to listen to. In fact, the two versions of "She Once Lived There" alone make the album worth buying.  

Produced for release by Dave Prinz
Recorded by Owsley "Bear" Stanley
Liner notes Pamela Des Barres, David Prinz
Ameoba Records

by Barry Small

Press releases:
Nov. 5, 2007
Lost Gram Parsons Recordings Will Reappear At The Stroke Of Midnight Nov. 6

Amoeba Records will make 'Gram Parsons Archives, Vol. 1: The Flying Burrito Brothers Live At The Avalon Ballroom 1969' available for download at 12:01am ET on November 6 exclusively at Amoeba.com


Gram Parsons fans looking to get their ears on some never-before-heard Gram Parsons can do it at the stroke of midnight on November 6th. At 12:01am ET, ‘Gram Parsons Archives, Vol 1: The Flying Burrito Brothers Live At The Avalon Ballroom 1969,’ will be available for purchase as a download exclusively at Amoeba.com. The two CD, 27-track set includes a number of never-before-heard -- though long rumored -- rarities.

Gram Parsons, leading the Flying Burrito Brothers, opened for the Grateful Dead April 4, 5 and 6, 1969 at the Avalon Ballroom in San Francisco. The April 4th show has never been heard in any form. The bonus disc is the April 6th show. For years these tapes were rumored to exist and were finally unearthed in the Grateful Dead vault. The shows were recorded by the legendary sound engineer Bear (Owsley Stanley), and are the highest quality Gram Parsons live material available. Disc 1 also contains 2 previously unreleased home recordings; “Thousand Dollar Wedding,” recorded in LA in 1969 by Jimmi Seiter, and “When Will I Be Loved,” recorded in NYC in 1967, also by Seiter. 

August 16, 2007  

Two-CD, High Fidelity Live Set 'Gram Parsons Archives Vol. 1: The Flying Burrito Brothers "Live" At The Avalon 1969' Out November 6th On Amoeba Records

Material From 1969 Found In Grateful Dead Vaults; Features Ten Songs Never Recorded By Parsons And Never Before Available


Amoeba Records will release a major addition to Gram Parsons' discography with ‘Gram Parsons Archives Vol. 1: The Flying Burrito Brothers “Live” at the Avalon 1969’, due November 6th from the newly formed label. The two CD, 27-track set includes a number of never-before-heard -- though long rumored -- rarities.

Gram Parsons, leading the Flying Burrito Brothers, opened for the Grateful Dead April 4, 5 and 6, 1969 at the Avalon Ballroom in San Francisco. The April 4th show has never been heard in any form. The bonus disc is the April 6th show. For years these tapes were rumored to exist and were finally unearthed in the Grateful Dead vault. The shows were recorded by the legendary sound engineer Bear (Owsley Stanley), and are the highest quality Gram Parsons live material available.

Amoeba Records, started by the owners of the revered independent record store of the same name, is launching with the August 28 release of smoky-voiced singer and songwriter Brandi Shearer’s ‘Close to Dark.’ The album is co-produced by Larry Klein, known for his work with Joni Mitchell and Madeleine Peyroux, among others.

Rarities on ‘Gram Parsons Archives Vol. 1: The Flying Burrito Brothers “Live” at the Avalon 1969’ include Gram’s unique choice of mainly country standards, which are not on any other official Gram Parsons recording:

Undo The Right/Somebody’s Back In Town
She Once Lived Here
Mental Revenge
We’ve Got To Get Ourselves Together
Lucille
You Win Again
Long Black Limousine
Sweet Dream Baby
When Will I Be Loved