Hickory Wind

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"Hickory Wind" is a song credited to country rock pioneer, Gram Parsons, and former International Submarine Band mate Bob Buchanan. They said that it was written on a train ride the pair took from Florida to Los Angeles in early 1968.[1] Despite Buchanan's input, "Hickory Wind" is generally considered Parsons' signature song[2]. In fact, Parsons' decision to play "Hickory Wind" instead of a Merle Haggard cover at a Grand Ole Opry performance in 1968 "pissed off the [country music]] Establishment" to such an extent that the song is now considered essential to Parsons' infamous "Wayward Waif" persona. [3]

Johnny Rogan offers the following interpretation for the song: "The alluring 'Hickory Wind' serves as a powerful image for Parsons' bittersweet nostalgia, as he imagines an Edenic childhood of simple pleasures like climbing trees. During successive verses, he reflects on the pursuit of fame, the curse of wealth without spiritual satisfaction, and the perils of city life. What really makes the song, however, is Parsons' aching vocal performance, set against a superb steel guitar backing, whose whining combines with his yearning voice to create a mood of unbearable poignancy."[4] Chris Hillman, Parsons' co-conspirator with The Byrds and, after, The Flying Burrito Brothers, offers the following interpretation: "It's his [read: Parsons'] signature song, just as 'I'll Feel a Whole Lot Better' is Gene Clark's signature song. If Gram had never written another song, "Hickory Wind" would have put him on the map. The song says it all — it's very descriptive, with vivid imagery. It's actually quite literary, but Gram, was we know, was a very bright kid. If you know the guy's life story, however he conjured up that scenario — it's right at home. Gram was shuffled off to a prep school, lots of money... that's a lonely song. He was a lonely kid." [5]

Parsons first recorded "Hickory Wind" on 9 March, 1968 for The Byrds' Sweetheart of the Rodeo LP, considered by many critics to be one of the first country rock albums — along with the International Submarine Band's Safe At Home, another Parsons venture — and a largely overlooked masterpiece of the late 1960s folk rock genre. "Hickory Wind" was track #7 on Sweetheart of the Rodeo; it was never released as a single.

The song was covered one year later by Joan Baez on 1969's David's Album.

[edit] References

  1. ^ Johnny Rogan, Sweetheart of the Rodeo (Columbia: 1997, 8)
  2. ^ Holly George-Warren, "He Was Just A Country Boy" in Sacred Hearts and Fallen Angels (Rhino: 2006, 13)
  3. ^ Ibid George-Warren
  4. ^ Johnny Rogan, Sweetheart of the Rodeo (Columbia: 1997, 8)
  5. ^ Ibid George-Warren, p. 27

[edit] External Links