The Byrds' Notorious Byrd Brothers (33 1/3) (Paperback)

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Editorial Reviews

Review

"'A brilliant series of pocket-sized books focussing on a classic album. Each one a work of real love.' NME"

Product Description

By the time Roger McGuinn, David Crosby, Chris Hillman, and Michael Clarke entered the studio to begin work on this album, they were basically falling apart at the seams. "Ladyfriend", a song written by Crosby, had just failed miserably as a chart single despite the fact that he lobbied hard to get it released. This – coupled with the fact that he made what the rest of the band considered an embarrassing political speech onstage during their set at the Monterey Pop Festival, and then sat in with rivals the Buffalo Springfield the following day – pushed McGuinn and Hillman in particular to the limits of their patience. Then, for the Notorious sessions, Crosby presented a song called "Triad", written about a threesome, and although McGuinn and Hillman reluctantly agreed to record it, they later decided to place a less controversial Goffin & King pop number called "Goin’ Back" on the album instead. Crosby declared the song banal and refused to sing on it. A few too many studio flare-ups later, and McGuinn and Hillman finally screeched up into the Hollywood Hills in their Jaguars and fired Crosby on the spot.

Also brooding during this period was drummer Michael Clarke, who had always borne the brunt of the other band members’ rage while recording. He was by far the least accomplished member of the band musically, and when they suggested bringing in a studio drummer to embellish some tracks (Jim Gordon, later of Derek & the Dominos fame), he finally declared he’d had enough and moved to Hawaii to get away from the music scene altogether. So, McGuinn and Hillman were left to cobble together an album with the help of producer Gary Usher (known for his work with Brian Wilson, the Millenium, Sagittarius and many others). The fact that it turned out to be one of the defining albums of the 60s psychedelic pop experience was either a sheer stroke of luck, or testament to McGuinn and Hillman's determination to prove that they didn't need Crosby's help to construct their masterpiece.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 152 pages
• Publisher: Continuum (January 30, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0826417175
• ISBN-13: 978-0826417176
• Product Dimensions: 6.3 x 4.7 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #529,161 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

• This item is part of The Thirty Three and a Third Series.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

28 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars ONE FROM THE HEART, February 9, 2007

By	Mark "a longtime record buyer" (Santa Monica, CA) - See all my reviews

This heartfelt little book by professional musician Ric Menck is part personal reminiscence, but mostly analysis and history of the 1968 album "Notorious Byrds Brothers".

Menck belongs to a later generation and seems to have discovered the album about 10 years after its release. It was, he says, "a profound listening experience."

Roughly, his book is divided into three parts which sometimes intermingle. First is a reminiscence of his discovery of the Byrds and their influence on him. This includes some personal experiences in a band, offered as insight into the forces that can tear a group apart.

Next is a history of the Byrds from 1964 through the firing of Crosby during the "Notorious" sessions in 1967. This material seems mostly drawn from secondary (published) sources but is probably necessary for sake of completeness.

Finally, there is a track by track analysis of the album with date, personnel, producer, and engineers for each track. This often includes new anecdotes about what was going on between members of the group at a given session. While not exhaustive, what is here is very good and much seems new to me. This is the real heart of the book, and here it earns its purchase price.

The sincerity of this modest little paperback made it hard for this Byrds fan to resist.

HISTORICAL COMMENT:

Ric Menck wonders (as do quite a few Amazon reviewers) why albums of this period like "5D" and "Notorious" have only 11 tracks even though more good material from the sessions was available.

As a record buyer from back then I can offer at least a partial answer. Through 1965 the standard content of vinyl LPs was 14 tracks in the U.K. and 12 tracks in the U.S.A. This was not a physical capacity of vinyl disks, but rather a formula for the number of song royalties a label would have to pay per album sale.

Around 1965, U.S. labels attempted to increase profitability by reducing the number of tracks from 12 to 10. I recall RCA reissuing its country catalogue ("Hank Snow's Greatest Hits," etc) as 10 track albums. These were identical to the original releases except for omission of one song from each side.

Buyer resistance proved severe. Rather than abandon the idea, labels compromised with an 11 song standard. The Byrds first album fell under the old formula with 12 tracks, but subsequent releases have 11 tracks. ("Dr. Byrds" has 10 but the medley pays at least two royalties). Capitol records made a fortune on pre-"Sgt. Pepper" Beatles by releasing 14 track U.K. albums as 11 track U.S. versions. The excess tracks (including 7 bonus songs on "Help!") were repackaged as "bogus" albums nonexistent in the U.K., and sold as well as any other U.S. Beatles album.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Another Fan of the Notorious Byrd Bros., March 8, 2007

By	Hoyt W. Torras (Atlanta, Georgia United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Most Fans of the Byrds won't learn a lot new about this album or the band from "331/3". But it is an enthusiastic, short read about one of the great rock albums.

The author - Ric Menck - gets it and took this reader back almost 40 to the excitement I felt upon finding the Notorious Byrd Brothers and giving it the first of hundreds, perhaps thousands, of listens.

While there is not a lot of NEW information here, the book does bring back lost memories and spotlights this fine album in the way it deserves. It would be a great introduction to those new to the Byrds.

There are more detailed books about the Byrds, but "331/3" is perfect for those with more age than time/energy to read longer works. Read and listen - the book and album are a pleasant way to spend an evening or two. I'm glad I bought/read it.

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars quick, but insightful reading, March 8, 2007

By	Andre C. Araujo (Brazil) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

this book offers some background detail about the formation of the byrds, as well as track-by-track commentary about the album. very good introduction to the byrds at a cheap price.