Flying Burrito Bros. – “Older Guys”

This video is absolutely fantastic on so many levels. But first, before you click ‘Play,’ let me give you a preview of the awesomeness you’re about to experience: the 1970 incarnation of the Flying Burrito Brothers (consisting of three ex-Byrds, one future Eagle, and “Sneaky” Pete Kleinow on pedal steel) prancing around on a boat, lip-synching “Older Guys” for some poorly scripted television program I’ve never heard of before.

Now, if you’re anything like me and your mix of 2008 summer jams consists mostly of 38-year-old country rock singles, then your heart’s already beating a little faster. But hold on to your wild horses, kiddos, because it only gets better. The obvious focal thrust of the video is Gram Parsons, hamming it up for the camera and displaying the sort of affectations you would expect from a man who was born to a wealthy Florida citrus magnate and grew up to spend too much time indulging in the company of Mick Jagger and Keith Richards. But the image that will forever etch itself into your mind is that of Bernie Leadon popping out of the hatch to sing back-up in all his unibrowed glory. Wow.

As a pre-MTV music video, the awkwardness of what to do in front of the camera is clearly evident. What do we do during the guitar solo? Hold your instruments close together and smile! Because if there’s anything more rock & roll than a boatful of foppish country dandies waving their hats about and exchanging boyish smirks, then I don’t want to see it.

Okay, enough of my yakking, just watch the clip. It’s a great song.