Byrds: '73 Reunion Album [Import]

The Byrds | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 30, 1998)
• Original Release Date: 1973
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: Warner Bros UK
• ASIN: B000006XCK
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (26 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #386,290 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Full Circle

2. Sweet Mary

3. Changing Heart

4. For Free

5. Born To Rock'N'Roll

6. Things Will Be Better

7. Cowgirl In The Sand

8. Long Live The King

9. Borrowing Time

10. Laughing

11. (See The Sky) About To Rain

Editorial Reviews

their only effort on the Asylum label

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars very enjoyable, February 10, 2000

By 

rocdoc (United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Byrds: '73 Reunion Album (Audio CD)

Though this work was not well received by the critics, I've enjoyed it for the last 27 years. I bought it on CD years ago and I've never regretted it. It's basically a folk-rock effort...not really a loser among the tracks.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A Missed Opportunity, December 24, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Byrds: '73 Reunion Album (Audio CD)

As a long-time Byrds fan, I can remember anxiously awaiting the release of what was to have been the reunion of the original Byrds lineup. Although all the principals showed up, the resulting recording proved to be less than satisfying. There are some excellent songs here (particularly those from the legendary Gene Clark), but there was a distinct lack of collaboration among the four songwriters in the band. It appears that McGuinn, Clark, Crosby, and Hillman each showed up with some individually-composed songs, which gives this recording the feel of a collection of solo tracks. Crosby even recycles "Laughing", which appeared on his debut solo album (but which was supposedly originally intended for the Byrds), and his "Long Live the King" sounds like a throwaway song that was merely tossed in to fill up space on the album. McGuinn and Hillman both contribute songs which are not bad, but are clearly not among their best. Then, seemingly out of ideas, the band records two Neil Young covers, as well as Joni Mitchell's "For Free", none of which are bad songs, but are a bit out of place. Considering that the team which composed the classic "Eight Miles High" (McGuinn, Clark, and Crosby) failed to pool their ideas for this purported reunion suggests a lack of commitment to this project, and helps to explain why this album tanked when it was released. The band simply failed to incorporate the elements which made them a success: good material, strong harmonies, and McGuinn's trademark 12-string Rickenbacker; Hillman's mandolin simply does not fill the void. This album has its moments, but as a Byrds album, it is sorely lacking. Sadly, poor sales and an apparent lack of enthusiasm among the band members killed plans for a tour, so this album stands as a testament to one of the saddest chapters in Byrds history: a missed opportunity to recapture the greatness of the early days. It's not a bad album; it's just not a genuine Byrds album, although it could (and should) have been. Enjoy it for what it is, but those who are unfamiliar with this album should expect to hear five individuals, not a cohesive band.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars It's better than you've heard, but not as good as it shoulda, June 8, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Byrds: '73 Reunion Album (Audio CD)

OK, the boys went into this half-hearted reunion for all the wrong reasons. And that old walrus Crosby's legendary egomania is on full display. You know what? It has two great Gene Clark originals (the man was a supremely gifted songwriter)plus the pair of exquisite Neil Young covers(also sung by Clark). That makes up for McGuinn's faint presence and the less than stellar songwriting of the others, especially the so lame it's laughable "Long Live the King" by-you guessed it-Crosby. Overall, it has a pleasant country rock vibe and ragged dignity that eventually wins you over.