One of the earliest rock bands in America after The Beatles & The English Invasion, they, along with The Beau Brummels, Lovin' Spoonful, Sir Douglas Quintet, & a lot of other bands started it in America.
When I used to see magazine's with pictures of The Byrds, I thought they had hair even longer then The Stones (there were 2 Brian Jones look alikes) but a amazing band for the 60's.
4th April 2008 09:58 PM
guitarman53
4th April 2008 10:03 PM
Throwaway
big influence on CSNY, alt-country, Dylan, etc.
4th April 2008 10:06 PM
guitarman53
4th April 2008 11:16 PM
Prodigal Son
Not familiar or interested with much of their country work. It peaked with Sweetheart of the Rodeo but after Dr. Byrds and Mr. Hyde, they frankly got kinda stale. They were like a minor peer of the Flying Burrito Bros., though the Burritos flamed out after less than 4 years themselves. IMO, "Chestnut Mare" was the true classic from the 70-73 days.
McGuinn finally broke the group up in 73 for a solo career but not after a lousy reunion album with the original group. I think their first year was them at their best because Gene Clark was such an excellent vocalist and songwriter. After he left, McGuinn experimented more but Crosby's irritating hippie-dippy crap took a bit of lustre off the band. Thankfully he left in late '67 but by then the group was not as great anymore. Let me do my usual rate n' review:
Mr. Tambourine Man: A (One of the great debuts from a rock band featuring some great covers and wonderful originals. Dylan gets plenty of coverage, but traditional stuff like "The Bells of Rhymney" is highly effective too)
Turn! Turn! Turn!: A (this has less well-known tunes but it's got such a dreamy, folkish feel to it. Several of the songs are just masterful and many are Clark originals like "Set You Free This Time" and "The World Turns Around Her." Some good Dylan covers plus the usual excellence in interpreting trad. folk standards, with the famous title track and "He Was a Friend of Mine," re-written to describe John F. Kennedy with that old sap Crosby singing like he's about to cry or go smoke some emotional-induced crack).
Fifth Dimension: A- (Introducing facets of country and modal jazz, this one was not as top-to-bottom great, but some excellent moments especially with "Eight Miles High," "I See You" and some lesser-known gems like "5D (Fifth Dimension)," and "I Come and Stand at Every Door." This makes up for some of the filler)
Younger Than Yesterday: A (I used to think this was a masterpiece but that was when I was 14. Now I realize some of it is trippy and self-indulgent, especially Crosby but he does show promise with "Why," though the b-side version was superior, and "Everybody's Been Burned." Other than this, the group is on top of its game with Hillman molding himself into a fine writer and the cover of "My Back Pages" is legendary. Crosby's "Mind Gardens" sucks and should've been bumped either for his superior tunes "Lady Friend" or "It Happens Each Day.")
Greatest Hits: A+ (All killer, no filler)
The Notorious Byrd Brothers: A- (A lot of people call this their best work. It's a bit treacly at times to me. It's a good song cycle but to me the only songs worthy of their previous greats was "Dolphin's Smile." Other good songs were "Goin Back," "Wasn't Born to Follow" and "Old John Robertson." Lots of people love it though, I guess).
Sweetheart of the Rodeo: A (Totally feel-good country rock with a few certifiable classics- "Hickory Wind," "100 Years from Now" and covers of Dylan's "Nothing Was Delivered" and "You Ain't Goin' Nowhere" are memorable. Lots of covers but it's the seminal country-rock record, along with Dylan's more acoustic, spare John Wesley Harding).
Preflye: C+ (their early sessions- not much really)
The rest I haven't heard much from, but I hear it's not as good as the earlier work or even the country stuff from the short time Gram Parsons was in the group in '68.
5th April 2008 12:18 AM
MrPleasant
Killer band. Lots of goodies. "What's happening" (not a classic, but a favorite of mine), "Chestnut Mare", "Wasn't Born To Follow". And their better albums were so short that there was barely any room for filler (granted, "Mind Gardens" is a horrible track, but the rest of Younger Than Yesterday is practically perfect. The most dated elements of production, as in "CTA-102", don't matter much, to me, at least, since the songs are pretty solid. Except for that stupid "Mind Gardens" track.)
5th April 2008 12:47 AM
mojoman
quote:Prodigal Son wrote:
The rest I haven't heard much from, but I hear it's not as good as the earlier work or even the country stuff from the short time Gram Parsons was in the group in '68.
the late period isnt as strong musically as the golden era but they still were an excellent band with clarence white on guitar.
dr byrds and mr hyde-C
ballad of easy rider-B
untitled-A
byrdmaniax-C
farther along-B
mcguinn's solo efforts up to cardiff rose also have some fine material. hillmans involvement with the awesome manassas is not to be forgotten. they were probably one of the most talented bands of the seventies its too bad they only released two albums. clarks voice was magical. almost all his solo efforts are worth a listen especially white light, roadmaster and the masterpiece no other. crosby released one great solo his first if i could only remember my name.
5th April 2008 01:28 AM
Sioux
I was never really a "folkie", but I loved the electric folk rock sound of the Byrds. Almost a super group in actuality. The early albums were my favorites---5th Dimension was such a big part of my teenager-hood. I saw Roger McGuinn a few years ago at a small venue near my home. I was in the 3rd row and the show was great. Had a nice talk with his wife before the show---Terry Melcher, producer for the Byrds, Beach Boys, Paul Revere & The Raiders had passed away the previous year, and we were talking about him. I'm friends with Mark Lindsay, former lead singer for the Raiders, and we've had some conversations about Terry. Anyway, Roger came out for an encore and people were shouting out songs that they wanted to hear. I had told Roger's wife how much I loved the album 5th Dimension, and the song of that name as well. So that was the name I called out. And, lo and behold, that's the song that Roger did. Yes, I cried.
5th April 2008 01:30 AM
Sioux
And, speaking of the 2 Brian Jones look-a-likes, Michael Clarke was actually hired for the band because he looked like Brian! He had never played drums before in his life...
5th April 2008 06:01 AM
Prodigal Son
quote:Sioux wrote:
I was never really a "folkie", but I loved the electric folk rock sound of the Byrds. Almost a super group in actuality. The early albums were my favorites---5th Dimension was such a big part of my teenager-hood. I saw Roger McGuinn a few years ago at a small venue near my home. I was in the 3rd row and the show was great. Had a nice talk with his wife before the show---Terry Melcher, producer for the Byrds, Beach Boys, Paul Revere & The Raiders had passed away the previous year, and we were talking about him. I'm friends with Mark Lindsay, former lead singer for the Raiders, and we've had some conversations about Terry. Anyway, Roger came out for an encore and people were shouting out songs that they wanted to hear. I had told Roger's wife how much I loved the album 5th Dimension, and the song of that name as well. So that was the name I called out. And, lo and behold, that's the song that Roger did. Yes, I cried.
I haven't listened to my Byrds CDs for a few years. Time to go back and re-visit. 5D is a happy little shuffle isn't it?
Oh how is it that I could come up to here and be still floating, etc. etc.
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Yes, I cried.