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The Byrds' Sweetheart of the Rodeo was not the first important country-rock album (Gram Parsons managed that feat with the International Submarine Band's debut Safe at Home), and the Byrds were hardly strangers to country music, dipping their toes in the twangy stuff as early as their second album. But no major band had gone so deep into the sound and feeling of classic country (without parody or condescension) as the Byrds did on Sweetheart; at a time when most rock fans viewed country as a musical "L'il Abner" routine, the Byrds dared to declare that C&W could be hip, cool, and heartfelt. Though Gram Parsons had joined the band as a pianist and lead guitarist, his deep love of C&W soon took hold, and Roger McGuinn and Chris Hillman followed his lead; significantly, the only two original songs on the album were both written by Parsons (the achingly beautiful "Hickory Wind" and "One Hundred Years from Now"), while on the rest of the set classic tunes by Merle Haggard, the Louvin Brothers, and Woody Guthrie were sandwiched between a pair of twanged-up Bob Dylan compositions. While many cite this as more of a Gram Parsons album than a Byrds set, given the strong country influence of McGuinn's and Hillman's later work, it's obvious Parsons didn't impose a style upon this band so much as he tapped into a sound that was already there, waiting to be released. If the Byrds didn't do country-rock first, they did it brilliantly, and few albums in the style are as beautiful and emotionally affecting as this.
© Mark Deming /TiVo
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The Byrds, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Roger McGuinn, Banjo, Guitar - Chris Hillman, Bass Guitar, Mandolin - Gary Usher, Producer - Gram Parsons, Guitar - Bob Dylan, Composer, Lyricist - John Hartford, Banjo, Guitar - Lloyd Green, Steel Guitar - Roy M. Huskey, Bass - Clarence J. White, Guitar - Jaydee Maness, Steel Guitar - Kevin Kelley, Drums - Jon Corneal, Drums - Earl P. Ball, Piano
Originally released 1968. All rights reserved by Columbia Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
The Byrds, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Roger McGuinn, Banjo, Guitar - R. McGuinn, Arranger - Chris Hillman, Arranger, Bass Guitar, Mandolin - Gary Usher, Producer - Gram Parsons, Guitar - Traditional, Composer, Lyricist - John Hartford, Banjo, Guitar - Lloyd Green, Steel Guitar - Roy M. Huskey, Bass - Clarence J. White, Guitar - Jaydee Maness, Steel Guitar - Kevin Kelley, Drums - Jon Corneal, Drums - Earl P. Ball, Piano
Originally released 1968. All rights reserved by Columbia Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
The Byrds, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Roger McGuinn, Banjo, Guitar - Chris Hillman, Bass Guitar, Mandolin - Tim Geelan, Mixing Engineer - Gary Usher, Producer - Gram Parsons, Guitar - Charlie Louvin, Composer, Lyricist - Ira Louvin, Composer, Lyricist - Roy Halee, Engineer - John Hartford, Banjo, Guitar - Lloyd Green, Steel Guitar - Charlie Bragg, Engineer - Roy M. Huskey, Bass - Clarence J. White, Guitar - Jaydee Maness, Steel Guitar - Kevin Kelley, Drums - Jon Corneal, Drums - Earl P. Ball, Piano
Originally released 1968. All rights reserved by Columbia Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
The Byrds, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Roger McGuinn, Banjo, Guitar - Chris Hillman, Bass Guitar, Mandolin - Tim Geelan, Mixing Engineer - Gary Usher, Producer - Gram Parsons, Guitar - William Bell, Composer, Lyricist - Roy Halee, Engineer - John Hartford, Banjo, Guitar - Lloyd Green, Steel Guitar - Charlie Bragg, Engineer - Roy M. Huskey, Bass - Clarence J. White, Guitar - Jaydee Maness, Steel Guitar - Kevin Kelley, Drums - Jon Corneal, Drums - Earl P. Ball, Piano
Originally released 1968. All rights reserved by Columbia Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
The Byrds, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Roger McGuinn, Banjo, Guitar - L. McDaniel, Composer, Lyricist - Chris Hillman, Bass Guitar, Mandolin - Tim Geelan, Mixing Engineer - Gary Usher, Producer - Gram Parsons, Guitar - Roy Halee, Engineer - John Hartford, Banjo, Guitar - Lloyd Green, Steel Guitar - Charlie Bragg, Engineer - Roy M. Huskey, Bass - Clarence J. White, Guitar - Jaydee Maness, Steel Guitar - Kevin Kelley, Drums - Jon Corneal, Drums - Earl P. Ball, Piano
