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Summary: Hickory Wind
Review: A good account of Gram Parsons' short life, as well as the unusual impact he had on rock & country music. As a long-time fan of Gram's music, I found a number of surprises. I had heard he came from a wealthy family, but had thought that he had abandoned that life and lifestyle -- the book explained that he was a "trust fund baby" to the very end.
Rating:
Summary: Hickory Wind
Review: A good account of Gram Parsons' short life, as well as the unusual impact he had on rock & country music. As a long-time fan of Gram's music, I found a number of surprises. I had heard he came from a wealthy family, but had thought that he had abandoned that life and lifestyle -- the book explained that he was a "trust fund baby" to the very end.
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Summary: Nice Work On Gram's Legacy
Review: A much-needed history lesson, well told
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Summary: Hickory Wind is being reissued this fall.
Review: As noted elsewhere on Amazon.com, my book, Hickory Wind, is being reissued this fall by St. Martin's Press. I've added a chapter of new information on Gram Parsons and his music, and there'll be new, rare photographs as well. Enjoy.
Rating: 
Summary: good info of minor star
Review: Biography of minor rock star Gram Parsons who influences many more past his death than while he was living The book does include alot of information and is not exactly focused he led an interesting life and his circumstances such as his "trust fund" being around the Stones and Emmylou Harris are interesting
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Summary: Facts, But No Flow...
Review: Fong-Torres has done an impressive job of gathering facts on Parsons, but does little to paint a portrait of him as an artist and person. Too many seemingly important events are mentioned in passing only, as if they're were on Fong-Torres' list of things to include. This book tells you very little about a lot of different elements to Parson's life. I was left wanting to know more about fewer events. This book is a very wide but very shallow storehouse of facts and snippets of interviews.
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Summary: Great subject matter, unfocused writing
Review: Gram was a fascinating character, but this book didn't really hook me the way the music does, and that's a let down. While not worthless, the writing seems extremely well researched but carelessly assembled, almost as if it were a string of magazine articles. Facts are introduced and re-introduced in an inelegant fashion, the author descends to first person unnecessarily, and jarringly illogical metaphors are stretched to the breaking point. Even more disappointing, the well collected facts and perspectives surrounding Gram's death are hard to follow and make drawing conclusions an academic exercise.
Gram Parsons was a singer of rare quality and luminosity. It's a shame that such a well-researched book turns out to be so devoid of luster.
Rating:
Summary: Great subject matter, unfocused writing
Review: Gram was a fascinating character, but this book didn't really hook me the way the music does, and that's a let down. While not worthless, the writing seems extremely well researched but carelessly assembled, almost as if it were a string of magazine articles. Facts are introduced and re-introduced in an inelegant fashion, the author descends to first person unnecessarily, and jarringly illogical metaphors are stretched to the breaking point. Even more disappointing, the well collected facts and perspectives surrounding Gram's death are hard to follow and make drawing conclusions an academic exercise.
Gram Parsons was a singer of rare quality and luminosity. It's a shame that such a well-researched book turns out to be so devoid of luster.
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Summary: Must read for fans of Gram Parsons and friends
Review: I've been a fan of Gram Parsons, Byrds, Burritos, Emmylou Harris, etc since early 70s. Just read this book (earlier edition). Great read but the best part was the understanding it gave me of his music and some songs of his friends. For example, try reading the book and then listening to Boulder to Birmingham by Emmylou!
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Summary: The Search for the real Gram
Review: If you have heard any of Gram's work, or are at all interested in The Byrds, Flying Burrito Bros, Country Rock etc., this is a great book to find out where he came from, who he was, and why he's so heavily namechecked by bands 25 years after has death. Finding the real Gram seems pretty difficult as his knack of making up stories which may/may not be true can confuse anyone looking for him. Here though a good job has been done and you get a good idea of the man, where the songs and the talent came from, and just how influential he has been.
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