The Flying Burrito Brothers - Hot Burritos! The Flying Burrito Bros. Anthology 1969-1972

This overview of the heyday of the flagship band of 1970s country-rock illustrates why the genre became such a force in its time--and why it flagged as the decade progressed. Its ascent can be attributed to the vision and charisma of band cofounder Gram Parsons. Parsons's legend has grown to such a point that one must question its validity. Was he that crucial in shaping the genre? The answer is provided through the course of the first disc and a solid portion of the second in this smartly assembled double set. Parsons and partner Chris Hillman brought together influences ranging from Stax soul to the Everly Brothers to Hank Williams to create a sound that is inventive, inviting, clever, and a little weird. Parsons's two Burrito albums--1969's landmark The Gilded Palace of Sin and its patchwork follow-up, Burrito Deluxe--are here in their entirety, as are some Gram-era oddities. The handful of post-Parsons tracks that weigh down disc 2 augur country-rock's demise. Hillman and new recruit Rick Roberts create pleasant enough music that simply lacks the flair Parsons brought to nearly everything he recorded in his 26 years. --Steven Stolder Amazon.com essential recording

A Great Album

This is the best rockabilly music ever recorded along with the Byrds Sweetheart of the Rodeo.

This is a treasure of late sixties LA country music. August 13, 2008

Flying Burrito Bros 69 - 71

A time capsule - Some of it is average - not up to Eagles standards, but there are some real gems here as well, which compete strongly with Eagles etc. Not quite as formed as Poco, but from the same general melting pot of musical development.

If youre interested in the development of Americana from that period - it's a must - a real ingredient. August 7, 2007

great, but one caveat

This is a great collection, from the very first strains of disc one (the gilded palace of sin's christine's tune) in wh the steel guitar goes slightly bonkers in the middle of the song. Believe me, you have never heard the steel guitar played until you hear this song. It lets you know you're listening to some drugstore cowboys can really jam on those axes whether they're sitting down or not. The only caveat I have for you is "To Love Somebody," and I don't think anyone will disagree, although many of the reviews have been a lot more generous than I would have been, without having read them, and reflected on the era, the personnel, and some of the difficulties the band was dealing with at the time. Anyway, right before "To Love Somebody" comes on, just click your itunes or whatever you have over to the BeeGees version, which I find more pop, yes, but more rhythm and bluesy, and more heartfelt even than Gram's cracking and urgent vocal. The backing burritos drag the rhythm out a little trying to make it sound more country, I guess, but anyone can tell you it takes a lot more wind and tends to drag a singer down on an already difficult piece if you do this. Anyway, after having heard the BG's version even way back when, you won't be that impressed with GP's version here. Just a thought. Otherwise, this is as valuable as a historical archetype, and prototype for a lot that came in the 70's, even if some of the saongs weren't magnificent, which they mostly are. August 2, 2007

Hot Burritos! The Flying Burrito Bros. Anthology 1969-1972

Came when promised & in excellent condition. June 8, 2007

The definitive overview of a seminal country-rock band

The "Gilded Palace of Sin" was a landmark country-rock LP that, in 1969, brought out all the best qualities of Gram Parsons as singer, composer and interpreter. His cronies were utmost professionals; their personal involvement and innovative musical contribution to Gram Parsons' vision heightened his achievements. Kudos - in particular - to Chris Hillman for his vocals, songwriting and guitar playing contributions, as well as to Sneeky Pete Kleinow who was always devising new ways to make his steel guitar soar and sing. A ***** album is ever there was one!

After the 11 songs from the first LP, this compilation includes a single A-side titled "The Train Song" which never did anything for me. I wonder who chose to let the Burritos be coproduced by Johnny Guitar Watson?
Rating: no rating !!

The follow-up LP, "Burrito Deluxe" appeared within 15 months of the first and, at the time, I found it to be a major let down. Although definitely a lesser work, I have grown more appreciative of it as its actual strenghts have grown on me.
The LP was pleasant and well above average, but after the magnificence of "Gilded Palace of Sin", it suffered by comparison. Also, I cannot help but feel that there was less drive, less enthusiasm from everybody involved. My favourite track is the "cover" of the Stones' "Wild Horses" (which could actually have been co-composed by Parsons). Other favourites are "Cody, Cody" and "Lazy Days". I would rate this album *** ½.

The second CD begins with seven tracks that first appeared on "Farther Along", "Close up the Honky Tonks" and Gram Parsons' "Sleepless Nights".
These tracks seem to be work-in-progress of country covers; they are rather well recorded but they sound average and rather perfunctory to me when compared with the songs recorded by the original artists. I do not think that these recordings would have been released at the time had Parsons not perished most tragically and so young. Rating : **.

Tracks 8 - 17 were released on the Flying Burrito Brothers' third, eponymous LP. This is the second line-up from the band, with Rick Roberts "replacing" Gram Parsons. Well, Parsons could not really be "replaced" but Hillman obviously did not want to remain the sole leader/singer/songwriter of the band. Rick Roberts was a good singer and a good writer to boot. While the music on this record leans more towards the West Coast / singer-songwriter scene than towards Parson's vision, I must say that I have liked this 1971 LP at first listen. The album is chock-full of good songs, well sung and well arranged. The well-known Haggard cover "White Line Fever" is really superior to the Parsons sung "demo" covers of two Merle Haggard's tunes placed at the beginning of this CD. Colorado, Four Days of Rain, All alone, ... are among my favourites but there really is no dud track on this album. I rate it *****. This does not mean that I find it as good (and certainly not as influential) as the "Gilded Palace of Sin" but it very good in its own sweet way. I would say that this LP holds its ground when compared with favourites of mine such as "Pickin' Up The Pieces" (Poco) or, well, the first LP by The Eagles. It is also a splendid opportunity to appreciate Hillman's characteristically exquisite bass guitar playing one more time. Sneeky Pete Kleinow also shines throughout while Leadon ... well Leadon is always good on whatever stringed instrument happens to lay around.

Track # 18 is a version of Gene Clark's "Here Tonight" (covered and sung by Hillman on the third album) and recorded by Clark himself with the Flying Burrito Records (and also much earlier on his very first solo Columbia LP). I prefer Clark's rendition to Hillman's but I wonder why this take appeared on "Close Up The Honky Tonks" because it has much more of a polished Byrds / LA sound. Anyway, it's pretty good to have around. I rate this track *****.

The last two tracks were recorded live for the fourth LP titled "Last of The Flying Burrito brothers" which I duly bought upon release. Although less lethargic than the tracks from "Close Up the Honky Tonks", they are not that remarkable either. I would rate this, their fourth album for A&M, ** ½.

It should be pointed out that the sound of this CD is very, very good. The booklet is also informative, including quotes from Chris Hillman.

This compilation is THE definitive overview of the Flying Burrito Brothers' oeuvre! October 28, 2006

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