It's incredible the way this song just rolls over you. I'm always moved by the way Gram opens himself up, the way he revelas so much of himself, if you have the courage to really listen, to meet him halfway. Thank you, schum009, for posting this gem....
In 1995 Nick "The Colonel" Stewart sent me from London to A&M Records on La Brea in Hollywood to get rare tracks for our CD series called Chronicles. The A&M vaults had records showing the original Flying Burrito Bros. recorded, or at least attempted to record, this very song but try as I might I could not find the reel which had them doing this wonderful, poignant song of Gram's. What a performance this is. I imagine it is his demo for Chris Hillman, Sneaky Pete, and indeed A&M Records to hear so they knew what Gram wanted them to record.
Spectacular and eerie are two great words to describe this song which is probably my favorite Gram of all time along with the two Hot Burritos. Wow! I have been on a Gram high for months now. That's all I care to listen to. Amazing, tragic genius.
This is such a touching, beautiful version of this song. I like it better than the one on Grievous Angel. That sweet, sad melancholy voice hits my heart and makes me cry every time I hear it. "It's been a bad, bad day"
@taariqtaariq Yes , I like it when they leave his lisp in the recording . This version is so great in so many ways . Nothing better then just Gram and his piano . Thanks for posting schun009
Spent the last 20 minutes tooling around the internet trying to figure out, once and for all, if she died or if she left him. This demo has answered my question. Thank you
Well said!! Few singers displayed such emotion and could really move so many hearts while singing their songs. Such a pity Gram passed away so early at such a young age.
Evergreen Layne Jesus h Christ on a bike. Same. This is the first time I heard ‘passed’ as I’ve always had the box set and ‘went’. This makes soooo much more sense- especially with the ambiguity. And while we are on that, another example thereof- listen to Lyle Lovett’s L.A. County. When that ‘old 45 tells them goodbye!” Does he shoot them, or himself?
Such wasted talent. Every single time I hear Gram Parsons I can't help but think of that "Wasted Talent" from Bronx Tale. Gram is the epitome of wasted talent. He had so much potential and talent. If he had just lived. He was just hitting his stride at the time of his death. GP and the Grievous Angel albums showed that he was just getting better and better. He had found the perfect partnership with Emmylou Harris and his music was really getting better and better. If he could have stuck around he might have finally gotten the commercial success he was looking for. The music critics were giving his solo work rave reviews and if he had just been able to stick around for a few more years he would have gotten that commercial success. His live shows with Emmylou and the Fallen Angels were getting better and better when Gram was straight if he just could have stuck around he might have finally gotten everything he was searching for.
Was one thousand dollars wedding, supposed to be held the other day And with all the invitations sent The young bride went away When the groom saw people passing notes Not unusual, he might say But where are the flowers for my baby I'd even like to see her mean old mama And why ain't there a funeral, if you're gonna act that way I hate to tell you how he acted when the news arrived He took some friends out drinking and it's lucky they survived 'Cause he told them everything there was to tell there along the way And he felt so bad when he saw the traces of old lies still on their faces So why don't someone here just spike his drink Why don't you do him in some old way Supposed to be a funeral It's been a bad, bad day The Reverend Dr. William Grace Was talking to the crowd All about the sweet child's holy face and The saints who sung out loud And he swore the fiercest beasts Could all be put to sleep the same silly way And where are the flowers for the girl She only knew she loved the world And why ain't there one lonely horn and one sad note to play Supposed to be a funeral It's been a bad, bad day Supposed to be a funeral It's been a bad, bad day
His voice sucks the air outta' you and restores one to know true timelessness. 'Makes me hope this community will find other tracks lingering--though one could get satisfied to be lost in this.
He should have left in the line " Where's my girlfriend's fat old momma" instead of changing it to "Her mean old momma" on the album version of this song. This sounds so hauntingly sad like this.
Now the Avalon sessions are from a live gig which made me suspicious because this sounds more intimate. According to wiki it's a home recording en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gram_Parsons_Archives_Vol.1:_Live_at_the_Avalon_Ballroom_1969
Love and miss Gram so much What a great singer and songwriter❤❤❤
I just can't listen to this without crying. I just can't. If anything, this is more raw and powerful than the recorded version.
what a voice 💛
For me this song is Gram's masterpiece. He was an awesome writer.
Miss Gram so much.
Mozart could not have written it better on piano...amazing talent.
My favourite song on my favourite singer's birthday 2024 Love you as always Gram ❤ Keep singing x
fabulous i love you gram
The most enigmatic 'ballad' ever. Only a fraction of the story. Draw your own conclusions.
It's incredible the way this song just rolls over you. I'm always moved by the way Gram opens himself up, the way he revelas so much of himself, if you have the courage to really listen, to meet him halfway. Thank you, schum009, for posting this gem....
Keith Richards said in one of his books that this was the saddest song he ever heard.
this is the last place i expected to see a roachdogg jr
40 years today. Rest in peace Gram!
