Farther Along (Exp) [Extra tracks, Original recording reissued]

The Byrds | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 22, 2000)
• Original Release Date: 1972
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Extra tracks, Original recording reissued
• Label: Sony
• ASIN: B00004OCE8
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #104,960 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Tiffany Queen

2. Get Down Your Line

3. Farther Along

4. B.B. Class Road

5. Bugler

6. America's Great National Pastime

7. Antique Sandy

8. Precious Kate

9. So Fine

10. Lazy Waters

11. Bristol Steam Convention Blues [Alternate Version]

12. Lost My Driving Wheel [#][*]

13. Born to Rock & Roll [#][*]

14. Bag Full of Money [#][*]

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Meet The Byrds' New Producer: The Byrds., June 17, 2004

By 

Bud (Seminole, Texas, USA) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Farther Along (Exp) (Audio CD)

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.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A fine album from the seventies, April 5, 2003

By 

Peter Durward Harris "Pete the music fan" (Leicester England) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Farther Along (Exp) (Audio CD)

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.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Byrds re-issues final chapter, February 25, 2000

By 

Jules (Birmingham, England) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Farther Along (Exp) (Audio CD)

Critical tradition consigns the post-UNTITLED Byrds' albums to the garbage bins, but there's some fine music on this CD. After disowning their previous LP (BYRDMANIAX), the group hastily recorded this follow-up in London to try and salvage their reputations. Trouble was, McGuinn had by-and-large lost interest (the "original Byrds" reunion was looming) and quality control was slipping ("BB Class Road" and "So Fine" are possibly the worst tracks recorded under The Byrds moniker, but the rest of the album ranged from pleasant to very good).

Clarence White, sensing the rush the band were in, botched his London vocal on "Bugler" on purpose so that he could re-do it in LA, overdub some mandolin and sweeten the production at the same time. The results were well worth it - it's the highlight of the CD. Also of note are "Get Down your Line", "Lazy Waters", "Tiffany Queen" and "Precious Kate". I even like the much-savaged "America's Great National Pastime", though you may not!

Bonus tracks are 3 of the 5 songs recorded in '72 by a group on its last legs - McGuinn had started firing everybody and he later re-recorded these tracks for the reunion LP and his first solo album. Pity they couldn't have included all 5, if only to tie up all the loose ends.