God's Own Singer: A Life of Gram Parsons

Rating:
Summary: Read Hickory Wind instead
Review: There's really not much reason to read or buy this book. Hickory Wind by Ben Fong-Torres pretty much is the definitive biography on Parsons at this point. God's Own Singer presents the same information as Hickory Wind, but the writing is not nearly as clear and concise. God's Own Singer is poorly written and edited (someone should have done this guy a favor and used the red pen liberally--he repeats facts over and and over and on the whole the book would benefit from some major streamlining). I cannot figure out why this guy would write "another" bio on Parsons (since Hickory Wind does such a good job), other than the fact that Walker is a huge fan. Especially since Walker does not present anything "new"--he basically reguritates Fong-Torres' work. Save your cash and just buy Hickory Wind.

Rating:
Summary: And The Man On The Radio Won't Leave Me Alone
Review: Though I have not read "Hickory Wind", I found this new one to be fairly thorough. It answered alot of questions and fleshed out some details merely hinted at in Sid Griffin's "A Musical Biography". As interesting as most of Griffin's collection of interviews and essays were, I still was left wondering what actually happened that fateful day in Joshua Tree. Well, I got my answer. It may not have been pretty, but the circumstances were a lot less sordid that rumor would lead you to believe.

However, I wasn't so much interested in Parsons death as I was in what and who inspired him to create what he did. Walker's research shows. "God's Own Singer" is not only respectful but enlightening. He tackles Parsons troubled childhood and his copious drug use with a vividness that never comes off as exploitive. It also clued me in on his activities doing during those 2 years off between the Burritos & "GP". Whereas, Keith Richard's influence on Parsons has been noted, it was also nice to know how much Parsons had in turn on ol'"Keef". Though he never played on such classics as STICKY FINGERS, LET IT BLEED & EXILE ON MAINSTREET, he certainly had a hand in turning The Stones on to the joys of Country Music. Walker's work is also good at cutting through the countless rumors. For instance, he never sang on EXILE's "Sweet Virginia" and contrary to popluar belief did not die from a morphine overdose.

Needless to say, Parsons story is sad but I was thankful for Walker's lack of ghoulishness---all too present in many "died-too-young" bios.

Walker's prose is direct and readable, though at times a little whimsical. The only negative criticism I have is that Walker ended it all a little too apruptly, as if he suddenly lost interest in his subject or didn't know how to tie up loose ends. A little summing up would have been nice.

If you want a good profile of Parsons, this is a far from painful read. He also cues you in to the fact that part of Parsons' genius lay in his abillity to collaborate others. Talents like Chris Hillmen, Pete Kleinow and Emmy Lou Harris had a lot to do with shaping Parsons' musical legacy and Walker never lets you forget that.