Essential Songs: Late Byrds
Submitted by JohnnyW on Tue, 02/20/2001 - 10:26
Tags:
- 1."This Wheel's on Fire"/Dr. Byrds and Mr. Hyde
- 2."Drug Store Truck Driving Man"/Dr. Byrds and Mr. Hyde
- 3."Ballad of Easy Rider"/Ballad of Easy Rider
- 4."Jesus is Just Alright"/Ballad of Easy Rider
- 5."Lover of the Bayou"(live)/Untitled
- 6."Chestnut Mare"/Untitled
- 7."Truck Stop Girl"/Untitled
- 8."Just a Season"/Untitled
- 9."Farther Along"/Farther Along
- 10."Bugler"/Farther Along
Author Comments:
The Byrds' output after Sweetheart of the Rodeo has at best been underappreciated and at worst slandered. I'm here to say that, while these late albums are not as uniformly great as the early Byrds, they are also full of classic Byrds moments and deserve to be heard! Clarence White joined the band for these later albums and, along with the remaining Roger McGuinn, kept the Byrds alive as a maturing and exploring act, not a washed-up band limping along the oldie's circuit; so, even if I come across a little too strongly, seek out these songs and many others besides--I'd recommend the wonderful double album Untitled as a starting place. (note: I have not heard Byrdmaniax, by far the most reviled album in the Byrds catalog)
I've heard most of these, and I must give kudos for choosing such great songs from the less-than-stellar period of their work. I believe Untitled might well be the most unfairly over-looked gem in their crown.
Shalom, y'all!
L. Bangs