Customer Reviews

Byrds - Greatest Hits

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This review is based on this specific SACD. I dont believe the other reviewers have the SACD version. SACD (Super Audio CD)is only playable on special SACD compatible equipment. I compared the SACD version with the same CD in regular format. The SACD treatment adds modestly to the fidelity. The overall effect is to boost the high frequencies with slight improvement in fidelity. Tape hiss is much more obvious. The tambourines on the tambourine man sound much better on the SACD version. Most tracks sound better except My Back Pages which is more sudued on the SACD version. The music is vintage Byrds which I believe will appeal to most people. They should have included more songs, classics such as Chestnut Mare ( my personal favorite Byrds song) are missing. Overall worthwhile buying in SACD format, and usefull as an SACD demo. If you just want the best of the Byrds get "The Byrds 20 Essential Tracks From The Boxed Set: 1965-1990". You'll get more music for your money

The Byrds were one of the best and most influential bands of the 1960's.They married the folk songs of Bob Dylan("Mr. Tamborine Man","Chimes Of Freedom","My Back Pages","All I Really Want To Do") and Pete Seeger(Turn Turn Turn,Bells Of Rhmney) to Beatles-inspired rock n' roll,thus creating the genre "folk-rock".They also wrote terrific originals like "I'll Feel A Whole Lot Better","It Won't Be Wrong","Set You Free This Time","Have You Seen Her Face".They also went into psychedelia with the groundbreaking "Eight Miles High","Mr. Spaceman" and "5D(Fifth Dimension)" and showed a sense of humor with the jaunty "So You Want To Be A Rock n' Roll Star?".This album collects all the songs mentioned.The stereo SACD release features a much warmer, richer,fuller sound than the standard Columbia/Legacy CD,with Roger McGuinn's 12-string Rickerbacker guitar jangle never sounding as clear and alive as it does here.This is a highly recommened choice,folks! (Note:This will NOT play on a standard CD player!)

While I love the Byrds and every song on this Greatest Hits album, this review pertains only to the sound of the premium-priced SACD reissue of this album,. Something has gone terribly wrong with the remastering for the SACD version. The sound is brittle and hard and lacking in bass, and while the word is that the original masters in Colombia's vaults aren't in the greatest condition, that couldn't possibly explain it, because the sound quality is pretty terrific on Columbia's recent series of 20 bit remastered standard CD Columbia CDs, which presumably come from the same master tapes. I have not had a chance to compare this SACD version of "Greatest Hits" with the sound on the standard version, because this is not a hybrid SACD, which would contain the standard CD sound on a separate layer. So the bottom line is that if you are thinking of buying this to have SACD versions of these incredible songs, don't waste your money. Buy the remastered regular CDs.

I have never been a huge Byrds fan, but have come to appreciate their place in rock history. After listening to their Greatest Hits on SACD I was throughly took by the warmth of the and feel of the music. The jangling guitars and tamborine had a more realistic sound than any CD version I've heard. If you're a total digital dork and don't like to hear any noise(tape hiss) then you will probably find fault with the production. But if you appreciate when the analogue quality of the original master is preserved you will likely agree this recording sounds incredible, and justifies the existence of stereo SACD.

The Byrds officially existed between 1964 and 1973, fusing folksy rock sounds from Bob Dylan and the Beatles. Highlights are Dylan's, "Mr. Tambourine Man" and Pete Seeger's, "Turn, Turn, Turn". Their heavy acoustic guitar sound is unmistakable and this SACD format brings it all WAY up front. Although the members all went onto other groups and fame, this collection is memorable. Rolling Stone Magazine has them ranked in the Top 50 of Greatest Artists of All Time. It is not just a great listen; it is an experience! Note that this SACD truly brings out the finer qualities of this album, but is only remixed in stereo; not multi-channel.

If you want just one Byrds CD, the "20 Essential Tracks from the Boxed Set" is the best value. Used copies are selling remarkably cheaply on Amazon Marketplace. And the sleeve notes are excellent. This "Greatest Hits" CD contains just 4 tracks not found on "20 Essential Tracks" and the sleeve notes are decidedly dispensable. Maybe for those 4 tracks, some downloading or rip 'n' burn is in order.

There is no doubting the importance of The Byrds. Their Beatles-meets-Dylan formula was immensely influential and their music still sounds fresh and fun. So 5 stars for the music, but I felt short-changed with this particular collection, so only 3 stars for it. If you do buy it, at least make very sure you get the version with the 3 bonus tracks, otherwise you are being short-short-changed.

You can't argue with the music here - it's classic early Byrds, with the band's original line up and with many of their best covers of Dylan material. None of the LPs from "Sweetheart of the Rodeo" on, alas, is represented. The sound is a little fuller than the last Columbia Legacy version of the CD, but the mix is pretty muddy - intentionally so in most cases. Anyone expecting the sound to take of and fly may be a tad disappointed with this Byrds set. Let's hope it's not a harbinger of what most of the Columbia tapes from that era will sound like in the SACD format.

pls note that this compilation covers only the first 4 albums. there are no songs from albums like "the notorious ...", "sweetheart of ...", "Dr. Byrd ..." and the "ballad of easy rider". just a warning for those who might be looking for a complete collection.

John Lennon called the Byds his favorite American group. In my opinion Lennon was right.
The Byrds had as much if not more influence on the music of the 60's than any band in history.
The Byrds covered Dylan as well as Pete Seeger.
Several songs to this day are classics such as Mr Tambourine Man and Turn, Turn, Turn among others.
Eight Miles High is another classic as well as Feel A Whole Lot Better and Mr Spaceman.
Roger Mc Guinn as well as David Crosby have left a mark on music that well never be forgotten.
This CD is a true classic. I would recommend it to anyone.

Anyone who likes music should listen to the early Byrds. Then they can catch the worms out. This band is influence - seminal if you like. OK, 35 years on the recording techniques have been surpassed, but the musical balance can still not be bettered and the 12-string sound of McGuinn is emulated to this day.

The Best of the Byrds was only ever superseded by the albums used for the collection and The Notorious Byrd Brothers.