Originally released 1968. All rights reserved by Columbia Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
The Byrds, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Roger McGuinn, Banjo, Vocal - Chris Hillman, Mandolin - Gary Usher, Producer - Gram Parsons, Guitar - Woody Guthrie, Composer, Lyricist - John Hartford, Fiddle - CLARENCE WHITE, Guitar - Roy Huskey Jr., Bass
Originally released 1968. All rights reserved by Columbia Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
The Byrds, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Roger McGuinn, Banjo, Guitar - G. Parsons, Composer, Lyricist - B. Buchanan, Composer, Lyricist - Chris Hillman, Bass Guitar, Mandolin - Gary Usher, Producer - Gram Parsons, Guitar - John Hartford, Banjo, Guitar - Lloyd Green, Steel Guitar - Roy M. Huskey, Bass - Clarence J. White, Guitar - Jaydee Maness, Steel Guitar - Kevin Kelley, Drums - Jon Corneal, Drums - Earl P. Ball, Piano
Originally released 1968. All rights reserved by Columbia Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
The Byrds, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Roger McGuinn, Banjo, Guitar - G. Parsons, Composer, Lyricist - Chris Hillman, Bass Guitar, Mandolin - Tim Geelan, Mixing Engineer - Gary Usher, Producer - Gram Parsons, Guitar - Roy Halee, Engineer - John Hartford, Banjo, Guitar - Lloyd Green, Steel Guitar - Charlie Bragg, Engineer - Roy M. Huskey, Bass - Clarence J. White, Guitar - Jaydee Maness, Steel Guitar - Kevin Kelley, Drums - Jon Corneal, Drums - Earl P. Ball, Piano
Originally released 1968. All rights reserved by Columbia Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
The Byrds, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Roger McGuinn, Banjo, Guitar - Chris Hillman, Bass Guitar, Mandolin - Tim Geelan, Mixing Engineer - Gary Usher, Producer - Gram Parsons, Guitar - Cindy Walker, Composer, Lyricist - Roy Halee, Engineer - John Hartford, Banjo, Guitar - Lloyd Green, Steel Guitar - Charlie Bragg, Engineer - Roy M. Huskey, Bass - Clarence J. White, Guitar - Jaydee Maness, Steel Guitar - Kevin Kelley, Drums - Jon Corneal, Drums - Earl P. Ball, Piano
Originally released 1968. All rights reserved by Columbia Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
The Byrds, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Roger McGuinn, Banjo, Guitar - M. Haggard, Composer, Lyricist - J. Sanders, Composer, Lyricist - Chris Hillman, Bass Guitar, Mandolin - Tim Geelan, Mixing Engineer - Gary Usher, Producer - Gram Parsons, Guitar - Roy Halee, Engineer - John Hartford, Banjo, Guitar - Lloyd Green, Steel Guitar - Charlie Bragg, Engineer - Roy M. Huskey, Bass - Clarence J. White, Guitar - Jaydee Maness, Steel Guitar - Kevin Kelley, Drums - Jon Corneal, Drums - Earl P. Ball, Piano
Originally released 1968. All rights reserved by Columbia Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
The Byrds, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Roger McGuinn, Banjo, Guitar - Chris Hillman, Bass Guitar, Mandolin - Tim Geelan, Mixing Engineer - Gary Usher, Producer - Gram Parsons, Guitar - Bob Dylan, Composer, Lyricist - Roy Halee, Engineer - John Hartford, Banjo, Guitar - Lloyd Green, Steel Guitar - Charlie Bragg, Engineer - Roy M. Huskey, Bass - Clarence J. White, Guitar - Jaydee Maness, Steel Guitar - Kevin Kelley, Drums - Jon Corneal, Drums - Earl P. Ball, Piano
Originally released 1968. All rights reserved by Columbia Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
The Byrds, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Roger McGuinn, Banjo, Guitar - Chris Hillman, Bass Guitar, Mandolin - Tim Geelan, Mixing Engineer - Gary Usher, Producer - Gram Parsons, Guitar - Roy Halee, Engineer - John Hartford, Banjo, Guitar - Lloyd Green, Steel Guitar - Charlie Bragg, Engineer - Roy M. Huskey, Bass - Clarence J. White, Guitar - Jaydee Maness, Steel Guitar - Kevin Kelley, Composer, Lyricist, Drums, Vocal - Jon Corneal, Drums - Earl P. Ball, Piano
(P) 2003 Columbia Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
The Byrds, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Roger McGuinn, Banjo, Guitar - J.T. Hardin, Composer, Lyricist - Chris Hillman, Bass Guitar, Mandolin - Tim Geelan, Mixing Engineer - Gary Usher, Producer - Gram Parsons, Guitar - Roy Halee, Engineer - John Hartford, Banjo, Guitar - Lloyd Green, Steel Guitar - Charlie Bragg, Engineer - Roy M. Huskey, Bass - Clarence J. White, Guitar - Jaydee Maness, Steel Guitar - Kevin Kelley, Drums - Jon Corneal, Drums - Earl P. Ball, Piano
