Genre: country-rock
Rating: **** (4 stars)
Title: Kindling
Company: Warner Brothers
Catalog: BS-2687
Year: 1973
Countyr/State:
Grade (cover/record): VG/VG+
Comments: mild ring, edge and corner wear; gatefold sleeve
Available: 1
GEMM catalog ID: not yet listed
Price: $20.00
First a word of warning - Gene Parsons' solo career is not rock and roll, rather country-oriented. That should not stand in the way of an opportunity to explore some wonderful material by a true country-rock pioneer.
Fired from The Byrds by Roger McGuinn after ongoing creative and financial disagreements (Parsons was reportedly unhappy with a profit sharing arrangement that saw little money coming his way), mid 1972 saw Parsons singing a solo deal with Warner Brothers. Produced by Russ Titleman, 1973's
"Kindling" is one of those magical albums. As mentioned earlier, it isn't a rock album, but Parsons enthusiastic performances on a mix of country and Cajun material that should appeal to everyone, even rock fans. While the album's largely a solo effort with Parsons credited with most of the instrumentation, he does get some help from friends, including longtime buddy/Byrds alumnis Clarence White, fiddler Gib Builbeau and Little Feat's Bill Payne. Highlights include "Monument", the odd "Sonic Bummer" and the high stepping Cajun-flavored "Take a City Bride" (The Byrds had featured latter in their live show). Elsewhere, Parsons' cover of Little Feat's "Willin'" (he comes close to topping the original), was simply mesmerizing. Simply too country for most listeners, the album failed to chart. (The album was originally released with a gatefold sleeve.)
"Kindling" track listing:
1.) Monument (Gene Parsons) - 2:06
2.) Long Way Back (Gene Parsons) - 2:29
3.) Do Not Disturb (Skip Battin - Fowley) - 1:55
4.) Willin' (Lowell George) - 3:18
5.) On the Spot (instrumental) (Guilbeau - Gene Parsons - Clarence White) - 1:38
6.) Take a City Bride (Gib Guilbeau) - 2:17
7.) Sonic Bummer (Gene Parsons) - 2:18
8.) I Must Be a Tree (Gib Guilbeau - Gene Parsons) - 3:17
9.) Drunkard's Dream (Ralph Stanley) - 2:37
10.) Banjo Dog (Gene Parsons) - 2:10
11.) Back Again (Gene Parsons) - 2:57
The album also benefited from a package tour that teamed Parsons with fellow ex-Byrds Gram Parsons and White. Sadly, later in the year White was killed in a traffic accident. Devastated by the loss of his friend, the following year Parsons set aside his solo career and joined a reformed Flying Burrito Brothers.