Customer Reviews

Essential Byrds

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I'm not sure if I recevied a different version of The Essential Byrds than others that have previously reviewed this CD, but I don't think so. There is only one version listed on Amazon, one issue listed on AllMusic.com (5122492000 - same as mine), and a google search turned up nothing as far as an issue of this CD with the tracks listed on Amazon. (35 only). I ordered a copy from one of the Amazon sellers, and the CD I received had 44 tracks! I noticed 2 reviews before mine that reflected the accuracy of the 35 track listing and clips that Amazon provides, so it's a mystery and someone may correct me but if, like I was, you are in the market for a Byrds compilation and trying to decide which of the many are the best way to go it might be helpful information. The tracks are:

Disc 1
1. Mr. Tambourine Man
2. I'll Feel A Whole Lot Better
3. All I Really Want To Do
4. The Bells Of Rhymney
5. Chimes Of Freedom
6. Turn! Turn! Turn! (mono)
7. She Don't Care About Time (single version)(mono)
8. It Won't Be Wrong
9. Lay Down Your Weary Time
10. Set You Free This Time
11. He Was A Friend Of Mine (mono)
12. The Times They Are A-Changin'
13. Eight Miles High
14. 5D (fifth dimension)
15. Wild Mountain Thyme
16. Mr. Spaceman
17. So You Want To Be A Rock 'N' Roll Star?
18. Have You Seen Her Face
19. Time Between
20. Renaissance Fair
21. My Back Pages
22. Dolphin's Smile

Disc 2

1. Artificial Energy
2. Old John Robertson (single version)
3. Goin' Back
4. Natural Harmony
5. Wasn't Born To Follow
6. You Ain't Goin' Nowhere
7. Hickory Wind
8. Nothing Was Delivered
9. This Wheel's On Fire
10. Drug Store Truck Drivin' Man
11. Your Gentle Way Of Loving Me
12. Ballad Of Easy Rider
13. Jesus Is Just Alright
14. It's All Over Now, Baby Blue (alt. mix)
15. Lover Of The Bayou (live)
16. Chestnut Mare
17. Glory, Glory
18. Jamaica Say You Will
19. I Wanna Grow Up To Be A Politician
20. Tiffany Queen
21. Antique Sandy
22. Farther Along

Hopefully this helps if you're in the market. Ironically, I chose the Essential Byrds, despite my preference for a 20+ track single disc, over The Very Best Of The Byrds (UK) and Full Flyte because every compilation seems to not include one of my favorites, and Essential had them all, including Lady Friend... only to find out when it arrived that, despite being extremely pleased to get the bonus tracks, that Lady Friend was the only song listed among the 35 on Amazon that wasn't among the 44 tracks!! With all the extra songs though, it's not missed (much) but it's the ONLY reason I can't give The Essential Byrds 5 stars... just personal preference. Enjoy!

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(06/06/06) After posting my review, I found out the difference. I have the UK version. Check amazon.co.uk and you'll find the 44 track version there. I noticed, after receving an unhelpful vote, that another person on this site read my review and doubted the existence of a 44 track version. Of course, I posted this review to help people who haven't made a purchase, not to start a problem with Byrds devotees. I did refer to 2 different people referencing the 35 (or 33) track set so I just didn't have the answer at the time is all. I posted the back cover on Amazon's shared customer images. Also, 44 tracks are referred to by a reviewer on rateyourmusic.com so I don't have a bootleg, just the UK version and Amazon for some reason doesn't differentiate between the two. Mystery solved...

The first five Byrds albums plus "Sweetheart of the Rodeo" are essential listening. If you don't want to pick those up, this exceptional two disc collection gathers up the band's most important hits as well as some essential album tracks and single B-Sides. MIA are two essential tracks from the 1972 reunion (although "The Byrds" has finally been issued on CD by Wounded Bird Records and is available here at amazon.com).

The best disc is the first with its focus on the band's early years. Gene Clark's songs immediately took center stage as he was the most talented of the four songwriters in the original quintet. Crosby, Hillman and McGuinn eventually came along as songwriters developing the most when Clark split the band during the recording of the band's third album. "I'll Feel a Whole Lot Better", "She Doesn't Care About Time" and "Eight Miles High"(primarily written by Clark)are among the highlights here. Also McGuinn's skills as an arranger are at the forefront on "Turn, Turn, Turn" and "Mr. Tambourine Man".

The second disc focuses much more on the years after the departure of Crosby, Clark and Hillman with just McGuinn as the only original member. We get a sampling of Gram Parsons' tenure with the group (from "Sweetheart of the Rodeo")and McGuinn's single masterpiece as the only original member ("Untitled"). Some of these tracks are truly stunning featuring the incredible Clarence White on guitar. His guitar work on the later Byrds albums is truly stunning.

