BYRDS


"Chimes of Freedom" live


SHORT BIOGRAPHY:

The Byrds was formed around 1964-65 in Los Angeles. The Byrds had perfected their blend of folk and rock when their debut single, "Mr. Tambourine Man," topped the charts in mid-1965 . Jim McGuinn (later Roger), David Crosby, and Gene Clark were all young veterans of the folk-pop scene. They were inspired by the success of the Beatles to mix folk and rock; McGuinn had already been playing Beatles songs acoustically in Los Angeles folk clubs when Clark approached him to form a new band. David Crosby soon joined to make them a trio, and they made a primitive demo as the Jet Set that was nonetheless bursting with promise. With the help of session musicians, they released a single on Elektra as the Beefeaters that, while a flop, showed them getting quite close to the folk-rock sound that would electrify the pop scene in a few months.

The Beefeaters, soon renamed the Byrds, became a quintet with the addition of drummer Michael Clarke and bluegrass mandolinist Chris Hillman, who was enlisted to play electric bass, although he had never played the instrument before. The band was so lacking in equipment in their early stages that Clarke played on cardboard boxes during their first rehearsals, but they determined to master their instruments and become a full-fledged rock band (many demos from this period would later surface for official release). They managed to make a demo of a new Dylan song, "Mr. Tambourine Man"; by eliminating some verses and adding instantly memorable 12-string guitar leads and Beatlesque harmonies, they came up with the first big folk-rock smash. For the "Mr. Tambourine Man" single, the band's vocals and McGuinn's inimitable Rickenbacker were backed by session musicians, although the band themselves (contrary to some widely circulated rumors) performed on their subsequent recordings.

The first American group to compete with the British Invasion bands visually as well as musically, the Byrds soon were the American counterpart to the Beatles by the press, legions of fans, and George Harrison himself. Their 1965 debut LP, Mr. Tambourine Man, was a fabulous album that mixed stellar interpretations of Dylan and Pete Seeger tunes with strong, more romantic and pop-based originals, usually written by Gene Clark in the band's early days. A few months later, their version of Seeger's "Turn Turn Turn" became another number-one hit and instant classic, featuring more great chiming guitar lines and ethereal, interweaving harmonies. While their second LP (Turn Turn Turn) wasn't as strong as their debut full-length, the band continued to move forward at a dizzying pace. In early 1966, the "Eight Miles High" single heralded the birth of psychedelia, with its rumbling bass line, and a frenzied McGuinn guitar solo that took its inspiration from John Coltrane and Indian music.

The Byrds suffered a major loss right after "Eight Miles High" with the departure of Gene Clark, their primary songwriter. The reason for his resignation, ironically, was fear of flying, although other pressures were at work as well. "Eight Miles High," amazingly, would be their last Top 20 single; many radio stations banned the record for its alleged drug references, halting its progress at number 14. This ended the Byrds' brief period as commercial challengers to the Beatles, but they regrouped impressively in the face of the setbacks. Continuing as a quartet, McGuinn, Crosby, and Hillman would assume a much larger part of the songwriting responsibilities. The third album, Fifth Dimension, contained more groundbreaking folk-rock and psychedelia on tracks like "Fifth Dimension," "I See You," and "John Riley," although it mixed sheer brilliance with tracks that were oddly half-baked or carelessly executed.

Younger Than Yesterday, which included the minor hits "So You Want to Be a Rock 'n' Roll Star" and "My Back Pages" , was another high point with Hillman really showing his songwriting and lead-vocal abilities. By 1967 Crosby wasn't getting along so well with McGuinn and Hillman and he was ousted durings the recordings of The Notorious Byrd Brothers. Gene Clark was brought back for a few weeks but by the end of 1967, Mike Clarke was also gone. In the midst of this chaos they continued to sound as good as ever on Notorious. This was another effort that mixed electronic experimentation and folk-rock mastery with elements of country music.

