The Flying Burrito Brothers Albums (23)
'Red Album: Live Studio Party in Hollywood'
Release Date 5/28/2002
Tracks 17
Label Shiloh/Beautown
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'Sons of the Golden West'
Release Date 5/18/1999
Tracks 14
Label Arista
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What The Critics Say
Getting a handle on the ever-changing lineup of the Flying Burrito Brothers is more difficult than naming the musicians onstage at a Lynyrd Skynyrd concert -- at one point in the '80s, the Burritos contained no original members. On Sons, original pedal steel player Sneaky Pete Kleinow teamed with country songwriter John Beland to create an unassuming collection of country-rock tunes. By eschewing the slickness of modern Nashville in favor of a rootsier sound, the Burritos have the right idea, but country songs about UFOs ("Area 51") hardly do justice to the great body of work the group amassed in the late '60s and early '70s. The lyrics to "Ode to Gram," a tale about a spurned fan who came to a live show hoping to see the legendary singer, speak all too clearly about the Burritos' post-'70s career and its lack of direction. ~ Steve Kurutz, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Bicentennial Burritos is an album released in the wake of Gram Parsons' death, one of the founding members of the Flying Burrito Brothers. The disc includes some classic Burrito favorite songs, as well as some covers. Originally the Burrito Brothers was a collection of musicians who would jam together. Chris Hillman and Gram Parsons applied the name to their late-1960s recordings as well. This reunited version of the band does not include those two founders. Of all the releases by the new band, Bicentennial Burritos is one of the best, as it was recorded in the 1970s and the performances are among their more inspired. "Toe Tappin' Music," "Orange Blossom Special," and "Old Time Rock and Roll" are stand outs. As cash-in albums and bands go, this is ok. Hardcore fans will want little to do with the reunion era Burritos. ~ JT Griffith, All Music Guide
'Live From Amsterdam 1985'
Release Date 9/9/1997
Tracks 15
Label Relix
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What The Critics Say
Though they had not recorded a convincing studio set in years, the Flying Burrito Brothers released a number of live albums from their popular European tours of the 1980s. While they were still clearly able to attract a crowd (listen to the audience at the start of this show), it inevitably seemed like a case of over-documentation in attempt to compensate for a distinct lack of original material. Featuring the latest incarnation of second generation Burritos led by original member "Sneaky" Pete Kleinow, the Amsterdam band is completed by drummer Jim Goodall, bassist Skip Battin, and guitarist Glen Harris. Predictably, the shadow of the late Gram Parsons looms large over the song selection, which is almost identical to that of its successor, Live in Europe. In addition to Parsons-penned vintage Burrito tracks ("Christine's Tune," "Wheels"), they cover both the Louvin Brothers' "Cash on the Barrelhead" and Harlan Howard's "Streets of Baltimore," songs Parsons recorded for Reprise in the early '70s. While it may have seemed wise to include some of the fresher material the band had been performing, the newer songs ultimately suffer by comparison. There are occasional flashes of excitement, however. Greg Harris delivers a fine vocal on "Star of the Show," and some impressive fiddle on "Take a City Bride" and "Burrito Jam," and there was still some spark left in "Sneaky" Pete's pedal steel lines. In the end, however, these moments do little to save a lackluster live set. ~ Nathan Bush, All Music Guide
'California Jukebox'
Release Date 7/8/1997
Tracks 15
Label American Harvest
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'Tribute to Gram Parsons'
Release Date 12/12/1995
Tracks 10
Label Sundown
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What The Critics Say
This outstanding live recording from the mid-'70s features original Flying Burrito Brothers Chris Ethridge (bass, vocals) and Sneaky Pete Kleinow (pedal steel) with ex-Swampwater member Gib Gilbeau (fiddle, guitar, vocals), ex-Canned Heat alumnus Joel Scott Hill (guitar), and ex-Byrd Gene Parsons (drums, vocals). This disc bridged the gap between the original Flying Burrito Brothers and their 1980s successors (known simply as the Burrito Brothers). The repertory, recorded along the group's European tour, both covers old group standards ("White Line Fever," "Sin City," "Devil in Disguise," "Wheels," "Close Up the Honky Tonks") and anticipates the songs that would comprise the later group's concerts. The performance is as spirited and inspired as any by the original group, even if the harmonies don't soar quite so easily -- Hill's colorful though restrained guitar pyrotechnics are a particular treat. Good live recordings by different incarnations of the Burritos aren't much less common than live Dead recordings, but this one makes an excellent companion/follow-up to A&M's Last of the Red Hot Burritos. ~ Bruce Eder, All Music Guide