The sound quality is exceptionally good and the liner notes interesting. The Byrds imploded fairly rapidly; Gene Clark offically left after the second album (although material he wrote or co-wrote appeared on the band's third and fifth albums respectively). Crosby departed after the band's fifth album "The Notorious Byrd Brothers" and Hillman after "Sweetheart of the Rodeo". McGuinn would produce one final worthwhile album under the band's name "Untitled".

Granted, this doesn't include "America's Great National Pastime," one of the best all-time novelty songs and one of the best from the final Byrds lineup (McGuinn, Clarence White, Skip Battin and Gene Parsons), and I would certainly accept that as a substitute for "Glory, Glory," which never did all that much for me, but it's not a bad collection. Certainly it's a decent primer for those not familiar with the band beyond "Mr. Tambourine Man" and "Turn! Turn! Turn!" and that seems to be the raison d'etre for Sony's Essential series. I've owned nearly all of the studio albums at one time or another, and I'm of the opinion that the expanded remasters are the best way to go, but not everyone can afford 12 separate CDs. Lastly, in fairness, few best-of compilations ever really do justice to a band's career, but apart from the box set (released in 1990--it didn't include "America's Great National Pastime" either; that can only be found on Farther Along, the band's final album [not counting the out-of-print '73 reunion effort by the original lineup, and most Byrds fans don't count it], and Best of the Byrds: Greatest Hits, Vol. 2), there hasn't really been a career-spanning best-of anthology for this band. The Essential Byrds really is pretty much the only game in town where that's concerned.

I've been a Byrds fan since 'Mr. Tambourine Man' the single was followed by that first great album in 1965. I have everything and wouldn't part with any, but of them all this is a very strong personal favorite.

It is for me where the rubber meets the road -- a career retrospective that samples in chronological order at least two cuts from each of the eleven original Columbia albums, each selected with such taste that despite inevitable omissions there's not a single misstep or annoying cut to spoil the experience.

All the surprises are good ones: every selection is the original released take, the sound quality is exceptional, and the remastering so crisp I've never heard these sound better.

Gripes? Sure, I wish "Spanish Harlem Incident" were here, and that the back cover was the front cover.

But for those times when you're in a Byrds sort of mood but can't put your finger on a specific period, why not take the Grand Tour?


DISK 1: Tracks (1-4) = "Mr. Tambourine Man" album. (5/6) = `Turn! Turn! Turn' single; (7-9) = "Turn! Turn! Turn!" album. (10-12) = "5D (Fifth Dimension)". (13-16) = "Younger Than Yesterday".

DISK 2: (1/2) = `Lady Friend' single. (3-5) = "Notorious Byrds Brothers". (6-7) = "Sweetheart of the Rodeo". (8-9) = "Dr. Byrds & Mr. Hyde". (10-11) = "Ballad of Easy Rider". (12-13) = "(Untitled)". (14-15) = "Byrdmaniax". (16-17) = "Farther Along".

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POSTSCRIPT (6/6/06) RE: A 44 TRACK VERSION OF THIS ALBUM

My thanks to the reviewer on 6/3/06 (above) who points out the existence of a 44 track U.K. version of this album.

The album I have is Columbia Legacy C2K 89110 (USA) released 2003. Side 1 = 16 tracks, side 2 = 17 tracks. Total is 33 tracks, not 35.

With 11 extra tracks the U.K. version will be hard to resist for those who can find it. It is unique in offering album cuts that have never appeared on USA compilations.

On the other hand, "more" is not necessarily better -- losing 'Lady Friend' for 'Artificial Energy' is to my mind not a good trade, and 'Spanish Harlem Incident' is still passed over. The USA version remains a tightly focused "lean and mean" first class retrospective, and no one should hesitate to pick it up.

In their day, the Byrds melded the rock and roll sensibility of music with the lyrical concerns of folk and created something unique to the world of pop. Their rearrangements of old folk standards and Dylan covers put them on the map, but their own material soon grew to match their borrowed tunes. The Byrds became a rotating collection of various musicians as time went on, however, and ended their run nine years later as a forgotten "once-were" who were no more.

Which is why "The Essential Byrds" is such a great idea: collecting songs from the entire history of the band's run, this two-disc collection provides a glimpse into the band that was saddled with "America's Answer to the Beatles" by early PR, but could concievably make a claim to that designation as time goes on and their legacy continues to be embraced.

The first disc (covering roughly 1964 to 1966) collects all the singles that made the Byrds chart-topping darlings: "Mr. Tambourine Man", "Turn, Turn, Turn!", "Eight Miles High", and "My Back Pages" have never sounded better. But there are hidden gems here, like the version of "He Was A Friend of Mine", "Chimes of Freedom", and their kooky "Mr. Spaceman" and revealing "So You Want to Be a Rock 'N' Roll Star".

