Comments:

After the both praised and criticized sixth album "Sweetheart of the Rodeo", founder member, Chris Hillman, left the group and McGuinn was thus the only original member. As compensation, the excellent guitarist, Clarence White, had joined as a permanent member, which he continued to be until his tragic death in a car accident in 1973. Since "Younger than Yesterday", White had helped the group during the recordings of the previous albums, so it must have been pretty easy for him to join. Also, new drummer Gene Parsons was a capable replacement for Michael Clarke and Kevin Kelley, and like White, Parsons continued with the Byrds until the breakup in 1973. New bass player was John York, who left the Byrds shortly after the next album "Ballad of Easy Rider".

Musically “Dr. Byrds and Mr. Hyde” points somewhat in several directions. The very folk/country style that characterized the predecessor can be found on songs like "Drug Store Truck Drivin' Man" and "Old Blue". The former is actually a song co-written by Gram Parsons and McGuinn; a funny story about a very conservative truck driver. "Old Blue" is a catchy folk-traditional and one of the album's fine moments. Also "Your Gentle Way of Loving Me" could have fit in with "Sweetheart of the Rodeo"; although a bit more electric guitar here than on most of that album. The song was written by two relatively unknown songwriters, Gib Guilbeau and Gary Paxton; quite a nice song. "Candy", written by McGuinn and York, has elements of both country and psychedelia. A number that was written for the film of the same name. McGuinn's "King Apathy III" also has elements of both country and psychedelia; nice guitar from White here.

Very much psychedelia is the complex "Child of the Universe", which was also part of the soundtrack to "Candy". The track was written by McGuinn with Dave Gruisin. In the heavier section we find "Bad Night at the Whiskey" and a nice different version of Rick Danko and Bob Dylan's "This Wheel's on Fire".

An absolutely terrific instrumental "Nashville West" is an unforgettable track, on which White and Parsons totally blow the listener away. Finally, there is the closing medley, which is quite enjoyable but perhaps would have been more relevant on a live album.

Among the bonus tracks there is Mcguinn's "Stanley's Song", which is quite sweet, but perhaps a little unfinished in the arrangement. With a little finishing it could well have deserved a place on the original album. With only 34 minutes, there could well have been room. Their version of Dylan's "Lay Lady Lay" is also included as a bonus track. A big plus is that the bombastic gospel choir has been mixed out. So it's actually a good version of the song; which I never realized until I heard this version. Without the annoying choir, the number could also have been a good subject for "Dr. Byrds and Mr. Hyde”. A faster and lighter version of "This Wheels on Fire" can also be found; in fact, I prefer this to the somewhat heavy chosen version.

All in all, it is not one of the group's essential albums, but with tracks like "Old Blue", "Nashville West", "This Wheels on Fire" and "Child of the Universe" it is an album you don't want to miss and ,of course, an important piece in the group's unique musical development.