As McGuinn and Hillman rebuilt the group one more time in early 1968, McGuinn began working with the idea of creating a double album that would play through history of contemporary music, evolving from traditional folk and country to jazz and electronic music. They hired singer guitarist Gram Parsons as new member. Under Parsons' influence, however, the Byrds were soon going full blast into country music, with Parsons taking a large share of the guitar and vocal chores. In 1968, McGuinn, Hillman, Parsons, and drummer Kevin Kelly recorded Sweetheart of the Rodeo, which was probably the first album to be widely labeled as country-rock.

Opinions among Byrds fans of this album are ,mildly spoken, divided . Some see it as a natural continuation of the group's innovations, others as a regrettable departure from the band's trademarks. No doubt that it marked the end of the "classic" Byrds sound of the 1965-1968 period. Parsons left the band after about six months.

Chris Hillman also left the Byrds by the end of 1968 to form the Flying Burrito Brothers with Parsons. As the only original member Roger McGuinn recruited member to form a new version of the Byrds. Most significant new member was the extraordinary gifted guitarist Clarence White. White had as a session musician appeared on all Byrds album since "Fifth Dimension". The new Byrds continued to make great albums, but never again topped the singles charts. In 1973 the band split up

The original Byrd line-up reunited to do a single album late 1973. At that time Clarence White had tragically been killed by a drunken driver, while loading gear into a truck.

Source: All Music Guide

Band Members:

Roger McGuinn: Born 1942, vocals, 12 string-guitar and songwriter. McGuinn was the key-member and driving force of the Byrds

Gene Clark: Born 1941, rhythm-guitar, vocals and songwriter. Clark most the chief song-writer in the original Byrds. He left in spring 1966, but appeared now and with band in the following years. Clark was back with the re-united Byrds in 1973

David Crosby: Born 1941, guitar and vocals . Crosby had a fine voice and wrote occasionally fine songs for the band. He was ousted during the records of the fifth album.

Chris Hillman: Born 1942, bass, mandolin, banjo and vocals. Hilmann is a very gifted musician and songwriter and his personal style was a very important part of the Byrds-sound. Left in 1968. Wrote fine songs for the reunion album.

Mike Clarke: Born 1943, drums. Clarke left after the fifth album, but was back for the re-union album

Clarence White: Born 1944, guitar and vocals . Great guitarist who also gave some memorable lead-vocal performances on the latter-day Byrds albums.

Gram Parsons: Born 1946, guitar, vocals and songwriter. Parsons ,who has become a legend in country-rock, only appeared on "Sweetheart of the Rodeo"

John York: Bass and vocals. Appears on "Dr Byrds", "Ballad of Easy Rider" and "Live at the Filmore 1969".

Kevin Kelly: Born 1945, drums. Appears only on "Sweetheart of the Rodeo"

Gene Parsons: Born 1944, drums and vocals. Parsons was with the Byrds from 1969-73

Skip Battin: Born 1934, bass and vocals . With the Byrds from 1969-73.

Chords for "Farther Along"

Chords for "From a Distance"


Discography:

The Byrds 1964-68


1. Mr Tambourine Man - CBS 1965

Tracks:
1. Mr. Tambourine Man / 2. I'll Feel a Whole Lot Better / 3. Spanish Harlem Incident / 4. You Won't Have to Cry / 5. Here Without You / 6. Bells of Rhymney / 7. All I Really Want to Do / 8. I Knew I'd Want You / 9. It's No Use / 10. Don't Doubt Yourself, Babe / 11. Chimes of Freedom / 12. We'll Meet Again / 13. She Has a Way [*] / 14. I'll Feel a Whole Lot Better [Alternate Version][*] / 15. It's No Use [Alternate Version][*] / 16. You Won't Have to Cry [Alternate Version][*] / 17. All I Really Want to Do [Single Version][*] / 18. You and Me [Instrumental] [*]
Rating : 9


2. Turn! Turn! Turn! - CBS 1966

Tracks:
1. Turn! Turn! Turn! / 2. It Won't Be Wrong / 3. Set You Free This Time / 4. Lay Down Your Weary Tune / 5. He Was a Friend of Mine / 6. World Turns All Around Her / 7. Satisfied Mind / 8. If You're Gone / 9. Times They Are A-Changin' / 10. Wait and See / 11. Oh! Susannah / 12. Day Walk (Never Before) [*] / 13. She Don't Care About Time [Single Version][*] / 14. Times They Are A-Changin' [First Version][*] / 15. It's All over Now, Baby Blue [Version One][*] / 16. She Don't Care About Time [Version One][*] / 17. World Turns All Around Her [Alternate Mix][*] / 18. Stranger in a Strange Land [Instrumental] [*]
Rating : 8


