By their first (and only) release in 1968, The Gosdins were semi-legendary on the California country circuit. A huge influence on Chris Hillman?all three were in pre-Byrds bluegrassers The Hillmen?they’d already featured on Younger Than Yesterday and cut one sublime album with Gene Clark. Sounds Of Goodbye features astonishing back-up from soon-to-be-Byrds Clarence White and Gene Parsons, but the Bros’ grasp of gospel harmony and aching balladry is something else, even if some of the material is slight. Vern’s voice, particularly, was as real as it got.
Advertisement