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Mr Tambourine Man

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In 1964, Jim (later Roger) McGuinn, Gene Clark, and David Crosby were young folk musicians caught up in the rising tide of Beatlemania. The trio joined forces at the Troubador Club in Los Angeles in the spring of 1964, drawn together by their common interest in creating a synthesis of folk and pop; combining Bob Dylan with John Lennon. The group worked on their sound for the balance of the year at World Pacific Studios under the tutelage of Svengali manager and producer, Jim Dickson. Chris Hillman (bass) and Michael Clarke (drums) were brought in to augment McGuinn on lead guitar and Crosby on rhythm guitar. Vocals were handled by McGuinn, Clark, and Crosby. The Byrds were born. Dickson had some connections to Dylan which resulted in the group rehearsing the unreleased "Mr. Tambourine Man." Through the efforts of Dickson and with the help of Miles Davis, the Byrds signed a contract with Columbia Records.

The Byrds entered Columbia's Studio A in Hollywood in January 20, 1965 to record "Mr. Tambourine Man" and B-side, "I Knew I'd Want You" (by Gene Clark). Producer Terry Melcher (son of Doris Day) allowed only McGuinn to play on the two tracks, relying on veteran session musicians to fill out the instrumental backing. The rest of the songs on the "Mr. Tambourine" album were recorded from March 8 to April 22 with the band playing the instruments.

"Mr. Tambourine Man," the single, was released on April 12, 1965 and became the number-one song across the U.S. in June. Another single, "All I Really Want To Do" with B-Side, "I'll Feel A Whole Lot Better," was released on June 14 but only peaked at number-forty on the charts. The album was released on June 21 and peaked at number-six.

From the beginning of 1964, American rock music listeners had wondered when a domestic band would rise to the challenge of the "British Invasion" (The Beatles, The Animals, The Rolling Stones, Peter and Gordon, The Yardbirds, The Zombies, Gerry and the Pacemakers, Dave Clark Five, The Kinks, Herman's Hermits, etc.). "Mr. Tambourine Man" was the first noteworthy American response to the eighteen-month British domination of the pop charts. Reaction to the Byrds was immediate. Critics labeled the innovative new sound as "folk-rock." The chiming, jingle-jangle sound of McGuinn's 12-string Rickenbacker combined with the soaring choir-like harmonies of McGuinn, Clark, and Crosby became the Byrds' trademarks. Also, the adult-oriented lyrics of the Byrds' songs were in stark contrast to the teenybopper-themed material from the other rock and roll bands of the day, including the Beatles. At a time when rock albums were usually comprised of a hit single or two surrounded by filler, this album was solid from start to finish. "Mr. Tambourine Man" directly influenced the future work of Dylan and the Beatles and spawned a myriad of imitators. There are only a handful of rock and roll albums from 1965 that are worth listening to now. "Mr. Tambourine Man" is one of them. Rolling Stone magazine voted "Mr Tambourine Man" number 232 on its 500 Greatest Albums Of All Time list released in 2003.

The Byrds recorded a total of twelve albums from 1965 to 1973 and were often at the forefront of new musical styles including jazz rock, raga rock, psychedelic rock, and country rock. Four of those albums were included in Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Albums Of All Time list: "Mr. Tambourine Man," "Younger Than Yesterday" (#124), "The Notorious Byrds Brothers" (#171), and "Sweetheart of the Rodeo" (#117). Even the compilation, "The Byrd's Greatest Hits," made the list at #178. No other American rock and roll band from the 1960's approaches this level of recognition. Rolling Stone also selected The Byrds as artist #45 in its 100 Greatest Artists Of All Time list, released in 2008. In addition, Rolling Stone chose Roger McGuinn as #95 on its 2011 list of the 100 Greatest Guitarists Of All Time.

Band members dropped out (or were fired) and were replaced over the years with McGuinn being the only constant. Former Byrds went on to enjoy significant and influential careers as soloists or members of other bands. But the original Byrds' place in the rock pantheon will forever be distinguished by the term, "legendary." The five founding members were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1991 in their first year of eligibility.

Side One:

Mr. Tambourine Man - One of the most influential singles of the 60's; the marriage of folk and pop rock. The famous Wrecking Crew session players backed McGuinn. Rolling Stone voted the Byrds' single version of "Mr. Tambourine Man" as song number 79 on its 500 Greatest Songs of All Time list released in 2004.

I'll Feel A Whole Lot Better - Gene Clark sings good-riddance to a former lover. One of his best songs. Selected as #237 on Rolling Stones's 500 Greatest Songs of All Time list.

Spanish Harlem Incident - Another Bob Dylan tune. Nothing special.

You Won't Have To Cry - Clark's and McGuinn's simple, Beatle-ish love song.

Here Without You - A great Gene Clark tune.

The Bells of Rhymney - The Byrds take a Scottish folk song, made famous by Pete Seeger, and rock it up. Fabulous! George Harrison borrowed the guitar riff for his "If I Needed Someone."

Side Two:

All I Really Want To Do - Another Dylan tune. Sonny and Cher's version was more popular.

I Knew I'd Want You - Another wonderful Gene Clark love song.

It's No Use - Clark and McGuinn wrote this driving rocker which presages the Byrd's "Fifth Dimension" album.

Don't Doubt Yourself, Babe - The Byrds pay homage to early supporter, Jackie DeShannon.

Chimes of Freedom - A Dylan protest song is transformed into a classic Byrds folk-rock tune.

We'll Meet Again - The Byrds end the album with tongue in cheek with this British WWII song that was featured in Stanley Kubrick's "Dr. Strangelove" (1964). The Byrds will continue to feature a novelty song at the end of their next several albums.

The following album outtakes were included in the 1996 CD reissue:

She Has A Way - A lovely Gene Clark tune. Too bad it didn't make the original album in place of "We'll Meet Again."

I'll Feel A Whole Lot Better - Less polished, earlier version. Gene's vocal are more pronounced.

It's No Use - Earlier, alternate version.

You Won't Have To Cry - Earlier, alternate version.

All I Really Want To Do - Single version.

You and Me - Funky instrumental credited to McGuinn, Clark, and Crosby.