Hot Burritos book by Einarson/Hillman

Anybody read this book? Holy cow. Chris Hillman just unloads on Gram Parsons throughout the entire book with both barrels. According to Hillman:

* Gram never wrote a decent song after Gilded Palace. His two solo albums were "just bad country music".
* Gram never recorded a decent vocal other than the songs Hot Burrito #1 & #2.

... and it just goes on from there. To paraphrase a TP Posies review, who puked on his cornflakes?

<rant>
I'm sure Hillman gets tired of Gram getting all the credit for the Burritos, and I believe every anecdote he brings up about Gram being unreliable/drunk/stoned/selfish/etc. But unfortunately for Hillman the proof is in the pudding. Gram Parsons' legacy lives on because his music has a certain thing called soul. Hillman uses the word "professional" about 5000 times in the book and really that about sums up his post-GP work. And by the way Chris, if being a professional is tantamount to being a great band then why let Mike Clarke (a chronic drunk and a shaky drummer to boot) sit on the drum stool for most of your tenure as a Burrito?
</rant>

Anyway, the book is a fascinating read, if nothing else than to witness Chris Hillman become unhinged on about every other page.

Gram was kicked out of the Chateau the Stones were recording Exile... because he was a bad influence.
Now that is decadent!
Grievous Angel is one of the best albums of its time, Hillman is full of shit.

I didn't realize Hillman held such resentment toward Parsons. He's usually respectful in interviews.

Of course, this is what happens when one of the principals isn't around to defend himself.

I know plenty of people who agree with Hillman that Parsons' talent has been overrated. I disagree, though I will concede that Parsons' recorded legacy can be spotty. The vocals on GP are pretty weak, and Sweetheart of the Rodeo hasn't held up as other Byrds records.

But I think Grievous Angel is a beautiful country record, and I also love Safe at Home lots as well. And Gilded Palace of Sin deserves its classic status, and while that's not all due to Parsons, you can't take him out of the equation, either.

Yeah, Gram was a spoiled brat with no control over his baser impulses. But his talent was genuine and I think he had more great music in him to come.

Hillman's made some good music since the Burritos - his Desert Rose Band was always solid, even occasionally great, and his solo albums ain't bad. But he's yet to make a stone classic like the best of his former partner's work.