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Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
The 12-string electric guitar may never recover. As long as there are baby boomers roaming the earth, its airy jangle will signify psychedelic innocence and optimism refracted through the peculiar light of mid-'60s Los Angeles. With Roger McGuinn leading, the Byrds kicked off American rock history with a merger of Bob Dylan's words and the Beatles' melodic energy. The results are here: "Mr. Tambourine Man," "The Bells of Rhymney," and "Eight Miles High" still jump off the airwaves. The midpoint between Dylan and the Beatles is a one-of-a-kind place, where optimism and innocence still sound smart. --Steve Tignor
Product Description
Though they'd been together for just three years, the Byrds already had enough hits and classics to put out this collection in 1967-a #6 album in its own right! The 11 original songs- Turn, Turn, Turn; Mr. Tambourine Man; Eight Miles High , and the rest-are joined by three bonus tracks: It Won't Be Wrong; Set You Free This Time , and Have You Seen Her Face . A landmark in American music, expanded and upgraded!
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
113 of 121 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I have always been curious as to why this CD always garners five star reviews. True, the music that is on it is supreme Byrds, the ultimate in twelve string sound. All are essential classics in their own right.
However, In its original 11 song configuration, in addition to being rated for what's on it, it should be rated for what isn't on it.
This remaster does boast superb 20 bit sound, and three bonus tracks: Set You Free This Time, It Won't Be Wrong, and Have You Seen Her Face (giving Chris Hillman a needed representation).
However, the CD still clocks at around 39 minutes, meaning half the disc is not utilized. Why not pack this CD to the gills and make it one definitive overview of the Byrds prime period? What about The World Turns All Around Her, Everybody's Been Burned, Renaissance Fair, the b-sides: She Don't Care About Time, Why, and Lady Friend. Hence, this CD comes up way short.
One hopes that a volume two Greatest Hits is given similar treatment. Maybe then they might offer us the mono version of Goin' Back. This is a different take than the stereo and wasn't included (for some odd reason) as a bonus track on The Notorious Byrd Brothers CD.
42 of 43 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I happened to be visiting relatives in LA in 1964 or '65 when I had the good fortune of catching the Byrds television debut on the Lloyd Thaxton Show. I was struck as much by what I heard as what I saw: America's first answer to the Beatles.
At one time I owned all the Byrds albums on vinyl up to "Sweetheart of the Rodeo" and "Easy Rider." Later I created my own "greatest hits" cassette, a full 90 minutes worth.
This "Greatest Hits" album falls far short of all the wonderful music produced by Roger McGuinn, David Crosby, Chris Hillman, Gram Parsons and others, but for someone wanting to have a prime sample of early Byrds, heavy on the trademark Rickenbacker 12 string fingerpicking sound, this is a great place to start.
This "Super Bit Mapping" recording is superior to other recordings I have heard of the Byrds and manages to bring out subtleties in the early recording process that were the subject of many rumors. Most notable is that it's much easier to pick out the various layers of overdubbing (both the Rickenbacker 12 string and McGuinn's vocals).
True fans of the founders of folk-rock will want to supplement this album others. Be sure to get your hands on tunes like "He Was a Friend of Mine" and "Lay Down Your Weary Tune."
Incidentally, Roger McGuinn has an interesting web site with free downloads available of a lot of folk songs, many of which were staples of the 50s and 60s coffeehouse folk scene. Most of those recordings feature an acoustic Martin 12 string guitar, as well as some banjo picking.
At one time I owned all the Byrds albums on vinyl up to "Sweetheart of the Rodeo" and "Easy Rider." Later I created my own "greatest hits" cassette, a full 90 minutes worth.
This "Greatest Hits" album falls far short of all the wonderful music produced by Roger McGuinn, David Crosby, Chris Hillman, Gram Parsons and others, but for someone wanting to have a prime sample of early Byrds, heavy on the trademark Rickenbacker 12 string fingerpicking sound, this is a great place to start.
This "Super Bit Mapping" recording is superior to other recordings I have heard of the Byrds and manages to bring out subtleties in the early recording process that were the subject of many rumors. Most notable is that it's much easier to pick out the various layers of overdubbing (both the Rickenbacker 12 string and McGuinn's vocals).
True fans of the founders of folk-rock will want to supplement this album others. Be sure to get your hands on tunes like "He Was a Friend of Mine" and "Lay Down Your Weary Tune."
Incidentally, Roger McGuinn has an interesting web site with free downloads available of a lot of folk songs, many of which were staples of the 50s and 60s coffeehouse folk scene. Most of those recordings feature an acoustic Martin 12 string guitar, as well as some banjo picking.