3.Fifth Dimension - CBS 1966

Tracks:
1. 5D (Fifth Dimension) / 2. Wild Mountain Thyme / 3. Mr. Spaceman / 4. I See You / 5. What's Happening?! / 6. I Come and Stand at Every Door / 7. Eight Miles High / 8. Hey Joe / 9. Captain Soul / 10. John Riley / 11. 2-4-2 Fox Trot (The Lear Jet Song) / 12. Why? [Single Version][*] / 13. I Know My Rider (I Know You Rider) [*] / 14. Psychodrama City [*] / 15. Eight Miles High [Alternate RCA Studios Version] / 16. Why? [Alternate RCA Studios Version] [*] / 17. John Riley [Version One] [Instrumental] [*]
Rating : 8


4. Younger Than Yesterday - CBS 1967

Tracks:
1. So You Want to Be a Rock & Roll Star / 2. Have You Seen Her Face / 3. C.T.A. - 102 / 4. Renaissance Fair / 5. Time Between / 6. Everybody's Been Burned / 7. Thoughts and Words / 8. Mind Gardens / 9. My Back Pages / 10. Girl With No Name / 11. Why? / 12. It Happens Each Day [*] / 13. Don't Make Waves [*] / 14. My Back Pages [Alternate Version][*] / 15. Mind Gardens [Alternate Version][*] / 16. Lady Friend [*] / 17. Old John Robertson [Single Version][*]
Rating : 8


5. The Notorious Byrd Brothers - CBS 1968

Tracks:
1. Artificial Energy / 2. Goin' Back / 3. Natural Harmony / 4. Draft Morning / 5. Wasn't Born to Follow / 6. Get to You / 7. Change Is Now / 8. Old John Robertson / 9. Tribal Gathering / 10. Dolphin's Smile / 11. Space Odyssey / 12. Moog Raga [*][Instrumental] / 13. Bound to Fall [*][Instrumental] / 14. Triad [*] / 15. Goin' Back [Version One][*] / 16. Draft Morning [Alternate End][*] / 17. Universal Mind Decoder [Instrumental] [*
Rating : 8


6. Preflyte (64) - Together (1969)

Tracks:
1. You Showed Me / 2. Here Without You / 3. She Has a Way / 4. The Reason Why / 5. For Me Again / 6. Boston / 7. You Movin' / 8. The Airport Song / 9. You Won't Have to Cry / 10. I Knew I'd Want You / 11. Mr. Tambourine Man
Rating : 6

7. In The Beginning (64) - Rhino 1988)

Tracks:
1. Tomorrow Is a Long Ways Away / 2. Boston / 3. The Only Girl I Adore / 4. You Won't Have to Cry / 5. I Knew I'd Want You / 6. The Airport Song / 7. The Reason Why / 8. Mr. Tambourine Man / 9. Please Let Me Love You / 10. You Movin' / 11. It Won't Be Wrong / 12. You Showed Me / 13. She Has a Way / 14. For Me Again / 15. It's No Use / 16. Here Without You / 17. Tomorrow Is a Long Ways Away
Rating : 7

My Suggestion For a 80 minutes (app.) Best Of Compilation:


