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14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Meet The Byrds' New Producer: The Byrds., June 17, 2004
Many Byrds fans and critics prefer to think of "Farther Along" as the legendary group's real final album. It was the last effort recorded by the talented line-up of founder Roger McGuinn, Gene Parsons, Skip Battin, and Clarence White before McGuinn unceremoniously dissolved this version of the group for a brief, ill-fated reunion in 1973 of the original classic line-up (that recorded "Mr. Tambourine Man" in the 60s), a reunion that is criticized even in the liner notes of this remaster. "Farther Along" is actually one of The Byrds' best albums, making it a pity that it didn't even break the Top 100 (while the following self-titled "reunion album" did far better on the charts). Though Gram Parsons (no relation to Gene) had been out of the band for a couple years, his country-rock influence was still evident, and The Byrds cranked out a set of memorable songs rich in imagery and feeling.
After the notorious post-recording production 'flaws' of the previous album "Byrdmaniax" (which The Byrds were not responsible for), the group decided to produce this album themselves, and it pays off. "Farther Along" is just as (and sometimes more) intimate than anything the group ever released, and the line-up is strong. At times, The Byrds sound as if they are having a rowdy ball in the studio, and at other times the group is solemn and serious. The album's two main territories (rowdiness and seriousness) are perfectly, evenly balanced; there are brawling rockers like McGuinn's signature 'Tiffany Queen,' the roadie-tribute 'B.B. Class Road,' and 'So Fine,' as well as those that are more free-wheeling ('America's Great National Pastime,' co-written by Battin, and the Parsons/White banjo instrumental 'Bristol Steam Convention Blues'), and there's also the slightly more restrained and reflective 'Get Down Your Line.' But the deeper songs on "Farther Along" are what make the album so genuine and unforgettable. White's arrangement of the title traditional hymn reminds one of a faithful church congregation in a grassy field. It's hard to tell whether the sad 'Bugler' is about a dog or a person who gets killed in a highway accident, but it's stirring anyway, and 'Precious Kate' is another fine song co-written by Battin. 'Antique Sandy' is the closest The Byrds came to sounding like Simon & Garfunkel in their later career, but 'Lazy Waters' is the best of these songs; it's emotional vocal carries a lyric of desiring "to be wise again" and the guitar lines sound as if they've been broadcast by NASA from outer space.
This remastered edition contains three bonus tracks that pre-date Roger McGuinn's solo career (plus an unlisted, alternate version of 'Bristol Steam Convention Blues' that fills the second of half of track 14). These unissued versions are every bit as good as the officials; McGuinn's ironic melancholy vocal on 'Born To Rock and Roll,' the radio-ready 'Lost My Drivin' Wheel,' and the slice of Americana 'Bag Full Of Money,' all would have made great songs for The Byrds, and would have fit perfectly as part of the original record, but they're here now and that's what matters.
It's amazing that "Farther Along" was recorded in just four days, and it's an example of the determination of The Byrds to make their music sound the way they wanted it to. The only negative thing is that The Byrds' excellent self-production makes one wonder how much greater the already-accomplished previous albums might have sounded.
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10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Later Byrds is much more..., January 13, 2005
I've never understood why people diss the later Byrds. Their capabilities as musicains had improved and matured dramaticallly from the their David Crosby years, which in my opinion is little more than Big Sur fluff (that is not to take away from Crosby's If I Could Only Remember My Name). Clarence White, being one of the front men for the White Brothers bluegrass band (along with his virtuoso brother, Roland) brought along the most amazing guitar work. That coupled with Gene Parsons' and Skip Battin's contributions make their later work such as Farther Along, Untitled, The Ballad or Easy Rider and even the overproduced Byrdmaniax amongst the best they had to offer. Little needs to be said about Roger McGuinn, as so much has already been said and written.
One of the things that make this a great package are the liner notes, which provide some very interesting history on the politics between the newer members (Battin and Parsons in particular), McGuin and David Crosby, the latter of which apparently had an influencial role in the demise of the group as we had come to know them. Sadly, it was just a few years later, that the world lost another great musician when Clarence white was killed in a loading dock accident. They were an institution that helped to define a generation, or two. A must have for appreciators of classic Amercian music of that late 60's early 70's period.
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9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A fine album from the seventies, April 5, 2003
This album featured Roger McGuinn, Clarence White, Skip Battin and Gene Clark. It was the last original Byrds album to feature this quartet. The Byrds produced it themselves and recorded it mostly in London, though it was finished in Hollywood. The overall feel of the album is country-rock in its truest sense, though some tracks have more of a country flavor than others.I particularly like America's great national pastime, a catchy song that pokes fun at consumer materialism. The Byrds also do an excellent cover of the gospel classic Farther along. The opening track, Tiffany queen, shows a Chuck Berry influence. Bugler, a song about ... a road accident, is considered by many to be the highlight of the album. Antique Sandy is an interesting hippie love song. The three bonus tracks were recorded after the album was completed. Lost my driving wheel was actually a Roger McGuinn solo track intended for an eventual solo album. The other two bonus tracks were recorded by the Byrds - they are Born to rock and roll and Bag full of money. While this album may not be the best Byrds album, it has much to commend it and should not be overlooked.
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