Gram Parsons
FALLEN ANGEL
Rhino
This bio-doc on the heartbreaking life and death of alt-country godfather Parsons is pretty standard images-and-anecdotes stuff. Still, it's extremely thorough, covering everything from the Tennessee Williams play that was Parsons' upbringing through the notorious theft and amateur cremation of his body by friend/road manager Phil Kaufman in 1973. Fallen Angel remains admirably objective, preferring to let those who remember the incredibly influential (yet relatively unknown) singer-songwriter best — his family, wife, bandmates, lovers and assorted famous people, including a visibly moved Keith Richards — tell the tale and draw the conclusions. The best thing is the accompanying music, by both Parsons and the country legends that influenced him. 3.5 stars
This article appears in Oct 25-31, 2006.