1. Mr Tambourine Man ( Dylan ) Mr Tambourine Man
2. Turn Turn Turn ( Seeger ) Turn Turn Turn
3. Chimes Of Freedom ( Dylan ) Mr Tambourine Man
4. I Wasn´t Born To Follow ( Goffin/King ) The Notorious Byd Brothers
5. Goin´ Back ( Goffin/King ) The Notorious Byrd Brothers
6. Here Without You ( Clark ) Mr Tambourine Man
7. Spanish Harlem Incident ( Dylan ) Mr Tambourine Man
8. We´ll Meet Again ( Parker ) Mr Tambourine Man
9. It´s All Over Now Baby Blue ( Dylan ) Turn Turn Turn - bonus
10. All I Really Want To Do ( Dylan ) Mr Tambourine Man
11. Fifth Dimension ( McGuinn ) Fifth Dimension
12. Have You Seen Her Face ( Hillman ) Younger Than Yesterday
13. My Back Pages ( Dylan ) Younger Than Yesterday
14. Time Between (Hillman ) Younger Than Yesterday
15. The Bells of Rhymney ( Seeger ) Mr Tambourine Man
16. I Knew I´d Want You ( Clark ) Mr Tambourine Man
17. She Has a Way ( Clark ) Mr Tambourine Man - bonus
18. Lay Down Your Weary Tune ( Dylan ) Turn Turn Turn
19. The Times Are a´Changin´ ( Dylan ) Turn Turn Turn
20. Set You Free This Time ( Clark ) Turn Turn Turn
21. The Day Walk ( Clark ) Turn Turn Turn - bonus
22. Mr Spaceman ( McGuinn ) Fifth Dimension
23. I Come and Stand at Every Door ( Hikmet ) Fifth Dimension
24. Eight Miles High ( McGuinn/Crosby/Clark ) Fifth Dimension
25. John Riley ( Gibson/Neff ) Fifth Dimension
26. Why ( McGuinn/Crosby ) Younger Than Yesterday
27. Old John Robertson ( McGuinn/Hillman ) Younger Than Yesterday - bonus
28. The Girl With No Name ( Hillman ) Younger Than Yesterday
29. I Know My Rider ( McGuinn/Clark/Crosby ) Fifth Dimension - bonus
30. Wait and See ( McGuinn/Clark ) Turn Turn Turn
31. It´s No Use ( Clark/NcGuinn ) Mr Tambourine Man
32. Don´t Make Waves ( McGuinn/Hillman ) Mr Tambourine Man

1968-1973




1. Sweetheart Of The Rodeo - CBS 1968

Tracks:
1. You Ain't Going Nowhere / 2. I Am A Pilgrim / 3. The Christian Life / 4. You Don't Miss Your Water / 5. You're Still On My Mind / 6. Pretty Boy Floyd / 7. Hickory Wind / 8. One Hundred Years From Now / 9. Blue Canadian Rockies / 10. Life In Prison / 11. Nothing Was Delivered / 12. You Got A Reputation / 13. Lazy Days / 14. Pretty Polly / 15. The Christian Life (Rehearsal-Take #11) / 16. Life In Prison (Rehearsal-Take #11) / 17. You're Still On My Mind (Rehearsal-Take #43) / 18. One Hundred Years Form Now (Rehearsal-Take #2) / 19. All I Have Is Memories (Instrumental)
Rating : 5


2. Dr Byrds and Mr Hyde - CBS 1969

Tracks:
1. This Wheel's on Fire / 2. Old Blue / 3. Your Gentle Way of Loving Me / 4. Child of the Universe / 5. Nashville West / 6. Drug Store Truck Drivin' Man / 7. King Apathy III / 8. Candy / 9. Bad Night at the Whiskey / 10. Medley: My Back Pages/B.J. Blues/Baby What You Want Me to Do / 11. Stanley's Song / 12. Lay Lady Lay [Alternate Version]/ 13. This Wheel's on Fire [Version One] / 14. My Back Pages/B.J. Blues/Baby What You Want Me to Do [Alternate Take] / 15. Nashville West [Nashville Recording] [Alternate Version - Nashville Rec )
Rating : 5


3. Ballad Of Easy Rider - CBS 1969

Tracks:
1. Ballad of Easy Rider / 2. Fido / 3. Oil in My Lamp / 4. Tulsa County / 5. Jack Tarr the Sailor / 6. Jesus Is Just Alright / 7. It's All over Now, Baby Blue / 8. There Must Be Someone (I Can Turn To) / 9. Gunga Din / 10. Deportee (Plane Wreck at Los Gatos) / 11. Armstrong, Aldrin and Collins / 12. Way Beyond the Sun [*] / 13. Mae Jean Goes to Hollywood [*] / 14. Oil in My Lamp [Alternate Version][*] / 15. Tulsa County [Alternate Version][*] / 16. Fiddler a Dram (Moog Experiment) [Moog Experiment][*] / 17. Ballad of Easy Rider [Long Version][*] / 18. Build It Up [*][Instrumental]
Rating : 8


