As someone who likes Gram Parsons in general and the Flying Burrito Brothers, though, I doubt your opinion will change much. I think Sweetheart of the Rodeo, outside of the bookends, is extraordinarily bland. I'm honestly really not sure where it's reputation as the beginning of country-rock comes from - I mean, yes, it's a rock band doing country music, but they're just doing country music, with hardly any "rock" to be found. At least Gilded Palace deserves it's country-rock status, though personally, I think Buffalo Springfield beat them to country-rock by quite a few years, and you could even argue that Johnny Cash beat all of them to it by a good decade.

--Previous Message--
: It makes me think that I really need to
: re-listen to "Sweetheart of the
: Rodeo" and possibly rewrite my review.
:
: --Previous Message--
: In that case, you're right. I completely
: agree
: -- I'm shocked John enjoys it that much, but
: I'm very glad he does. It's a phenomenal
: record.
:
:
: