DBarker%PCO@CISL-SERVICE-MULTICS.ARPA (Deryk Barker) (04/09/85)
Well - you can say whatever th hell you like about the name (I happen to
like it) but you can't deny their style, talents or influence.
Potted biography:
In 1968 Gram Parsons joined the Byrds and heavily influenced their
country-style LP "Sweetheart of the Rodeo" - despite being mixed way
down on some songs for contractual reasons.
On the morning of their leaving for a tour of South Africa (hisssss)
Parsons leaves and is impersonated on tour by a roadie. he goes to
England and spends time hanging around with the stones. (Parsons in
fact runs on stage with the RS at Altamont).
Byrds fragment even more and Parsons with Chris Hillman (a founder Byrd)
form the FBBs. Included are "Sneaky" Pete Kleinow on pedal steel
(Played it on "My Sweet Lord") and Chris Ethridge on bass (later played
with Ry Cooder). No regular drummer. Together they cut the legendary
"Guilded Palace of Sin" probably THE bes country rock LP ever. They
also tour - making what is reputed to be the most expensive train
journey in history.
Chris Hillman switches to bass and the band is joined by Bernie Leadon
(lated to form the much-overrated, infinitely-inferior Eagles (who?)) on
guitar and Michael Clarke (another original ex-Byrd) on Drums. They cut
the "Burrito DeLuxe" LP. Some fine songs but not up to the standard of
the previous LP. Parsons leaves. (N.B. this LP contains the first
recording of "Wild Horses" by Jagger and Richards. There is argument as
to whether they wrote it for Parsons or not - but the FBBs version was
definitely recorded earlier than the Stones)
Band is joined by Rick Roberts (guitar and vocals) and cut "The Flying
Burrito Brothers" - original title huh? Some nice stuff - particularly
the Gene Clark tunes - but a bit weak. Leadon leaves.
About this time byron Berline (ex-army shot-put champion and three-times
US fiddle champion) is forming "Country Gazette" and they tour with the
bnd, taking part in gigs. Also included are Kenny Wertz (guitar and
banjo) and Roger Bush (bass fiddle and corny jokes - typically
bluegrass). They cut the aptly-title "Last of the Red Hot Burritos".
This lineup also features the great Al Clark on Pedal-steel and guitar.
Mixture of hot-rock, country and bluegrass this is one of the finest
live sets of all time band splits up.
There were plans for a spin-off of the Burritos including Parsons and
EmmyLou Harris (first rose to fame on Parsons two solo LPS - the
indespensible "GP" and "Grievous Angel") but these come to nothing owing
to Parsons tragic, futile death in autumn 1973.
A country/bluegrass band calling themselves the FBBs tour Europe -
mainly Country Gazette - and record a live double LP "Live in Amsterdam"
- pretty badly recorded and hardly a glimpse of former glories.
1975ish band reformed by Chgris Ethridge together with Gene Parsons Gib
Guilbeau and Joel Scott Hill (formerly of Canned Heat) and tour Europe.
They put on a good show but many people feel they are ripping off the
name. Two (mediocre) LPs.
There you go - a brief hostory of the Flying Burrit Brothers. The name,
incidentally, was a collerctive name for jam sessions in the early 70s
at a club somewhere in LA. Also, at one time, Hillman intended to call
what later became "The Notorious Byrd Brothers" LP the FBBs. For more
info see inner sleeve of "Last of the Red Hot Burritos".
To anyone who's never heard (of) them - DO!. Their LPs "Guilded Palace
of Sin" and "Last of the Red Hot Burritos" are true classics. The two
Gram Parsons LPs are likewise indispensible. This band started
country-rock and withot them we'd all be the poorer. The Eagles? - you
can keep 'em - give me the Burritos any day of the week.
"I'm heading for he nearest foreign border,
Vancouver may be just my kind of town,
'Cos they don't need the kind of law and order,
That tends to keep a good man underground".
deryk.