Fifty years after Gram Parsons’ passing, Amoeba Music and Polly Parsons (Gram’s daughter) have announced the release of a special two-LP live recording from Gram Parsons and the Fallen Angels titled ‘The Last Roundup: Live from the Bijou Cafe in Philadelphia March 16th, 1973′. Recently unearthed from Amoeba Music’s vault and featuring Emmylou Harris on vocals, the album will be released as a double vinyl set on November 24th, 2023 as a Record Store Day Black Friday exclusive.
In early 1973 Gram Parsons embarked on a tour to promote his recently released first solo album ‘GP’. He put together a skilled band, including the then unknown Emmylou Harris as his singing partner. The shows were a bit uneven at first, but by mid-tour the band started to find its groove. One show stood out to pedal steel player Neil Flanz – the 3rd night at the Bijou Cafe in Philadelphia. Neil felt that this was the best show of the tour and requested a copy of the soundboard recording. He saved it for almost 40 years before it was acquired by Amoeba Music for a future release. It then disappeared in the vault for another 10 years before being rediscovered when Amoeba moved to a new location in LA. According to the press statement, “A 50 year old soundboard cassette offers unique challenges, but thanks to the efforts of some of the world’s best archival sound restoration engineers, the beauty and energy of Gram, Emmy and the band shine through.”
One of the last club dates ever for Gram Parsons and the Fallen Angels, the 50-year-old recording features Gram Parsons (vocals/guitar), Emmylou Harris (vocals), Neil Flanz (pedal steel guitar), Kyle Tullis (bass), Jock Barkley (lead guitar), and ND Smart II (drums).
Track list:
- Introduction / Flint Hill Special
- We’ll Sweep Out The Ashes
- My Uncle
- Drug Store Truck Drivin’ Man
- Streets Of Baltimore
- Country Baptizing
- California Cotton Fields
- Love Hurts
- Cry One More Time
- Sin City
- Big Mouth Blues
- Jambalaya
- Six Days On The Road
- Introductions
- The New Soft Shoe
- Rock & Roll Medley
Will this be available on CD?
There’s no info in the publicity material re a CD release but maybe after Record Store Day there might be a follow up.
There was a CD release – along with a whole load of other stuff – as part of the crowdfunding. They may release but I guess they will want to not undercut the crowdfunders with subsequent issues. The 2LP set is fairly steep even if you can get one. Details here