Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)Mr. Meyer has given us, without a doubt, the best book on Gram Parsons yet. Wheras Ben Fong-Torres' work focused on the historical, "dry-er" side of Parsons's story, Meyer perfectly combines fact with fiction. The result is a wonderfully balanced view of Gram as the supposed "father" of Cosmic American Music and Gram, the self-destructive human being who couldn't stay out of his own way.
I would like to point out a few problems I have with this book, though. One of Meyer's strengths is the exclusion of his personal viewpoints. Unless they're dumbly obvious- that "Burrito Deluxe" does not even compare to "The Gilded Palace of Sin," for example. Meyer crosses into subjectivity once, however, and I found it rather ridiculous- he insists that "GP" is a better album than "Grievous Angel."
I admit that, personally, I think that "Grievous Angel" is one of the best albums ever whereas "GP" is a good album (just ask Tom Petty). But that's not the issue- Meyer never backs up his claim. He states that the high points of the album are as best as Gram ever did, and then continues to name all but one or two of the tracks as exemplary. So why is "GP" better? Perhaps Meyer wants it to be better, because it (arguably) combines more genres of music (the R&B-based "Cry One More Time", for example), giving more claim to the term "Cosmic American Music". Perhaps not. But in either case, he doesn't substantiate his one truly subjective input.
Also, with regards to Emmylou Harris's and Gram's relationship, Meyer doesn't point to Harris's recent comment that she really WAS in love with Gram and was waiting to tell him! Seeing as how Meyer devotes a few paragraphs to addressing their (platonic?) relationship, I can't figure out why he didn't deem her comment worth mentioning.
Besides these two main points, I think "Twenty Thousand Roads" is fantastic. It's extremely well written and insightful, and should be purchased by any fan of country and rock and roll music.
Click Here to see more reviews about: Twenty Thousand Roads: The Ballad of Gram Parsons and His Cosmic American Music
As a singer and songwriter, Gram Parsons stood at the nexus of countless musical crossroads, and he sold his soul to the devil at every one. His intimates and collaborators included Keith Richards, William Burroughs, Marianne Faithfull, Peter Fonda, Roger McGuinn, and Clarence White. Parsons led the Byrds to create the seminal country rock masterpiece Sweetheart of the Rodeo, helped to guide the Rolling Stones beyond the blues in their appreciation of American roots music, and found his musical soul mate in Emmylou Harris. Parsons' solo albums, GP and Grievous Angel, are now recognized as visionary masterpieces of the transcendental jambalaya of rock, soul, country, gospel, and blues Parsons named "Cosmic American Music." Parsons had everything–looks, charisma, money, style, the best drugs, the most heartbreaking voice–and threw it all away with both hands, dying of a drug and alcohol overdose at age twenty-six.In this beautifully written, raucous, meticulously researched biography, David N. Meyer gives Parsons' mythic life its due. From interviews with hundreds of the famous and obscure who knew and worked closely with Parsons–many who have never spoken publicly about him before–Meyer conjures a dazzling panorama of the artist and his era. Praise for Twenty Thousand RoadsNAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY THE LOS ANGELES TIMESNAMED ONE OF THE FIVE BEST ROCK BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY ROLLING STONE"Far and away the most thorough biography of Parsons . . . skewers any number of myths surrounding this endlessly mythologized performer."–Los Angeles Times"A terrific biography of a rock innovator that hums with juicy detail and wincing truth. . . . Page after page groans with the folly of the '60s drug culture, the tragedy of talent toasted before its time, the curse of wealth and the madness of wasted opportunity."–The Atlanta Journal-Constitution"The definitive account of Gram Parsons' life–and early death. From the country-rock pioneer's wealthy, wildly dysfunctional family through his symbiotic friendship with Keith Richards, Meyer deftly illuminates one of rock's most elusive figures."–Rolling Stone"Meticulously researched . . . Though Meyer answers a lot of long-burning questions, he preserves Parsons' legend as a man of mystery."–Entertainment Weekly"Meyer gives Parsons a thorough, Peter Guralnick-like treatment."–New York PostVisit the official website: www.twentythousandroads.com
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