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Byrds

Byrds Box - 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

Comments:

In 1990, when this box-set was originally released, it was really a goldmine of rarities, great out-takes and new recordings - obviously alongside of the hits and the majority of the best tracks of their 11 Columbia studio albums.

Now with the re-release of all the Byrds originals ( remastered and all with great bonus-tracks ) the box will be less attractive for collectors who just love Byrds music and who do not necessarily want everything released by the Band. Still for completists and people who want to own the very best of band, flavoured with rarities and lesser known tracks, this is still a very good buy.

I'll comment a little on the songs not included on the re-issue series. The four "new" 1990 recordings with 3 original members ( Crosby, Hillman and McGuinn ) all sound appealing and inspired - two of them are really great. The re-recording of "Here Was a Friend of Mine" is vocally outstanding and at least just as strong as the original. Their version of "From a Distance", with Hilmann vocally up front, is terrific. Often this fine song has been ruined by overdone arrangements and sentimental vocals. The Byrds gives a pure version with their well-known instrumentation ( most important their fine harmonies and McGuinns 12 string Rickenbacker ) - for me one of the greatest surprises. The other two new songs are good though no more.

Another song that deserves to be brought out is the live-version of "Lover of the Bayou" ( not the Untitled track ) - to my knowledge this the only place this recording can be found. From the same live-appearance Clarence White's guitar-performance on "Black Mountain Rag" is simply breat-taking.

"Mr Tambourine Man" with Bob Dylan from the Roy Orbison tribute concert is another highlight.

From "Sweetheart of the Rodeo" ( my least favourite Byrds-album ) there is a re-found Gram Parsons vocal on "One Hundred Years From Now".

Some songs are in slightly different mixes, which may be detected by the trained ear.

It may be worth noting that the rarities and outtakes sound as clear and clean as the original songs ( only exception is the 1967 live version of "Roll Over Beethoven" )

Otherwise there are hours of fine music by one of the greatest and most influental bands in American rock-music.

Moreover there is a fine biography ( by David Fricke ), rare photos, family tree, detailed information about the songs, notes from Crosby, McGuinn and Hillman - and more.

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