The Byrds

The Byrds' second album, Turn! Turn! Turn!, was only a disappointment in comparison with Mr. Tambourine Man. They couldn't maintain such a level of consistent magnificence, and the follow-up was not quite as powerful or impressive. It was still quite good, however, particularly the ringing number one title cut, a classic on par with the "Mr. Tambourine Man" single. Elsewhere, they concentrated more on original material, Gene Clark in particular offering some strong compositions with "Set You Free This Time," "The World Turns All Around Her," and "If You're Gone." A couple more Bob Dylan covers were included, as well, and "Satisfied Mind" was their first foray into country-rock, a direction they would explore in much greater depth throughout the rest of the '60s.

‘Change Is Now' is a tribute to The Byrd's entire catalog from 1964 to 1973. Christian Parker & Gary Jacob produced this fifteen-song deep-dive collection. "We wanted to pick songs off the beaten path that never had the exposure they deserved, Parker said" The first volume 'Sweethearts' A Tribute to the Byrds 'Sweetheart of the Rodeo" was released in the summer of 2023. Original session player Earl Poole Ball & Christian Parker produced the 1968 classic, and original pedal steel guitar player JayDee Maness contributed. 'Change Is Now' has the rigging of a Rickenbacker 12-string electric guitar and a B-bender telecaster, with many Gene Clark original compositions. Earl Poole Ball played on three songs, one of which he performed while on the road with Johnny Cash for 20 years!

Four of the five original members of The Byrds appear on Younger Than Yesterday, their fourth album recorded in 1966 and released in 1967. Time has shown it to be among the most durable of the band's albums. David Crosby, Roger McGuinn, and Chris Hillman come into their own as songwriters and Michael Clarke continued to mature into an impressive drummer. The album successfully expands their musical styles into several different directions yet remains a focused set blending folk-rock, heavy psychedelia, jazz influences and early indicators of the country rock direction the band later pursued.
While there's a somber, brooding tone that hangs over many of the songs, the album has a fresh playful quality capturing new musical textures, including reverse tape effects and brass instruments…

Although the Byrds' Fifth Dimension was wildly uneven, its high points were as innovative as any rock music being recorded in 1966. Immaculate folk-rock was still present in their superb arrangements of the traditional songs "Wild Mountain Thyme" and "John Riley." For the originals, they devised some of the first and best psychedelic rock, often drawing from the influence of Indian raga in the guitar arrangements. "Eight Miles High," with its astral lyrics, pumping bassline, and fractured guitar solo, was a Top 20 hit, and one of the greatest singles of the '60s. The minor hit title track and the country-rock-tinged "Mr. Spaceman" are among their best songs; "I See You" has great 12-string psychedelic guitar solos; and "I Come and Stand at Every Door" is an unusual and moving update of a traditional rock tune, with new lyrics pleading for peace in the nuclear age…

The fifty two tracks composing “Original A’s & B’s 1965-1971” are all included in their original mono single mixes, with the exceptions of “Citizen Kane” and “Farther Along” which were only recorded in stereo and were never folded down or prepared in any mono format. The two discs come in a slimline jewel case and the forty eight page booklet contains the full lyrics in both Japanese and English.
Although they only attained the huge success of the Beatles, Rolling Stones, and the Beach Boys for a brief period in the mid-'60s, time has judged the Byrds to be nearly as influential as those groups in the long run. They were not solely responsible for devising folk-rock, but they were certainly more responsible than any other single act (Dylan included) for melding the innovations and energy of the British Invasion with the best lyrical and musical elements of contemporary folk music…

The fifty two tracks composing “Original A’s & B’s 1965-1971” are all included in their original mono single mixes, with the exceptions of “Citizen Kane” and “Farther Along” which were only recorded in stereo and were never folded down or prepared in any mono format. The two discs come in a slimline jewel case and the forty eight page booklet contains the full lyrics in both Japanese and English.
Although they only attained the huge success of the Beatles, Rolling Stones, and the Beach Boys for a brief period in the mid-'60s, time has judged the Byrds to be nearly as influential as those groups in the long run. They were not solely responsible for devising folk-rock, but they were certainly more responsible than any other single act (Dylan included) for melding the innovations and energy of the British Invasion with the best lyrical and musical elements of contemporary folk music…