Tipping The Hat: Sarah Carroll

Answered by: Sarah Carroll

Which act are you paying tribute to and why? The Byrds and The Flying Burrito Bros, both short-lived and brilliant bands in which Gram Parsons was a significant member. I'm fascinated by the effect his country sensibilities had on basically a pretty folky act.

What was their best period musically? Sweetheart Of The Rodeo came out in 1968 and although Gram's vocals only grace three tracks — and were overdubbed due to contractual dramas — the whole album bears his mark as a lover of traditional country.

Your favourite song of theirs and why? The Christian Life is a beautiful, honest song about the difficulty of being devout in a hedonistic world. It reflects the struggle so many country musicians had to be authentic. In Gram's case, hedonism won.

Which album of theirs would you give to a newbie who had no idea about them to best represent them (and why)? Sweetheart Of The Rodeo. To me it's their most interesting.

When and where is your gig(s) giving them the nod? At Sista Mary's Gram Parsons Tribute Show at this year's Bello Winter Music festival.