Originally released 1968. All rights reserved by Columbia Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
The Byrds, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Roger McGuinn, Banjo, Guitar - C. Hillman, Arranger - R. McGuinn, Arranger - Chris Hillman, Bass Guitar, Mandolin - Tim Geelan, Mixing Engineer - Gary Usher, Producer - Gram Parsons, Guitar - Traditional, Composer, Lyricist - Roy Halee, Engineer - John Hartford, Banjo, Guitar - Lloyd Green, Steel Guitar - Charlie Bragg, Engineer - Roy M. Huskey, Bass - Clarence J. White, Guitar - Jaydee Maness, Steel Guitar - Kevin Kelley, Drums - Jon Corneal, Drums - Earl P. Ball, Piano
Originally released 1968. All rights reserved by Columbia Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
The Byrds, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Roger McGuinn, Banjo, Guitar - G. Parsons, Composer, Lyricist - Chris Hillman, Bass Guitar, Mandolin - Tim Geelan, Mixing Engineer - Gary Usher, Producer - Gram Parsons, Guitar - Roy Halee, Engineer - John Hartford, Banjo, Guitar - Lloyd Green, Steel Guitar - Charlie Bragg, Engineer - Roy M. Huskey, Bass - Clarence J. White, Guitar - Jaydee Maness, Steel Guitar - Kevin Kelley, Drums - Jon Corneal, Drums - Earl P. Ball, Piano
Originally released 1968. All rights reserved by Columbia Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
The Byrds, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Roger McGuinn, Banjo, Guitar - Chris Hillman, Bass Guitar, Mandolin - Gary Usher, Producer - Gram Parsons, Guitar, Vocal - Charlie Louvin, Composer, Lyricist - Ira Louvin, Composer, Lyricist - John Hartford, Banjo, Guitar - Lloyd Green, Steel Guitar - Roy M. Huskey, Bass - Clarence J. White, Guitar - Jaydee Maness, Steel Guitar - Kevin Kelley, Drums - Jon Corneal, Drums - Earl P. Ball, Piano
Originally recorded 1968 & released 1990. All rights reserved by Columbia Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
The Byrds, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Roger McGuinn, Banjo, Guitar - W. Bell, Composer, Lyricist - Chris Hillman, Bass Guitar, Mandolin - Gary Usher, Producer - Gram Parsons, Guitar, Vocal - John Hartford, Banjo, Guitar - Lloyd Green, Steel Guitar - Roy M. Huskey, Bass - Clarence J. White, Guitar - Jaydee Maness, Steel Guitar - Kevin Kelley, Drums - Jon Corneal, Drums - Earl P. Ball, Piano
Originally recorded 1968 & released 1990. All rights reserved by Columbia Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
The Byrds, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Roger McGuinn, Banjo, Guitar - G. Parsons, Composer, Lyricist - Chris Hillman, Bass Guitar, Mandolin - Gary Usher, Producer - Gram Parsons, Guitar, Vocal - John Hartford, Banjo, Guitar - Lloyd Green, Steel Guitar - Roy M. Huskey, Bass - Clarence J. White, Guitar - Jaydee Maness, Steel Guitar - Kevin Kelley, Drums - Jon Corneal, Drums - Earl P. Ball, Piano
Originally recorded 1968 & released 1990. All rights reserved by Columbia Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
The Byrds, Speaker, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Unknown, Producer - See Sub-songs, Composer, Lyricist
(P) 2003 Columbia Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
DISC 2
G. Parsons, Composer, Lyricist - The International Submarine Band, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - J. Nuese, Composer, Lyricist - Jack Lewis, Producer
Originally released 1966. All rights reserved by Columbia Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
G. Parsons, Composer, Lyricist - The International Submarine Band, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Jack Lewis, Producer
Originally released 1966. All rights reserved by Columbia Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
The Byrds, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - G. Parsons, Composer, Lyricist - Gary Usher, Producer
(P) 2003 Columbia Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
The Byrds, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - C. Hillman, Arranger - R. McGuinn, Arranger - Gary Usher, Producer - Traditional, Composer, Lyricist
(P) 2003 Columbia Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