4. Untitled - CBS 1970<

Tracks:
1. Lover Of The Bayou / 2. Positively 4th Street / 3. Nashville West / 4. So You Want To Be A Rock 'N Roll Star / 5. Mr. Tambourine Man / 6. Mr. Spaceman / 7. Eight Miles High / 8. Chestnut Mare / 9. Truck Stop Girl / 10. All The Things / 11. Yesterday's Train / 12. Hungry Planet / 13. Just A Season / 14. Take A Whiff On Me / 15. You All Look Alike / 16. Well Come Back Home // 1. All The Things - (alternate take) / 2. Yesterday's Train - (alternate take) / 3. Lover Of The Bayou - (alternate take) / 4. Kathleen's Song - (alternate take) / 5. White's Lightning Pt. 2 / 6. Willin' / 7. You Ain't Goin' Nowhere - (live) / 8. Old Blue - (live)It's Alright Ma (I'm Only Bleeding) - (live) / 9. It's Alright Ma (I'm Only Bleeding) - (live) / 10. Ballad Of Easy Rider - (live) /11. My Back Pages - (live) / 12. Take A Whiff On Me - (live) / 13. Jesus Is Just Alright - (live) / 14. Wheels On Fire - (live)
Rating : 7


5. Byrdmaniax - CBS 1971

Tracks:
1. Glory, Glory / 2. Pale Blue / 3. I Trust / 4. Tunnel of Love / 5. Citizen Kane / 6. I Wanna Grow up to Be a Politician / 7. Absolute Happiness / 8. Green Apple Quick Step / 9. My Destiny / 10. Kathleen's Song / 11. Jamaica Say You Will / 12. Just Like a Woman [*] / 13. Pale Blue [Alternate Version]/ 14. Think I'm Gonna Feel Better [*]
Rating : 6


6. Farther Along - CBS 1972

Tracks:
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 / 12. Lost My Drivin' Wheel* / 13. Born To Rock And Roll* / 14. Bag Full Of Money*
Rating : 7


7. The Byrds Reunited - Asylum 1973

Tracks:
1. Full Circle Song / 2. Sweet Mary / 3. Changing Heart / 4. For Free / 5. Born to Rock & Roll / 6. Things Will Be Better / 7. Cowgirl in the Sand / 8. Long Live the King / 9. Borrowing Time / 10. Laughing / 11. (See the Sky) About to Rain
Rating : 6


8. The Byrds Box Set - Sony 1990

Tracks:
1. Mr. Tambourine Man / 2. I'll Feel a Whole Lot Better / 3. Chimes of Freedom / 4. She Has a Way / 5. All I Really Want to Do / 6. Spanish Harlem Incident / 7. The Bells of Rhymney / 8. It's All over Now, Baby Blue / 9. She Don't Care About Time / 10. Turn! Turn! Turn! / 11. It Won't Be Wrong / 12. Lay Down Your Weary Tune / 13. He Was a Friend of Mine / 14. The World Turns All Around Her / 15. The Day Walk / 16. The Times They Are A-Changin' / 17. 5D (Fifth Dimension) / 18. I Know My Rider / 19. Eight Miles High / 20. Why / 21. Psychodrama City / 22. I See You / 23. Hey Joe // 1. Mr. Spaceman / 2. John Riley / 3. Roll over Beethoven / 4. So You Want to Be a Rock & Roll Star / 5. Have You Seen Her Face / 6. My Back Pages / 7. It Happens Each Day / 8. Renaissance Fair / 9. Everybody's Been Burned / 10. The Girl With No Name / 11. Triad / 12. Lady Friend / 13. Old John Robertson / 14. Goin' Back / 15. Draft Morning / 16. Wasn't Born to Follow / 17. Dolphin's Smile / 18. Reputation / 19. You Ain't Going Nowhere /20. The Christian Life / 21. I Am a Pilgrim / 22. Pretty Boy Floyd / 23. You Don't Miss Your Water / 24. Time Between // 1. Hickory Wind // 1. Chestnut Mare / 2. Just a Season / 3. Kathleen's Song / 4. Truck Stop Girl / 5. Just Like a Woman / 6. Stanley's Song / 7. Glory, Glory / 8. I Trust / 9. I Wanna Grow up to Be a Politician / 10. Green Apple Quick Step / 11. Tiffany Queen / 12. Bugler / 13. Lazy Waters / 14. Farther Along / 15. White's Lightning / 16. Turn! Turn! Turn! / 17. Mr. Tambourine Man / 18. He Was a Friend of Mine / 19. Paths of Victory / 20. From a Distance / 21. Love That Never Dies
Rating : 9


