Jessica Hundley with Polly Parsons

It hasn't been that long since Gram Parson's daughter gained control of his works and image, but she's wasted little time turning his legacy into a family cottage industry. Polly Parsons has organized tribute concerts, art exhibits, and now has supervised the "authorized" biography. Polly's total input into the text is not known, but in the hands of journalist Jessica Hundley, Gram's life story becomes more of a romanticized fable than either of the two previous bios. It is hard to tell whether that aspect is the result of the feminine perspective on this obviously charming and charismatic figure, or the remanufacturing of a more palatable legend by his daughter, ultimately deprived of a father's intermittent love at the tender age of 7. Perhaps Polly is seeking to come to terms with his dualistic physical absence and ever-present legacy.

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As far as providing any more tangible insight into Gram's troubled psyche, Grievous Angel falls short while waxing eloquent speculations about his life experiences, and his ongoing thoughts and feelings. These aspects of the individual are literally impossible to truly know at any level, but especially when the subject has been dead for more than 30 years. Making the story a little more difficult to follow are the semi-randomly placed interview excerpts with those who knew Gram, those who worshiped him, and those whose own musical output has been touched in some way by him. Most of the questions (and answers) are redundant, and provide only a few glimpses into the true nature of the man. Granted, Hundley pulls no punches in describing Gram's plummet into the serious and inevitable addictions that brought about his untimely demise, and even those who love his music will be saddened by his sheer unlikeability during the final years. Oh, but he sure could sing.