In 1995 Nick "The Colonel" Stewart sent me from London to A&M Records on La Brea in Hollywood to get rare tracks for our CD series called Chronicles. The A&M vaults had records showing the original Flying Burrito Bros. recorded, or at least attempted to record, this very song but try as I might I could not find the reel which had them doing this wonderful, poignant song of Gram's. What a performance this is. I imagine it is his demo for Chris Hillman, Sneaky Pete, and indeed A&M Records to hear so they knew what Gram wanted them to record.
Spectacular and eerie are two great words to describe this song which is probably my favorite Gram of all time along with the two Hot Burritos. Wow! I have been on a Gram high for months now. That's all I care to listen to. Amazing, tragic genius.
I know how you feel I'll get on those kicks.
what a voice.
This is such a touching, beautiful version of this song. I like it better than the one on Grievous Angel. That sweet, sad melancholy voice hits my heart and makes me cry every time I hear it. "It's been a bad, bad day"
I love the piano on this song.
@taariqtaariq Yes , I like it when they leave his lisp in the recording . This version is so great in so many ways . Nothing better then just Gram and his piano . Thanks for posting schun009
Spent the last 20 minutes tooling around the internet trying to figure out, once and for all, if she died or if she left him. This demo has answered my question. Thank you
Priceless
Well said!! Few singers displayed such emotion and could really move so many hearts while singing their songs. Such a pity Gram passed away so early at such a young age.
Awestruck.
a priceless wedding💒
love this version. Yeah he says the bride "passed" away instead of "went" away but its still an ambiguous story and I like that.
Evergreen Layne Jesus h Christ on a bike. Same. This is the first time I heard ‘passed’ as I’ve always had the box set and ‘went’. This makes soooo much more sense- especially with the ambiguity. And while we are on that, another example thereof- listen to Lyle Lovett’s L.A. County. When that ‘old 45 tells them goodbye!” Does he shoot them, or himself?
One of the very best "singers" ever. Not a "great" voice but what emotion and phrasing. Heart breaker.
i dont know.... his tombstone says GOD'S OWN SINGER
Splendid. ...
Greetings from IRELAND 😉 salamat for this gem. ...special....
Such wasted talent. Every single time I hear Gram Parsons I can't help but think of that "Wasted Talent" from Bronx Tale. Gram is the epitome of wasted talent. He had so much potential and talent. If he had just lived. He was just hitting his stride at the time of his death. GP and the Grievous Angel albums showed that he was just getting better and better. He had found the perfect partnership with Emmylou Harris and his music was really getting better and better. If he could have stuck around he might have finally gotten the commercial success he was looking for. The music critics were giving his solo work rave reviews and if he had just been able to stick around for a few more years he would have gotten that commercial success. His live shows with Emmylou and the Fallen Angels were getting better and better when Gram was straight if he just could have stuck around he might have finally gotten everything he was searching for.
Was one thousand dollars wedding, supposed to be held the other day
And with all the invitations sent
The young bride went away
When the groom saw people passing notes
Not unusual, he might say
But where are the flowers for my baby
I'd even like to see her mean old mama
And why ain't there a funeral, if you're gonna act that way
I hate to tell you how he acted when the news arrived
He took some friends out drinking and it's lucky they survived
'Cause he told them everything there was to tell there along the way
And he felt so bad when he saw the traces of old lies still on their faces
So why don't someone here just spike his drink
Why don't you do him in some old way
Supposed to be a funeral
It's been a bad, bad day
The Reverend Dr. William Grace
Was talking to the crowd
All about the sweet child's holy face and
The saints who sung out loud
And he swore the fiercest beasts
Could all be put to sleep the same silly way
And where are the flowers for the girl
She only knew she loved the world
And why ain't there one lonely horn and one sad note to play
Supposed to be a funeral
It's been a bad, bad day
Supposed to be a funeral
It's been a bad, bad day
His voice sucks the air outta' you and restores one to know true timelessness. 'Makes me hope this community will find other tracks lingering--though one could get satisfied to be lost in this.
He should have left in the line " Where's my girlfriend's fat old momma" instead of changing it to "Her mean old momma" on the album version of this song. This sounds so hauntingly sad like this.
Beautiful song. Does anyone know if Gram himself played the piano here?
Margaret Ross Sure it’s Gram he played piano and remember he originally joined the Byrds to play keyboard!
WHAT is this from? It's not on Archives Vol. 1 that I can find. I really would love to have this in my Gram collection. So beautiful.
I've got it on the Complete Reprise sessions box set
Thanks - I didn't get the box set - must remedy asap!
OK from what I can figure it's from a bootleg called the Avalon sessions ua-cam.com/video/6Uf_js7KmKo/v-deo.html
Now the Avalon sessions are from a live gig which made me suspicious because this sounds more intimate. According to wiki it's a home recording en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gram_Parsons_Archives_Vol.1:_Live_at_the_Avalon_Ballroom_1969
3998!!!!! why does gram get no youtube love?
people just don't understand him, such a wonderful singer. I loved this song.
Eerie.....
Shining ashes holy Angel
Eerie? What's this need for hyperbole. He's just playing the song straight on the piano. It's a great song.
I heard GP today......
I bought that new on 8 track and wore that sucker out
he was taken ...some are still ingrate.
could have got a new hat..instead
Splendid. ...
Greetings from IRELAND 😉 salamat for this gem. ...special....