The Byrds, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - G. Parsons, Composer, Lyricist - B. Buchanan, Composer, Lyricist - Gary Usher, Producer
(P) 2003 Columbia Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
The Byrds, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Gary Usher, Producer - Charlie Louvin, Composer, Lyricist - Ira Louvin, Composer, Lyricist
(P) 2003 Columbia Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
The Byrds, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Gary Usher, Producer - Charlie Louvin, Composer, Lyricist - Ira Louvin, Composer, Lyricist
(P) 2003 Columbia Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
The Byrds, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - M. Haggard, Composer, Lyricist - J. Sanders, Composer, Lyricist - Gary Usher, Producer
(P) 2003 Columbia Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
The Byrds, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - M. Haggard, Composer, Lyricist - J. Sanders, Composer, Lyricist - Gary Usher, Producer
(P) 2003 Columbia Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
The Byrds, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - G. Parsons, Composer, Lyricist - Gary Usher, Producer
(P) 2003 Columbia Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
The Byrds, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - G. Parsons, Composer, Lyricist - Gary Usher, Producer
(P) 2003 Columbia Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
The Byrds, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - L. McDaniel, Composer, Lyricist - Gary Usher, Producer
(P) 2003 Columbia Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
The Byrds, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - L. McDaniel, Composer, Lyricist - Gary Usher, Producer
(P) 2003 Columbia Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
The Byrds, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Gary Usher, Producer - Kevin Kelley, Composer, Lyricist
(P) 2003 Columbia Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
The Byrds, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Gary Usher, Producer - Kevin Kelley, Composer, Lyricist
(P) 2003 Columbia Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
The Byrds, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Gary Usher, Producer - Cindy Walker, Composer, Lyricist
(P) 2003 Columbia Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
Album review
The Byrds' Sweetheart of the Rodeo was not the first important country-rock album (Gram Parsons managed that feat with the International Submarine Band's debut Safe at Home), and the Byrds were hardly strangers to country music, dipping their toes in the twangy stuff as early as their second album. But no major band had gone so deep into the sound and feeling of classic country (without parody or condescension) as the Byrds did on Sweetheart; at a time when most rock fans viewed country as a musical "L'il Abner" routine, the Byrds dared to declare that C&W could be hip, cool, and heartfelt. Though Gram Parsons had joined the band as a pianist and lead guitarist, his deep love of C&W soon took hold, and Roger McGuinn and Chris Hillman followed his lead; significantly, the only two original songs on the album were both written by Parsons (the achingly beautiful "Hickory Wind" and "One Hundred Years from Now"), while on the rest of the set classic tunes by Merle Haggard, the Louvin Brothers, and Woody Guthrie were sandwiched between a pair of twanged-up Bob Dylan compositions. While many cite this as more of a Gram Parsons album than a Byrds set, given the strong country influence of McGuinn's and Hillman's later work, it's obvious Parsons didn't impose a style upon this band so much as he tapped into a sound that was already there, waiting to be released. If the Byrds didn't do country-rock first, they did it brilliantly, and few albums in the style are as beautiful and emotionally affecting as this.
© Mark Deming /TiVo
About the album
- 2 disc(s) - 39 track(s)
- Total length: 01:55:14
- Main artists: The Byrds
- Composer: Various Composers
- Label: Columbia - Legacy
- Genre: Pop/Rock Rock
Originally Released 1966, 1968 Sony Music Entertainment Inc., 1966 EMI Records, 1968 Shiloh Records, (P) 2003 Sony Music Entertainment Inc.
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