In early 1970, the Flying Burrito Brothers, featuring Parsons, recorded several songs for an anticipated no-nonsense country album.

The remaining three songs are from the summer 1973 sessions for Grievous Angel, Parsons’ final solo album, and feature duets with Emmylou Harris on The Everly Brothers' song "Brand New Heartache," the gospel-etched "The Angels Rejoiced Last Night", and Boudleaux Bryant's "Sleepless Nights".

Robert Christgau noted that the songs “were outtakes for a reason”, but nonetheless gave the album a B− rating.

[1][3] Rolling Stone has referred to the album as "sluggish and dispirited", due in large part to Parson's impending departure from the group which lingered over the recording sessions.

[3] Chris Hillman has long maintained the nine Burritos tracks were simply practice sessions and never intended to be released.