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What’s up Sorry State readers, It’s been awhile since I’ve done one of these so I may be a little rusty. I hope everyone had a nice Thanksgiving and has been enjoying the holiday season. I’ll be road tripping to Memphis this coming week, which is about a twelve hour drive. I’ve never really minded long drives. Honestly, I kinda enjoy them, plus I’ll be picking up my brother in Asheville and my other brother in Nashville along the way, so I’ll have some company to keep things interesting. If you’re travelling somewhere this year, and whichever way you get there, I hope everyone has safe travels. As everyone knows, Record Store Day happened last month and there were some cool titles that came out. One that I was really excited about (and the only one I got) was this Gram Parsons and The Fallen Angels record that contains a live show from 3/16/73 at the Bijou Café in Philadelphia, also featuring Emmylou Harris on vocals. This soundboard recording was recently uncovered after the pedal steel player, Neil Flanz, brought it to light after being in possession of the tape for 40 years, which was then acquired by Amoeba music and forgotten about in their vault for another 10 years. For a recording from a 50 year old tape, this thing sounds amazing. It feels like you’re really sitting there in that small café and listening to this intimate show. As I’ve mentioned time and time before, I love listening to a live show, especially with all the banter and everything in between songs. It’s what gives the performance character and makes it unique. The show starts off with the band intros and a ripping cover of Flint Hill Special, a Flatt & Scruggs bluegrass staple. I love Emmylou’s voice so much. I feel she’s very underrated when people talk about female voices in country music. Which is why I really enjoyed the cover of Hank Williams’ Jambalaya on here where she takes the reins for the song and really belts it out. You can tell listening to this that they’re having a great time up there and the band was really meshing well that night. Other favorites on here include Drug Store Truck Drivin’ Man, Streets of Baltimore, Sin City and the unexpected five-sog rock n’ roll medley that caps this show off. I know I would’ve been in the Bijou Café hootin and hollerin that night if I was there. But that was 26 years before I was born, so until time machines exist, this record will do me just fine.