Q (10/00, p.141) - 4 stars out of 5 - "...Pulls together [their] classic trio of albums then throws in an outtake...for good measure....the most gorgeously tragic country-rock ever recorded..."
Uncut (10/00, p.80) - 5 stars out of 5 - "...A collection that is both definitive and indispensable..."
No Depression (5-6/00, pp.106-7) - "...[A] welcome reissue...augmented by a handful of additional cuts from the period....By threading together [their] 3 studio albums, the set provides the bridge between SWEETHEART OF THE RODEO and 'Take It Easy'. Plus it's nice to have everything in one place..."
Mojo (Publisher) (7/00, p.126) - "...A perfect introduction to an American legend for youngsters everywhere and the alt country newcomer on your block."
Includes rare non-album and live tracks.
Personnel: Chris Hillman (vocals, guitar, mandolin, bass); Gram Parsons (vocals, guitar, keyboards); Rick Roberts (vocals, guitar); Chris Hillman (vocals, bass); Bernie Leadon (acoustic & electic guitars, dobro, fiddle); Kenny Wertz (acoustic guitar, banjo); Bob Gibson (acoustic 12-string guitar); Clarence White, Mike Deasy (electric guitar); Al Perkins, "Sneaky" Pete Kleinow (pedal steel guitar); Byron Berline (fiddle); Leopoldo C. Carbajal (accordion); Buddy Childers (cornet, flugelhorn); Tommy Johnson (tuba); Chris Ethridge (piano, bass); Leon Russell, Earl Ball (piano); Roger Bush (acoustic bass); Jon Corneal, Popeye Phillips, Michael Clarke (drums); Frank Blanco (percussion).
Producers include: The Flying Burrito Brothers, Larry Marks, Henry Lewy, Johnny Guitar Watson, Larry Williamson.
Compilation producer: Mike Ragogna.
Includes liner notes by Chris Hillman and Holly George-Warren.
Digitally remastered by Jim Phillips (Universal Mastering Studios West, North Hollywood, California).
Founded by ex-Byrds Gram Parsons and Chris Hillman, the Flying Burrito Brothers cultivated the country-rock sound originated by that duo's former band into a major movement whose reverberations are still felt to this day. Defined by Parsons as "a Southern soul group playing country and gospel-oriented music with a steel guitar," the Burritos produced a brand of "cosmic country" that included songs about avoiding the draft ("My Uncle"), innocence lost ("Sin City") and a fast-living femme fatale ("Christine's Tune").
The Burritos also translated their considerable creative talents into covering songs by a diverse array of artists including Aretha Franklin ("Do Right Woman"), Buck Owens ("Close Up The Honky Tonks"), the Rolling Stones ("Wild Horses") and The Bee Gees ("To Love Somebody"). Among the band's satellite members were fiddler Byron Berline, pedal steel player "Sneeky" Pete Kleinow, former Byrd Michael Clarke and future Eagle Bernie Leadon.