Elly Roberts reviews
The Byrds: The Very Best of The Byrds
Distributed by
Sony/BMG
- Cat.no: 82876855142
- Released: June 2006
- Rating: 10/10
When their jangly 12 string guitar version of Bob Dylan’s Mr. Tambourine Man
hit the airwaves in summer ’65, The Byrds were an instant hit, when
it became a chart topper.
Later, two further Dylan songs would be covered – tracks 6, a limpish
countrified Baby Blue and a poor The Times, track 18. Singles
wise in the UK, they had a further five entries, (tracks 3, 4, 8, 12, and 16)
the last being the sublime Chestnut Mare in February 1971.
This outstanding folk-rock combo was born in LA in 1964. The quintet’s
meteoric rise to fame was backed by exceptional songwriters and singers
consisting Roger McGuinn, Chris Hillman, Gene Clark, David Crosby and
Michael Clarke.
Briefly the Jet Set, then The Beefeaters they settled on The Byrds,
misspelled like The Beatles, whom they drew some inspiration from.
Eventually, they would become known for their studio wizardry, trademark
high pitched harmonies and jangly guitars, along with catchy tunes.
Evolution saw changes in direction, including controversial ‘space rocker’
Eight Miles which was one of the first records to be widely banned
because of supposedly drug referenced lyrics, and latterly country tinged
material, tracks 12 and 13 - You Ain’t going Nowhere, Hickory Wind.
Early on, some criticism was levelled at them for using a Beatles sound
found in particular on track 2, I’ll Feel A Whole Lot Better,
with Dylan’s songwriting. In-fighting resulted in the departure of Gene
Clark (early ’66), considered their best songwriter, then Crosby and
Mike Clarke late ’67.
Crosby would resurface as part of Crosby Stills Nash and Young.
Hillman also bailed out leaving one original member McGuinn to soldier on
the band name with replacements Gram Parsons, Clarence White and John
York, but the resulting combo failed to repeat their early successes.
They remain a seminal act, who went on to influence bands such as
Fleetwood Mac, R.E.M and Tom Petty.
Top tracks – Chestnut Mare, You Ain’t Going Nowhere, All I Really Want To Do.
The full list of tracks included are :
Review & concert pics copyright © Elly Roberts, 2004-2010.
