8. The Flying Burrito BrosThe Gilded Palace Of Sin
It’s such a beautiful record. What can I say? Gram Parsons and Chris Hillman from The Byrds did these soul songs like ‘Do Right Woman’, which was originally recorded by Aretha Franklin and they played it like a country rock song. Also, they took like ‘Dark End Of The Street’, which was written by Dan Penn, originally for the soul singer James Carr on Goldwax, a Memphis label, which they also recorded in the style of a country rock song. Country rock is often a dirty term, but to turn that into something else, that transformation was incredible. Gram’s gentle, soulful voice completely slays me every time! I’m in love with Gram Parsons. I feel like I know him. When I hear him sing, his voice fills me up and makes me feel loved. Admitting that you’re broken and sad that a woman left you, feeling vulnerable was rare in music, apart from maybe soul and blues. But rock music was so macho. Gram turned up and wrote these beautiful original songs. It’s okay to admit you’re weak, it’s okay to admit you have a broken heart. A huge influence on me and Primal Scream.
Also, when I got married to my wife Katy England, I had Alexander McQueen design for myself and my wife a suit with satin lapels and hemmed embroidery in the trousers and jacket with roses, in tribute to Gram Parsons.