The second disc (1967-1972) showcases the band's turn to country, first half-heartedly and then (as seen on the "Sweetheart of the Rodeo" album) fullblast under the tutelage of Gram Parsons, who may hold the record for the shortest tenure with the group. "Lady Friend", "Wasn't Born to Follow", "Hickory Wind", and "You Ain't Goin Nowhere" are the stand-out well-known tracks, but special notice must be paid to "Drugstore Truck-Drivin' Man" (Parsons and Roger McGuinn's retort to DJ Ralph Emery), "I Wanna Grow Up to Be A Politician", "Jesus is Just Alright", and "Ballad of Easy Rider".

The Byrds flickered out after burning brightly in their early days, and their legacy as more than just a singles band has been hard-earned and well-placed amongst American bands of the Sixties. For almost a decade, they were on the forefront, embracing new trends that their peers later caught up to. To have a two-disc collection of some of their best work is a fantastic way to remember them. From their trippy days covering Dylan to their countrified boogie with Gram Parsons and the final melancholy end, the Byrds have a claim to being one of the best American groups ever. This collection showcases some of their best.

The Byrds have always been one of the most popular American Bands of the 60's.
They have covered several songs by Bob Dylan and others. Their music was always central in the hippie movements of the 60's.
Many of their songs are standards to this day.
This album contains all of their top songs, including, Turn, Turn, turn.........Mr Tambourine Man, Eight Miles High and many others.
To me what separates this album apart from others is the song, He Was A Friend Of Mine.
It was written about JFK shortly after his death and has not appeared on Best of albums by the Byrds before.
There is also the theme to the movie Easy Rider and a few other gems as well.
John Lennon called the Byrds his favorite American Band, and this CD will tell you why

For anyone discovering The Byrds for the first time, here is the perfect beginners guide to this legendary band from the sixties. This set covers slightly more ground than their two greatest hits albums put together. It also features two tracks that were only released as singles as well. The first disc covers their most vital period, with hits such as "Mr. Tambourine Man" and "Turn! Turn! Turn!" in addition to recording songs written by Bob Dylan. The second disc covers their transition from folk-rock to country with the addition of Gram Parsons (and later Clarence White) featuring such tracks like "Hickory Wind" and "The Ballad of Easy Rider". Interestingly, they didn't have a major hit during this period. The liner notes, written by columnist Alan Brisbort give a lengthy backstory of the band from their early days up to the artists whom they influenced. If you like what you hear, look into their back catalog as well including "Greatest Hits" and "Best of ..Vol. II". They have a few tracks not covered here such as "Bells of Rhymney", "Citizen Kane" and "America's Great National Pastime".

I see some nasty reviews here by officionados/diehard fans. I have become a pretty devout fan of the group, but do you know how I started? With this collection. Of all the various anthologies and best ofs out there, this is a very good and economic outline of the band for the beginner or the individual who wants a decent collection that won't break them. Honestly? I highly recommend--if you want to invest the money, that is--The Byrds: There is a Season box set for reasons bigger fans will understand. LOL, that wasnt enough. As we speak, I now own all Byrds albums from Mr. Tambourine Man to Sweetheart of the Rodeo, plus various solo projects!

Now, as I said, not so Byrd savvy? Well, this essential collection is a basic outline of the band's career, sort of like the outline of a novel. You know the hits like "Mr. Tambourine Man," "Feel a Whole Lot Better," and "Eight Miles High." You know they had a strong affiliation with the music of Bob Dylan, but did you know that they made a dramatic musical shift from folk rock to being among the pioneers of country rock? Probably not, because the hits basically dried up around the time of their last great pyschedelic folk rock album, Notorious Byrd Brothers. Well, you'll find that here.

There are highlights with the late Gram Parsons, particularly his ballad "Hickory Wind," which was a trademark of his sad winsome, Hank Williams adoring style. McGuinn's "Chestnut Mare" is a cowboy fantasy from a stage epic he was writing called Gene Tryp, and is a cult favorite among enthusiasts of his work. My personal favorite from that era has to be their cover of "The Christian Life."

I honestly have to say I liked the band better when Gene Clark was on board, but the other members have contributed some great work as well. Not only is this group important from a historical point, but they are important for the greatness of reinventing themselves, successful at it or not. Their harmonies set a precident for offshoot groups like Crosby, Stills, and Nash, Firefall, and America, and McGuinn proved himself to be a sharp, creative arranger, distinct vocalist, and king of the rickenbacher. Reputed to be better in the studio than live in their early days, the quality of their recordings is outstanding, and this outline is a must to start with. Who knows, you may be collecting their individual albums in no time at all. This is a good springboard for it in any case.

This set will please those who don't want to shell out for the box set, but want more than just a single greatest hits cd. Fans of the Byrds probably have most of these songs somewhere else and need not apply.

This is a great compilation double CD! It has all of the Byrds' best hits throughout their history w/Crosby and post-Crosby.