Gram Parsons was a no-hit wonder, a commercial zero in his seven or so years as a professional musician, before his death at 26 years of age in 1973. Yet ever since, generation after generation of artists point to him as a major influence in their own fusions of rock, country and R&B sounds. There's also the romantic, tragic, and near-mythical part of his story, which you can get from books (including mine), at various GP tributes, and, recently, in two films: Grand Theft Parsons (bad) and Fallen Angel (great).

For anyone wondering what all this "father of country-rock" business is all about, Safe At Home is a must. After dabbling, ineffectively, in early '60s folk, Parsons dug back to his Southern roots and came up with what he called "country soul," or "Cosmic American Music." Well, this 1966 recording — Parsons 'debut — is not exactly that. It's a first step. It was done with a patchwork assemblage called the International Submarine Band. At this early stage, Parsons 'high-lonesome voice was sometimes weak, sometimes ragged, and prone to cracking. But, for many, that added to his emotional appeal.

Safe at Home is trad country with strong tunes, spirited performances and… read more »