My Suggestion For a 80 minutes (app.) Best Of Compilation:


1. Farther Along ( Trad. arr. White ) Farther Along
2. Oil In My Lamp ( Parsons/ White ) Ballad Of Easy Rider
3. Ballad Of Easy Rider ( McGuinn ) Ballad of Easy Rider
4. Truck Stop Girl ( George/Payne ) Untitled
5. Buglar ( Murray ) Farther Along
6. Precious Kate ( Fowley/Battin ) Farther Along
7. Chestnu Mare ( McGuinn/Levy ) Untitled
8. Tulsa County ( Polland ) Ballad of Easy Rider
9. One Hundred Years From Now ( Parsons ) Sweetheart of The Rodeo
10. Old Blue ( Trad. ) Dr Byrds and Mr Hyde
11. Deportee ( Guthrie/Hoffman ) Ballad of Easy Rider
12. Jamaica Say You Will ( Browne ) Byrdmaniax
13. Mary Jean Goes To Hollywood ( Browne ) Ballad of Easy Rider - bonus
14. All Things ( McGuinn/Levy ) Untitled
15. Just a Season ( McGuinn/Levy ) Untitled
16. Antique Sandy ( McGuinn/Parsons/Battin/White/Seiter ) Farther Along
17. Things Will Be Better ( Hillman/Taylor ) Byrds Reunited
18. See The Sky About To Rain ( Young ) The Byrds Reunited
19. Sweet Mary ( McGuinn/Levy ) The Byrds Reunited
20. Born To Rock´n Roll ( McGuinn ) Farther Along - bonus
21. My Destiny ( Carter ) Byrdmaniax
22. Kathleen´s Song ( McGuinn/Levy ) Untitled - bonus
23. Gunga Din ( Parsons ) Ballad of Easy Rider
24. Nashville West ( Parsons/White ) Dr Byrds and Mr Hyde
25. Drug Store Truck Driving Man ( McGuinn/Parsons ) Dr Byrds and Mt Hyde
26. Nothing Was Delivered ( Dylan ) Sweetheart Of The Rodeo
27. One in a Hundred ( Clark ) Unreleased 1970 single with Gene Clark
28. You Ain´t Going Nowhere ( Dylan ) Sweetheart Of The Rodeo
29. Paths of Victory ( Dylan ) Byrds Box
30. From a Distance ( Gold ) Byrds Box
31. He Was a Friend of Mine ( McGuinn ) Byrds Box
32. Amazing Grace ( Trad. ) Untitled - bonus

Essential Albums!

Original albums as listed and rated on “Rate Your Music” - December 25 - 2005

19 Mr Tambourine Man - 1965
20 Younger Than Yesterday - 1967
21 Sweetheart of the Rodeo - 1968
24 Fifth Dimension - 1966
28 Turn Turn Turn - 1966
113 Ballad of Easy Rider - 1969
133 Untitled - 1970
211 Dr Byrds and Mr Hyde - 1969
261 Farther Along - 1972
305 The Original Byrds - 1973
329 Byrdmaniax - 1971
376 Live Filmore 1969 - 2000
Check and Rate Here!

December 25 - "rateyourmusic.com"



LINKS:

Byrdmaniax

Eight Miles High


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Morten Vindberg

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