Search - Gene Parsons :: Melodies

A Little Jewell

R. J MOSS | Alice Springs, Australia | 12/09/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Gene Parsons came to individual prominence with his great, but largely ignored, 'Kindling' acetate in the mid 70s. It contained what I regard as the supreme version of Lowell George's, Willin'(no mean Feat, ha ha, given its author's vocal gifts). Whatever, I admit I was taken by the cover art of 'Melodies', sporting a kindred sense with the axemean sitting before his pile on 'Kindling', the inside of which opened out to a splice of clear-felling, one stump supporting a TV.; an ecological disaster particularly resonant today, but probably a cry mostly from lefty longhairs back in the 70s, as Parson proposes. 'I must be a Tree', a song from 'Kindling' remains a touchingly naive lament that cries from between the record cover photograpy. 'Melodies' is the sequel to it, likeable in every one of its songs and sentiments. Country-rock was on the decline when it was issued, and though Parsons had made his contribution to that movement earlier as a one time member of the Byrds, he decisively chose the country side of the fire when it came to setting his own voice. His version of Phil Och's,'Kingdom for a Car' challenges Ochs's take. But my favourite here is, "Little Jewell"."