Gram Parsons Grievous Angel: AS 40 Series

Gram Parsons Grievous Angel Reissued for the AS 40 Series on Hybrid Stereo SACD: Mastered to DSD from the Original Analog Master Tape

After a summer tour, Gram Parsons dashed off a couple of new songs ("Return of the Grievous Angel," "In My Hour of Darkness"), dusted off a few old ones (including "Hickory Wind" and "$1000 Wedding" from his days with The Byrds and The Flying Burrito Brothers, respectively) and convened his band in the studio to cut his second Reprise album. With Grievous Angel in the can, Parsons headed for Joshua Tree, California, and history.

Released a few months after his untimely demise there, this 1974 album stands among his best work as a shining example of the cosmic American music he pioneered, with superb playing from the likes of guitarist James Burton, and some beautiful harmonizing from Emmylou Harris (and on the final track, Linda Ronstadt).

Tracks such as "Brass Buttons," "Return of the Grievous Angel," and "Love Hurts" (a duet for the ages) carry emotional weight and effortless beauty, delivering warmth and immediacy. Every note feels alive — the pedal steel sighs, the harmonies soar, and Parsons' voice, tender and world-weary, sits in the center of the soundstage.

Though Parsons passed away before the album's release, Grievous Angel became his legacy — the work that turned cult admiration into lasting influence. Its impact can be heard in generations of artists, from the Eagles to Wilco, from Lucinda Williams to Sturgill Simpson.

Cut from the original analog masters, Grievous Angel offers that unmistakable '70s depth and presence. Grievous Angel endures because it's a pure expression of beauty, longing, and timeless sound.