Studio: Image Entertainment
Video: 1.78:1 Widescreen Enhanced
Audio: DTS 5.1, DD 5.1, DD 2.0
Extras: Audio Commentary
Length: 106 minutes
Rating: ***1/2
Gram Parsons died at Joshua Tree over 30 years ago due to a lethal does
of tequila and heroin at the young age of 26. Still, he had
managed to have a tremendous impact on many of the artists of the
time. This tribute takes place at the Universal Amphitheatre in
Los Angeles and includes a variety of artists singing songs written by
Parsons as well as other tunes. His daughter was just a youngster
at the time of his death and in an effort to get closer to Gram decided
to put on this concert and meet the people who knew him to learn more
about her father. With the help of many others it was a roaring
success. To call Parsons’ music strictly “country” is too
limiting—the music had elements of rock and other genres as well.
Although most of the material performed at the concert is of the
country genre, the viewer can hear how easy it would be to adapt the
music to other styles. Some of my favorites are by Lucinda
Williams, Susan Marshall, Raul Malo, and don’t forget Norah Jones—you
either love her or hate her. The rousing version of “Wild Horses”
(at the end) by the entire group of artists is quite impressive and
moving. That’s the nice thing about a concert this varied—you are
bound to find something of interest.
Sound quality is good, but not outstanding and there is not much going
on in the surround channels. There is video of the desert in
between songs and played in the background behind the stage while the
concert goes on. Camerawork is nicely done with close-ups and
some roving camera, but nothing that is too fast or jerky. Songs
included: Six Days on The Road – Sin City All Stars; Big Mouth
Blues – Jim Lauderdale; Drug Store Truck Drivin’ Man – Jay Farrar;
Devil In Disguise – Jay Farrar; Hot Burrito No. 1 – Raul Malo; Still
Feeling Blue – Jim James; Hot Burrito No. 2 – John Doe; We’ll Sweep Out
The Ashes In The Morning – John Doe & Kathleen Edwards; Do Right
Woman, Do Right Man – Susan Marshall; Luxury Liner – Steve Earle; My
Uncle – Steve Earle; Sleepless Nights – Lucinda Williams; A Song For
You – Lucinda Williams; Wheels – Dwight Yoakam; Sin City – Dwight
Yoakam; She – Norah Jones; Love Hurts – Keith Richards & Norah
Jones; Hickory Wind – Keith Richards; In My Hour Of Darkness – Susan
Marshall & The House Of Blues Gospel Choir; Wild Horses – All; Ooh
Las Vegas – All.
-Brian Bloom
