Curiosity has led to fandom...
For years, I have read of the lineage between The Byrds and Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, but the two Byrds songs I knew, “Mr. Tambourine Man” and “Turn! Turn! Turn! (There is a Season)” were not enough to give me a true sense of the connection or even prove its existence. As I rediscovered Petty's work (Highway Companion, Conversations...Petty, live review, Confessions 001), my curiosity about The Byrds grew. An entire wall of our apartment is devoted to my musical curiosities. It was time to add another "brick" to that wall.…
Article comments
26 - Gordon Hauptfleisch
I always like to put in a bid for the under-appreciated Gene Clark. He was co-writer of the Byrds' best record, "Eight Miles High," but as sole writer of such songs as "I'll Feel A Whole Lot Better," "She Don't Care About Time" and the marvelous "Set You Free This Time" (on which he was lead singer), he was a strong participant during the group's first couple years.
A couple other strong songs, "She Has A Way and "Never Before" show up on Never Before (1989), a compilation of alternate takes and obscurities (the songs are probably also on other anthologies and box sets by now).
Clark also was an influence on country-rock with his 1967 solo album, recorded after leaving the Byrds.
27 - DJRadiohead
Welcome to the conversation, Gordon. The liner notes to the box mention Dylan's interest in Gene Clark as a writer. "She Has a Way" is actually included on this set.
As to "Set You Free This Time," I am not a huge fan of Gene's lead vocal. I like some of the other voices in the band a bit better. That said, his writing contributions to The Byrds were huge and he had a hand in writing some of my favorite songs on the set. He deserves a tip of the cap.
28 - Vern Halen
Gene Clark was central to the group on those first couple of albums, but you really have to admire how McGuinn took over when he left and shaped the band in his own image. He even managed to utilize the writing contributions of Hillman & Crosby - in other bands, the emergence of two more writers wold have been seen as simply comeptition. For my money it's Younger Than Yesterday that's the crown jewel, and the bonus tracks on the reissue are great too.
The Parsons era, though good, was short lived and a bit of a blip in the Byrds' history - albeit an imprtant blip. McGuinn set out to remake the Byrds as a country rock act, and may have succeeded, depending on your dedication as a fan and/or your taste in country music.
I think for those first few albums, anyways, the Byrds were one of the few bands in America (maybe the only band) that could match the Beatles in musical growth & personal dynamics. I hope they eventually regain their rightful prominence in the hearts of music fans in general intead of simply having their archhives acclaimed by music specialists and critics.
29 - DJRadiohead
Vern, I am with you in the hope that The Byrds gain more prominence. I'm kind of bummed it took me as long as it did for me to investigate them.
The Parsons era was a blip - 4 months - I think, but it was a great blip. I am looking forward to checking out the actual albums themselves.
30 - Gordon Hauptfleisch
Roger McGuinn's 1990 album Back From Rio is a great album worth checking out if you haven't already--it boasts co-writer credits with Tom Petty and other songs by Elvis Costello and Jules Shear.