Review of The Flying Burrito Brothers - Gilded Palace of Sin

Short-lived but seminal, the Gram Parsons-led Flying Burrito Bros were a commercial flop, but have remained a towering influence ever since. The consummate mastery of their early singles "Sin City" and "Wheels" pave the way for the group's hell-raising dive into the flesh pits of gratification and despair on their debut album Gilded Palace of Sin. Released in 1969 to a wave of critical praise, the Burritos created a form of music referred to as New Country. It was a hybrid of southern soul and contemporary psychedelia that Parsons once described as "sounding like cosmic, American music." The band contained two ex-Byrds (drummer Michael Clarke and guitarist Chris Hillman) to go along with bassist Chris Etheridge and pedal steel player "Sneaky" Peter Kleinow. Parsons, who tackled most of the lead vocals, was formally a Byrd himself when he joined for their country excursion Sweetheart of the Rodeo in 1968. 

The strength of songwriting is what catapults the album into classic status. "Christine's Tune" rides a mellow acoustic wave while "Do You Know How It Feels" combines some inspired pedal steel playing with lyrics about despair, drug addiction, and alienation. The Burritos even throw in a version of Aretha Franklin's "Do Right Woman" that is almost unrecognizable in its new countryfide state. 

In 1970, by the time of their second album, Burrito Deluxe, Parson's had lost interest in the group. He began a solo career and a notorious, subsequently fatal, drug habit. Parsons died of a probable drug overdose in September 1973 in the California desert, leaving behind the template for the country rock movement of the 1970's.

Released Date: 1986
Edsel Records
Europe

Tracks:
Christine's Tune
Sin City
Do Right Woman
Dark End Of The Street
My Uncle
Wheels
Juanita
Hot Burrito No. 1
Hot Burrito No. 2
Do You Know How It Feels
Hippie Boy

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