BS: Byrds Fans?

Subject: Byrds Fans?
From: Lonesome EJ
Date: 07 Feb 00 - 02:15 AM

In the thread on Dylan's Success, I made a comment attributing much of it to the mainlining of his music by the 60's folk/rock group The Byrds. Many may dismiss McGuinn, Crosby et al as folk dilletantes who corrupted and bastardized the music by appealing to a rocknroll audience, but I believe they were true pioneers and believers in the essence of the music, whether they were interpreting traditional music (John Riley, Wild Mountain Thyme), new folk (Turn Turn Turn, Pretty Boy Floyd), Dylan covers (Tambourine Man, My Back Pages) or self-penned tunes (Rock and Roll Star, Eight Miles High).

Through the life of the band, personnel included (in addition to McGuinn, Hillman and Crosby) such luminaries as Gram Parsons, John Hartford and Clarence White. In addition to pioneering Folk Rock, Sweetheart of the Rodeo almost single-handedly kicked off the genre of Country Rock. McGuinn, educated at the Old Town School of Folk Music in the late 50's, was and is a walking catalogue of traditional folk and blues. His web site, The Folk Den, is a fantastic source for lyrics and tablature.

Time, my friends, to give credit where credit is due!

Subject: RE: BS: Byrds Fans?
From: The Shambles
Date: 07 Feb 00 - 06:50 AM

I only saw them play live once but they were GREAT.

Subject: RE: BS: Byrds Fans?
From: Peg
Date: 07 Feb 00 - 09:41 AM

I love Eight Miles High...I think the Byrds were one of those groups that, for better or worse, epitomized one of the more prominent "sounds" of Sixties' music...a Haight-Ashbury feel to much of their music... Elvis Presley, when asked what groups he liked, mentioned them, but pronounced their name as if it were "The Beards."

Subject: RE: BS: Byrds Fans?
From: Eric the Viking
Date: 07 Feb 00 - 02:19 PM

The Byrds-WOW!! One of my favourite all time bands. I still play their tapes, CD's and only look at the vinyl covers. I think they were an underestimated band who not only brought Dylan to the fore but played such as Pete Seeger (Bells of Rhymny, turn ,turn, turn) But my all time favourite is "Everybody's been burned"- listen to the bass playing in that and quite right the "Folk den" with it's samples (some of them poor compared to MP3)is excellent. Peace Bro's Eric

Subject: RE: BS: Byrds Fans?
From: GUEST,LEJ
Date: 07 Feb 00 - 05:33 PM

Wouldn't it be great to see a young band come along in this day and age, and integrate trad, folk, pop and country the way those guys did?

Subject: RE: BS: Byrds Fans?
From: Callie
Date: 07 Feb 00 - 05:55 PM

Eight Miles High was an album we listened to continuously at work about 3 years ago. Just magic. I heard a live recording of a Crowded House concert where they were joined by McGuinn and they sang "so you wanna be a .." and it was just wonderful! Callie

Subject: RE: BS: Byrds Fans?
From: Grey Wolf
Date: 07 Feb 00 - 06:53 PM

The Byrds?

What can I say? With the possible exception of The Beatles, the greatest band ever.

I wasn't even born when Mr Tamborine Man was released, yet it remains the one song that inevitably cheers me up if I'm feeling really down.

My Back Pages - the best guitar solo ever! Something that even beginner guitarists could easily learn, but perfect.

Everybody has been burned - lyrically one of the wisest things I've ever heard.

Then Clarence White joined!

Gene Clark should be listened to more though. The postumously released live album is wonderful

Wolf

Subject: RE: BS: Byrds Fans?
From: Matty
Date: 07 Feb 00 - 07:57 PM

Just last week my brother gave me a full size color copy of his Sweetheart of the Rodeo poster.

Email me at [e-mail]. I'll find out what the cost is and be in contact with you.