Album of the Day

An alumnus of both The Byrds and The Flying Burrito Brothers, Gene Parsons couldn't have had a more confusing name. He's no relation to Gram, yet to judge from KINDLING, the album he made between stints in those legendary groups, his ear for country-rock is just as strong as his more famous predecessor. The 1973 Warner Bros. collection, produced by Russ Titelman, is a tour de force for Parsons, who penned most of the material (including such ace tracks as “Monument” and “I Must Be a Tree”), sings, and plays percussion and numerous stringed instruments beautifully. He's joined by several stellar guests, including Little Feat keyboardist Bill Payne, ex-Byrd bandmate Clarence White on guitar and the tenor vocals of Ralph Stanley, raising the bluegrass quotient of this set even more. If you love roots or Americana sounds, you owe KINDLING a listen, and we'll give it another spin to wish Parsons a happy 75th birthday.