Monday, June 8, 2009

Hoofin' it to Joshua Tree Inn and Pioneertown

Possibly one of my favorite musicians of all time is Gram Parsons. Let me tell you why. Gram had a certain emotionality in his voice and added a soft innocence to the music he performed, which I find to be generally rare amongst. Also, Return of the Grievous Angel is one of the best songs ever and is best road trip songs ever. That's my claim. I mean, it's disputable, but whatever, my blog.

If you don't know about poor Gram Parsons, he played with the Byrds, Flying Burrito Brothers and sang with Emmylou Harris as the Fallen Angels. His widespread fame comes largely from being country and being best buddies with Keith Richards. Also, because after he died in the desert at 26, his friends later stole his body and burned it out in Joshua Tree. The tale is a rock legend, and you can read about it elsewhere. 

Though we didn't get to stay at the Joshua Tree Inn, where Parson's life came to an end, we stopped by for a picture. The sign in the window says, "The Home of Gram Parsons Spirit."  
After running normal vacation errands, like buying a soccer ball, we went over to Pioneertown for lunch. A few miles off the beaten track is this old western town built for Hollywood. It's a neat place, with artwork spotting the area, like this garden piece below. 
We ate at Pappy and Harriet's, a great bar with good food where many great musicians have performed and where Peaches is scheduled to perform this month. Peaches. 
On the animal front, I saw hummingbirds feasting on the back porch which was drenched with honeysuckle. 
I had to throw this in here, bro. For real, bro.

1 comment:

Emily Sue said...

I want to be there right now. I am a fan of the morbid. Plus, I've always wanted to go to Pioneertown. And a Peaches show at Pappy & Harriet's? That sounds like the place to be.