22 of 22 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
This review is based on this specific SACD. I dont believe the other reviewers have the SACD version. SACD (Super Audio CD)is only playable on special SACD compatible equipment. I compared the SACD version with the same CD in regular format. The SACD treatment adds modestly to the fidelity. The overall effect is to boost the high frequencies with slight improvement in fidelity. Tape hiss is much more obvious. The tambourines on the tambourine man sound much better on the SACD version. Most tracks sound better except My Back Pages which is more sudued on the SACD version. The music is vintage Byrds which I believe will appeal to most people. They should have included more songs, classics such as Chestnut Mare ( my personal favorite Byrds song) are missing. Overall worthwhile buying in SACD format, and usefull as an SACD demo. If you just want the best of the Byrds get "The Byrds 20 Essential Tracks From The Boxed Set: 1965-1990". You'll get more music for your money
15 of 15 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
The Byrds were one of the best and most influential bands of the 1960's.They married the folk songs of Bob Dylan("Mr. Tamborine Man","Chimes Of Freedom","My Back Pages","All I Really Want To Do") and Pete Seeger(Turn Turn Turn,Bells Of Rhmney) to Beatles-inspired rock n' roll,thus creating the genre "folk-rock".They also wrote terrific originals like "I'll Feel A Whole Lot Better","It Won't Be Wrong","Set You Free This Time","Have You Seen Her Face".They also went into psychedelia with the groundbreaking "Eight Miles High","Mr. Spaceman" and "5D(Fifth Dimension)" and showed a sense of humor with the jaunty "So You Want To Be A Rock n' Roll Star?".This album collects all the songs mentioned.The stereo SACD release features a much warmer, richer,fuller sound than the standard Columbia/Legacy CD,with Roger McGuinn's 12-string Rickerbacker guitar jangle never sounding as clear and alive as it does here.This is a highly recommened choice,folks! (Note:This will NOT play on a standard CD player!)
17 of 18 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
This collection of greatest hits certainly lives up to its title. There are 14 (counting the three bonus tracks) fine slices of pure rock and roll from the 60s which still sounds life-affirming even to this day. From the well known classics "Mr. Tambourine Man" and "Turn, Turn, Turn" to lesser-known (but still equally impressive) gems like "All I Really Want to Do" and "Chimes of Freedom," this CD shows proves that the Byrds not only defined the sound and spirit of the West Coast '60s, but for a brief time were hugely influential in shaping rock and roll as a genre. The Byrds evolved considerably during the two years that these songs were recorded, and it is evident from the straight forward Dylan-meets-Beatles folk-rock of "Mr. Tambourine Man" to the pioneering psychedelic freak out "Eight Miles High" to the instrumentation in "So You Want to Be a Rock and Roll Star." Every song on here is gorgeous, and each one deserves several listens.
This newly remastered version is truly a standout because it adds three additional bonus tracks, "It Won't Be Wrong," "Set You Free This Time," and "Have You Seen Her Face." I have to admit, "Set You Free," though a pleasant effort by Gene Clark, is a bit too country-ish for my liking and I don't care much for it. However, the other two bonus tracks are KILLER, and I am so glad that these were included. They may not have been hits like the rest of the songs (I believe they were released as singles, but sadly recieved little attention commercially), but "It Won't Be Wrong" and "Have You Seen Her Face" both contain some of the best melodies I have ever heard from this group or anyone else, and I always enjoy listening to them.
... Read more ›Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Byrds rock that folk
Brings back all those great mid-60's memories with their electric folk rock. I canlisten to Turn Turn Turn over and over.
Published 4 days ago by F. noyes
5.0 out of 5 stars
the byrds are flying
love this super audio cd, much better than the regular cd, its a shame sony adbandoned the super audio format, the music is open and airy, more detailed yet not harsh.
Published 18 days ago by Bruce M. Garber
4.0 out of 5 stars
love it
These songs cover most of the Byrds' career. 8 Miles High is one of the best songs written in the history of rock music.
Published 1 month ago by smoke dawg 2000
5.0 out of 5 stars
Better late than never......
Always wanted them on vinyl, never got around to it. Always loved The Byrds music and harmonizing. Great memories hearing these songs!! A great CD !!!!!
Published 2 months ago by sue
4.0 out of 5 stars
Give me the bird
Contains their greatest hits. Great if you want just one album to get it over with. It will give you the bird.
Published 2 months ago by J. Jones
5.0 out of 5 stars
great music
I am rediscovering the 60s music that I was old enough to hear but not old enough to buy, its so great the music of the 60s all have messages it was a wonderful time
Published 2 months ago by Edward Gerry
4.0 out of 5 stars
Gift
This was an item on the list a person wanted for a present. I did not hear it and can only attest to the fact that it arrived on time.
Published 3 months ago by R. Champagne
5.0 out of 5 stars
good music
all of the music I bought has been as stated and I love this. The cd was perfect and not scratches.
Published 3 months ago by Mollie Barton
5.0 out of 5 stars
the Byrds
Haven't heard them in a long time and this disc is a real treat. Mostly older songs but all well done.
Published 4 months ago by J. Wright
5.0 out of 5 stars
SACD Version
The first album I ever bought was Mr. Tambourine Man by these Guys. I loved it then, and almost 50 years later I still do. Read more
Published 6 months ago by Snorts
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