The Byrds (country, bass, pop, rock, debut album)

analogdemon · 07-15-2006, 01:31 PM

Because they almost single-handedly invented folk rock and were one of the biggest factors in the existence of country rock. Furthermore, they revolutionized the pop music world with their debut album.

The Byrds burst onto the scene in 1965 with their album Mr. Tambourine Man which, arguably, still stands as one of the greatest debut albums in the history of rock 'n' roll. Their formula for success was taking Bob Dylan and making him sound like the Beatles. Four of the album's twelve tracks were written by Dylan, including the smash hit title track, which Dylan himself had yet to record. The Byrds had it all: an original sound and the excellent four-part harmony to back it up.

Roger McGuinn's jangling 12-string guitar (the style of which influenced generations of musicians after him, including Tom Petty and Peter Buck) mixed with the driving beats of drummer Michael Clarke, the rhythmic guitar playing of David Crosby, the groovy bass of Chris Hillman, and the tambourine of Gene Clark gave you the recipe for a sound that still blows minds 41 years later.

Between 1965 and 1968, The Byrds released several albums that were all received well and along the way lost Gene Clark, Michael Clarke and David Crosby. Gene Clark, the band's principal songwriter at the time, was never actually replaced, but Michael Clarke and David Crosby were replaced with Kevin Kelley and Gram Parsons respectively.

The new band released an album called Sweetheart of the Rodeo in 1968 that is considered a watershed moment in music and is one of the foundations of the country rock movement that would explode in the early 1970s. The album is a lot more country than it is rock, and was mainly Gram Parsons' work, but is still absolutely unbelievable.

If you've never explored this band, I'd say to start with The Byrds' Greatest Hits, which is everything you need to know about the early Byrds when David Crosby and Michael Clarke were still in the band. It contains all their biggest hits like "Mr. Tambourine Man", "Turn! Turn! Turn!", "5D (Fifth Dimension)", "Eight Miles High", etc. and also includes a few lesser known nuggets. If that lights your fire, then I'd suggest starting with Mr. Tambourine Man and buying all the albums sequentially.

Is anyone else a fan of the Byrds? Let's hear the love.

MURDER JUNKIE · 07-15-2006, 04:01 PM

I like Mr. Spaceman and So You Want To Be A Rock And Roll Star

analogdemon · 07-15-2006, 04:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MURDER JUNKIE

I like Mr. Spaceman and So You Want To Be A Rock And Roll Star

Love both of those tracks. "So You Want to Be a Rock and Roll Star" is a fantastic send-up of the Monkees.

analogdemon · 07-30-2006, 07:45 AM

I've been recently rediscovering The Notorious Byrd Brothers. What an amazing album.

stymie · 08-01-2006, 11:04 AM

i was weened on crosby, stills, nash and sometimes young. it's natural then to be a byrd's fan. the original lineup was touted as "america's answer to the beatles" and it turned much of britain off when they toured after things started steam rolling here.

in his biography 'long time gone' crosby describes the evolution of the band that literally started doing garage practicing for gigs out and about and quickly became this juggernaut of a pop band. his fortay was his harmony singing more than his guitar playing. to a person, everyone that ever worked with crosby said that his voice is so very powerful and astoundingly beautiful. the split from mcguinn and the others was over egos mostly but it seemed that those that crosby left behind wanted the three minute pop hit. i think both sides benefitted from the estrangement.

it's amazing how influential bands of that era were and would become for the next comers considering that they only stayed together for such a short time.

s

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07-15-2006, 01:31 PM
analogdemon Groupie Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Providence, RI Posts: 25	The Byrds Because they almost single-handedly invented folk rock and were one of the biggest factors in the existence of country rock. Furthermore, they revolutionized the pop music world with their debut album. The Byrds burst onto the scene in 1965 with their album Mr. Tambourine Man which, arguably, still stands as one of the greatest debut albums in the history of rock 'n' roll. Their formula for success was taking Bob Dylan and making him sound like the Beatles. Four of the album's twelve tracks were written by Dylan, including the smash hit title track, which Dylan himself had yet to record. The Byrds had it all: an original sound and the excellent four-part harmony to back it up. Roger McGuinn's jangling 12-string guitar (the style of which influenced generations of musicians after him, including Tom Petty and Peter Buck) mixed with the driving beats of drummer Michael Clarke, the rhythmic guitar playing of David Crosby, the groovy bass of Chris Hillman, and the tambourine of Gene Clark gave you the recipe for a sound that still blows minds 41 years later. Between 1965 and 1968, The Byrds released several albums that were all received well and along the way lost Gene Clark, Michael Clarke and David Crosby. Gene Clark, the band's principal songwriter at the time, was never actually replaced, but Michael Clarke and David Crosby were replaced with Kevin Kelley and Gram Parsons respectively. The new band released an album called Sweetheart of the Rodeo in 1968 that is considered a watershed moment in music and is one of the foundations of the country rock movement that would explode in the early 1970s. The album is a lot more country than it is rock, and was mainly Gram Parsons' work, but is still absolutely unbelievable. If you've never explored this band, I'd say to start with The Byrds' Greatest Hits, which is everything you need to know about the early Byrds when David Crosby and Michael Clarke were still in the band. It contains all their biggest hits like "Mr. Tambourine Man", "Turn! Turn! Turn!", "5D (Fifth Dimension)", "Eight Miles High", etc. and also includes a few lesser known nuggets. If that lights your fire, then I'd suggest starting with Mr. Tambourine Man and buying all the albums sequentially. Is anyone else a fan of the Byrds? Let's hear the love. __________________ All your children are poor unfortunate victims of lies you believe. Drop out of school before your mind rots from exposure to our mediocre educational system. Forget about the Senior Prom and go to the library and educate yourself if you've got any guts. Some of you like Pep rallies and plastic robots who tell you what to read. Forget I mentioned it. This song has no message. Rise for the flag salute.

07-15-2006, 04:01 PM
MURDER JUNKIE Who Loves Ya Baby??? Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: SH1TTY London Ontario Canada Posts: 2,385	I like Mr. Spaceman and So You Want To Be A Rock And Roll Star __________________ I've been had at least that's how it looks and it's not funny like on TV and it's not smart like it is in books

07-30-2006, 07:45 AM
analogdemon Groupie Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Providence, RI Posts: 25	I've been recently rediscovering The Notorious Byrd Brothers. What an amazing album. __________________ All your children are poor unfortunate victims of lies you believe. Drop out of school before your mind rots from exposure to our mediocre educational system. Forget about the Senior Prom and go to the library and educate yourself if you've got any guts. Some of you like Pep rallies and plastic robots who tell you what to read. Forget I mentioned it. This song has no message. Rise for the flag salute.

08-01-2006, 11:04 AM
stymie Music Addict Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: the working class shadows of washington d.c. Posts: 56	i was weened on crosby, stills, nash and sometimes young. it's natural then to be a byrd's fan. the original lineup was touted as "america's answer to the beatles" and it turned much of britain off when they toured after things started steam rolling here. in his biography 'long time gone' crosby describes the evolution of the band that literally started doing garage practicing for gigs out and about and quickly became this juggernaut of a pop band. his fortay was his harmony singing more than his guitar playing. to a person, everyone that ever worked with crosby said that his voice is so very powerful and astoundingly beautiful. the split from mcguinn and the others was over egos mostly but it seemed that those that crosby left behind wanted the three minute pop hit. i think both sides benefitted from the estrangement. it's amazing how influential bands of that era were and would become for the next comers considering that they only stayed together for such a short time. s