Customer Reviews

Born to Rock N Roll

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3 star:		(1)
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This album goes in and out of print. [Thankfully I bought it a year ago from amazon.com as a cut-out.] Unfortunately, McGuinn's only other solo album from the Seventies is the excellent Cardiff Rose. That's what makes this an indespensible addition to my collection. It samples all five of his solo albums from 1973 after the final breakup of the Byrds through 1977. This anthology cherry-picks the best tracks from these albums and gives the listener a 72-minute history lesson of one rock 'n' roll's most distinct sounds. Among the highlights are "I'm So Restless," "Gate of Horn" and all of the tracks from Cardiff Rose (12-15 and 18). And if you don't think McGuinn's style didn't have an impact on later artists, listen to his cover of Tom Petty's "American Girl." [When I first heard Petty sing this song, I swore it was a new McGuinn song!] If you get the chance, snag a copy of this album when you can. You won't regret it. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

This album offers a cross-section of McGuinn's solo work from his tenure at Columbia Records (prior to "Back from Rio"), and features some of his very best work. On "My New Woman," Roger is joined by the rest of the original Byrds (giving the listener a taste of what the abortive Byrds reunion could have been). Most of the rest of the album is excellent, although "Born to Rock & Roll" still doesn't work, and "Lover of the Bayou" is inferior to either the live or studio versions recorded by the Clarence White-era Byrds. Overall, however, this is a highly entertaining album, and serves as an excellent introduction to McGuinn's solo work for new fans. This one is hard to find, but well worth the search. Well done, Roger!

I own everything McGuinn has ever done and have chased down many expensive promo only items. My hope is that Roger did not compile this because it leaves off the two greatest recordings of his solo career: "Lost My Drivin' Wheel" from "McGuinn" and "Rock And Roll Time" off "Cardiff Rose."

"Rock And Roll Time", coauthored by Kris Kristofferson, includes a ripping guitar solo by producer and famous Bowie sideman Mick Ronson. How this was omitted and the hopeless drivel that is "Friend" included is evidence of the overall lack of good decision making that permeates all the Columbia solo lps.

I got this for a friend. He says it is his new favorite CD. Need I say more? After all, it is Roger McGuinn!